The Castle and The Redhead (Pt. 2)
Setting: an island off the west coast of Scotland.
Here is: Part 1:
MacAlistair slipped on the jacket to his black tuxedo, examining himself in the mirror before heading down the steps to the grand hall. If the evening succeeds, the six men in the grand dining hall will have agreed to evaluate his company. But first, the task of entertaining the wives.
Three years ago, MacAlistair’s application to launch an airline passenger-carrying service to expand his successful air cargo business was initially turned down but eventually granted in February 2019 following a successful appeal. However, one month later, that license was revoked, and he was told he needed to reapply to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) instead. His cargo-carrying airline had grown from three European routes to seventeen destinations, including five routes to North America and Canada. The business suffered almost fatally during the COVID-19 epidemic.
Anticipating a massive demand for tickets as the epidemic started to slacken after two years and governments opened for business, MacAlistair pushed forward with his application. In September 2023, the CAA granted his business a commercial license. By the New Year, MacAlistair had negotiated a five-year lease for two Airbus 320s from Ryan Air and is now involved in negotiations for routes to Europe.
Tonight’s dinner, however, will involve secret discussions about acquiring a failing airline.
With Aline’s help, the wives gathered in the music hall for an after-dinner performance by a notable violinist while the men reassembled in a conference room for earnest discussions.
When the men reappeared, it was close to midnight. The assembled wives were no longer stuffy but laughing and sharing stories Aline was sure even their husbands hadn’t heard. Aline came around to offer the gentlemen a liqueur nightcap and the ladies a Manhattan or drink of their choice. Aline grabbed her brother’s arm when everyone had their drinks, snagging him unapologetically from an involved conversation with Louie Broderick, one of the country’s wealthiest bankers.
“Aline, what the hell, that was important,” he said in a whispered rage.
“You’ll think it’s fine, Thomas. Shut up,” she said, as only she had the nerve to say. “I’d like to introduce you to our guest; this is Blair Campbell,” Aline said. MacAlistair stood before a redhead wearing a slender black, full-length evening gown. The woman’s hazel eyes shone, taking away his breath, which he tried to disguise.
“Mr. MacAlistair, I’m very grateful to you and your sister for letting me stay the night. Your home is truly majestic.”
“Of course, it’s our pleasure. How are you feeling? That must have been frightening,” he said, lightly taking her outheld hand.
“Yes, there was an oil fire in the engine room. Before I could do anything, it had overtaken the whole aft of the boat. I fired a flare and boarded the rowing boat, believing another fishing boat would soon pick me up. I started rowing toward the lights to keep from freezing and made it to the shore here.”
“Good Lord. Well, I’m glad you’re okay. If I may say, you don’t look like a woman who fishes wearing that gown.”
“Thank you. It’s one that belongs to your sister, Aline. She’s been fantastic,” she said, looking at Aline, who wrapped an arm around Blair’s shoulders.
“Well, it’s never looked better,” he said, getting his jab at Aline.
“Be careful, Thomas, you’ll be losing your balls, brother,” she said, half joking and not so much.
Blair face started taking on a glow, hearing the banters with each other. “Look what you’ve done for our guest. Sis, you’re impossible,” said MacAlister, noticing the crimson deepening on Blair’s cheeks.
“But you love me, don’t you?” Aline said, brushing invisible hair from his shoulder with her slender fingers. Then she left them alone together.
“I’m sorry, Aline can be very coarse when she drinks. Please, let’s take a seat,” MacAlistair said, showing her to a settee overlooking the battlements.
“Thank you again, Mr. MacAlister,” Blair said, sitting down and adjusting the gown that had a slit up the side, quite a high slit, and she pulled it together and held it.
“I don’t believe my sister has a gown that doesn’t have a waist-high slit, I’m afraid. But please, do call me Thomas. MacAlistair is such a mouthful and harder still to write. Tell me, has she shown you your bedroom for the night, and you have all you require?”
“Yes, she tells me that I’ll be impressed with the view in the morning. Aline has made sure I have everything. I feel like the most awful gatecrasher.”
MacAlister laughs, “It’s a unique entrance, Blair. Something to tell your friends about.”
“Indeed it will be,” Blair replied. “Please don’t let me keep you, Mr…. Thomas,” she corrected herself.
“If you don’t mind, Blair, I do wish to say goodnight to some of my guests. I’ll see you at breakfast, if you’ll join us.”
“Of course, thank you.”
“Goodnight, Blair. Sleep well after your ordeal; we’ll get you home tomorrow.”
“Thank you. Goodnight, Thomas.”
MacAlistair paused halfway to the smoking room, where he was sure to find Broderick puffing on one of his expensive cigars, and turned his attention to the sea, the waves with the bright moon now shining into the night. It was difficult to believe that such a drama had been played out less than five hours previously, not far to sea. A drama that had been brought to its happy conclusion.
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