Edwina Read Free

Simple.”
    For the first time in her life, Edwina
stomped her foot. “Look, this was your plan for us, together, not
for me to travel alone. You know I don’t like to... to... leave
home.” She sputtered.
    “Exactly, the reason you
must continue your trip. This is your first holiday away from your
job in three years, Ed. You need to learn a little about other people.”
    “You’re the one who needs
people all over the world... not me. I’m happy to be an assistant
librarian and read about other people’s lives.” Edwina’s hands were on her hips.
She glanced around at the people passing.
    “The barrister said
Father’s will is to be read day after tomorrow and I must be in
Italy. I am his
only heir.”
    “I know that, Cecelia. It’s just that...
.that...” Edwina forced herself to lower her voice.
    “What, Ed?” Cecelia checked her watch. “I
have to see if I can get on standby... it’s going to be difficult
enough to catch another flight today. Really, I’m sorry. Besides we
flew to Italy for our parents’ wedding remember?”
    “Yes, but that was six years ago...” Edwina
heard the whine in her normally calm librarian voice. “And you’re
the one that was born in England.”
    “It’s not that difficult, Ed...
you’re so organized.”
    “In my own world, I’m organized. This is not
my world, Cece, it’s yours.”
    “Look, why don’t you just board the plane and
see if you might find someone to talk to and learn all you can
about Edinburgh. It’s easy enough. I’ve done it dozens of times.
Ask lots of questions. People love to talk about things they
know.”
    Edwina’s thoughts flew
through her head like scattered pearls bouncing off a marble floor.
“ You love to talk
to people. I love to read books about people, remember?” The pitch
of her voice raised a notch.
    “Well, then it’s time you learned a little
more about life. You can’t live your entire life out of books,
Edwina Blair.”
    The firmness of her sister’s words hit her
like a scorching wind. Or was her face already hot? She lifted her
hand to her cheek and looked away. She hated emotional displays in
public places.
    “Besides, everything is paid for. It cost me
a lot of money, Ed.”
    Edwina stared into her sister’s beautiful
blue eyes as her stomach did flip-flops. That did it. Not one for
wasting money or disappointing anyone, she realized at that moment
she would be going to Scotland for two weeks. Alone.
    Cecelia must have known she’d won, for her
sister tucked her cell in her pocket, laid her exquisitely
manicured hands upon Edwina’s shoulders and winked. “See, I knew
you’d see it my way. You’ll have the time of your life, believe me.
There’s plenty to do... be sure to visit Edinburgh Castle, take
several bus tours around the country, one through the Highlands for
certain. The people at the hotel will tell you which ones are best.
The itinerary is in the packet I gave you. You’ll be fine,
Edwina.”
    Edwina looked at her feet.
Well, if this was called adventure, she guessed she was in for a
big one. Lord, I’m going with you... show
me the way . A huge sigh escaped her
lips.
    “There, now.” Cecelia comforted her sister
with a pat on her arm.
    Edwina’s heart seemed to return to normal
pace, for some odd reason, because none of this was going to be
easy or fun... at least not from her point of view. And all because
there was no way she’d let all that money be wasted just because
she was afraid. Besides, her conscience railed, wasn’t she being
insensitive to Cecelia’s pain right now?
    “I’ll be all right, Cece. I’m really sorry
about your father.”
    “Don’t worry about me, Ed. You know Father
and I were never close. He was not kind to my mother or me. But he
did have a beautiful villa and I shall make plans to put it to good
use. Actually, I’m rather excited to see it. Mum says it is located
in an exquisite part of the country and quite lavishly
furnished.”
    Edwina stared at