Fifty-seven.

Calum pulled the truck up through the alley of oaks and horse chestnut trees, they led up a gravel drive to the open gates outside his Uncle's home.

Colin Macgregor was the current clan chief, and as such he lived in Ardair House; a three storey Jacobean mansion, with parts of the sandstone building dating as far back as the thirteenth century. It was set within a large walled garden, and had stunning views down onto a pebble beach, before the cliffs of the coast rose up around it. The land was first built upon as a strategic defense point, meaning should any marauders try to land in this spot, there would be men ready at all times to fight them of. Strong and well trained men from the Macgregor clan. However, as times moved on the original defensive tower was added to, to bring comfort to the nobility who once lived there, as well as to display their wealth and affluence of course.

Nowadays, the large house was a modern amalgamation of different periods of architecture throughout Scottish history. The windows had been upgraded to double glazing, but still retained that diamond shaped led framing effect. The large bay windows themselves stood out in their frames, surrounded by sandstone that was just pale enough to contrast with the rest of the brickwork. It also helped that almost every window, barring the ones in the attic space, spanned almost the entire height of the room, save for a small boxed window seat that wouldn't be visible until the interior of the rooms were entered.

Calum drove the truck through the large wrought iron gates of the walled garden, and around the road on the right, stopping without care, directly in front of the stone steps, that lead to the large wooden and very heavy looking double doors. They were hanging on traditional iron hinges, which broke off into spiralling patterns of cast iron surrounding an impressive door knocker; it was a black lion's head, representative of the Macgregor sigil.

Colt was too busy smiling at the bright carpet of daffodils and other narcissus that turned the square patches of green lawn to a vibrant yellow, to notice the foreboding door. However, it was with glee she spotted that there was honeysuckle climbing up the sandstone walls of the main house, as well up the wall and iron railings surrounding the garden.

"Calum, this place is stunning, it must smell amazing in summer when everything flowers," She stated in awe, utterly captivated by the beauty before her, and finding she was intrigued to discover what was growing within the borders that were only just springing to life now.

"This house has been in the family for centuries, and I'm pretty sure every custodian has added to the garden. It continues past that wall for about a mile down along the shore," he smirked, secretly proud of his families' heritage here.

"It's beautiful," Colt responded reverently.

"Aye, and my mother will be glad to hear you say so," Calum added playfully.

"She will?" Colt asked curiously, bringing her attention back around to her mate.

"She has done quite a bit of adding herself. Colin's wife died over twenty years ago now, and Mum has helped with the running of the house ever since," Calum explained, "When she first met you, I swear she was determined not to like you. Shit, I mean, only because of the hell I put her through searching for you. But, then you started talking about your plans for putting in a garden at Bay Croft, and I swear she fell just as much in love with you as I did." He laughed, feeling like he had royally put his foot in his mouth.

"No pressure then," Colt smirked back, internally grimacing at Maria's revealed disapproval.

"Don't be daft, of course not. Now, come on," Calum stated, kissing Colt's hand, "They want us to pop in and say hello, before we head out,"

"Head out?" Colt asked, "Are we not having it here?" She asked, looking around the beautiful garden.

"No, just need to borrow a different vehicle." Calum smirked, then hopped out the truck before she could question him any further.

Colt slid out the truck, surprised when Calum came and opened her door, "Very chivalrous, Casanova," she smiled pleasantly at him, standing on her tip toes to brush a kiss on his cheek as he closed the door.

The affectionate gesture not only made him smile, it made him want to wrap Colt up in his arms and never let her go. Instead he settled for wrapping his arms about her, and breathing in her scent as much as possible.

"I thought we were in a rush?" Colt asked with a giggle while simultaneously sinking into his embrace.

"Och weisht you, just let me hold you for a moment," Calum smirked.

"Fine by me," Colt responded, burying herself further into his warmth; until Calum eventually pulled away, though not without reluctance.

Colt took one last look at the imposing front of the building, before Calum led her inside with his hand on her lower back. The warmth and smell of burning wood hit her as soon as she had entered the house, as did the sound of multiple voices.

The walls were covered with large mahogany panels, and there were handcrafted antique pieces of furniture elegantly placed along the walls of the corridor they were in; with vases of flowers in elegant and stylised bouquets on top. Hanging on the walls were old oil paintings of different scenes, none of which made any cohesive sense to Colt, there were battle scenes, portraits of lovers and then evening dining scenes. All looked to be from the eighteenth century style wise, but none of them appeared to bring any story to life. Almost as if they had simply been placed their because of their grandeur and worth, rather than the effect they would have on the room.

