Chapter 34
Ten minutes later they pulled up in front of the Palmer House Hotel. “What are we doing here?” Edwina asked Alex Dunnegin. He had come for her.
“Come up. I want to talk with you. Don’t worry—my secretary and three employees are there even as we speak. They’ll be reworking contracts all night long. I need some quiet. It’s been a very productive day.”
A strange smile appeared on Alex Dunnegin’s face, something like the cat caught with the bird in his mouth.
“Don’t protest, lass. If ye don’t want to stay after we’ve talked, ye can go.”
The Scot turned his keys over to the valet and came around to open her door. She followed him into the beautiful lobby.
“Evening, Mr. Dunnegin,” the doorman greeted him. “Your employees are in your room, as you requested.”
“Thanks, Mac. Another Scot,” he said proudly.
Once at his room, he unlocked the door, and she reluctantly followed. They were met with greetings from several people right away. Shoulder claps, high fives, and congratulations were flying.
Finally, he turned to her. “Closed a deal today.”
“I see.” She also noticed the elegant furnishings in the large hotel room.
He announced to the group that they were to take over the dining table and finish their work, but he and his guest were not to be disturbed.
One woman gave Edwina the evil eye. She counted it as jealousy. And who could blame the woman?
“We’ll sit in the front room.” Edwina followed nervously. “I would like to propose an idea to ye. A business idea.”
Oh no, not another business proposal...
“I couldn’t possibly...”
“Lass, if ye’ll quiet yourself, I’ll explain.” He sounded tired. “What I would like more than anything is a companion for dinner. We have worked for two years on this contract, and tonight we have finished it. Would ye be willing?”
“What about...,”
Alex Dunnegin put up his hand. “I would have asked Cecelia if I had wanted her company.”
How did the man know what she was thinking?
He had helped her so many times. She knew her answer.
“Yes. I’ll be your companion, but just for tonight.” She felt her face grow warm.
It was almost like a dream. Companion to her knight. Perhaps she could be of assistance to him one last time before he started dating Cecelia.
“I’d love a nap, but I can go to Cecelia’s.”
“Nay, it would be better if ye did not.”
“Why?”
“Do ye have a change of clothes?” he asked gently.
“No. So you see, I will have to go to Cecelia’s after all.”
“Well, I’d rather ye didn’t.”
“Why not?”
“It was my unfortunate duty to turn down a date with your sister this evening because I thought we would still be negotiating the contract. As ye can see, that did not happen. I do not wish to explain.”
“I see.” Edwina smiled. No one liked crossing Cecelia.
“Now, off to a nap for ye. I’ll get ye a dress at Marshall Field’s.”
Edwina stood. No thank you. My sister just recently bought me a black dress. I will take a taxi, it’s just a few blocks and be back before you know it. I’m assuming we’re going to a nice restaurant?”
“Of course, lass. We’ll be celebrating.”
“Then I’ll be on my way. What time should I be back?” She grabbed her purse before he could change his mind. He was so chivalrous she feared he might insist on driving her.”
“I’ll drive you myself. A lady needn’t be out alone.”
“I’m used to the area, Mr. Dunnegin. Really. Besides I hate shopping and could not allow you to spend money on a dress I would hardly ever wear. As you know, I already have one. Be about your business.” She said with a smile.
“The very words I would have spoken.” His lopsided grin, which she had never seen before, caused her heart to flip-flop.
Edwina dashed for the door.
“I’ll drive down and pick you up at...” he paused and checked his watch, “seven-thirty.”
“Seven-thirty,” she repeated on the way out.
Within minutes she was crashing through Cecelia’s door and heading for the shower. Tonight she would watch for nuances of the Scot’s personality. The hero of her story was at her beck and call and it would likely be her last chance to observe the man closely. Besides she needed the diversion.
Thankfully, Cecelia was out celebrating with her friends, since her date with the Scot had been broken. She had seen her sister’s disappointment. Cecelia was unused to being cancelled.
The black dress fit well enough. But her hair. It took extra long to dry and caused her a moment’s worry when she heard the clock in the living room chime seven times.
The hair dryer was working at high speed and she was hustling to get it dry. Time for a shorter haircut.
Edwina’s impatience reminded her she was just going as a friend. She need not worry so much. Except that she didn’t want to embarrass the man if they were going to a nice restaurant, which she knew they were. And he was celebrating some good business deal. Her duty tonight was to enjoy the time. For tomorrow...
The door bell chimed at a quarter past seven. She ran a brush through her hair and quickly put it atop her head and ran for the door.
“Your dress is nice.” He complimented her with a slight smile.
“Thank you. Suitable for the restaurant?” she asked.
“Suitable.” He said quickly and fished for his key. “Are you ready then?”
“Yes.” Then she remembered. “Cecelia is out on the town with friends tonight, celebrating as well.” She could see him visibly relax.
“Ah, well and good, then.”
“Not to worry. Cecelia doesn’t count me as any kind of competition.” Edwina said lightly.
The man’s eyebrows went up. She didn’t catch anything else for he was opening the door.
“My car is waiting below stairs.”
