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Having frequently been a guest in their father’s home in Aberdeen, Angus Ramsay was not unmindful of the ways of the gentry. With more polish than Ailie might have expected given his station, her grandfather smiled at Muriel and bowed over her hand.

“Muriel is the Countess of Claremont, Grandfather, but our guests have decided to use given names for their stay with us, so I suspect she will allow you, for the now, to address her as ‘Muriel’.”

“Here’s tae ye, a grand fair lady, Muriel.”

Muriel’s hand went to her quizzing glass but she did not raise it, perhaps sensing that Ailie’s grandfather would have found it highly amusing and very English. But, as a lady, she did not fail to show her gratitude. “Most kind of you, sir.”

After that, the introductions proceeded smoothly.

According to Will, Hugh, while a marquess, had friends in many walks of life and could be unassuming. Mary, his gracious wife, accepted Ailie’s grandfather and he her. After making the introduction, as they walked away, Ailie’s grandfather said, “She has the look o’ a green-eyed sea witch. I ’spect her husband’s under her spell.”

Ailie was bemused by her grandfather’s ready acceptance of the fishermen’s folklore. “From what I have seen, you’re not far from the truth.”

Her grandfather took to Tara as soon as he discovered Nick’s wife was an American of Scots-Irish blood. “One o’ us!”

Nick told him that Tara sailed as often as she could. “My Irish cook is a great keeper of the fairy lore, Mr. Ramsay, and believes my wife is the leanan sídhe, a fairy of terrible power.” Nick added a grimace to go with the description.

Nick and Tara shared a chuckle, but Ailie’s grandfather just smiled, accepting fully Tara’s mythical origin. In Scotland, the glens had always produced legends of fairies, old clan tales, forebodings and superstitions. They were as much believed as the Scriptures.

When Ailie introduced her grandfather to Martin’s wife, Kit expressed a desire to sketch him. “I’m doing sketches of everyone this holiday, Mr. Ramsay,” she told him. “You have such an interesting face, I hope you will allow me to draw a likeness of you.”

“I shall put meself at yer disposal,” he said with a wink at Martin, who obviously knew the effect his wife had on older men.

They arrived in front of the twin Powell brothers and Ailie’s grandfather paused. “My oath! ’Tis two fish from the same barrel.”

Nash and Robbie smiled good-naturedly. Ailie knew they had heard such remarks many times, yet they were kind to her grandfather, which pleased her.

Ailie introduced them, putting the correct name to each twin, not only because of the clothes Nash wore but because of the unseen connection that now existed between them. When she met his penetrating gaze, she recognized him.

Her grandfather looked up at Robbie. “Rabbie,” he said, pronouncing Robbie’s name in the Scots fashion. “’Tis the name o’ the Bard o’ Ayrshire. Ye’re unwed, aye?”

“Both of us,” put in Nash, shooting Ailie a surprisingly bold look.

Before her grandfather could say more and embarrass her completely, Ailie excused herself and rushed him away. “Really, Grandfather.”

“Weel, ’tis time ye find a man, and that one’s named Rabbie.” To that, Ailie had no intention of replying. Her grandfather was worse than Will.

She led her grandfather to where Emily and Will stood talking with a footman.

“Guid tae see ye, dear Emily.”

“You, too, Angus.” Emily kissed him on his cheek. “I have requested another chair be added to the dining table. It will be a snug fit but I’m sure we will all do just fine.”

“I don’t think our guests will mind, Leannan,” said Will. “They are getting along splendidly.”

“As long as ye put me next tae Muriel,” said Grandfather Ramsay, “sittin’ close will nae fash me.”

Will gave Ailie a side-glance, his brows drawing together.

“Don’t ask,” she said.

At dinner, her grandfather—now addressed as “Angus” by all their guests—was quick to claim the chair next to Muriel who sat in her usual place adjacent to Will. Since the rest of them took the seats they’d had at their first dinner, that left Ailie between Nash and Robbie but with Angus squeezed in next to Muriel. Snug indeed.

After the barley soup and a fish course of baked cod in cream sauce with leeks, Will announced, “In honor of our English guests, we’re having roast beef tonight.”

Exclamations of delight sounded around the table.

“We English do like our roast beef,” said Robbie. He winked at Ailie. “And I wouldn’t turn away a slice of cheddar cheese.”