I don't own or claim ownership of Monarch of the Glen or any of its characters, plotlines, etc., nor am I making money off of them.

They are the wonderful creation and property of BBC Scotland and Ecosse Films.

Feel free to let me know what you think! I love reading reviews and keep them in mind when I write=)


Chapter 7:

Estate Office, Glenbogle House

Paul sighed and rubbed his eyes.

He was trying to make these figure work, to somehow find a way to close the gap between expenditures and income. He thought of Archie and how he had managed to make Glenbogle solvent. This was the second time now that Paul had put Glenbogle in the red-indeed he couldn't remember a time in the last few years when he hadn't worried about finances. The great disparity he saw between Archie's accomplishments and his own only deepened the bitter frustration he was feeling.

'I need a break,' he thought to himself.

He slowly raised his tired body up and ambled out the door of the office, heading toward the deliveries door.

Light poured out through the kitchen windows

'That's odd' he thought. "Someone must be in the kitchen."

A small smile appeared on his face. Maybe it was Iona.

He wanted, needed to talk with her, but she'd been busy all day on one of her dreaded social calls, and had talked about going to bed early.

He plodded up to the house and made his way to the kitchen.

To his slight disappointment, Ewan sat at the kitchen table, recipe books spread all about, though Paul noticed he wasn't looking at any of them.

"Hi Ewan. Late night? You know I don't pay overtime, right?"

Ewan smiled weakly, "Getting a head start on the menu."

Paul looked puzzled. "But you've already got this week's menu finished. And the next."

Ewan shrugged. "Workin' on the week after next. Thought I'd get a head start."

Paul raised an eyebrow. "Forgive me if I'm wrong Ewan, but it sounds like something's on your mind. Something besides menus and recipes." He gave his cook a knowing look. "Perhaps, something to do with Amy?"

Ewan looked down at the floor, exhaling loudly. He turned to Paul.

"Amy's been gushing about New York every time I've talked to her."

"And you think she wants to stay."

Ewan nodded.

"Are thinking about joining her?"

Ewan shrugged.

"I mean...it's a huge change. New York's so...different from everything I know."

Paul nodded. He swallowed hard.

"Do you love her?"

Ewan's eyes narrowed.

Suddenly he got up and began rummaging in one of the cabinets.

"I wonder if we still have some capers."

"Ewan."

"Or maybe some lemon juice..."

Paul sighed, "Ewan!"

"What?"

Paul raised his eyebrows.

"You never answered my question."

Ewan still avoided eye contact

"It's...it's complicated!"

He seized a bottle of lemon juice from the fridge and, setting it down on the table, flipped through one of the cookbooks.

"Okay, then lets' talk abou-"

Ewan's stopped what he was doing and frowned. "If it's all the same to you Paul, I'd...I'd rather not discuss it any further."

He gave Paul a stern look.

The laird nodded.

"Right. I'll a leave you to your menu planning."

A bit perturbed by Ewan's rejection, he marched out of the kitchen and up the stairs.

The other day he'd found a small cordial of Hector's beloved malt stowed in a secret compartment in the foyer. As much as he hated the stuff, he thought a good swig might be just what he needed.

But as he reached the main level it was clear he would find no consolation there. A voice, Lexie's voice wafted through the dark corridors. Curious that Lexie would be up and about this time of night he followed the sound to the entrance to the foyer.

There, taking cover behind a conveniently placed suit of armor, he saw Lexie sitting on a sofa, smiling sheepishly at a computer screen. Peering more closely, he just make out the image of Archie on the computer screen.

Skype. Of course.

"So, how was the meeting?" Lexie said sparkling.

"It...it went well."

"It better have, running off to Edinburgh to talk a stuffy professor during our family holiday."

Archie sighed. "I know Lexie. I'm sorry. But it was important. And I think you'll like the results."

"Oh? This isn't another of your harebrained schemes is it Arch?" she said playfully, with just a tinge of skepticism in her voice.

"But darling, I specialize in harebrained schemes. It runs in the family, I think."Lexie rolled her eyes.

"You can say that again!" She sighed. "so wha' is it, Arch!? You're leaving me in the dark here!"

"Lexie, I was wondering what you thought about staying here, in Scotalnd, at Glenbogle, permanently."

Even from this distance Paul could sense Archie's anxiety.

Lexie looked at the screen warily.

"You're joking, right?" she said with a smile.

"Um...no...Lexie...I'm not."

For a moment she sat there, mouth agape, unable to speak.

"But..but what about Duncan!"

"He'll be fine. It'll be good for him to grow up here, close to his roots."

"What about the vineyard?" She sighed. "What about Jamie, Arch?"

"Pat's a great manager, and we can always sell it if we have to. And as for Jamie, it's like you said. I can't just run away from the problem, bury myself in guilt. This is our home Lex, and I want Duncan, Jr. to be a part of that."

"Hey, ya don't have to convince me of that one." She smiled lopsidedly. "I'm just glad you agree."

"Good," Archie said, "I was hoping you'd say that." He looked at his watch.

"It's late, and I've got an early train, so what do you say we talk more about this when I get home?"

Lexie nodded excitedly.

"I just can't believe this is happening, Arch! We're coming back to Glenbogle! For good!"

Archie smiled broadly.

"I love you Lex."

"Love you too Arch. See you tomorrow."

"Bye."

"Bye."

Paul was thunderstruck. Archie and Lexie? Back here? Permanently?

He knew he should be overjoyed, but something told him this meant trouble, and lots of it.

"Paul?"

Lexie's voice suddenly intruded on his thoughts.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm...er...uh...headed back to the office."

"Don't you think it's a bit late to be workin' on stuff?"

Paul cleared his throat.

"Well...you know how the saying goes. No rest for the wicked..."

With that he was off down the hall, before Lexie could say another word.

To be continued...


Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed it so far!