Page 17 of A Debt Inherited

“It shall.”

“For longer than one life, my lord.”

Mr Ballantyne’s spectacles shifted lower on his nose. Dr Kerr became very interested in the ribbon of his Bible.

Hugh did not colour, nor did he smile. He considered the words as if Lady Isobel had placed another memorandum before him.

“That will require marriage,” Lady Isobel said.

“Yes.”

“And a son.”

“God willing.”

The words sat easily in his mouth.

His eyes moved again.

Marjorie felt the glance before she met it. She sat very still. Her widow’s black covered her from throat to wrist. Her hands lay folded. No child rested in her arms this time.

“I shall pray for wisdom in the choice,” Lady Isobel said.

Hugh inclined his head. “As shall I.”

No one could object to prayer. That was its advantage.

Marjorie looked again at Julian’s portrait. The painted sky above Glenbride remained absurdly kind. No Scottish winter had ever held such blue. No future worth fearing had ever entered that canvas. Julian rested one idle hand upon his unread folio and remained beloved, useless, and safe from all further arrangements.

Hugh gathered the memoranda into a neater stack.

“There remains the matter of household accounts,” he said. “They do not require your ladyships’ attendance. Mr Ballantyne and I shall review them tomorrow.”

Lady Isobel rose. Marjorie followed.

Hugh stood at once. Not hurriedly. Perfectly.

“Before we close,” he said, “I wish to make one point plain.”

Lady Isobel waited.

“This house has suffered enough disorder. While I hold Glenbride, neither you nor Lady Marjorie shall be made to feel displaced.”

Lady Isobel inclined her head. “You relieve us.”

Marjorie heard no relief in it.

The door opened. Mr McNab stood upon the threshold, black coat immaculate, face as composed as the old panelling behind him.

“Dinner is served, my lord.”

My lord.

The words crossed the library with no more force than duty required, yet Marjorie felt them enter every corner. Her father had been three days in the vault. The house had already learnt its new grammar.

Hugh inclined his head. “Thank you, McNab.”

He moved from behind the desk and crossed to Lady Isobel.