Christmas at a Highland Castle

Chapter 25

Jess had spent the afternoon batch-cooking some stews in the Aga. Since Edward Ellingham’s helicopter had lifted from the drive earlier in the day, it had begun to snow again and, with the feather-like flakes falling with increasing determination outside the window, Jess had been happy to stay inside. Even Digby seemed more than happy to snooze while Jess chopped onions and rifled through the larder for ingredients.

It seemed a good opportunity to get some meals ready for when the rest of Sebastian’s family arrived for Christmas. Time was ticking on: Christmas music was dominating the radio and if she’d seen the movie Elf advertised once on TV, she’d seen it a dozen times. There might be no sign of the festive season yet in the castle, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t coming.

Mrs Keel had already brought up the largest Christmas pudding Jess had ever seen, and it sat in the larder alongside a tin containing a massive Christmas cake. Mrs Keel had made both, providing Jess with a small bottle of whisky and instructions about how to ‘feed’ the cake before it was time to decorate it. Apparently, Dorathy Keel had made both for the castle for more years than she cared to remember, and Jess was grateful she’d continued the tradition this year, too. The production of a traditional Christmas cake, and a pudding weighing in heavier than a human head, was punching above Jess’s culinary abilities.

By the time she checked the clock and realised she was going to be late for the village choir rehearsal – again – the stews were bubbling happily, cooking low and slow in what Vivi had explained to her was the Aga’s simmering oven.

‘Sorry – late again,’ Sebastian said as he bundled into the room. ‘Are you good to go?’

‘Perfect timing,’ Jess said, rinsing off her hands and checking the room was Digby-proof. The little dog wasn’t above pinching provisions if they were within reach, but everything looked secure. She grabbed up her coat. ‘Ready.’

It seemed Sebastian hadn’t noticed the unintentional ‘we’ she’d blurted out when she’d suggested the castle B and B. Jess was relieved – mostly, anyway. There was no way to put her finger on the nebulous feelings this whole place was stirring up inside her, so perhaps it was easier not to, to just roll with the moment instead.

Sebastian held the scullery door wide and, once Jess had checked a final time that Digby was content and settled in his basket, she slipped through the gap and waited for Sebastian to close the door and catch up to her.

‘Whatever you’ve been cooking smells absolutely delicious.’ He looked awkward for a moment, then added, ‘I hope you’re happy to stay on and help us out over Christmas.’

She frowned. ‘Why do you say that? Of course I am.’ It seemed an odd comment, especially after their conversation about his determination to turn the estate around.

He shook his head. ‘Sorry. Ignore me. My sister got the DNA results back and it’s rather changed things.’

Jess ran hot and cold. Was he trying to say that he wasn’t who he believed himself to be? That Olivia had been right in her claim? Where would that leave Sebastian? After coming to terms with his new reality and deciding to do everything he could to make it work, had it been ripped away from him?

‘What happened?’ she asked, her voice muted.

He took a deep breath, the plume of white spiralling away into the falling snow.

‘Turns out my sister accidently sent some of Digby’s hair for DNA testing,’ he said, as they crossed the bridge and entered the village.

‘What?’ The randomness of his comment had her smiling.

‘I know. And hashtag shocker, it also turns out Digby-Dog is not my father.’

She stifled a laugh, glancing to see his expression. He looked relaxed, almost amused, so she felt confident in joining in with a humorous comment.

‘Is he Olivia’s?’ she asked, and he laughed – a firecracker of a sound in the blanketed, snow-filled air.

‘Nope. Although it has become clear that Olivia and I are closely related enough to be safe in the knowledge that we both have the same father – even if it turns out that’s not a cockapoo.’

A lightning smile brightened his expression and Jess grinned back. He was so very irresistible when he smiled like that, and Jess had to drag her gaze away from him as they neared the village hall.

‘I’m glad. For all of you. So, what does that mean for Kirkshield?’ she asked.

‘I’ve put Olivia properly in the picture, and she’s on board to help. We’re determined to make it work, somehow. She’s already made some suggestions. Some good, some not so much. It’s why I asked if you’re happy to stay on. I know our finances are concerning, but I give you my word your wages will be paid, regardless of anything else. And I …’ He held her gaze for a beat, then shook his head. ‘Anyway, I just wanted to check.’

At the village hall, he held the door wide for her again, and as Jess glanced at the faces already gathered, she noted some were smiling in greeting, while others remained guarded at Sebastian’s arrival. Jess felt a swell of protectiveness, a desire to explain to those whispering behind their hands just how close they’d come to losing their homes. She spiked with annoyance, doing her best to keep it to herself.

She supposed Sebastian still might be forced to sell, if the debts proved irresolvable, but at least he was willing to fight for these people, even as they made little attempt to hide their disdain for him.

Afterwards, as they wound their way back, Sebastian halted on the bridge, staring up at the castle.

‘Do you think it would make any difference if I did offer them the use of the music room for the rest of the rehearsals?’

‘I don’t think it would hurt, if I’m being honest,’ she replied, then wiggled her fingers in front of herself; they were ice cold even though they were encased in gloves. ‘It is freezing in that hall.’

‘It’s not a whole lot warmer in the castle,’ he said, but there was humour in his expression as he said it.

‘Oh, I don’t know. I think the place is finally warming up, don’t you?’

He studied her for a few moments, then gave her a soft smile. ‘Yes. I think maybe it is.’

Jess pursed her lips, then said, ‘Would you mind if I skipped back to pay Vivi a quick visit?’

‘No, of course not.’

‘The request does come with a caveat – can you get the stews out of the Aga for me? Otherwise, they’re going to be drier than an Egyptian mummy’s innards.’

He pulled a face. ‘Nice analogy. Really looking forward to eating them now you’ve said that …’

She grinned. ‘Yeah. Maybe I didn’t think that one all the way through.’

He walked on, looking back and holding up a hand before Jess turned and walked briskly back into the village. Checking he was out of sight, she hustled back to the village hall. She had no intention of visiting Vivi; what she wanted to do was to join the post-rehearsal chit-chat. Because Jess had a few things she wanted to say.