9 The Rematch
In the following days, Molly moved around the house like a ghost. She responded when spoken to, but otherwise seemed to be in her own world. Only Lizzie seemed to be able to reach her.
"If there's one thing I have experience with, it's disappointment in love." she told Molly at breakfast one morning. "You have to keep busy. You are coming with me to tend the horses."
"Oh, I'm not dressed for that."
"You can change. I can wait. Then we'll go riding."
"Oh, I'd like that."
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Lizzie and Molly drove up to the Kilwillie's stable and went in. The horses were shifting about in their stalls impatiently.
"You took too long to get dressed, Mummy. They're hungry."
"I'll give them their carrots first," Molly said, as Lizzie filled the feedbags and water trough.
Molly admired the horses, patting and talking to them.
"Here, take a rake," Lizzie said. "You're here to work."
Molly gave her a long suffering look. "So it's come to this. How low the nobility has fallen."
"It's the new world order, Mummy."
Their work completed, Molly and Lizzie began to saddle up.
"Riding has been the best antidote for the blues I've found since coming here," Lizzie said. "I just ride and ride as fast as I can. Sometimes I even seem to be able to outpace my troubles."
"Let's go then," Molly said. I'll give mine a good run for their money."
Lizzie rode Kilwillie's Braveheart, and Molly rode Flora's Misty.
"Oh this feels good," Molly said as they trotted through the narrow paths of the wooded area. They came to the open moor.
"Ready to rip?" Lizzie asked.
"I'll follow you," Molly replied.
They began to canter. Molly was enjoying the feel of her mount going at a brisk but relaxed pace. The wind and sun on her face made her feel almost alive again. Then they increased their pace to a gallop. Molly held on tight, as the horse's four feet came off the ground all at once, only to land briefly before flying off again. It felt exhilarating. It was almost as exciting as being in love.
Eventually they slowed to a canter again and Molly could notice the landscape. The heather was royal purple and the grasses and moss were lush green. They saw a fire ahead, which did not worry them, but drew their attention. They rode up to it and found Golly and Duncan in their yearly act of burning the heather, a long used land management technique to keep the heather young and tender.
"Morning, ladies," Golly said. But this wasn't a good time for conversation as the men had to keep attention to the blaze. They rode on, climbing higher and higher. The came to a promontory overlooking the loch and the house and most of the estate. They dismounted and sat on some rocks to take in the view.
"Lizzie, do you miss him too?"
"Yes," she said. "I thought I had finally found a father. The one I had been looking for all my life."
"You and your father weren't very close but he did care about you."
"He had a funny way of showing it."
"He did. But when you had the chickenpox and you were in agony, how he fretted about you. I gave you oatmeal baths and he'd pace outside the bathroom, wringing his hands and urging me to call the doctor. I had already spoken to the doctor who assured me you were going to be fine. Even so, with every moan and cry, your father was sure you were going to die. I felt like I was treating two patients."
"It sounds like Daddy - making my chicken pox his illness. But we were talking about Andrew. Are you angry at him?"
"No. Not really. Committing art forgery, although not an admirable quality in a man, is not the worst of crimes. It was something from his past. He had no reason to think he would get caught after all those years. I admit I'm being morally weak for dismissing his faults so quickly but chalk it up to my being in love."
"Mummy, you've always been so sweet and forgiving. But sometimes a little anger can do you good. You know, if you find yourself not recovering from your broken heart as quickly as you ought, you should consider going into therapy. It can be very helpful."
"Thank you Lizzie, I'll keep that in mind, Molly smiled, sweetly as always."
--------
On the return trip back, Molly and Lizzie met up with Golly and Duncan again. The men were done with the burning and were pouring water and stamping out the flames.
"It looks good," Molly said.
Lizzie said nothing. It looked like a charred mess to her.
"Golly, I'd like to paint you," Molly said. "Will you be around this afternoon so we can talk about it?"