In a moment they were driving down Michigan Street. He said nothing, so she watched people walking along the streets as darkness settled over the Windy City and wondered what proposal he had in mind, now.
She shook the thoughts from her head. It was likely the Scot wanted to know more about Cecelia and used the business success thing as a ruse to cover up his detective work.
Twenty minutes later Edwina found herself in a black plush chair overlooking Chicago’s skyline. “It’s so beautiful.” She mused.
“That it is.” He agreed.
“Miss Blair, I leave for Scotland tomorrow. There is a problem I wish to resolve before I go.” The Scot was talking. “It is of utmost importance, lass, that our conversation be confidential. Do ye give me yer word?”
Edwina hesitated. This sounded very much like their conversation at the fish and chips shop. What could he possibly want to share with her? Nerves aquiver, she kept folding and refolding the pure white linen napkin as it lay across her lap.
“Sir... I am not in the best situation at the moment. I would rather not... not be taken into anyone’s confidence... at this moment. I’m overly tired, and with everything that’s happened... I . . .” She couldn’t finish. Off went her shoes under the table.
The Scot’s eyebrows lifted slightly, signaling the fact he hadn’t expected her refusal to listen.
“It’d be quiet ye need, lass?”
“I’m sorry... yes.”
“No need to apologize. I could use a bit o’ quiet myself.”
“Business has been good, then, if you have a new contract for whatever it is you do.” Edwina felt the strain lift at the change of topic.
“Business is good, but it is not the only reason I am in America.”
Oh boy, here it comes. Edwina wanted to roll her eyes. Instinct told her she didn’t need to know so much about the Scot. Her romantic feelings, which had only surfaced recently,
would only dig deeper in a heart that could not suffer one more bout of rejection.
A man walked up to the table interrupting Edwina’s thoughts.
The men spoke for a few minutes.
When the maitre’d set the elegant salads on the pristine, white table cloth, the Scot motioned for her to go ahead.
Shortly the man left with an apology for interrupting their meal, leaving Mr. Alex Dunnegin smiling.
“Not to worry.” Edwina swung her fork. “Salad’s wonderful. Better eat. Your food is getting cold.”
“Aye,” he agreed and picked up his fork.
She enjoyed watching Alexander eat. He had manners. His parents must have taught him well. She wondered about his parents, if he had brothers and sisters, what his life had been like as a little boy. A tall little boy.
For now she limited her thoughts to those subjects. Later, as she drove home, she could think about a story line. The Scot would be home in his castle by then.
“‘Ave ye a prospect for a job?”
“What?” How could he possibly know her situation?
“A job. Have ye secured a position?” She shook her head. And left it at that. “Ye don’t wish to discuss it?”
“No.” She gave him the eye.
“I’ve a proposal for ye.”
“Proposal?” Edwina chastised herself. Wishful thinking.
“A business proposal.” He became serious.
“Of course.” She wouldn’t let him get the best of her.
“I should have liked to have the opportunity to stay in America for a couple more days, but duties call me back to Scotland.”
Her nerves started to jingle. Why didn’t he just get to the point?
“Lass, I’ll get to the point.” She stared at him. He’d done it again. “Since you are unemployed you are no longer obligated to a position – as you were before, I would like to ask you to consider my original offer. However, I must confess to you I withheld information that I could not discuss the first time.”
Edwina’s fork was swinging back and forth between her fingers. She looked at the offending thing and laid it down.
“Sir, you can’t be asking me again?”
“I am asking, lass.”
His seriousness began to unsettle her nerves. He meant every word he was saying.
“I am so honored that you would ask, but—”
“Don’t say nay until ye’ve heard me out,” he interrupted.
She waited. The dinner napkin was wadded up in sweaty hands, and she was squeezing the dickens out of it.
“Miss Blair, my original request to offer for a secretary has now changed. Have you a teaching certificate?”
“No.”
“And you like children?”
“Yes.”
“If you would consider it, I would like to employ you as a nanny.”
“Nanny?” Edwina couldn’t believe her ears.
“Let me explain.” He put his hands up. “I have a daughter. My wife died when the child was only four months old. She was from America, and I want my daughter to learn the American ways as well as her Scottish ways. Can ye understand?”
“Yes.” Her voice was barely audible, even to her own ears. She was still stuck on the fact that he had a daughter, and a wife? Cecelia would not like having a child in the marriage.”
“The Gillespies have taken her until I find a replacement nanny. And even then she had to be left with another family while they were here. My daughter is, even now, without a familiar face. It is not what I wish for her. And I will not allow her to run through several au pair while I am away.”
He looked away for a moment, then continued.
“I understand, through yer sister, that yer job in yer town... what is it? Niles?... is no longer available to you.”
“That’s a nice way to describe being fired from your job.”
“Ah, I am sorry that ye have lost yer job. But ye see, I have a large library at Castle Dunnegin that ye can make use of.”
Like it would pay as much, she wanted to say.
“I will pay you whatever you ask in wages, within reason.” He added quickly.
A spark shot through Edwina’s heart as she saw the love for his daughter so clearly portrayed in his eyes.
“But I’m not a certified teacher by any means.” She almost felt sorry that she wasn’t.
