The Inheritance Read Free Page B

see you then,” Linda informed me cheerfully.  I was about to protest that I wasn’t tired, but I was, so I thanked her, and after taking a quick shower decided to take a well-deserved nap. 

Chapter 5
     
    I woke up at 6pm local time and took a deep breath of the fresh Highland air that was blowing through the open window.  I marveled at the quiet of the place as I pulled on a pair of jeans and a flowery chiffon top, brushed my hair, applied some make-up and went down in search of Danny. 
    He was in the parlor having a drink with Bob and an older man dressed in full Highland regalia.  He was introduced to me as Hugh Cunningham, an ex-soldier in Her Majesty’s Army, lately running tour groups for Americans based on the novels of a popular romance writer who put Scotland on the map for her readers. They were particularly interested in visiting the battlefield at Culloden, where the Jacobites were defeated in a blood-soaked battle that forever altered the clan way of life, and destroyed the dream of Scottish independence for generations to come. 
    I didn’t want to admit that I had no idea what they were talking about, so I smiled politely and walked over to the window to admire the view.  Mr. Cunningham’s group was spending two nights at the B&B and would be joining us for dinner.  They were a group of seven women ranging in age from mid-‘40s to ‘60s and were engaged in a heated debate based on one of the books as they sat down with us at the long table.  Danny looked amused and rolled his eyes at me in mock horror. 
    We didn’t get to talk much during the meal, but the food was excellent, as was the wine served with the meal , and I was happy enough to listen and observe.  I wanted to ask who the Jacobites were, but didn’t want to draw attention to my ignorance and resolved to ask Danny tomorrow on our way to the castle.
    I woke up the next morning eager to get going.  Danny was already downstairs dressed in a pair of jeans and a polo shirt looking like a tourist ready for a day of sightseeing.  He led me into the dining room where Linda was busy serving breakfast.  After some hot coffee and a bowl of the famed Scottish parritch liberally drizzled with honey, we finally set out.
    “It’s about a half-hour drive from here,” Danny informed me.  “Shall I tell you about it?”
    “ Please.  I want to hear all about the castle and the Jacobites,” I added, “but you still haven’t told me what I really want to know,” I answered a little sullenly. 
    “And what’s that?”  He was in a good mood and immune to my peevishness.
    “I want to know who Angus McBride was and why he left me his estate.  You do know, don’t you?”  I issued the challenge.
    “I do, but I ’m not at liberty to divulge the information.  I was his solicitor and my father before me and I have to respect client confidentiality, even if the client is deceased,” he droned in his best lawyer voice. 
    “But I need to know.  It doesn’t make any sense.  Why would this man leave me his entire estate and claim I was his granddaughter?  My gran never mentioned him as far as my mom can recall , and I’d never heard of him until the day I got your phone call,” I complained. 
    “I understand your frustration and will help you find the answer.  I can ’t tell you the story, but I know someone who can, someone who witnessed it firsthand and is the oracle of truth,” he promised. 
    “And who exactly is this Oracle of Truth?” I demanded. 
    “My gran,” he said with an impish grin.  “Now, on to the castle, my lady.” 

Chapter 6
     
    “The castle was completed in 1625 by Hamish McBride, who was the laird of the McBride clan at the time.  It sits on a cliff overlooking the North Sea and has withstood at least two sieges that we know about.  Many of the clansmen lived within the castle walls full-time, but there was also the village of Kilmaron which lay outside the walls of the castle.  The village