“Megan, maybe you did inherit something from Margaret after all? See how the creatures come to you! Can you, by chance, hear its thoughts? What's on its mind?” Warren joked.
“No, I can't hear them! And I wouldn't want to be able to,” she said, feeling a bit relieved that she wasn't bitten.
The thought that the raven wouldn't harm her greatly calmed her fear of it.
For the next fifteen minutes, each took turns offering food to the unexpected guest, but it accepted treats from no one other than Megan. After some time, it lost interest in the crowd and flew away, leaving them to continue their picnic.
Having fully enjoyed and admired the local scenery, the travelers returned to the boat, and soon landed back at the pier from where their sea journey had begun. After saying goodbye, they headed home. Megan was thrilled about her day and eagerly awaited her meeting with Derek. At dinner with Glenn and Warren, she only drank tea, claiming she wasn't hungry. She didn't want to mention the dinner invitation. Thanking her friends for a wonderful day, she wished them a good night and went to her room.
11. Uncertainty
Ensuring the corridor was empty, at precisely 10pm., she left the castle. He was standing in the same spot as always, waiting for her. Black trousers and a black shirt made him almost invisible in the dark. Megan was unaccustomed to seeing Derek dressed like this; he always wore a kilt before.
“You look great in that style. I like it,” she said admiringly.
“Thanks for the compliment, you look great too.”
Derek embraced her and they began climbing the hill to the restaurant.
“How was your day? What did you do?”
“We went to the Orkney Islands. Such a beautiful place. Scotland is full of surprises. In just a few days, I've come to love this country. I don't understand why I hadn’t visited earlier. You’ve been to the islands, right?”
“Yes, several times. I like it there too. I think those places have a special allure, even magic: tranquil silence, enchanting nature, and powerful energy from the ancient stone giants,” his eyes lit up with the warm glow of memories.
“And what about you? Have you traveled a lot?” asked Derek.
“Yes, quite a bit. My mom loved warm countries, so we often traveled in winter, sometimes in summer, to lie on the beach and bask in the sunshine. So, you could call me a holiday expert,” she said with feigned seriousness. “We spent a lot of time in Cuba, flew to Thailand, but Italy has touched my soul the most. Oh, the emotions, passion…rhythm! And all that coexists with tranquility.”
Megan's face lit by a tender smile, as she became lost in thought. “And how do you feel about traveling?”
“I have visited all the capitals of Europe. So, I understand your feelings about Italy, even though I'm not a big fan of it.”
“To be honest, I'm terribly afraid of flying; I always feel more comfortable on the ground than in the sky or on water. That's why I don't really like long-distance travel. Our flights to Thailand and Cuba were tough for me. Aren't you afraid of flying?” Megan asked.
“No, not at all. Actually, you could even say I rather enjoy the process of flying.”
“Lucky you!” Megan said with a hint of envy.
“Indeed,” he remarked with a slight note of sarcasm.
They entered a small but cozy establishment. The place was furnished with lacquered tables covered with white-and red-checkered tablecloths, and massive chairs upholstered in rich mahogany fabric. Warm, subdued light filled the room, emanating from candlesticks attached to the wooden walls. Pleasant music played from the back of the hall, creating a unique atmosphere of comfort and charm. The few guests at the restaurant were mainly locals. They looked over the newcomers from head to toe and, taking them for tourists, quickly lost interest.
A friendly waiter greeted the couple. He led them to a small table by the window, where they could enjoy each other's company without interruption.
“Could I recommend something to you?” the waiter asked?
Megan and Derek exchanged glances and understood each other without words. The girl happily left the management of the evening to her companion.
“Bring us a bottle of your best red wine,” replied Derek.
The waiter took the order and left the guests, returning a few minutes later with a bottle of exquisite Italian Barolo.
The lovers continued their conversation.
“I still don’t know the most important thing about you!” Derek suddenly exclaimed. With silence as a response, he continued, “I don't know your food preferences. Being a pro in the restaurant business, I assume it's not easy to please you.”