“Teaching requires reading and learning. I think ye ’ave those qualities, lass. I’ve seen ye atop the railing with ye’re books.”
Edwina allowed herself to smile.
“Will ye think aboot it then?”
“Yes, I will think about it,” she promised. “How old is your daughter?”
“She is barely five years of age. She should be in school but alas cannot be let away from the house.”
“Has she a physical ailment, then?”
“No. But I cannot explain now. You will have to trust me, Miss Blair." He caught her eyes with his. “Aye. We will speak tomorrow, and then I leave for Scotland. It is regretful I need to know by tomorrow.” He was truly repentant.
“I couldn’t possibly make a decision about something that important by tomorrow... I’m sorry.” It was her turn to apologize.
“Then take the time ye need. For I would not have ye come and leave again. A child requires consistency, and I would have it for my daughter.”
“So the position is still for one year?”
“Indeed it is. If ye cannot abide that, do not come.” She nodded. The man was driving a hard bargain.
“Mr. & Mrs. Gillespie cook and keep the grounds at the farm, so ye need not be aboot household duties. I would have ye spend time with the child, walking the hills, reading, teaching letters, numbers, a second language if ye can do it, and to teach her about being a woman.”
Edwina could feel the back of her neck twitch. She was getting a headache. This was too much, way too much for her tired mind. The Scot had better look for another.
“Look, I can see right now that I could not possibly fulfill all those duties. You had better look elsewhere. I can ask Cecelia. She knows lots of people with better education and social standing than I could ever hope to—”
“Lass, ye are stone-headed.”
“What?” Edwina gave him a look. Here she was pouring her heart out trying to explain, and he had called her stone-headed.
“Have ye not heard anything? I want a person, not a professional socialite.”
The word socialite coming from his Scottish mouth nearly sent her into hysterics.
“And ye smile at my words?”
“Yes, I’m sorry. I’m just overwhelmed.” She felt her reasoning crumbling under his eye. He was about to force an answer out of her, she was sure of it.
“I will think about it. That’s all,” she said, hoping the conversation would end there because somewhere deep inside she wanted to say yes.
Something popped into her mind. “What about Ilana?”
“I already told ye, she was not the woman I thought her to be. We are no longer engaged.”
“Oh.” She thought perhaps if the Scot would marry . . .
“I have been foolish in trying to find a wife so she can take up duties as my bairn’s mother. I am done with that.” He waved his arm.
“I see.”
He called for the waiter. “Coffee?” He directed the question to her.
“Yes, thank you.”
“Will ye think aboot it?”
“Yes.” What was she thinking. She never drank coffee.
“That’s all I ask. But above all, do not let anyone know of our conversation. I would be aboot complete privacy in this matter.”
His no-nonsense tone settled on her heart. This was serious business. It would require her to move to Scotland, give a large portion of her life to a child—the Scot’s child. She still couldn’t believe he was a father... had a wife who died. She wondered how he was doing as a man with a small child to raise and no wife. Surely it had bee
n difficult.
All these thoughts chased through her mind.
She would live on a farm. The Gillespies nearby. That would be a comfort. And she could walk among the rolling hills, the memories of which she seemed so attached to these days. Of course she’d have to take room and board out of her pay. She would refuse to live there rent-free.
She sipped water while the waiter poured coffee into the white china cups with the gold rims.
Vexed with herself, she realized she was already considering the prospect. She could not just run off, leave her apartment, the possibility of a new job in Niles, or maybe even the chance to further her education. . . .
All of a sudden, Edwina realized she had very little to hold on to. And she had asked God for a job that would allow her to think about someone other than herself. Was the answer sitting right in front of her?
A gush of breath poured from her lungs. “Could we go, please?”
“Of course.” The Scot waved to the waiter once again.
Edwina started to lift herself from the chair, but the Scot came around quickly and pulled out her chair. She made sure she didn’t touch him. If... if she took this job, there would have to be rules. She would have to tie her heart up like a trussed bird and ignore any romantic ideas she had heretofore. Could she do that?
Silly. Of course, the Scot was not likely to notice her for any more than she was. A plain girl from a little town in Michigan who had the ability to befriend his daughter and teach her.
The Scot would marry someone, no doubt, and they would take the little girl and live happily ever after.
Perhaps she should decline the offer.
Before she knew it, the Scot was putting her in his car. The street lights flashed by like they were going a hundred miles an hour, just like her life, when in reality they were just pulling up to Cecelia’s condo.
“Ye will delay your trip home for a day?”
“Yes,” she said and hooked her hand into the door handle before remembering the Scot would come around and get her.
They were standing beneath the royal blue awning with gold letters. Cecelia’s Place. Edwina could not imagine not coming here. She knew then she could not go with the Scot.
“Aye. I’m taking the evening flight to Edinburgh tomorrow. I leave at half past eight. I’ll expect to hear from ye, lass.”
Edwina nodded and turned to leave, then turned back. “Thank you for dinner.”
“Aye.” He waved as he walked around and bent down to get in the driver’s seat. She watched as the black car drove up Michigan Street, the red lights disappearing into the darkness.