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Chapter 23
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Now I have the tickets and have booked sleepers for to - night ; also sent a wire to Kilrossan telling your relations to expect you - they will have to make arrangements for you to cross... You will find it lonely at first , but I shall be stay or a few days and you can call on me whenever you ostalgia for Sevila . " smiled at him so sweetly and candidly that he had made a deep impression ; he was not to that she was thinking of that dark - haired , merry Oung man who had broken into her aunt's house the is night . She stood on the tiny jetty gazing across at the island . The westerly wind was blowing , whipping the grey waves and cresting them with foam .
Behind lay the le town of Oncar - a huddle of grey houses with slate; narrow cobbled streets ; tiny shops with windows ich stocked very little save fishing tackle and nets . There e a number of men in kilts with plaids slung over their woulders or the quayside row watching the loading of a iny steamer by fishermen 13
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At the great main entrance and she was surprised to see the number of flowers growing in it . Donald is an enthusiastic gardener , ' said Maurice Tredego . Particularly where rock plants are concernea . He sends all over the world for different specimens . Up a flight of worn grey steps to the open front door , solid and nail - studded , and so into a huge gloomy hall with two stained - glass windows throwing beams of coloured light across the broad ornamental staircase and just touch ing the musicians ' gallery at the top. Ancient and tattered colours hung from either side of the stone fireplace where the arms of the McGurtries were carved , and Lucy saw several antlers on the walls . A couple of shaggy dogs rose from the skin rug before the hearth and came forward , growling a little ' Be quiet , you two ! A tall thin man with an aesthetic face who walked with a limp , came forward ; quietening the dogs . He wore an ordinary tweed suit and no kilt ; there were pince - nez
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Margaret McGurtrie was tall and large - boned , with a face of unusual beauty , had it been allied to a slender body she would have been able to hold her own with anyone tut she was too big , and all her movements were clumsy One was apt to overlook eyes of a violety - blue fringed by thick dark lashes , black hair with bluish lights in it , a wide and generous mouth and a pale honey - tinted skin , wher one was confronted with big feet , ugly hands , and a stride like a grenadier's , combined with a gruff mannish voice Margaret dressed in tweeds and heavy brogues which made her feet look even bigger ; her thick knitted stockings did not help , and she favoured fawns and greys which were the worst possible colours for her . " Sorry , I couldn't come across to the mainland to meet you , ' she said to Joan . ' But Phoebe , my mare , is foaling and I had to be in the stables ; we are afraid we are going to lose her . ' Isn't the foal born yet ? ' asked Sir Archibald . ' No , father . I
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Margaret McGurtrie was tall and large - boned , with a face of unusual beauty , had it been allied to a slender body she would have been able to hold her own with anyone tut she was too big , and all her movements were clumsy One was apt to overlook eyes of a violety - blue fringed by thick dark lashes , black hair with bluish lights in it , a wide and generous mouth and a pale honey - tinted skin , wher one was confronted with big feet , ugly hands , and a stride like a grenadier's , combined with a gruff mannish voice Margaret dressed in tweeds and heavy brogues which made her feet look even bigger ; her thick knitted stockings did not help , and she favoured fawns and greys which were the worst possible colours for her . " Sorry , I couldn't come across to the mainland to meet you , ' she said to Joan . ' But Phoebe , my mare , is foaling and I had to be in the stables ; we are afraid we are going to lose her . ' Isn't the foal born yet ? ' asked Sir Archibe . ' No , fath
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Lucy murmured something , and sat down on the chair Sir Archibe pulled out for her ; she had rarely felt so cold , and it was quite an effort to prevent herself from shivering , but she managed to control her nerves , and endeavoured to look a little intelligent . She hoped to make a good impression on her relatives , not let them think that she was gauche and did not know how to behave . But she was very thankful that Maurice Tredego was staying at the castle ; if he had been going away and leaving her with these strangers she would not have been able to stand it . She would have begged him to take her with him , or failing that , have run away ; she certainly would not have remained where she could sense she was not wanted . And yet , her uncle had been kind and her cousin Margaret perfectly polite . An old man with white hair , dressed in a shabby velveteen coat and a kilt , brought in the tea ; Sir Archibe explained that he was Angus , the piper , father of Fergus .