“Actually, no. I'm not picky about food. At my establishment, I usually eat whatever the chef prepares. When on vacation with my mom, we always tried local dishes. And having arrived at Castle Mal and getting acquainted with the local customs, I've become a real fan of your cuisine. The way they prepare game and fish here is wonderful; I really liked it. And what about you? What do you like?”
“In that aspect, we're alike; I'm also not very fussy about food.”
At that moment, the waiter returned. He quickly but carefully filled their glasses with rich red liquid. After arranging the meat dishes with a side of potatoes and vegetables, he wished them a pleasant meal and left.
“To our first dinner together?” Derek proposed, with a raised glass at Megan.
“To our first real date!” she added.
After taking a sip of wine, they noted the waiter's excellent choice and started their meal.
“How was your day?” she asked Derek.
“Quite ordinary, nothing special. Who did you go to the islands with?” he unexpectedly asked, changing the subject.
“With my cousins, Glenn – Warren's wife, and his friend.”
“What friend?” Derek asked a bit tensely.
The girl shrugged, “I don't know, a long-time friend of Warren. He happened to be at the restaurant where we had our family dinner. That's where we were introduced. Are you jealous?” Megan asked teasingly.
“No, just curious,” he smiled back.
“His name is Craig, and he works for a shipping company. When he found out we were going to the islands, he decided to join us. Quite an interesting guy, easy to talk to.”
“Interesting…” Derek slowly repeated, cocking his right eyebrow.
“Why do you look like that? He's interesting to talk to, nothing more,” Megan laughed, pleasantly flattered by Derek's slight jealousy.
“I'm glad it's nothing more,” he said with a smile, looking straight into her eyes.
There was an awkward pause between them for a moment.
“Have you had any serious relationships with women before? Like, a long-term commitment or marriage?” Megan calmly asked, trying to hide her inner turmoil.
He paused before answering, his face once again becoming an impenetrable mask, making it impossible to read any emotions.
“I’ve had a serious and long-term relationship…” he continued to look into her eyes as he spoke.
Derek was hesitant, afraid to accidentally hurt Megan's feelings. He chose his words with utmost care. However, the pace at which she asked her questions threw him off balance.
“How long ago did this relationship end?”
“A long time ago.”
“Did it cause you pain and suffering?”
“Not the relationship itself, but the consequences.”
“Do you feel better now?”
“Definitely,” he replied, now smiling.
“Do you still love her?”
He watched Megan closely, noticing a flicker of fear in her eyes. She feared his answer to this question, afraid he might say “yes,” and he understood that.
“Too many years have passed…” he said slowly. “Let's leave the past behind and talk about us instead. I feel like I've known you all my life. Do you feel the same?” he asked calmly, with a slight smile and a squint in his eyes.
“I do,” she replied, satisfied with his answers.
Derek raised his glass, “Then let's drink to that.”
The tension at their table eased, allowing them to comfortably continue their dinner.
“Madam, now that you've extracted all my secrets, it's your turn to answer my questions. Tell me about your personal life. I'm eager to hear,” he said with a smile.
“There's not much to tell. I was in a relationship for several years, but it didn't feel like the sincere and true love portrayed in movies and novels. We parted ways and remained friends. And now there's you in my life, and I'm very happy about it.”
“I'm also very happy we met,” Derek said.
Taking a sip of drink, he added, “This wine is delightful! If it weren't for this decor, I'd believe I was in Italy! But we'll talk about that later. Have you decided on the fate of the factory and the castle?”
“Yes, I've made my decision known to the family. Warren will manage everything, after all he has experience in this business and he’s a McKenzie. Honestly, managing such a large and unfamiliar production was never of interest to me. I understand that my grandfather probably hadn’t foreseen this scenario. He wanted me to take full control and devote my life to the ancient family business. Unfortunately, I don't feel the same passion and enthusiasm for the distillery that I do for the London restaurant. It’s just not my cup of tea.”