Calum led Colt in further, past the reception rooms, which she noticed upon passing, all had fires burning in their hearths, and through to the main hall, where a surprising host of people seemed to have gathered to greet them.

"Oh, they're here, they're here," came Colin Macgregor's bellowing voice, from across the room.

Again this room was lined in wooden panelling of the same dark squares of mahogany, only above the large fireplace, from the direction in which Colin came, Colt could spy the Macgregor coat of arms, immaculately carved into the wood; it was a lion's head, wearing a crown, with the gaelic words 'S'Rioghal Mo Dhream' inscribed in an arc above it.

"*Royal is my Race*," Calum whispered in her ear, causing Colt to smile at his mind reading abilities.

"Well, I believe Felix would never leave here, should he be allowed to visit," Colt gently laughed, making Calum smile, despite his Uncle's obvious ambush for the pair.

The small crowd seemed to naturally part for Colin as he joined the couple near the entry to the hall. He was all ease and friendliness, and overly welcoming, setting Calum's teeth on edge.

"Calum, Colt, you're here," he beamed at them like they were his own long lost children.

"Uncle Colin," Calum nodded, as Colt gave a polite but slightly awkward smile, she had met Colin on a small number of occasions, he was never this friendly.

"Everyone, may I have you're attention," Colin called without further ado, startling Colt and causing Calum to roll his eyes. "Calum, has finally done it. He was off searching for long enough, and now he has brought her home. As clan chief, may I officially introduce you to Colt Merrier, my nephew's beautiful, and true mate."

Colt was startled by a rousing cry from the crowd as they all started to applaud and holler, and Calum discreetly leaned in to whisper an apology in her ear, which really didn't clarify things any further. But before he could explain, he was swiftly swept into the crowd by a group of men Colt didn't believe she knew yet. Leaving Colt's eyes to wander the room as she tried to think of something to say to Colin Macgregor.

But before she could think of anything to say, or any further questions to ask, her eyes landed on the northern side of the room, and that's when she saw it. Hanging proudly over between the two large main windows.

"It's remarkable, isn't it?" Colin commented, following her line of vision. "Painted by Wliiam Hamish Dougal Macgregor, he swore to his grave it was inspired by a true event. That the largest water beast he had ever seen transformed in front of his eyes to this beautiful woman, and emerged like a goddess from the loch. Most believe he was half in love with her from one sighting alone. The rest believe he was wholly drunk."

"It is um..." Colt drifted off, "Sorry," she stated, gathering herself with self conscious laugh, "It's just, it actually looks very like someone I know, and is a surprisingly erotic situation to see them in," she coughed, staring at a nude image of Maeve

Droplets of water were clinging to her dark skin while her white hair was blown out behind her. Her right arm reaching across to squeeze one breast while her other supported her body, as she leaned back provocatively on a large moss covered rock.

"Aye, which is why it's utterly ridiculous to keep it here. But, the old goat put it in his bloody will, that it would remain here indefinitely, and now the rest of us are stuck with the thing," Calum stated, having made his way swiftly back to Colt.

"Sorry, Colin, would it be too much if I took a quick photograph of it? My friend will be amazed to see it." Colt asked sweetly, although Calum could definately detect a hint of mischief in her voice.

"Of course, I will take you right over," he smiled, completely doting on her as he led her away from Calum, "Besides, you must tell me what you think of the house, she is magnificent isn't she?"

"She is," Colt smiled back, "And the gardens look exquisite, I would love to explore them properly one day," she added.

"Oh that is wonderful to hear," Colin stated as they stopped in front of the large framed painting and Colt pulled out her phone.

Colin waited patiently while she snapped her pictures, before continuing, "Well, you will have all the time to explore, and even add to the gardens I dare say, once I step down and Calum takes his place as chief. It will be good to have some young blood in the house again. Freshen the place up. You could even get rid of some of the dreary dark wood and brighten everything up."

Colt's voice caught in her throat momentarily, causing her to cough, "I'm sorry. You caught me off guard there. Did you say when Calum and I move in here?" She asked incredulously.

"Aye, lass, he is the next clan chief after all," Colin stated merrily, "Can't have the landlord living on a tenented croft, and you as well, being the mistress of this house, of course."

"Calum!" Colt's voice called out, strained above the crowd, causing it to fall silent as she turned annoyed to her startled mate, "What the hell is going on?!"