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devastating smile.
    Gill turned bright red when he kissed her hand. “Thane, what an unusual name.”
    “It means laird,” he replied.
    “What’s a laird?”
    “A Scottish lord.”
    “Oh my,” she said, her eyes slipping to his kilt then to his strong, bared legs. “Is it true what they say about a Scotsman in a kilt?”
    “Gill,” exclaimed Rick.
    “Usually,” replied Thane with a twinkle in his eye. “But it’s a breezy day and I knew you were bringing the children.”
    Gill released a girlish peal of laughter while Rick looked put out.
    “Thane, these are our children, Ethan and Aaron,” said Rachel, indicating the two boys racing around on the gravel, enjoying the freedom after the journey. “And this is Leah.”
    Leah looked up at him coyly, blushing as brightly as her grandma. “Hello.”
    “Hello Leah. Well aren’t you a beautiful little lady, just like your mother,” he said, making her giggle. “Let me show you to your suites,” he continued, putting his arms around Gill and Rachel and steering them inside, Leah eagerly following, leaving Rick and Ryan to sort out the boys with frowns on their faces.
    They were swept upstairs in an entourage of staff, Thane relating interesting stories about the castle to Gill. Rachel was glad he didn’t tell her any ghost stories, otherwise there’d be a mum-shaped hole in the wall.
    “And here is the family suite,” said Thane, nodding at one of his staff, who flung open the door in what appeared to be a rehearsed, theatrical gesture.
    “Ooh, lovely,” said Gill. The suite was huge, the bare stone walls hung with old but well maintained tapestries. There was a huge four-poster bed in the centre of the room.
    “The children’s beds are through this door,” said Thane, throwing open another thick wooden door. “And for the guests of honour, the second suite,” he said, leading them all back along the corridor to a room three doors down. This suite was just the same but on a slightly smaller scale. There was even a suit of armour in the corner. A huge basket of fresh fruit and champagne on ice awaited them on the grand coffee table beneath the window.
    “He’s really going all out,” Rick whispered to Ryan. “He must want something.”
    “I have the dreadful feeling you’re right,” he replied as they watched Thane pop open the champagne and pour Rachel and Gill a glass each.
    “Can I have some Mum?” said Leah.
    “No, you’re far too young,” she replied.
    “Aw, it’s not fair,” she pouted, wanting to look grown-up in front of Thane.
    “I’ve got a special cocktail just for you,” said Thane with a wink, handing her a glass containing a dark liquid. “It’s just orange juice with some red colouring,” he whispered to Rachel.
    This pacified Leah, who graciously accepted her drink then decided to study the suit of armour with her brothers.
    “You’ll dine with me tonight in my suite as my guests?” said Thane.
    “Alright,” said Gill excitedly.
    “We also want to take a look at the work that’s been done on The Steadings,” said Ryan. The Steadings was the business they’d invested in, converting the old barns and stables into shops and a café.
    “Of course but I didn’t think you’d want to do that today,” replied Thane. “Why don’t you show your parents around and we can discuss business in the morning?”
    “That’s a good idea,” said Gill. “Let’s have some fun, we could certainly use some…” She dropped her voice before ending, “…after recent events.”
    “Mum’s got a point,” said Rachel. “Let’s grab something to eat then take a walk around the estate.”
    “Good idea,” said Rick. “I’m gagging for a whisky.”
    “That’s something we’re not short of around here,” smiled Thane. “Right, I’ll leave you to get settled in. Treat the estate as your own, go where you like. I’ll meet you in my rooms at seven for dinner. You remember the way, don’t you Rachel?” he said