“Aunt Sarah,” Victoria had called out before her aunt left. “I spoke with Charlie today.”
“With Charlie?” Victoria nearly laughed at her aunt’s attempt to say his name as though it meant nothing.
“Yes. He really is a very nice man.”
“Oh, I know. It has been wonderful to have his help since Albert has been gone.”
“Well, that’s just it. Aunt Sarah, is it his helpfulness that you enjoy or is it perhaps something else?”
“Victoria, Albert has not been gone long and—”
“It’s been two years,” Victoria interrupted, though she kept her tone light. “Uncle Albert would want you to be happy — which I think you could be with Charlie.”
“Do you really think so? I feel so guilty for having feelings for another. Albert and I shared so much for so long…” She trailed off wistfully.
“What would you have wanted him to do had you been the one to pass on?” Victoria asked.
Sarah looked at her with tears in her eyes. “I would want him to hold a place for me in his heart but to make room for someone else.”
“Exactly. Why don’t you stop by the general store tonight on your way home?
“Perhaps I’ll do that,” Sarah said. She didn’t meet Victoria’s eye, but Victoria could see a sheen of moisture covering thinly veiled excitement. “We’ll see if there's time.”
Victoria noticed Sarah did change into her newest dress before she left, careful to skirt around Archie’s grubby fingers as she gave him a quick pat on the head before hurrying out the door.
Now here they were, the two of them, sitting on the kitchen floor, both covered in flour. Victoria had given up trying to keep things tidy and started to make piles of flour with the child when there was a knock on the door.
“Oh, blast,” she muttered.
“Blast!” repeated Archie.
“No, Archie, do not say that, it is a bad word.”
“Blast!” he said again.
Victoria looked heavenward for help, and found her way through the mess to the door. She opened it to reveal Callum. Of course.
“Hello,” she said warily.
He obviously struggled to keep his face neutral as he took her in. His eyes started at her flour-dusted shoes, then traveled up her dress to her face, which she was quite aware was smudged with flour and dirt and everything else Archie had discovered since his arrival.
“Have ye had an accident, lass?” he asked, his mouth twitching, but to his credit he did not burst into laughter.
“Not me,” she sighed. Why did he always catch her at her very worst? Not that she was often at her best, but still. “Archie’s here.”
“Archie! Where is the little guy?”
At the sound of Callum’s voice, Archie came barreling out of the kitchen. He crashed into Callum, who crouched down to give him a hug. Callum didn’t even flinch at the flour covering the boy, much of which had instantly transferred to his body.
“We’re certainly a sight to see,” said Victoria, brushing ineffectively at her skirt. “Come in, Callum. Since you are here, and now you’re flour-dusted too, you can help us clean up the mess.”
“Cayum, snow!” Archie shouted.
“Not snow, Archie,” said Callum, holding up a finger. “Flour. And not for playing. Where’s the broom, Victoria?”
Victoria went in search of the broom while Callum tried to keep Archie from extending the mess.
“Why don’t I take him outside while you clean up?” he asked when she returned.
“I would say you’re giving me the tough task, but I’m not sure that’s the case with this little one.”
“Well, to be fair, I wasn’t here when the mess was made. And I don’t think we’re going to get any cleaning done with Archie in the house.”
“I know,” she said with a slight laugh. “I was teasing. Partly. Have fun.”
As she cleaned, she watched them out the window. Callum was a natural with children. He threw Archie in the air with enough strength and fun to make him laugh but with a gentleness that prevented him from getting hurt or even nervous. She had seen this side of him on the train, and it was enchanting. He really would make an amazing father.
The realization hit her so suddenly she dropped the broom right back into the pile of flour, sending white snow, as Archie would say, flying through the air once more.
She loved him. She loved Callum McDougall, with his laugh and his easy smile, the way he took care of children and his family. She loved his concern for her, the way he had covered her with a blanket and kept his distance because he couldn’t promise her a future. She loved that he had left his life behind and traveled across the world for his family.
So why did he anger and frustrate her to no end?
Because, she realized, it was easier to be angry than to allow in the pain from the fact that he didn’t feel the same way.
Therein lay the problem. What was she to do with these emotions when there was no future upon which to lay them?
She looked out the window once more at the wide grin covering his face as he chased after the little boy.
Hide them, she realized, as much as the thought made her heart break. It was the only way.
21
Callum stayed for dinner that night. He kept Archie busy while Victoria cooked. She didn’t have enough experience to be a very good cook, but she had developed enough skill to get by. She would have to continue to learn from Aunt Sarah, who, she hoped, was currently also cooking, but in the rooms above the general store.
They sat down to beef, peas, and potatoes, helping Archie spoon in tiny pieces as they tried to minimize the amount of food that fell to the floor.
“I hope they have a dog,” Callum remarked, causing Victoria to laugh. Most of what he told her was humorous, though the smiles didn’t come quite as easily tonight after acknowledging her new emotions.
Callum told her stories about his family, making her laugh. He was incredibly fond of his siblings, and she could tell how much he loved and missed them. He told her of Adam, Finlay, Roderick, and Peggy. The mischievousness of all of them as children, and the warmth of Galbury Castle, despite its age and supposed draftiness.
