The Last of the Kintyres by Catherine Airlie Read Free Book Online Page A

experience seemed to bring her closer to the ste rn man who walked silently by her side, his kilt swinging, the plaid across his shoulder blown in the wind from the sea as the long procession wound downwards to the shore. Tony walked on her other side, but she hardly seemed to notice him until they reached the spot where a launch was waiting to take the old laird across that f amili ar stretch of water for the last time.
    All among the crags and back as far as she could see the humble people of the estate and th e old laird’s personal friends were gathered, their heads bared, their sombre clothing blending into the muted colour of the background where the spent heather lay against the hill. There was only one exception. A girl in a scarlet coat with a gaudy headscarf tied over her hair stood at the point where the road came nearest the sea, the ends of her scarf fluttering defiantly in the wind.
    Behind her, on the road, the conspicuous white Cadillac had been parked with its wheels on the grass verge. There could be no mistaking Caroline Hayler even before she came swiftly down across the headier towards them.
    She did not quite reach Hew’s side, however, because at that moment he was motioned towards the waiting launch and he turned to instruct Tony and Elizabeth to follow him aboard.
    Elizabeth averted her eyes from Caroline, but Tony stood gazing at her as if he could see no one else.
    “Tony!” Elizabeth urged in a swift undertone.
    He turned, then, following her to the water’s edge, and Caroline stood back with an angry little movement of annoyance to wait her turn for one of the other launches that were coming up behind.
    The slow cortege moved out across the narrow sound, and soon they had reached the island and had gone ashore at the north end of it to the little stone chapel where the lairds of Ardlamond had been buried for hundreds of years.
    The strong sense of tradition was everywhere, and nowhere more prominent than in the person of Hew Kintyre. Yet Elizabeth could not quite shake her mind free from the thought of Caroline Hayler and her presence there behind them. Even the sad, impressive nature of the simple committal service could not free her thoughts from the girl in the startling red coat who had so obviously come intending to stand by Hew’s side.
    If Caroline had thought to catch Hew’s eye, however, she was doomed to disappointment. As they had come they returned to the mainland, and very soon the tenants had dispersed and most of the other mourners with them.
    Only those who had come a very long way returned to Ardlamond, and Caroline was not among them. She drove away, the big white car seeming to flash angrily between the tall boles of the pines as it ate up the miles between the bay and Caroline’s spectacular castle home.
    Elizabeth was glad to be able to help Mrs. Malcolm in the dining-room for the next two hours, although she could eat nothing herself. Tony had disappeared, and suddenly she wondered if he had gone with Caroline.
    Surely he would not do such a thing! A deep flush burned suddenly in her cheeks as she met Hew’s eyes across the crowded room.
    “When all this is over,” he said, coming across to where she stood, “I’d like a word with you and Tony.”
    “Yes,” she said automatically. “I’ll find him.”
    But what if she could not? Tony was quite capable of taking the law into his own hands and remaining away as long as he thought fit. He would not consider that he owed anything to Hew at such a time, any loyalty or respect. Thoughtlessly, he would go the way of his own desire.
    “I saw that Caroline Hayler on the shore,” Mrs. Malcolm mentioned when Hew had gone. “Dressed up in red, like the Jezebel she is! It’ll be a sorry day for Ardlamond if the young master marries her. Ay, a sorry day!” she repeated.
    “Are they—going to be married?” Elizabeth asked with an odd constriction in her throat.
    Jessie set down a pile of used plates with a heavy