It was late afternoon before they could bring themselves to leave, by which time they had walked miles round the grounds and ventured into every corner of the building. Since Marnie said she was hopeless with a camera, Christopher took endless photographs both inside and out. With every moment they became more enchanted with the place – and more enamoured of each other. By the time they ate their lunch, sitting at the edge of the loch, neither of them had any doubt that Marnie should try to make a bid for the castle. The idea that they might become partners in a joint venture was ticking away in Christopher’s head like a time bomb, but he was determined, for both their sakes, to resist suggesting it till they’d returned to England and left the whole fairy-tale idyll behind. He knew he needed a new business project to throw himself into, one that could be fitted in with his writing – he was clear about that – but one that would use his proven flair for negotiating and considerable organisational skills.

Neither of them made reference to the possibility of a different, deeper kind of collaboration, though the thought hovered between them, unvoiced. Christopher remembered how envious he’d felt of the way the Grants seemed to achieve such a harmonious dovetailing of marriage and business partnerships.

Back in the house, they carefully shut all the doors and shutters again and locked up. Christopher’s leg had started to play up and Marnie felt suddenly exhausted, completely drained by the emotions of the day. They walked back to the car and took a last look at the castle.

‘It’s got its eyes shut again,’ said Marnie, ‘but, oh, Christopher, what a place!’

‘It’s just sleeping till we come back again.’ He took her in his arms and kissed her. ‘Thank you for letting me share today with you,’ he said. ‘I shall never forget it. I wish I’d met your old lady too.’

They handed the keys back to Mr McBain and in exchange got the name and address of the Canadian owner before driving back to Finterie Lodge.

After dinner they rang Glendrochatt. Giles answered. He sounded delighted at Marnie’s news. He said Isobel had unexpectedly had to go up to London and wouldn’t be back till the following evening. ‘Do ring her tomorrow,’ he said. ‘She’ll want to know every detail.’

‘How’s everyone else?’ asked Marnie.

‘In great form,’ said Giles. ‘I took John and Morwenna and Louisa for an expedition today. We went up the Tilt and had a splendid day out.’

‘Oh, good. We sure want to hear news about the Colonel and Morwenna! You must keep us posted about developments there. And is Louisa okay too?’