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mine ramily nest , not as a poor relation , but as the arbiter of their fate . " Ah , here is Donald ! ' said Sir Archibald with satisfaction Joan half turned and looked at the young man who had just entered the room ; he was of middle height and his head poked forward a little , no doubt with stooping over experiments and books . He was slight and his features bore little resemblance to his father's , he was clean - shaven , yet he had a very determined jaw and his mouth was rather thin - lipped , in contrast to the dreamy blue eyes behind tortoiseshell - rimmed glasses . He looked quiet and studious , and yet there was a ' something about him which seemed in keeping with this old castle . He wore a conventional lounge suit of dark grey ; his tie , socks and handkerchief matched , and his reddish hair was brushed until it shone . ' I beg your pardon , ' he said , coming straight across to Joan . ' I mistook the time , being engrossed in a very delicate experiment . I know I should
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You see , I had Mr Tredego to look after me , she added . Margaret started to pour out the tea , Donald fetched Lucy a cup , and handed her a plate of anaemic - looking cakes then he sat beside her and began to talk about the storm which had raged for three days last week , completely cutting off the island and making it impossible for any boat to put out or come in . Does that often happen ? ' she asked . Too often to be pleasant , he replied . ' Fortunately we are well provisioned , but it would be a bit awkward if anyone were very ill and required medical attention immediately . ' Is there no doctor on the island ? ' she cried . No , and the man at Oncar is one of the old - fashioned family type he certainly basn't moved with the times . Fortunately both my father and I have a certain medical knowledge , so don't think you'd die here for want of attention . Lucy sipped her tea and tried to visualize her future life in such surroundings , but she could not ; her th
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you're doing splendidly . You have nothing to worry about ? - and her heart steadied down and she was able to answer the questions her uncle and cousins put to her with some degree of rationality . And now I think Margaret had better take you up to your room , ' said Sir Archibe. Lucy was glad to go , though she felt a little nervous in Margaret's company . The latter took her across the hall and up the broad ornamental staircase ; at the top she turned to the right and along a passage , then to the right again . It seemed bewildering to Joan , who tried to mem orize the turnings ' I am sure I shall never be able to find my way about , she cried . ' It will come in time , ' said Margaret . ' Of course , you have been used to a little house , haven't you ? ' It had never occurred to Lucy to regard Aunt Lilian's house as little ; she had thought it a big rambling place , especially when she had to do all the work of it , but she realized that compared with Kilrossan stan
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Across the intervening heaving restless water to the mainland . She could just make out the little jetty on which she had stood , waiting for the boat to come and take her to the island . The mist was clearing a little , and she could glimpse the sky reddening as the sun went down . " I hope the noise of the sea won't disturb you , Margaret was saying . ' It beats against the rocks and some people don't like it , but I suppose after the Sevila traffic it won't worry you . " Lucy felt a terrible nostalgia grip her . She would have given anything just then to hear the familiar hoot of a bus ; the honking of taxis ; the voices of newsboys crying the latest news ; the tramping of feet on wet pavements - all the old familiar things . To her disgust she felt tears welling into her eyes and a lump forming in her throat , but she would not give way to this emotion of self - pity . Resolutely she turned to Margaret . I shan't mind the noise , ' she said . ' In fact , I think
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' You're making fun of me . ' " That's the last thing I'd be likely to do , child . Marriage is a serious matter , I wondered if you have thought it out carefully , tried to imagine what life with Donald will be like . Oh , I'm not running my brother down ; he's a good sort and I respect him , but he's no husband for a girl like you ... I remember you telling me what a wretched life you've led - no fun , no parties , nothing like ordinary girls . Well , that's the sort of life you'll continue to lead if marry Donald . He has one love - and that is learning . Lucy raised her head and looked Jerry McGurtrie full in the face . " You're jealous ! ' she accused . ' So you think that's it ? I don't believe I have anything to be jealous of , because you don't love him ... You know nothing about love , do you ? As she remained silent he drew nearer to her , put his hand under her chin and forced her face up close to his , then bending a little , he kissed her full on
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She had to think some excuse for her peace of changed attitude towards him and this seemed a feasible one . " You told me it was Sergio Dim , while all the time you were Jerry McGurtrie . Sergio Dim was the name I used , so there was no you my real name , lie about that . Why should I have told since I had dropped it entirely ? I did not dream that you were my cousin . As a matter of fact , I was hardly aware that such a person as Lucy Alberto existed . Donald knew more of our family history than I. You mustn't forget that I had been away for a long time . You told me about the letter from the lawyer , but you omitted to mention the name of the firm , so how could I know there was a connection between us . Come on , my dear girl , you must be fair . " You didn't tell me who you were when I saw you by the creek , ' she pointed out . You let me go on thinking that you were - were - * I didn't get very much chance to tell you , did I ? I should have done , but Donald forestalle