“If that's what you really want, then it's probably the best solution. When are you leaving for London?” Derek asked casually, taking another sip of wine to dull his anxiety as he awaited her answer.
“I think I'll extend my summer vacation here a bit longer. It's been a while since I had a holiday. It's the perfect opportunity to make up for lost time.”
Derek breathed a sigh of relief and said, “So, we'll have more time to spend together.”
“Yes, I’ll have a chance to learn more about you,” Megan smiled.
“I thought you knew enough about me,” Derek said with feigned surprise, before revealing a genuine smile.
“On the one hand, yes, but on the other, it seems I know almost nothing about you. You still remain a mystery to me.”
“Does that frighten you?”
“Not anymore, but curiosity prevails,” laughed Megan.
“Everything in its own time. I think you'll find the answers to your questions soon.”
“I hope so.”
After dinner, they went for a walk to the sea. This had become their favorite spot, where they would sit on a large boulder, embracing each other, and talking the night away. As always, she returned to the castle just before dawn, first alone, and now with her beloved.
Weeks passed, and Derek spent the night in Megan’s room more and more frequently, where they passionately made love. Sometimes, without warning, he would appear in her bedroom in the middle of the night. Megan couldn't understand these strange appearances and disappearances, but she gave herself to him with all her soul, body, and heart. Their love for each other grew stronger by the day, and the girl could no longer imagine her life without him. Before dawn, her lover always left, leaving her alone with heavy thoughts about how time passed but nothing changed. He remained just as mysterious and enigmatic as ever, yet at the same time, he was the dearest and most beloved person in the world to her.
* * *
Three months had passed since Megan arrived at Castle Mal. As a perfectionist, she always required clear direction on how to proceed with her life and what actions to take. The situation she found herself in threw her off rhythm. Derek, occupied with his confidential job, wasn't ready to accompany her to London, and no one could say when his commitments would end. Megan realized that she needed to return home, yet she couldn't leave her loved one behind. Every day, she convinced herself that tomorrow she would find a way out of this loop and make a decision about her future. However, each new «tomorrow» passed without resolution. Megan waited for Derek to suggest something, to take some responsibility for their relationship and future, but he remained silent. Then one day, her phone rang.
“Honey, how are you? Are you in London yet?”
“Hi, Mom, I'm still at Castle Mal.”
“What are you doing there for so long? Did you like it so much that you decided to stay forever?”
“No, I just took a long vacation. I’m enjoying northern Scotland, it's very beautiful here, and I want to stay a bit longer,” the girl answered.
“Dear, you've been there for three months. What more is there to see? You can explore the entire north from end to end in just a few days. I can't understand you. It's a godforsaken place, where life has stopped, and there's no development. In my opinion, there's nothing to do there for more than a week,” Arline said, puzzled, unaware of what was really happening with her daughter.
“Everyone has their own opinion. Tell me how you're doing instead,” Megan decided to change the subject.
“Honey, I've missed you. You haven't visited us for a long time, and I really want to see you. Come back to London. Ted and I will be there in five days.”
Megan was stunned listening to her mother. Leave Derek and go to London in five days? She wasn't ready for that.
“Have you already bought the tickets?” she asked nervously.
“Yes, dear, we have,” Arline's voice was filled with genuine joy.
“Mom why don’t you come here to Castle Mal? It's your home, after all.”
“Megan, I have unpleasant memories of that house. I don't want to go back there. And your grandfather would turn in his grave if I stepped foot in Castle Mal,” Arline sighed heavily.
“But what happened between the two of you in the past? He didn't even want to reconcile with his only daughter before he died. There must have been a good reason.”
There was a brief silence on the line.
“Mom, can you hear me?”
“Baby, this isn't a conversation for over the phone. We'll talk when we meet.”
Megan suggested enthusiastically, “I have an idea! Let's meet in Edinburgh? I plan to return to London a bit later. Sam keeps in touch with me daily; everything’s fine at the restaurant and there’s no need for me to be there all the time. You know that over the years we've streamlined operations so much that now, for the first time in my life, I can afford to take a longer break.”