“Finlay is the next oldest after me,” he explained. “While I shall be chieftain, I will need him. The people like me well enough, but it’s Finlay who has a head for the business. And he has ideas. He’s only twenty-five, but he knows how to make the clan better, to move it forward. He’s fairly stoic, not like Roderick and I. Finlay and Peg are as unlike as you could ever imagine two people to be. Finlay likes the comfort of home, while Peggy loves the unknown. She’s twenty, and Father is forever trying to keep her from spreading her wings and flying away. She wanted to come with me, you know, but we all put a stop to that. Adam is twenty-three, quiet but with quite the intelligent head on his shoulders. And Roderick, well, Roderick is like I was at twenty-one. Still having too much fun, though my trouble was doubled. Gregor was like a twin brother. Kindred spirits we are, I guess you could say. I loved to have fun and he loved adventure. I pity my poor mother, raising us.”
“I can only imagine. They all sound wonderful,” she said wistfully, wishing she could meet them. “I can see why you want to go back to them.”
“Yes, they can be trying at times, but I wouldn’t trade them — or change them — for anything,” he answered with a smile.
Movement to her right caught Victoria’s attention. Archie was so tired, his head dropped right into his peas and potatoes.
“Oh, Archie!” she exclaimed, cleaning him with a cloth as he snoozed. “Poor boy. I best get him up and into bed.”
She tucked Archie into the makeshift cot beside her own bed and came downstairs, where Callum had tidied up.
“Thank you,” she said. “I was dreading the cleanup. It was very helpful to have you here, I must say. He loves you — and you wore him out, thank goodness.”
“You put in a good stint yourself,” Callum said with
an easy smile. “Come sit.” He drew her into the sitting room and she sat down next to him, snuggling into the crook of his arm while she took a sip of the tea he had made for her. This was nice, she thought. Too nice. One could get far too used to this and—
Victoria realized she had never asked Callum what he was doing at her doorstep in the first place. She sat up so that she could look at him.
“Did you know Archie was here?” she asked.
“No,” he responded, his brow furrowed in puzzlement at her question. “Why?”
“Why did you come here?”
“I wanted to ask you more about those three men.”
“Oh. I told you everything about that night,” she said, then realized she had more to share. “Oh! But with Archie and everything happening I completely forgot something else! How could I let that slip my mind? I spoke with Charlie today.”
“Charlie, from the general store?”
“Yes, that’s right. That’s where Aunt Sarah is now. Charlie loves her, and I think she loves him back. I really think they can find happiness together, as long as Sarah— I’m sorry, I’m getting carried away again. Anyway, I knew Charlie would know everything about everyone. And I was right. He has trouble sleeping, and he had seen those three men, the ones I told you about, out late at night. He said he often sees them slipping out of the boarding house and into the stables after midnight. He’s not sure where they go. He thinks they’re off to find lady friends, but maybe they are going somewhere else. His view is that Brandon is the one to be concerned about.”
“That makes two of us.”
“So what do we do now? Did you learn anything?”
“To answer your second question, aye, I did. To answer your first, we do nothing. I will follow up. And I appreciate your lead, but please remember I asked you not to continue your ‘investigation.’”
Victoria’s brow wrinkled, and she continued as though she hadn’t heard him. “What did you find out?”
“I am not going to tell you — you’ll only get yourself into more trouble.”
“Oh, please, Callum? It will drive me mad, not knowing anything more about what is happening. I will not find trouble, I promise.”
“’Tis what you said before.”
“Shall we compromise then?” she asked, hoping her imploring expression would encourage him to tell her what she wished.
“Perhaps,” he relented.
“Tell me what you learned, and I promise I shall stop asking questions.”
He leaned over and studied her, his expression inscrutable.
“Fine.” He gave in, sitting back again. “I did a little digging, literally.”
“Tell me more,” she demanded, leaning into him.
“I went through the men’s rooms while they were out,” he said. “I found nothing in Chester’s or Alistair’s, but in Brandon’s I did find a crudely drawn map.”
“A map?” she said with a gasp of excitement. “Callum, it could be the clue we need to lead us to Gregor!”
“It could be a map of anything, leading to anywhere,” he said cautiously.
“I don’t think so. Callum, I think it’s a huge clue,” she said, setting her tea aside as she leaned forward and placed her hands on his arm, her body tense with excitement.
“Aye,” he replied. “And Victoria, I’ve been thinking. You should learn how to protect yourself. I want you to stay away from these men, but just in case, have you ever fired a gun?”
“Of course not!” She had no wish for violence, particularly with a gun. It was far too dangerous — for herself, and those around her.
“Well maybe you should learn how, just in case.”
“I’d prefer not to.”
“Well, even so, there are a few things I can teach you. It would make me feel better. It would allow you to watch out for your Aunt Sarah as well. The two of you are alone in this house.”
“I suppose,” she said slowly, knowing he mentioned her aunt only to make her feel guilty enough to do it.
“Then that’s settled,” he said, both happy and smug all at once. “We’ll start tomorrow.”
“And what do we do now about everything else?”