"I'll be in my croft after lunch."
"Good, I'll be by at 1:00 then?"
They cantered on. They galloped over the open moor. They returned to the stable where Lizzie and Molly curried down the horses and refilled their water. Upon leaving Lizzie
noticed a note from Flora. She would be riding this afternoon. Would Lizzie care to join her.
Lizzie wrote that she would be glad to join Flora for a ride.
--------
Molly found Golly at home, as expected.
"Come in Molly," Golly said. "Would ye like some tea or coffee or mebbe somethin' stronger?"
"Tea would be lovely," Molly said.
Having anticipated her answer, Golly had already made the tea. He poured it out. Both seated with mugs in hand, Molly began. "Before we discuss the portrait, I want to tell you that I'm giving you the house that Andrew left to me."
"Oh, Molly, ye shouldna."
"Yes I should. It was your house when you sold it to Andrew. You gave that money to Archie to pay the death duties. It's only fair that the house reverts to you."
"Molly, that's very kind of ye, but I'm not sure I can accept it."
"Why not?"
"First I have some things to tell you about Andrew and myself. Then you can decide whether ye still want to make the offer."
"Yes, I heard that the police interviewed you about the business. What did you know about it?"
"First of all, I had reason to suspect that Andrew is currently involved in art forgery."
"Currently?"
"Yes. I didna know fer certain, so I didna tell anybody, but I overheard a phone conversation and then I saw that him copyin' a charcoal drawing. I'm no artist, but it looked like it might of been somethin' old and valuable."
"Really."
"Then when I was at the police station with Duncan over some traffic fines, Callum was showin' us his police computer. All I had to do was type in Andrew's name and his whole known history as an art forger popped up in black and white."
"So you told them."
"Aye, I did."
Molly went pale.
"I did it fer yew, Molly. I didna want ye mixed up with an active criminal, unknowingly puttin' yerself at risk fer who knows what."
"You might have told me first and let me make up my own mind," Molly said hotly.
"I might of, but I thought this was the best way."
"Thank you Golly, for doing what you thought best," Molly said coldly. "Perhaps we ought to talk about the portrait another time."
"Good day, Molly," Golly said as she left. He dumped both mugs of tea in the sink and then poured himself a dram of whiskey.
--------
Flora, it seemed, wanted to trot and chat rather than do any exerting riding. That was fine with Lizzie who already got a good workout.
"He's coming this evening." Flora said.
"Who," Lizzie asked.
"Oops, I almost said his name. My boyfriend."
"We'll have to have you over for a meal," Lizzie said. "How long is he staying?"
"Four days. I'm a little nervous. He's never seen Kilwillie Castle before," she tittered.
"It's a beautiful place. He should love it."
"You don't think he might be a little overwhelmed?"
"You're asking me? I grew up in Glenbogle House, remember? I don't overwhelm easily."
-------
Molly found Archie in the estate office and plopped herself in the chair by his desk.
"Hi, Mother," he said, mirroring her sad face. "Can I help?"
"Archie, you didn't suspect Andrew of doing anything illegal, did you?"
"No, but I didn't know him that well," Archie said. "How about you? Did you?"
"No," Molly said, aghast. "But Golly did."
"Really? What did he know?"
"He said he overheard a conversation and he saw him copying a charcoal drawing. Then he went to the police station and they found Andrew's name in the computer saying he was an art forger."
Archie wheeled his chair over so he was nearly knee to knee with Molly. He took her hands in his and said, "You may not be ready to hear this, but as painful as it is, you're better off without Andrew."
"That's what Golly said," Molly said pulling her hands away from Archie and crossing her arms in front of her. "Nobody seems to think that I might have wanted to have a say in the matter."
"Mother, you can't possibly be saying you might have married him if you knew what he was doing?"
"I don't know what I'm possibly saying. I just don't want people saying it for me."
Archie tried again. "Look, I'm sorry things turned out this way. I saw how happy you were with Andrew. I wish you could have stayed happy together."
