Read The Laird of Lochandee for Free Online Page A

deserted and alone in an alien world. Cameron Maxwell noticed her preoccupation and the haunting sadness which filled her eyes.
    â€˜A-ah, lassie you’re like your mother, and no mistake. I remember how upset she was when one o’ the girls in our school died with scarlet fever. You need a bit of a change.’ He scratched his head thoughtfully. ‘Gertie will be going to market tomorrow to sell her butter and eggs. If you can finish your tasks you might enjoy a wee visit to Ruth’s cottage to see the bairns.’ He frowned. ‘No, on second thoughts you’d better not do that. Wee Annie might tell tales now she’s beginning to chatter. It’s real bonnie up the burn at this time of the year.’
    â€˜You’re very kind,’ Rachel smiled at the old man. She knew he was doing his best to make up for his wife’s constant criticism. ‘But I must not idle my time away.’
    â€˜What’s that about idling time away?’ Ross asked, coming to stand at the dairy door, grinning down at them.
    â€˜I was just telling Rachel to take herself for a walk by the burn. It’s a lovely spot where the two burns meet – on the far side of the top meadow.’ He sighed heavily. ‘What I’d give to be able to walk up there now. I’ve spent many an hour guddling for trout, and helping you laddies collect frogspawn. The wild roses will be out and the air …’ he drew in a long breath as though he could smell it still, ‘it will be filled with the scent of the honeysuckle.’
    â€˜Father is right. It is beautiful, especially on a summer’s day,’ Ross agreed. ‘We’ll hurry up with the work and take a basket of food. Meg will help us. We shall be back long before the bus brings mother home.’
    â€˜Aye, you and Meg go with her,’ Cameron nodded. ‘You’ll see great golden King Cups, and dainty Milkmaids, and Cowslips. There’s a little wood a bit further up the hill. There’s always something of interest there, even in winter.’
    Meg decided to stay with her father, despite his protests, but Rachel knew she would remember the tranquil beauty of that day for as long as she lived. The peace seemed to fill her heart and help her set aside the pangs of loneliness and loss.
    â€˜Mistress Ferguson must have been a very good friend?’ Ross remarked as they walked side by side across the low meadow.
    â€˜Oh, she was, she was my one true friend in all the world.’
    â€˜But you have us now – Meg, Willie, and me – and I know my father is pleased you came to Windlebrae. You seem to bring back memories of his youth.’
    â€˜Thank you,’ she said simply, but she was frowning at some inner thought.
    â€˜What are you thinking about?’ Ross asked curiously.
    â€˜My father always said you could never be certain people would not let you down – even your closest friends. But I knew in my heart that Minnie would never let me down. Even though I was no kin to her, I knew she loved me as though I had been hers. I said that to Father once …’ She frowned again.
    â€˜Didn’t he agree?’
    â€˜Oh yes. He believed Minnie was a rare person with a truly honest heart. But he said even a parent could sometimes let down his own flesh and blood.’
    â€˜I’d say he was right about that,’ Ross muttered glumly. Rachel glanced up at him. She knew he was thinking of his own mother.
    â€˜Father said even parents are human beings with weaknesses, the same as everyone else.’
    â€˜But surely he didn’t mean you could not trust him?’
    â€˜When he was dying he felt he was letting me down. I expect it was because he could not protect me any more, or leave me any money. But I didn’t feel he had let me down. He was a wonderful father.’ Her blue-green eyes were luminous with remembered affection. ‘He seemed troubled towards the end,