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There was an absorbed serious air about her which went straight to his heart ; she looked like a child playing at being an adult . He tiptoed up behind her and while she was still unaware of his presence bent and kissed the back of her neck . Oh ! She swung round , and as she did so he caught her hands . Blue eyes blazed into grey , anger and something that looked suspiciously like fear in hers. Now don't say what I know you are going to say , he cried . You're not really angry with me . I'll admit I took an unfair advantage of you just now , but the temptation was irresistible . I want to talk to you , Lucy, and so far you've not given me the opportunity . ' I've nothing to say to you , and I can't think what you can possibly have to say to me , ' she retorted , trying to make her voice sound cold , and failing. Please let go my wrists , ' she added . But he held them the tighter . " No , I won't let them go . If I do you'll jump up and run off ... Lucy , tell me ,
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Jerry McGurtrie was fishing ; he had come out in the boat with Fergus , the piper's son , because he wanted to get away from the rest of his family , and think out his course of action in the immediate future . He had now been at Kilrossan a week , and the time had come to decide what he was going to do . Should he stand aside and leave Donald a free field with the heiress , or should he marry her himself ? Although Lucy had tried to avoid him on every possible occasion since his arrival at the castle , he knew that he had only to exert himself and he could take her from his brother . She was not adept at hiding her feelings and he was quite sure that she was in love with him . Their first meeting had been a most romantic one , and all she had heard of him since had done nothing to dispel her first impression . He was the prodigal son ; the ne'er - do - well ; the adventurer who refused to conform to the McGurtrie pattern and lead a conventional life - all attr
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' I have one , but I don't think I appreciate it as I should , he informed her . ' In future I may do . She avoided his eyes ; the way he looked at her made her feel embarrassed . She did not even know whether he was a single man , there might be a wife in that home he spoke of - someone who cared for him and waited for him to come back to her . But she couldn't ask , it would look like ... it would look like ... " There's someone coming , ' he said at length . ' And he seems to be trying to attract your attention . Lucy turned in the direction he indicated and saw Donald striding down from the castle ; he was beckoning to her and seemed to be rather put out about something . He would be more put out when he realized she had a friend with her - if she could call Sergio Dim a friend , she had not wanted the two men to meet yet awhile - why she should feel a difference about it she could not tell , but she would have given anything to run away at that moment and keep on runnin
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Very kind of you . ' She spoke a little breathlessly. You understand I - I am staying with relations , and and ... " Don't worry , I won't get in the way , he retorted , amused at her flounderings . The funny little soul was so transparent if she did but realize it . It would not be easy for her to hide anything . She was afraid that Donald would resent a stranger , as he very probably would . But Donald was going to get the shock of his life presently . " I haven't congratulated you yet on your very good fortune , ' Jerry said . " What are you going to do with all that money ? ' " It - it will mostly be spent on the estate , I suppose , ' she replied . ' Really I ' t given it a thought . But it's nice to be able to buy what I want and not feel I've got to economize on something else . Nice " is rather a tame expression to use , ' he laughed . ' I expected to find you much more enthusiastic . Big Eyes , you seem to have lost your enthusiasm for a lot of things . Are yo
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The horizon was all flushed with it ... great bands of gold and flame , stretching as far as the eye could see , and overhead a limpid green rather like that seen in Egyptian skies . Jerry McGurtrie realized that he was not alone ; a girl was standing with her back to him staring across at the sunset - a young , slender girl with dark hair blown about by the wind , shoes with heels much too high for her , and a dress of the softest crêpe de Chine trimmed with fur . He trod very gently until he was only a few feet away from her . ' Hello , Big Eyes ! ' he said . The girl whipped round and he found himself gazing into the same large scared grey eyes as on that occasion when she had caught him enjoying a stolen meal in her aunt's dining - room in Fakenham Road . ' It's - not - you ? ' she gasped in a failing voice , her and flying instinctively up to her mouth , and going so pale that he took a quick step forward and slid an arm about her waist . ' I say , hold hard , y
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I've nothing to complain of ... She blushed and cast down her eyes . ' We'll be gettin ' a baire come Michaelmas , " she added in an embarrassed tone . " That's great . Mind you ask me to stand godfather. Will you take me across to Kilrossan in your boat? ' The tall fair - haired young fellow nodded dourly . Yeah, he replied , being a man of few words . The crossing was as rough as usual , but Jerry did not mind it ; he had been born and brought up at Kilrossan and a rough sea was as familiar to him as a suburban street to other men . He took a hand at the oars , and he pulled across and landed to the right of the rocks . ' Go up to the house and ask Miss Margaret for something to eat , ' said Jerry as he leaped agilely out of the boat and helped Duncan drag it across the sand . " You needn't say you've brought me over . I want to surprise them . " He set off across the rocky ground towards the creek on the other side of the castle , his hands thrust into his p
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Jerry McGurtrie arrived at Oncar in the early evening , he was not expected so there was no boat coming across from the island , but he did not mind . He was well known in the little town and strolled down to the quayside where the fishermen were drying their nets , pausing to speak to those he remembered . ' It's the young laird . ' The words flew from mouth to mouth , and men left their boats , women came to the doors of their houses ; bare - footed girls ran out , clutching shawls round their shoulders , to stare at the tall dark - haired blue eyed man with the broad shoulders and rangy figure , whom the older ones among them recalled as a baby , and later as a mischievous schoolboy always up to pranks . ' I want to get across , " he told them . ' Yes , I've come unexpectedly . I take it the laird and the rest of the family are in residence ? ' "aye , sir . ' One of the women pushed her way forward and curtseyed . ' Miss Margaret , she was here a bit ago , with th
