“I understand, lass, and I think it will be all right to go up in the tower today, but I won't let you go alone. You can only go if you let Aidan go along with you. Sandy will be up there also doing some cleaning of the lights and reflectors. Will that be all right?” he asked, looking at her enquiringly.
“I suppose so, Robert, but I wish I could feel more friendly towards him. He has a way of irritating me, and then I can't control my temper. I say things I hadn't intended to.”
Robert looked fondly at her, saying, “He thinks an awful lot of you, Bridget, and it would make me very happy to see the two of you on better terms. He's a good lad.”
“I'll try grandfather, really I will. Goodness where did the time go. Besse will be waiting for us for dinner. Let me dry off my feet a bit and I'll catch up with you.”
“Well, the boys are probably very busy, today being Saturday. They have the day off tomorrow. Should have been someone there though. Didn't you see Aidan? He talked to us for a bit, then rode off towards the stables on a black stallion. What a beautiful horse. How I would love to own him.”
“Why don't you ask for him? I'm sure your grandfather or Aidan would give you anything you want. I've seen the way Aidan looks at you with longing in his eyes.”
“Oh, Margaret, hush. Aidan and I don't get along well at all,” she said, but even as she spoke she was secretly pleased at what her cousin had said.
“Since you have to go home tomorrow, Margaret, Robert says we can go up in the lighthouse tower today and see the view, but he won't let us go by ourselves. He insists Aidan goes with us, and Sandy will be there also doing some work. You'll like that, won't you?”
Margaret's eyes looked somber.
Bridget examined her cousin. “What's the matter? You don't seem to be too happy about it.”
Margaret said, “I just wish I didn't have to go home. You don't know how lucky you are, Bridget.”
“Yes, I suppose I am lucky, but now let's get back to the house before they come looking for us, shall we?”
Bridget couldn't get enough of the view of the ocean and surrounding territory. She gazed at Rattray Head lighthouse across the bay and the rounded stretch of yellow sand beach reaching to the village four miles away and the huge rocks far below them with waves continually dashing against them, thinking that the sight nearly took her breath away. It was well worth the climb up the winding stairway that led to the chamber where the light was housed.
She breathed deeply and turned toward Aidan, a big smile on her face. “I had no idea we could see so much from up here. I am so glad I came. My parents never allowed my sisters and me to come up here, said it was too dangerous.
“Aye, Bridget,” answered Aidan as if in awe, “here you see nature in all its glory. But beautiful as it is, there are times it can also be cruel and destructive.”
Taking her arm, he turned her around to face the north where lay two more villages just outside of town. She smiled delightedly, “I could watch this all day.”
Her cousin showed little interest in the view and surroundings, being more content to talk with young Sandy inside the light chamber.
“Let's go inside now and see the workings of this whole thing,” said Aidan, still holding her arm and guiding her along.
Full of information on the history of the light house, he seemed eager to pass it on to the girls. An avid reader, he didn't lack for material in Robert's well-stocked library.
Bridget, all ears, listened intently as he related that back in olden days, the lamps with circular wicks had burnt only fish oil, graduating later to vegetable oil, and then mineral oil, which was being used now. “Along with metallic reflectors, the light is greatly magnified and can be seen for many miles in clear weather, but unfortunately in heavy fog they are scarcely discernible, and then the eerie sounding foghorn goes into action,” he said.
Young Sandy was busily polishing everything, but looked up occasionally and smiled shyly.
“Well, girls,” said Aidan, “I think that's about all I can show you up here. If you have had enough of the view, we had better start down again. Watch your step on the stairs though, it's a long way down.” Then coming closer he said, “Here, let me hold your arms.”
Bridget looked at him with genuine admiration in her eyes as she remarked, “Thank you, Aidan. The visit to the lighthouse has been lovely and you being with us made it so much more enjoyable.”
He smiled and squeezed her arm.
They had got about a third of the way down the winding stairway and were near a window overlooking the wine tower and ocean beyond, when Aidan stopped abruptly and said, “Wait for me here girls, there's something I forgot to tell Sandy. Don't go down without me,” he cautioned. “I'll be back in a second.”
He sprang up the steps they had just descended. Bridget watched him, thinking how very easy it would be to let go and really love him. Every time she thought of him now, a warm feeling rose within her. She watched him until he disappeared round a bend in the stairs.
