Finlay sucked in a breath. His actions in the heat of the moment had consequences he hadn’t even considered. His parents weren’t expecting him until Boxing Day. He hadn’t even called them yet—and now it was after ten at night. Hardly time to call his elderly parents. His sister was staying. He knew there was his old room. But there weren’t two spare rooms. And his parents would probably jump to an assumption he didn’t want them to.
This could be awkward.
He gulped. Not normal behaviour for Finlay. His brain tried to think frantically about the surrounding area. Although he stayed in the country they weren’t too far away from the city. There were some nice hotels there. And, if he remembered rightly, there were some nice hotels in the surrounding countryside area.
He pulled out his phone to try and do a search. ‘I haven’t booked anywhere,’ he said quickly as he started to type. ‘But I’m sure we can find a fabulous hotel to stay in.’
‘A hotel?’ It was the tone of her voice.
‘Yes.’ His fingers were still typing as he met her gaze and froze.
‘We’re going to another hotel?’
It was the way she said it. He stayed part of the year at The Armstrong. The rest of the year he flitted around the globe. He hadn’t set foot in his home—the castle—since Anna died.
Disappointment was written all over Grace’s face. She gestured towards the hamper. ‘Why did we need the food? Won’t the hotel have food?’ Then she gave a little frown. ‘And are you sure you’ll be able to find somewhere at this time on Christmas Eve when you don’t have a reservation?’
There was an edge of panic to her voice. She hadn’t wanted to spend Christmas alone—but she didn’t want to spend it at the side of a road either.
She could be right. Lots of the hotels in the surrounding area would be full of families in Scotland for Christmas. ‘Give me a second,’ he said.
He made a quick call, then leaned forward to confer with the pilot. ‘Snow is too heavy around that area,’ the pilot said quickly. ‘The hotel is too remote. Their helipad is notorious for problems.’ He shook his head. ‘I’d prefer not to, Mr Armstrong.’
Finlay swallowed. He’d used this pilot for years. If he said he’d prefer not to, he was being polite because Grace was here. He glanced at Grace. ‘My parents aren’t expecting me until Boxing Day. I don’t want to appear early without letting them know.’ He pulled a face. ‘The hotel I’d thought we could go to has rooms, but—’ he nodded to their pilot ‘—it’s remote and our pilot doesn’t recommend it.’
Grace’s eyes widened. ‘So, what do we do, then?’
He sucked in a breath. ‘There is somewhere else we could stay.’ As he said the words every bit of moisture left his mouth. Part of his brain was in overdrive. Why had he packed the hamper? Had he always known they would end up here?
‘Where?’ Grace sounded curious.
He hadn’t quite met her gaze. He glanced out at the dark night. He had no idea where they were right now. And he had no idea what lay ahead.
Last time he’d been in the castle...
He couldn’t even go there. But the practicalities of right now were making him nervous. What would they find at the end of this journey?
After a few years when he’d thought he’d never go back to the castle he’d let his staff go. His mother had made a few casual remarks. He knew that she must have been there. But he also knew that his family respected his wishes.
Grace reached over and touched his arm. Her warm fingers wrapped around his wrist. ‘Finlay, where are you taking me? Where will we be staying?’
‘My home,’ he said before he changed his mind. ‘Drumegan Castle.’
Grace pulled her hand back. ‘What?’ She looked from one side to the other as if she expected the castle to appear out of thin air. ‘You own a castle?’ Her mouth was practically hanging open.
It had been a while since he’d spoken about the castle. When they’d first bought it, he’d relished the expression on people’s faces when he’d told them he owned a castle. But the joy and love for his property had vanished after Anna’s diagnosis and then death.
‘You own a castle,’ Grace repeated.
He nodded. He had to give her an idea of what might lie ahead. ‘I haven’t been back there in a while.’
‘Why?’ As soon as she asked the question, realisation dawned on her and she put her hand up to her mouth. ‘Sorry,’ she whispered. ‘Oh.’
‘It’s all closed up. I don’t even know what it will be like when we get there. It will be cold. I hope the heating still works.’ He leaned forward and put his head in his hands. ‘Please let the electricity be working.’ Then he looked upwards, ‘Please let the water be working.’ This was beginning to feel like a very bad idea. They might actually be better off at the side of the road than in the castle after five years. ‘What am I doing?’ He was talking to himself but the words came out loud.