"No, I'm sorry, Archie. I'm getting angry at you and it's not your fault. Lizzie says I should be angry with Andrew, but I can't bring myself to be."
"It takes time to sort these things out, Mother. Give yourself some time."
--------
Molly returned to the house and was about to mount the stairs when Paul happened by.
"Molly, I've been looking for you." he said.
Molly looked like she wanted to say, "Not now," but she checked herself.
"We should get your ring appraised. How's this afternoon."
"Why not," said Molly. "Lizzie tells me I should keep busy."
--------
"Come in, Golly," Archie was saying to Golly who stood hesitantly at the open estate office door.
"Archie, I don't know if yer mother talked to ye about my part in this Andrew business."
"She did say something. Sit down."
"I just wanted to make sure ye knew and to say that I did it out of respect and admiration and concern fer yer mother. I didna want to see her hurt by bein' involved with a criminal."
"I understand that."
"Trouble is, because of what I did, she is hurt."
"That was unavoidable. I'm sure in time she will appreciate what you did."
"I hope so. It would trouble me no end if I lost the respect of that kind lady." Golly looked very troubled already.
"Golly, if I didn't know better, I'd say you were sweet on my mother."
"Well, mebbe I am. But I know who I am and who she is. I have no intentions towards her. Ye don't have to worry about that." Golly got up abruptly.
"Golly, wait. I didn't mean it like that. Please sit down."
Golly sat down again.
"I can't speak for Mother, but as far as I'm concerned, you are one of the finest men I know. You were there for me in my darkest hours. You've been here for me since I've come back to run the estate. If you have an interest in my mother, you won't have a problem with me."
"Thank ye, son. That's verra kind."
"I haven't thought about this in a long time," Archie said with a far away look. "But there was a time when I was a kid, I used to wish you were my father. In my fantasy, Father would magically disappear, and we'd need a new laird and a new dad, so you were the obvious choice. I didn't think of you as actually marrying Mother. I guess I was too young to think in those terms." He sounded surprised by his own words.
"That's quite a memory. I don't know what to say."
Archie smiled sheepishly. "I don't know what made me say it, but it's true."
Golly stood up to leave. "I'm glad ye did. It made an old man's day."
Archie stood up and the men reached out to shake hands. "Good luck." Archie said, as they clapped each other's backs and moved in for a full hug.
"I just have one word of advice," Archie said as Golly was about to leave. "By all means follow your heart, but today may not be the best day to begin."
Golly nodded and went out the door.
--------
Paul and Molly were driving to a jeweller in Inverness.
"It's such a beautiful ring. He knew my taste exactly. So considerate. I wonder where he will go."
"I don't know. As long as he makes it out of the country, I think he'll find someplace to hide."
"You don't think he'll get caught, do you?"
"I really don't know. For your sake, I hope not."
"I'll never see him again. I'm not sure I even want to. It wouldn't be the same."
"I suppose not."
"It makes you wonder whom you can trust. Andrew seemed so trustworthy."
"You can still trust your family, Molly. You still have Archie and Lexie and even Lizzie wouldn't do anything intentionally to hurt you."
"You know, I think even Lizzie is turning into a fine, dare I say, responsible woman."
"And you can trust me, Molly. I don't know if you believe it but I'd be very honoured if you did."
"I think you're right, dear. I think I can trust you. In fact, If I have to have a stepson, I'm very glad it's you."
Paul smiled broadly. "Thank you," he said. "I think."
--------
Molly and Paul returned from Inverness astounded at the value of the ring. Molly went straight to the estate office and had Archie put it in the vault. Archie phoned the insurance company to make sure it would be covered under their policy.
Molly spied Golly by the supply shed when she left Archie. She approached him tentatively.
"Golly, I want to apologise."
"There's no need."
"The offer is still good. You can have your old house back."
"Thank ye. That's most generous."
