Ruth Axtell Morren - Hearts In The Highlands

Remembering her duties, she turned about and headed up the walk to the front door. She’d have to thank Mr. Gallagher the next time she saw him.

If there was a next time. Then she remembered his words, At the next lecture. All at once her steps grew lighter as she hurried up the steps.

A few mornings later, Reid sat in his great-aunt’s parlor for a second visit, this time in answer to a note from her. He’d been intrigued by her words that it was “about an important matter.”

Aunt Millicent sat alone in her parlor, enthroned in her high-backed armchair. Despite her diminutive size, she appeared regal in her dark brocaded gown with several gold chains down the front.

He wondered briefly where her companion was and remembered the pleasant time they’d had over tea. The young lady had been a ready and willing listener, though he’d certainly never meant to go into such detail about his work.

“Thank you, my dear, for coming so quickly.” Reid leaned down to kiss his aunt’s cheek, which was soft and wrinkled but still smelled of the lavender water she’d used as long as he could remember.

“I was happy to oblige.” He took a seat across from her. “Where’s Lilah?” he asked, noting also the absence of the terrier.

“Miss Norton took her out for her morning walk.”

He glanced toward the heavily curtained window. “It’s a bit drizzly for a walk.”

“Oh, Lilah’s walks are very short. Miss Norton will protect her with an ample umbrella.”

He tried to picture the willowy Miss Norton scurrying after the tiny dog, a large black umbrella over them both. He turned his attention back to his aunt. “And how are you on this damp morning?”

She made a face. “Not well, I’m afraid.”

He leaned forward, clasping his hands loosely between his knees. “What is it?”

She patted her chest. “Oh, the usual, dear boy. My heart. Some days I feel I can hardly breathe.”

“I’m sorry. Is there nothing they can do for you?”

“I think I’ve had every pill and potion invented, but to no avail. Dr. Aldwin says I must have total rest, but you know it’s impossible not to worry about things. I find myself lying in bed at night just thinking of you off in foreign parts, and Vera with her children. Little Harry, you know, is going away to school this autumn.” She shook her head. “I do hope they choose the right school for him.”

Reid hid his smile. As long as he could remember his aunt had been a worrier. “Well, I’m glad you sent me a note. I would have come by soon at any rate.”

“I hope I didn’t disturb you at your duties, but I really felt I had to see you after the other day.”

“Tell me what I can do for you.”

“I’ve been thinking about what we discussed.”

He tried to remember what they’d talked about. He hoped she wasn’t still dwelling on the attack on their camp.

“It’s about your Uncle George’s collection.”

Reid was immediately interested. “Yes, I was thinking about it, too, since my visit. He must have some highly valuable pieces in it, from an archaeological standpoint.”

“I’m sure everything in it is of the utmost value.”

He hid another smile, remembering how protective his aunt was of Uncle George’s reputation. “Yes, perhaps so.”

“I would like to ensure that it is well taken care of at my demise.”

He rubbed his hands over his trouser legs, uncomfortable with her behaving as if she was at death’s door each time he visited. “Yes…I suppose it would be good to make some provision if…in the unlikely event…” He coughed, uncertain how to proceed.

“I’m glad you understand. Your Uncle George would have wanted the collection to be used for the advancement of science. He told me many times he wished to leave it to some museum or university, but he passed on before he could act upon his deepest desire, and has left me to dispose of his collection as I see fit.”

“I see. Do you have anything in mind?”

“I’m much too ignorant of all he has to make such an important decision, which is why I wanted to consult with you.” She folded her hands in her lap as if in preparation of an announcement.

“I’d be happy to advise you in any way I can.”

“Your Uncle George was very fond of you. Alas, we never had any children of our own, so you were like a son to him.” She smiled in recollection. “You’ll never know how happy it made him when you decided to pursue his hobby.”

“We spoke often of our mutual love for Egypt and its history.” Reid had many pleasant memories of his uncle.

“Of course he could never pursue it full-time, what with his work in the consulate.” She fingered the long chains around her neck. “Those were the days. So many parties, so much delicate negotiating with the government officials, the native sultans…” She sighed. “Once we returned to England, of course, his work with the Foreign Office again kept him so occupied, all he could do was put away most of his collection, in the hopes that someday he’d have the time to catalog it properly.”

Reid nodded, remembering his many conversations with Uncle George on this very subject. But then his uncle had died suddenly in his early sixties, and Reid had gone abroad, so he’d never really bothered to think about the collection again.

“I’ve come to a decision.” Reid waited, wondering what she was going to say. “I want you to take charge of organizing the collection and together we can then decide where to donate it. I was thinking of the University College.”

Reid whistled softly. Although he’d never seen the entire collection, from what he remembered, this would be a sizable donation to the college.

“Of course, because it’s such a large bequest, I want to make some stipulations.”

“That is perfectly reasonable.”

“Yes, I thought so. Firstly, I want you to have sole charge of it, and any decisions that are made by the institution have to be approved by you.”

He sat still. “I don’t know what to say.” Her announcement certainly demonstrated a great degree of trust in him—an element in short supply these days among those working with ancient ruins, where so much pilfering and secrecy went on.

She smiled. “I’d hoped you’d be pleased.”

Reid considered the enormity of the task. “I…am,” he managed, still trying to take it in. “It will take some time. I haven’t ever seen everything Uncle George amassed.”

“Oh, it will take months perhaps. He left boxes and boxes of things, all labeled, of course. I’ve had them brought down from the attic and the stables to his study and library.”

He shifted in his seat. “I don’t know how much time I would have to devote to it. I need to return to Egypt at some point.”

She pursed her lips, and he recognized the signs of her displeasure. “Couldn’t someone take over your duties there for the time being?”

“Perhaps I should have a look at the collection first. With the help of some assistants, it’s possible we could manage to catalog the items more quickly.”

She shook her head. “Oh, no. I couldn’t bear to have the house invaded by strangers.”

“It wouldn’t be anything like that. Museum workers tend to be very quiet, and perhaps with only one assistant, I could manage, at least enough to have the collection moved.”

“No, no. I couldn’t have it. My nerves wouldn’t bear it.” She clutched her gnarled hand to her mouth and turned away.

“All right, no one need come,” he assured her, not wanting to have to deal with a swoon. He wondered if Miss Norton would be coming back soon. She seemed to have a gentle yet effective way of dealing with his aunt.