Turning back to the deeply recessed window in the thick wall and leaning over to see out, she said to her cousin, “Look at the old wine tower, Margaret, it looks so small from away up here. Remember when we used to play there when we were children. Can't you just see the two lovers leaping from there to their death?”
There was no answer. Bridget felt an arm come around her throat, and Margaret's voice, harsh with the cunning of a depraved mind, hissed in her ear, “You won't escape me this time, Bridget. You are through having everything your way while I have nothing.”
Bridget couldn't cry out because Margaret's arm was so tight around her neck; she seemed to have the strength of a man. Struggling furiously on the narrow step, she managed to drag the arm away for a second and screamed,”Aidan!”
The arm tightened across her neck again. As she began losing consciousness, Bridget thought she heard footsteps running down the stairs.
Aidan was already on his way down to the ladies when Bridget screamed. He flew down the staircase and found Margaret screaming like a mad woman. Aidan grabbed her arms and pulled her away from Bridget. She raised her knee and thrust it into Bridget's back causing her to lose balance and fall headfirst. She hit her head on a stone step as she fell and rolled to the bottom of the long stair way where she lay still.
Aidan's face darkened with anger. He yelled, “Sandy come and hold this mad woman, I've got to see what's happened to Bridget.” Sandy must have heard the commotion because he was suddenly right behind him. As soon as he put his hands on Margaret, she quietened down and smiled.
Aidan took two steps at a time as he rushed to the bottom of the stairs. A feeling of fear and panic engulfed him when he saw the still form stretched out on the cold stone floor.
He whispered, “My God, Bridget.” Kneeling quickly beside her, he put his ear to her breast, listening for a heartbeat. He heard it, normal and steady. He breathed a sigh of relief, and then passed his hands over her body, feeling for possible broken bones. He sighed and thought, Thank God there doesn't seem to be anything broken, but that awful blow on the head could mean a concussion.
“Sandy,” he yelled, “bring that woman down here and lock her in the storeroom. We've got to find out what happened to her. She must have gone insane. Can you manage her?”
“Aye, I've got her and can handle her easily. She seems docile enough now.”
The presence of Sandy had a quieting effect on Margaret. She smiled at him as he locked her in the storeroom, seeming to think it was some kind of game.
Aidan said, “Run quickly to the house now, and tell Mr. MacDonald what has happened. Ask him to bring a blanket. We must insulate Bridget against the cold of this floor. Doesn't seem to be anything broken, but I don't want to move her until the doctor gets here. After you tell Robert, run down the hill for Dr. Thompson. He is the closest, and for God's sake tell him to hurry.”
Sandy was off in a flash.
Chapter 9
“What do you think,
doctor?” Robert asked face white and drawn with anxiety.
“Well, Robert, just as Aidan said, there doesn't seem to be anything broken, and that is a miracle in itself after falling that far, but possibly she rolled most of the way down. However, I would like to examine the young lady more thoroughly at the house. Let's get her back there now. I'll come back here later and see the one responsible for this terrible thing.”
“I'll carry the lassie, sir, she's not very heavy,” said Aidan as he bent down and picked Bridget up off the floor. In spite of the seriousness of the situation, his heart pounded furiously as he felt her body against his own, head lolling against his chest like a sleeping baby.
At the castle, Bridget was placed on Robert's bed, and Besse was called in to undress her so the doctor could perform a more intensive examination.
“Well, doctor,” Robert asked again in a hushed voice.
Dr. Thompson rubbed his chin with his hand before answering. “There are no broken bones, Robert, just as we thought. There are many bruises all over her body, but that is not serious and will clear up quickly. What I am concerned about is that nasty blow on her forehead. I'm quite sure it is not fatal but could cause temporary amnesia. This has been a terrific shock to her system, and it may take another shock of some kind to restore her memory, if she has lost it. All we can do is wait until she wakes up and see.”
Taking a small bottle from his case, he unscrewed the stopper and held it under Bridget's nose. He gently moved it back and forth. In a few moments, she started moving her head from side to side as if trying to get away from the strong odor of the smelling salts.
She started coughing and at last opened her eyes. They had a blank look in them.
“Ah, Bridget, my girl,” said Robert, “you're awake again.” She looked at him uncomprehendingly and closed her eyes.