"And I'd still like to paint your portrait. Would you have time for that?"
"Noo that the summer season is over, I think I can make some time."
"I'd like to paint you doing something you normally do, so you could pose with your rifle, or your fishing rod, or with the wolves. What would you like?"
"How aboot on the porch of my new old hoose with a wee dram of whiskey in my hand."
"Relaxing at the end of a long day. That will be perfect."
--------
Lizzie was relaxing at the end of a long day when the phone rang. She ran to pick up.
"Lance, I was hoping it was you."
"Lizzie, they're letting me off early for good behaviour. I'm leaving tomorrow."
"Lance, that's wonderful. What time will you get here?"
"By dinner."
"I'll be waiting."
--------
Archie and Lexie were waiting in the hall when Flora and her mystery guest were due to arrive. "I see Flora's not as punctual as her father," Archie remarked, peering out the window. "Ah there they are. They are coming by car this time."
"Even fer the Kilwillies, a helicopter ride across the loch might be a wee bit fuel inefficient."
Archie and Lexie stood at the door to greet his guests.
The Kilwillie's white Rolls Royce pulled up to the house. Flora and her companion got out.
Archie and Lexie were prepared for a surprise of some sort, and a surprise is what they got. Flora's companion was David Fraser, Jamie's, and to a lesser extent, Archie's boyhood friend. David had made himself unwelcome at Glenbogle House the previous year with some unforgivably bad behaviour.
The unlikely couple held hands as they walked towards their hosts. David smirked and Flora simpered.
"Hello Flora. Hello David," Archie said coldly.
"What a surprise. We thought we'd never see ye again, David," Lexie said with mock civility. "Do come in." Flora and David walked hesitantly into the great hall.
"Hold it right there," Flora said with surprising firmness. "We're not going any further until we clear things up between you two and David. He told me everything when he got in today. It was all a big misunderstanding."
"He tried to sell me some phoney stock and he made a pass at my wife. Which part of that did I misunderstand?"
"Archie," David said humbly. "I am really sorry about what happened last time. I was drunk when I tried it on with Lexie. I had a drinking problem then, but I've got it under control now."
"And the nickel stock?"
"Hello, Flora," Lizzie said as she came down the stairway. "David? David Fraser! So this is your young man, Flora." She ran over and gave David a hug.
David twirled her around and exclaimed, "It's Dizzy Miss Lizzie, Jamie's pesky little sister."
"I see you haven't changed a bit," Lizzie retorted with a smile.
Molly came in. "Is everyone here? Luncheon's ready. Hello, Flora," she said warmly. "David Fraser! You are Flora's companion? What a surprise, but a nice one."
The party began migrating towards the dining room. Archie and Lexie hung back long enough for Archie to say under his breath, "We'll be polite today for Flora's sake, but he's not coming back."
--------
Seated at luncheon were Archie, Lexie, Molly, Paul, Lizzie, Flora, and David.
"David, what have ye been doin' since we last saw ye?" Lexie inquired.
"I've started a little internet marketing firm," he replied.
"What's it called," Archie asked blandly.
"Starcast Marketing."
"What do you do?" Archie asked.
"I consult to small and not so small companies who want to expand their business to the internet."
"Kilwillie Enterprises is one of his customers," Flora piped in. "We're looking to double our sales in consumer products in the next six months."
"Impressive," Paul said. "We could use a little of that, couldn't we, Archie."
"I doubt it," Archie said.
"So, how did ye two meet?" Lexie asked quickly.
"It was the strangest coincidence. I was walking in my neighbourhood to do some shopping when who should I run into, but David. He recognised me right away, although we hadn't seen each other since Jam... a very long time and I didn't think he knew who I was, he being Jamie's friend on his way to university, and I being the silly little 12 year old neighbour."
"Of course I remembered you, Flora. You were always very pretty. I may have seemed to have been ignoring you but I always kept you in the corner of my eye."
