Devil's Bargain

“Hey, I mean it,” I say.

He gives me a quick smile, just the lifting of one corner of his mouth, then turns and walks to the door, picking up the bottle on his way, pausing for one moment there but not turning around.

“You don’t know what I’m capable of either, Melissa,” he says, and walks out.

27

Melissa

I don’t know where Hawk spent the night or where he is this morning, but it’s almost ten o’clock when I’m walking down the stairs of the big house because I somehow managed to fall asleep again after the episode in the kitchen.

“She’s here!” I hear a little boy’s excited, loud whisper.

“James, give her a little space,” I hear Declan say as I get to the first floor and see the big fire already burning in the fireplace. Lamps are lit through the room and I think they must need them on all day long because of the weather and thick walls of the house.

The little boy steps up to me with a wide smile on his face and Declan follows with an apologetic look on his.

“Hello. I’m James Declan Scott,” he says. “Almost laird of this house.”

“James,” Declan says in a chastising tone.

I crouch down so I’m at eye level and see that he has Hawk’s eyes almost exactly. Their strange color is the same, but Hawk’s hold none of the innocence this boy’s do.

“It’s wonderful to meet you, James. I’m Melissa and I was hoping you’d be here when I woke.”

“You were?” he asks, eyes brightening as I straighten.

“I saw your toy train last night and, well, I loved trains when I was a little girl and haven’t played with them much since.”

“Are you sure? Girls don’t like trains, Melissa,” he says, his expression very serious, very much like Hawk’s.

“You look a lot like your father and uncle,” I say.

He smiles broadly again. “Thank you. About the trains…”

I look up at Declan who comes closer, ruffles his hair. “She just woke up, son.”

“No, it’s fine. And as far as those trains, a lot of girls like to play with them. Just like a lot of boys like to play with dolls.”

He makes a face. “Not me.”

I laugh.

“Would you like some coffee? Breakfast?” Declan asks.

“I’d love coffee. Do you know where Hawk is?”

“Second time you ask me that in the two times we meet,” Declan says as he turns toward the kitchen. I walk beside him. “And my answer is the same. Who knows?”

James comes to my other side and takes my hand in his little one. I’m surprised by this. Warmed by it.

“I saw him this morning, Melissa. He said he was going to the tower,” James says.

“You’re not to be in that part of the house, James. You know that.”

James rolls his eyes at his father and it’s so exaggerated, I cover my mouth so as not to laugh. “I didn’t say I went with him. He just told me when I saw him this morning. And I told him to be careful.”

“Don’t roll your eyes at me, mister,” Declan says teasingly as he opens the kitchen door for me to walk through it.

“She’s pretty,” James whispers behind me. At least I think he intended on whispering but it’s loud enough for me to hear.

“She’s very pretty,” Declan says. “And she’s too old for you.”

I smile.

“How old is the house?” I ask after meeting the cook, Alice, and sitting down with coffee.

Declan sips his while James sits on the counter talking to Alice and eating a cookie.

“Centuries. It was built by my ancestors in the early 1500s.”

“That’s amazing.”

“We’ve done pretty well with restoring and keeping up renovations, but as you can see, things aren’t what they used to be. These houses are expensive to keep, and the estate is now bankrupt, but that’s my brother’s problem now.”

“What do you mean?”

“I signed the papers this morning. At least we’ll keep the distillery open.”

“I don’t understand, Declan.”

He puts his cup down and looks at me. “Do you know why Hawk left Scotland?”

I shake my head.

“Has he told you anything at all?”

I look into my cup, embarrassed that my answer is no.

“Alice,” he says, his tone authoritative, different than when he talks to me. “Take James inside. Get him dressed and ready to go into town.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Will you come with us, Melissa?” James asks.

“Go, James. Or we’ll be late,” Declan says.

I don’t get a chance to answer as he’s ushered out.

Declan waits until the door closes before speaking.

“You asked what the tension is between my brother and me and I’ll tell you. You should know and it’s not only Hawk’s story to tell. It’s mine too.

“My mother and father were having an affair while Hawk’s mother was still alive. While she was lady of this house. My own mother, Ann was her name, was a maid. I’m the result of that affair.