Alien Wife

‘I don’t believe that.’

Abby’s tone was flat, and the priest released her hand and rested back in his chair regarding her disappointedly. ‘Abby, Abby! Things haven’t been so bad for you, have they?’

Abby felt a twinge of shame. ‘Of course not, Uncle Daniel. But—without you …’

‘But there was me,’ he replied quietly. ‘And believe me, Ella will have suffered for her thoughtlessness.’

‘Thoughtlessness!’ Abby pressed her lips tightly together. She could think of other words more apt.

‘Well …’ McGregor pushed back his chair and got to his feet, ‘I must go. Mrs Lewis was taken ill again in the night, and I promised I’d go over this morning. If you see our guest, will you tell him I will have to postpone our tour of the village?’

Abby replaced her coffee cup in its saucer. ‘I—er—I have the morning off,’ she volunteered. ‘I could—show Mr Jordan the village.’

McGregor hesitated. Then he shook his head as if dismissing the problem. ‘Why not?’ he agreed. ‘I’m sure the choice of courier will not cause any dissension.’

Abby felt a momentary pang of remorse, and reached for his hand. ‘You’ve always been like a father to me, Uncle Daniel,’ she mumbled unhappily.

The priest patted her head reassuringly, but there was an anxious expression in his eyes. ‘You said that as if you regretted it, Abby,’ he protested, and she forced a smile and lifted her head.

‘I—as if I could!’ she exclaimed, and then coloured anew as a tall figure darkened the doorway.

‘I’m sorry. Am I late for breakfast?’

Luke Jordan stood regarding them both apologetically, lean and disturbing in black suede pants which hugged the bulging muscles of his thighs and emphasised the length of his legs. A black roll-necked sweater completed the ensemble, throwing the lightness of his hair into sharp relief, a startling contrast to his tanned skin. Tall and powerful, he emanated a sexual attraction that was both unconscious and disruptive.

McGregor released Abby’s hand, and greeted his guest warmly. ‘Of course not, my son,’ he told him firmly. ‘Mrs Tully will provide you with whatever you wish. And …’ he paused, glancing at Abby half doubtfully, ‘… as I have parish matters to attend to this morning, Abby has offered her services as your guide.’

‘Abby?’ Luke’s green eyes turned in her direction, and she could see the guarded expression in their depths. ‘That’s—very kind of her, but it’s not necessary. I can make my own way.’

Abby’s smile felt fixed and artificial, but she insisted she had nothing else to do. This was too good an opportunity to miss.

‘But I understood you looked after some children,’ he interposed smoothly, and she had to compel herself to go on with the charade.

‘I’m free this morning,’ she explained, aware of the old priest’s eyes upon her. She forced a light laugh. ‘If you say much more, I shall think you don’t want my company!’

Luke recognised defeat, but there was a grimness about his mouth which belied her victory. Mrs Tully appeared to see whether their guest required breakfast, and McGregor took his leave, mentioning he would see them both at lunchtime.

Abby finished her meal quickly, and went to change her shoes while Mrs Tully attended to Luke Jordan. She guessed he was not pleased with her offer of companionship, but if she was to go through with this she must not be put off at the first obstacle. Besides, he was aware of her—how could he not be?—and once they got to know one another … She refused to consider her own feelings.

She zipped her slender legs into long boots and added a crimson windcheater to her attire of jeans and denim shirt. Her hair she left loose for once, aware that its silky strands looked well against the brilliant colour of her jacket.

Luke Jordan was still at the breakfast table when she returned, reading the morning newspaper and apparently in no hurry to begin his sightseeing. But he was polite enough to get to his feet when she entered the room, and his gaze flickered briefly over the attractive picture she made.

‘I’m ready,’ she said unnecessarily, and he inclined his head.

‘So I see.’

‘Have you finished breakfast?’

He indicated his empty plate, the dregs in the bottom of his coffee cup. ‘It would appear so.’

Abby sighed. ‘But you don’t want to come out with me?’

Luke regarded her dourly for a few moments, and then he folded his newspaper and laid it beside his plate. ‘I—there’s no urgency, is there?’

‘No.’ Abby wished she could control her colour, but right now she didn’t seem to be having much success at controlling anything.

Luke frowned. ‘Tell me something—how well do you know Scott Anderson?’

‘Scott?’ Abby was glad she was red now. It disguised any further embarrassment she might have exhibited.

‘Yes, Scott. You do know him, don’t you?’

‘Of course.’ Abby lifted her shoulders awkwardly. ‘He—well, he used to live in the village.’

‘I know that.’

‘He was—a friend of my mother’s.’

‘Was he? How close a friend?’

Abby’s eyes sparkled angrily now. ‘What do you mean?’

Luke made a gesture of innocence. ‘Nothing detrimental, I assure you. I’m merely trying to ascertain Scott’s relationship to you.’

‘Well …’ Abby sought for words. ‘When—when my father first left my mother, Scott’s father was still alive and living in Ardnalui. He used to come up to see him, and he used to visit my mother at the same time.’

‘So he and your mother—and your aunt—were much of an age?’

‘No.’ Abby shook her head. ‘Aunt Ella was younger.’

Luke nodded. ‘But Ella—your aunt—she had left the village by this time.’

‘Oh, yes. She went away before I was born.’

‘And she never came back?’

Abby half turned away. ‘To begin with, she used to.’ She shrugged. ‘Do you want to see the village or don’t you?’

‘Do you know why Ella never mentions you?’

His question was direct, and Abby raised her dark eyebrows. ‘Like I told you, I suppose I might have ruined her image.’

Luke regarded her steadily for several seconds, and she was made intensely aware of the strength of her adversary. This was no easy task she had set herself, but already she had made some headway. All she needed was time, and an ability to act, almost as great as Ella’s.

The air was sharp, and the mist still lingered beside the loch. But it was going to be a fine day, and Luke breathed deeply of the clear northern air.

‘Where do you want to begin?’ asked Abby, as they walked away from the presbytery, and Luke glanced down at her wryly.