"How sweet," Flora giggled.
Archie stood up. "If you don't mind, now that we are through with the meal, David and I have a little business to discuss in the study, don't we David?"
David looked leery but he stood up and followed Archie.
--------
In the study, Archie handed David a amber coloured beverage bottle and took one for himself. "What's this?" David said after taking a sip.
"Ginger beer."
"It's not what you served last time."
"We do things differently now. Besides, I thought you'd prefer it, with your drinking problem. The one that you're keeping under control."
"Thanks Archie," he said sarcastically. "What do you want?"
"Last year when you were here you tried to swindle me out of £10,000 in a phoney nickel investment. Flora seems to think there was a misunderstanding. Do you have anything to say?
"Archie, it's not what it seemed. I was being misled too. You remember Jonathan whom I brought along. He had me completely bamboozled. For most of the weekend I thought it was a legitimate deal too. Then I didn't know how to break it to you."
"That's total crap," Archie said. Jonathan had nothing to do with the nickel business. You said as much last year.
"You can believe what you like," David said self righteously, standing to leave.
Archie stood too. "Just one last thing, Fraser," he said pointing his finger at David's chest. "Flora Kilwillie is a friend of mine. If you hurt her, I will do whatever I can to see that you get what you deserve."
"Archie I would never hurt Flora," David said self righteously. "I love her."
--------
In the dining room Lexie, Molly, Lizzie, and Flora were laughing and drinking coffee, when Archie and David returned. "Paul's left, so I'm afraid we're just a hen party now," Molly said.
"Let's go, Flora," David said.
"Don't you want to stay for coffee?" she asked.
"I've had enough," he said.
Flora stood up. "Thank you for the lovely meal, Lexie, Archie." David began to escort her out. "Bye Molly, Lizzie," she called over her shoulder.
--------
Social guests gone, it was time to get ready for a paying guest again. Lexie was a little more relaxed about having everything perfect this time. It was obvious that Flem was coming to Glenbogle for its quirky charms, not for its conveniences and amenities. Still, she, Lizzie, and Ewan did everything they could to brighten up the place, and make his room comfortable.
Lexie and Lizzie were making dinner as Ewan had done luncheon. Lexie was making baked brown trout and Lizzie was doing a lightly spiced split pea dish that would serve as a veg.
"Oh," Lexie grimaced. "Lizzie. I just realized this recipe calls for vermouth. Could ye stand it if I poured some in."
"Yeah, that's fine." Lizzie said matter-of-factly.
"Are ye sure? Because I probably can leave it oot."
"No, go ahead. I'm not so susceptible now. It won't bother me."
"Okay, if yer certain." Lexie reached into a cupboard and pulled out a bottle from the back. Lizzie looked on with surprise.
"You've been keeping it there all along? Archie said he had all the alcohol locked up."
"Yeah, well he fergot aboot this. Probably didna know it was there. Is that okay?"
"Yeah, it's fine."
-------
The doorbell rang. Lizzie ran to answer it. Lexie wasn't far behind. Flem walked in, a suitcase in each hand. He had grown a long scraggly beard. He put his luggage down and held his arms out to greet Lizzie.
"Lance," Lizzie said. The two embraced fondly. "Oh, look at this," she said ruffling his beard.
"It's so good to see you. It's so good to be here," Flem said. Then he turned to Lexie.
"Look at you, Lexie," he said admiring her sizable belly. "Can I get my arms around you?"
"Ye better if ye know what's good fer ye," she replied. The two hugged in a friendly way."
Archie walked in. "Hello, Flem. Good to see you." They shook hands. "What's with the beard? You look like a young Father Christmas."
"Archie, it was my silent protest against the bank. I decided as soon as I got there I wasn't going to shave until I got back here. I figured after awhile they'd have to get rid of me because they couldn't stand the sight of me."
"It seemed to work," Lexie said.
