‘Was he convinced?’
‘No. He thinks the whole thing is “havers”.’
‘So it is. The hall has been in unofficial use for weeks. But the glen people spent a lot of money and energy on getting that thing put up, and it is only right that it should be opened with a “splash”.’
‘But does it have to be Pat who presents the bouquet?’
‘Yes. If he doesn’t do it, the MacFadyean’s Willie will.’
‘Laura, you shock me.’
‘I wouldn’t if you could see the MacFadyean’s Willie. He looks like a frog with elephantiasis. And his socks are always falling down. It should be a little girl’s business, but there is no female child of the right age in the glen. So it rests between Pat and the MacFadyean’s Willie. And quite apart from Pat’s looking nicer, it is right that someone from Clune should do it. And don’t say “Why?” and don’t say I shock you. You just see what you can do to talk Pat into it.’
‘I’ll try,’ Grant said, smiling at her. ‘Who is his Viscountess?’
‘Lady Kentallen.’
‘The dowager?’