Blood Line Read Free Page B

small pantry which used to be the laird's lug in the old days,' she whispered. 'You know, the laird used to go up to his bedroom and listen in to what his guests were saying about him. Hardly the done thing, but very useful where chaperones are concerned.'
    Taking a sip of lemonade, Faro asked, 'Are your parents abroad, Miss Haston?'
    'Please call me Lucille. My parents? Both dead. In Canada - I was born there - when I was three, I can't even remember them. Uncle Eric is my guardian until I'm of age and meantime I live in Stromness with Aunt Maud, his unmarried sister. You know Stromness? Isn't it the dullest place ever?' she added.
    'On the contrary; I'm very attached to Orkney. I lived near St Margaret's Hope and I sometimes miss it - and my family there - very much.'
    'Surely not after living in divine Edinburgh all these years?' Lucille obviously regarded such an admission as incredible. 'Tell me about your family. I understand from Uncle that you're a widower. How sad - I am sorry.'
    A sound of voices in the corridor and Faro was spared an account of his life story when the door opened to admit Sir Eric. Grey-haired, large and distinguished, he bore the unmistakable air of authority, the stamp of a Court official.
    'My dear fellow, how good to see you. I trust my niece has been looking after you. What on earth is that she's given you to drink? For Heaven's sake, why didn't you ask her for a dram?'
    'I wasn't sure - '
    Lucille laughed. 'My dear fellow,' she said to Faro in a tolerable imitation of her uncle's manner, 'I know all about drams. Why, my dear Aunt Maud owns shares in the local distillery. You should have told me, silly man. You don't have to be polite with me.'
    'That's quite enough, young lady. Thank you for entertaining the Inspector in my absence, but now you may retire. Now, Lucille,' he added in a threatening tone. 'Now - meaning immediately.'
    Faro suppressed amusement for there was nothing in the least avuncular in this stern aristocrat's manner.
    'But, Uncle . . . ' protested a sadly diminished Lucille.
    'Now,' Sir Eric repeated firmly. He rose to his feet, a tall, regal, grey-haired disciplinarian. A sight to make strong men quail and more than a match for his spirited niece.
    'It's been lovely to meet you,' said Lucille weakly. 'I hope I'll see you again before I leave,' she added with a sigh.
    'Seeing that you're to be here until the autumn, I don't see how that can be avoided,' said Sir Eric, his good nature restored. His affectionate glance was followed by a threatening gesture. 'Now, be off with you, young lady. Good night, sleep well.'
    'Good night, Uncle. Good night, Inspector.' A pretty curtsy and the door closed.
    Handing Faro a dram, Sir Eric relaxed in the chair opposite. 'Hope she wasn't being too tedious. Bit of a rattle, but a sweet child really. Have to watch her with all these soldier lads about in the Castle. Seems to have no idea what men are like - well, you know what soldiers are. Given any encouragement, it could be deuced awkward.'
    Drinking deeply, he sighed. 'We inherited her when a Vermont Haston cousin died. Time she had a husband. Her aunt's finding her a bit of a handful. Got this brilliant idea that there might be more chance of a good marriage here in Edinburgh. Perhaps when the Court comes to Holyrood. Anyway, I dare say you aren't here to talk about my niece. What can I do for you?'
    'I'm not sure, Sir Eric. There was a body found at the base of Castle Rock . . .'
    'So I've heard. Fellow trying to get into Queen Mary's apartments. Up to no good, I warrant. Expect he was disturbed, panicked and tried to make his getaway. Good Lord, nobody's climbed down Castle Rock and got away with it since the wicked Earl of Bothwell back in the 1560s. Don't make men like that any more.'
    'Have you any idea what he could have been looking for? Are there any valuables missing?'
    'No, thank God. All safely locked in their glass cases. The rest of it is memorabilia - shoes, gloves, that