The sound of an engine could be heard outside. Archie looked out the window to see Molly getting off the back end of Golly's motorcycle."
"It's Mother," he announced with a smile.
"Flem, is that you?" Molly asked as she walked in. There were more hugs and exclamations. Molly went up to change for dinner. Flem offered to help with dinner. Flem's offer was declined, as he was a guest, but they finally settled on his setting the table with Archie.
--------
All seated for dinner, including Paul, the family pumped Flem for details of his time away.
"First the investigators interrogated me as if I were suspect numero uno," he said. "Then when they decided I was okay, the bank hired me to clean up the mess that the others had made. It was actually quite pleasant there. All the people who had been driving me crazy were in jail, and the rest were so grateful for my bailing them out, they treated me like royalty."
"Tell them how they wanted you to stay on," Lizzie prompted.
"I was a consultant, so they were giving me 25 above my usual pay. If I had agreed to return to my old job, they were going to match the increased salary. But I told them no. I'm not interested in that life any more."
--------
Archie and Paul cleaned up after dinner, while Lizzie and Flem started the fire in the parlour. Molly and Lexie lingered over coffee.
"Do you think we should leave them alone?" Molly said nodding towards the parlour.
"Definitely," Lexie said. "They've been havin' a telephone romance these last few months. Let's no' spoil it fer them."
"Let's not," smiled Molly conspiratorially.
--------
"I missed you, Lizzie." They were sitting hand in hand.
"I missed you too, Lance."
"The only saving grace of my staying on at the bank was having you to talk to every night."
"What, and I thought it was their wining and dining you."
"That's what I mean. It's so easy to get seduced by things like that. But you reminded me of the things that are really important."
"Breathing," said Lizzie. "The most important thing is to breathe properly." They both inhaled deeply.
--------
"Lexie, do you know what I'd really like to do for one of my next projects is a portrait of you."
"But ye already did one of me."
"This time I'd like to do you heavily pregnant and au naturale."
"Molly!" Lexie exclaimed. "What do ye think I am."
"Very beautiful," Molly said. "It would be very tasteful."
"Where were ye expectin' to display this tasty little artwork?" Lexie asked incredulously.
"I was hoping for the Scottish National Portrait Gallery."
"What?" Lexie said, red with indignation.
"Oh, don't pop a gasket, Lexie." Molly laughed "I was just kidding. About the Portrait Gallery, that is. You would make a lovely subject, though... I think I shall retire for the evening."
--------
"Are ye gonna call Flora?" Lexie asked Archie, when he and Paul came out of the kitchen.
"Thanks for reminding me." Archie said. "Although I don't look forward to it." He went to the phone in the great hall and dialled.
"Flora, Hi. It's Archie.
"Your welcome, it was nice having you."
"Listen, Flora, I have some things I'd like to discuss with you. I know you are fond of David, but have you looked at his company website?"
"Yes it is impressive, all those clients doubling and tripling their sales in a matter of months. But did you ever try to find any of those clients on the web? They are not there. They are internet companies and they don't exist on the internet."
"I'm telling you as a friend. I don't want to see you hurt.
Archie grimaced as he listened to Flora's response and winced as he put down the phone. He returned to the dining room, where Lexie was explaining David's history with the family to Paul.
"What did she say," Lexie asked.
"I think it was something like, 'Archibald MacDonald, consider our two ancient and noble houses at war.'"
"Did she really say that?" Paul asked.
"Not in so many words, but, yeah."
--------
Flem dropped Lizzie off at Flora's the next morning as Archie and Lexie were using the car. However, Archie and Lexie would be picking her up. Flem was on his way to the Gentleman's Barber for a trim and a shave.
Lizzie was at the stables tending to the horses when Flora walked in. "Hi Flora," she called out.
"Hello, Lizzie," Flora greeted her cautiously. "I'm not talking to Archie. Am I talking to you?"
"I hope so," Lizzie said. "I form my own opinions free from Archie's interference."
