Maybe….

By: Kate

Part 1

Lexie knew that her decision was right. To marry the laird was wrong, and as much as she wanted it to she knew it would never work. Pondering her dilemma, Lexie quickly worked her way through the rest of the washing up before retreating to her bedroom. She was soon asleep. Her slumber was restless and interrupted by dreams of what might have been and visions of Archie.

Lexie woke up the next morning with a feeling of dread in her stomach. How will she ever be able to face Archie again? She slowly dressed thinking over how the situation could get any easier (or even worse!). By the time she arrived in the kitchen Lexie had come to the conclusion was to leave Glenbogle. But could she? This was her home, her life and was inhabited by her (as good as) family . But then again she had fleed one family, why not another?

As she served breakfast Lexie avoided Archie's gaze. She realised that it would be impossible to live with someone who could have been her fiancé. She would have to leave. She risked a glance at Archie while serving Molly's meal and noticed that he was reading a letter. He had no expression in his face, and so it's content puzzled Lexie.

As she walked past Archie to leave the door he reached out and grabbed her arm. "Just a minute Lex" he whispered.

Lexie panicked. She didn't want anyone else to know about the previous night's happenings. "Arch," she protested, "don't tell them about…"

"I won't. That's between you and me. It's about something else." He reassured her. At that moment Hector looked up from his breakfast.

"Is something bothering you, or can a man eat in peace?" He snapped at Lexie and Archie.

"Hector, please," Molly scolded.

"Actually there is something the matter," Archie announced. "I will be leaving Glenbogle for a while. Before you say anything," Archie quickly went on, noticing his father's mouth open in protest, "I am leaving to help Lizze. She has sent me a letter telling of how she has managed to get a new job, quite high up in a restaurant chain, and needs someone to look after Martha. Seeing as I have quite some expertise in the catering field she thought that I was the one to ask. Last night I called her to agree." Lexie's heart sank. She had been beaten to it. Archie was leaving instead, and she had driven him to it.

Part 2

Lexie calmly walked out of the room, using Hector's outburst as a distraction. She slowly made her way to her bedroom and sat down on her bed. She didn't cry, although she thought she would. She just sat in a daze. It was only a knock on the door that brought her back to earth. "Lexie?" someone whispered.

Lexie looked up and opened the door to find Archie standing at the other side. She breathed out heavily and sat back down on the bed. Archie closed the door at sat next to her. There was an awkward silence. "What did you want?"

"When?" Archie didn't understand.

"Just now, why have you come?" She looked into his eyes for the first time since the proposal. Her stomach leapt. She still loved him, and for a moment Lexie wondered why she had said "no."

"I…."Archie paused. What was it he had wanted to say? He had come only to see her, not to talk. "I wanted to tell you my plans for Glenbogle," he gushed. Lexie looked at him for a moment. She doubted that this was his real reason for visiting her.

"Go on," she urged after a moment's hesitation.

"Well, seeing as I'll be leaving for a while I thought it would be best for someone else to be in charge. I thought maybe you, seeing as you run the place anyway," he smiled, "you would only have to sort out the everyday stuff, not anything big. You can give me a call if you need any help." Lexie searched his eyes for a moment. She could still hear him propose to her the night before. Why? Why had she declined?

"Of course," she said with a nervous smile.

"Thank you," Archie stood up to leave.

"Arch," Lexie blurted out before she could stop herself.

"Yes?" Archie turned to look at her.

"Would you have left if I had accepted?" Lexie watched nervously as Archie considered her question.

"No," Archie finally replied, "but don't assume you drove me out. You were my reason to stay. A little holiday should help clear my mind up about the estate… and about us."

"Arch, you fought so hard to keep the estate and the day after you get it back you leave. That sounds like something else is pushing you out to me." Lexie stared at him, her eyes glistening form the tears filling her eyes.

"Lexie don't cry. You were what would keep me, not what would make me leave. All this with the estate and us, well, it's made me think. I want my sister to enjoy her life too. Her new job to her is like the estate to me. I want to help her keep her estate." Lexie smiled. She knew he was right. "Now don't fret. If you are worried I'll always be a phone call away." He kissed her forehead before heading to leave. "No hard feelings," he grinned from the doorway, and left.