“Now, I should leave and you should go to bed. You’re exhausted.”
“I’m not tired,” she protested, wanting to take full advantage of every moment they could share together.
“You are. You—”
She cut him off as she leaned up, closed her eyes, and softly kissed him. As the pressure increased, she grabbed his shirt collar and pulled herself closer. After a momentary pause, he responded in kind, wrapping his arms around her and bringing her in close, deepening the kiss until it turned desperate, one through which they shared their feelings without words.
Suddenly Victoria heard the door squeak open. She pushed off Callum and sprang back to her original space on the sofa.
“Aunt Sarah, you’re home!” she exclaimed, fixing her dress. When she looked up, she caught Callum’s eye and glared at him as he seemed to be silently laughing at her. Fortunately, Sarah’s own thoughts were apparently so caught up in her evening that she didn’t even notice anything about the two of them. Or even that Callum was present.
“Yes, what a night,” she said dreamily. “Victoria, you were right. Charlie is—”
“Aunt Sarah, we have company,” Victoria stopped her before she went any farther.
“Company? You mean Archie?” she rounded the corner. “Oh, Mr. McDougall! How lovely to see you again. I am sorry I was not here earlier. I was dining with a… a friend. I am sure you were here to see Victoria, however I should have been here nonetheless. Would you care for a tea?”
“We had one,” interjected Victoria. “Thank you, though, Aunt Sarah.”
“It’s actually time to take my leave,” said Callum politely as he stood. “I have done my duty and helped put Archie to sleep. Good night, ladies.” He took his hat from the coat rack, gave them a nod, and was on his way.
“What was that all about? I did not want to be rude in front of Mr. McDougall, however I’m not sure it was wise for you to be unchaperoned with a young man,” Sarah said, looking after him with her hands on her hips.
“Archie was here. And could I not ask you the same? You’re home late,” Victoria replied, grinning at her aunt. Her ploy worked, as her aunt forgot about Victoria as she began to defend herself.
“I am a grown woman.”
“As am I.”
Sarah released a long sigh. “I suppose that is true.”
They stared at each other for a moment before dissolving into laughter.
“Oh Sarah, he’s so absolutely wonderful. He’s gentlemanly and funny and friendly and the way he took care of Archie was so utterly heartwarming. But it just… it won’t work.” She took in Sarah’s concerned expression. “Do not worry, all will be fine,” she lied. “I must ask you though, how was Charlie?”
“Charlie was Charlie,” said Sara with a warm smile. “And I finally accepted him and his feelings. I somehow feel so… relieved. I was holding back all I was feeling as it seemed as though I was forgetting Albert, but I realize now that there can be a place in my heart for both of them.”
Sarah proceeded to tell Victoria about a lovely evening. Charlie had been surprised when she had arrived at the general store. She tentatively had asked if he would like a home-cooked meal. When she offered to make it there, his face had lit up.
“I promised him that I would at least try to see where things could go. And I will try, albeit slowly.”
“Oh, Aunt Sarah, I’m so happy for you.”
“And I hope to be happy for you too someday, Victoria,” Sarah said with tears in her eyes. “You deserve it.”
“I am happy, Aunt Sarah,” she said quietly, forcing a small smile. “Please, do not worry about me.”
On that note, they walked upstairs, each to their own beds and dreams.
22
After a day of relentless pursuit that led to dead ends
, Callum knocked on Victoria’s door as arranged. When she answered with a brilliant smile, he had to force his heart to slow.
“Are you ready?” he asked gruffly, tamping down the emotions that threatened to rise.
“Ready,” she affirmed.
She was dressed conservatively, for whatever might be in store in their “protection” session, she told him. He led her around behind the house, where a long stretch of prairie grass was shaded by a couple of large elm trees, blocking them from neighbors.
“Well, shall we begin?” she asked, and Callum sensed a bit of nervousness in her tone.
He was reminded of his sister, Peggy, so unlike Victoria in many ways. She had grown up with brothers and naturally learned how to combat them as they roughhoused with her throughout their childhood. Victoria hadn’t that experience, but she did have spunk. He figured he’d start slow and see where it progressed.
“All right,” he said, facing her. “You did fairly well for yourself that day near the river in Brockville, but say you came across someone who was stronger than that man, or had better reflexes and less drink in him. If I leaned in to grasp your shoulders, what would you do?”
He demonstrated, and a smile touched her lips. “Lean in?” she asked, arching an eyebrow suggestively.
He sighed, for the fact was he rather liked her suggestion. But his worry over her safety was currently what was driving him.
“No, Victoria, this is serious. What would you do?”
Her smile fled. “Likely turn and run.”
“And if your pursuer was faster than you, he would simply chase you down or catch you before you could get away. You must take him off guard. Reverse our roles. Reach out to me.”
As she leaned in, Callum demonstrated a twist with an arm motion to find the vulnerable place in the neck. “Do this, and then you run,” he instructed.
They went through the movements a few times. Callum then stepped behind her and wrapped his arms around her. She went pliant in his embrace and leaned back into him. The soft skin in the crook of her neck was tempting, but Callum shook away such thoughts.
Callum’s Vow: The Victorian Highlanders Page 14