"That's good, because Archie seems to have some kind of grudge against David."
"Archie can be pig headed some times." Lizzie said. "Will you be riding today?"
"Not today. David's still here and he doesn't want to."
"I was wondering about David's internet business," Lizzie said. "Mummy needs an web site for her portrait painting business. Do you think he could give me some ideas? I don't think we can afford to pay for his complete services."
"Go on in when you're done in here and ask," Flora said. "I'm on my way to our work site. We're having some labour problems."
"Good luck," Lizzie said.
--------
Finished with the horses, Lizzie stood at the front door of Kilwillie Castle and rang the bell. An elderly man dressed in formal black and white answered the door.
"Yes, Miss?" he greeted her blankly.
"Badger! Remember me? I'm Lizzie MacDonald. I used to come here as a child."
"Yes, Miss, I remember you," he said in a frail voice. Miss Flora said you would be coming." He gave a little cough and looked down at Lizzie's boots, covered with straw and muck from the stables.
"I'll take these off, Badger, if you don't mind." Lizzie said amused.
"I'll wait... Right this way please." He shuffled ahead to the drawing room. "Miss Flora is not in at present. I believe you know Mr Fraser."
"Hi Lizzie," David said looking up from his laptop computer. He was sitting at a table and had his luggage by his feet. "You caught me just in time. I'm going back to Edinburgh this afternoon."
"I'm glad I caught you." Lizzie was about to sit down when Badger hurried in with a bath towel to place on the fine Queen Anne sofa that might be sullied by her horsy presence.
"Ah Lizzie. You look just as I remembered you," he said. "Dressed like a tomboy."
"You are almost how I remembered you, too." Lizzie said.
"What's different?" he asked.
"You have less hair."
"Oh, Lizzie, how that wounds." He put his hands over his heart. "It's true but it wounds."
Lizzie laughed. "David, Flora suggested I ask you for advice. Mummy's started painting portraits and she needs to have an website to attract customers. Could you help me make one? I don't have much money so maybe I shouldn't ask."
"I can do that," David said. "I can do a simple one screen job for free. I'll just bring my laptop over so we can sit next to each other and design it together."
--------
"Well that's settled", Flora said returning from a work site. She was still wearing her hard hat. "Two men refused to work with each other. I had to threaten fire them both unless they were able to work things out."
"Did they?" Lizzie asked.
"Yes. It's a good thing, too," Flora giggled. "I don't think I could fire anyone. How are you two doing?"
"Fine, we're almost done.."
"Take your time," Flora said. "I'm going to shower and change. I'll be back soon." Flora sang out..
"Don't count on it. She takes forever in the shower," David said.
"Where were we," Lizzie said, looking down at the laptop.
"I think I was telling you how smashing you were," David said.
"Oh come off it, David. I couldn't be less appealing than I am right now. We were talking about a banner for Mummy's website "
"I always admired the filly in you."
"Right," Lizzie said rolling her eyes.
"Admit it," David said grinning. "You fancied me when we were kids."
"I did," Lizzie said. "I didn't think you noticed. You were too busy playing with my brothers."
"And you would have climbed over 10 Floras if you had to, to get a kiss from me." David inched over to her.
"Quite." Lizzie said. But she wasn't smiling.
"So your brothers are not here, Flora's upstairs. What's keeping us from revisiting something we should have begun a long time ago?"
"Your love for Flora?" Lizzie asked. But she knew the answer.
"Give me a break. That fat cow?" David took Lizzie's face in his hands and kissed her hard.
Lizzie pushed him away. "Cut it out, David. I don't fancy you now. The last thing I need is another unfaithful, fraudulent, bastard in my life."
"And I don't need you either," said Flora, who was standing in the doorway. "David, you may not miss the fat cow, but I suspect you will miss the cash cow. I was just on the phone to the credit card company. I see you've been using my card to make some purchases."
"I was going to pay you back," David protested. Flora gave him a disgusted look.
Badger shuffled in. "Mr and Mrs MacDonald are outside wanting to know if Miss Lizzie will be ready to leave soon."
"Have them come in, Badger," Flora said.
"Flora you don't understand." David said. "Lizzie means nothing to me. I had no idea that she had a childhood crush on me until now. She made all the advances."
"Liar," Lizzie and Flora said in unison.
"What's going on?" Archie demanded. He and Lexie had just reached the drawing room.
"Archie, You were right." Flora said. "David is a con artist and the letch. David, take your bags and get out of here."
David inserted his laptop in it's case and rose. "Archie MacDonald, I could sue you for defamation of character. I know my rights."
"And I know you, David Fraser," Archie countered. "I just wonder how it was that Jamie never saw through you."
"You have a nerve asking me that question, Archie. At least I didn't kill him."
In an instant Archie grew hot and his heart started pounding. Without thinking, he raised his fist and thrust it towards David's face. Bigger and faster, David blocked the punch and got in one of his own. Archie fell back on the carpet, groaned, and reached for his injured eye. Lexie gasped and crouched beside him.
"You'll never be anything but the sorry little brother," David sneered. He turned around to pick up his bags when Flora approached him.
"You'll never be anything but a bloody little leech," she said. She kneed him in the groin and slugged him in the nose. David fell back on the carpet not knowing which body part to grab first.
"Are ye okay?" Lexie asked Archie, who was sitting up now.
He took his hand away and blinked a few times, "I'll be okay." The area around his eye was already beginning to colour.
Badger shuffled in with several ice packs on a silver tray. "For you Sir," he said handing one to Archie. "And you Sir," he said handing two to David. He shuffled out again.
"Can you walk," Flora asked David unsympathetically. "I think so, if I can just get up." Flora gave him a hand and he stood up. He hobbled a few steps. "All right, I'll carry your luggage to the car. Just get out of here." She followed him out the door.
"You never could get the better of David," Lizzie said as Lexie fussed over Archie's eye. Archie shot her a one-eyed glare.
"Maybe not, but he's got it a lot better than David does," Lexie countered.
Lizzie nodded. In a short time, Flora returned. She stood outside at the door and said, "If you don't mind, I'm going to my room. Badger will see you out."
"Flora, will you be okay?" Lizzie asked. "You shouldn't be alone at a time like this."
"I'll be okay," Flora said, but already the tears were streaming down her face.
"Flora," Lizzie went over and put her arms around her large friend.
"How could I be so stupid," Flora sobbed.
"We all do this, Flora. You don't even want to know the number of times I fell for jerks like David."
"We'll leave noo," Lexie whispered. "Call when ye need to be picked up." Archie and Lexie left.
"Really?" Flora asked. "It's not just us fat cows who get suckered in?"
"Are you kidding? The last shmuck I fell for was in the ashram. He was barking mad. Thought he was the Lord Krishna, himself. Then there was Martha's father. He was married. The one before him was my therapist and a quack at that. A dynamatologist he called himself..."
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"I'll drive," Lexie said to Archie who was still holding the icepack to his eye.
"That's all right," Archie said. "I can do it."
"Give us the keys, Jimmy," she said, poking a finger-gun at his middle.
"All right, all right." Archie handed them to her.
Lexie held the door for Archie, who gave her a slightly irritated look for treating him like an invalid.
She sat down in the driver's seat. keys in hand, poised to start the ignition. "What David said isn't true," she said. "You didna kill Jamie."
"I know," Archie said with difficulty. "It was an accident."
Lexie stared at him with surprise. "I'm so proud of ye, Archie. Do ye really mean it?"
He sighed. "I still wish I hadn't tipped the boat, but I think, no, I believe that I didn't kill Jamie. It was an accident."
"Yew are a verra good man, Archie MacDonald."
He let himself smile just a little. "Let's just say, good enough."