The doctor closely watched her movements before saying to Robert, “She is in no immediate danger and has youth on her side. I don't believe there is any danger of a blood clot., but we will have to watch her closely.” He shifted his attention to Aidan. “I want you to keep putting cold compresses on her forehead. That will help to bring down the swelling.” He stood up. “That's about all I can do for now but will come back again tonight to see her. Now let's take a look at the one who is responsible for this near tragedy.”
Robert looked at Aidan, whose face was pale. “Lad, take Dr. Thompson to see Margaret. Then go tell Bridget's mother what has happened. Her father is away to the highlands with the fishing fleet now, and maybe that's just as well. He would be out of his mind if he saw his Bridget like this.”
“Right, sir,” answered Aidan, and accompanied the doctor back to the lighthouse.
As Aidan went off to do his bidding, Robert sat down on a chair by the bedside. Resting his elbows upon it wearily, he leaned his head on his hands. He was not a praying man, but now an anguished plea sprang from his heart, “Oh, God, if it be Thy will, spare our lassie.”
“Now, Alice, don't go into hysterics,” Robert said to his daughter. “Dr. Thompson has assured me that Bridget is in good shape and it will just be a matter of time before she is her usual self again, but it may take a little while for her to get over this.”
“Can I take her home, Father?”
“Oh, lass, I know how you must feel. This is your bairn, but don't you think she will be better here? She has gotten to love this place, and if she has lost her memory for a while, she might be better with the things she has got to used to in the past few months.
You can come and spend some time with her every day, and I'll get a nurse if it is necessary. Besides, I don't think the doctor will allow her to be moved at this time.”
Alice was crying softly as she looked at her daughter’s pale face and the swelling that had above her right eye.
Besse came into the bedroom carrying a tea tray and said, “Here, Mrs. Campbell, have a cup of hot tea and you'll feel better. We are all so broken up about the poor lamb. She is such a good girl, and I've come to love her like she was my own.”
“I know, Besse, and she liked you, too. I'm grateful for your kindness to her,” Alice said, wiping her eyes.
Besse's face reddened momentarily, but she managed to keep hold of herself. “I don't see how anyone could be anything but nice to her, she's a wee angel,” and off she went, weeping and berating the one responsible for this terrible thing.
Bridget's mother quickly took things in hand. She said to her father, “If I can't take her home, I'm going to stay her for a few days and care for her. I would have no peace of mind otherwise wondering about her. Aileen and Bethia can go stay with their uncle's family while I'm here. I wish James was home.”
She looked at her father, wondering how he would react to what she had just told him, but whether he liked it or not, she was determined to stay near her injured daughter.
“That's fine, lass. It will be better for you to be here for a time. I'm quite sure she is going to be all right, but it will be a relief for me to know you are here.”
“All right then, Father. Will you sit with her until I come back? Then, I will take over. She will probably sleep for a while with the morphine tablet the doctor gave her. I want to be here when she wakes up. Poor lassie, I imagine her body will be very sore from all those bumps and bruises she has on her.”
For a small, quiet woman, Alice was showing her authority, and at the moment nothing mattered to her but her child's welfare. Secretly, Robert was relieved.
Shortly after she had left, Aidan came to give Robert the news from Dr. Thompson about Margaret. Her mind seemed to have snapped, partly because of jealousy of Bridget. The doctor said it would have happened eventually, and he had ordered her to be hospitalized for tests and observation.
Aidan looked with concern at Robert's pale face. “How's our lassie now, sir?”
“Just the same, son. Still asleep from whatever it was the doctor gave her. Oh, laddie, this has been a bad day for us all. Maybe I did wrong in bringing her here, and if my selfishness is to cause her some permanent damage, I'll never get over it.”
Aidan put his hand on the older man's shoulder. “Don't feel so badly about it, sir. The doctor seems to hold out great hope for her, but I am the one who should be feeling guilty. I should never have left her alone on the steps with her cousin, but how was I to know that Margaret would try anything like that?”
He now looked at Bridget, lying so pale and quiet on the bed before him, his heart and body aching for her. He thought, If only I could hold you close, my love, and drive away all your problems.
It was just before supper of the same day when Bridget showed signs of life, tossing her head from side to side and moaning softly. Alice stroked her forehead, talking quietly to her. “It's all right darlin, your mum is here. You'll be safe enough now.”
The gentle voice seemed to quieten Bridget. She grasped her mother's hand tightly, but when she opened her eyes there was no recognition in them.
“Don't you know me, Bridget?”Alice asked her daughter. Bridget silently looked around with a blank stare. Her gaze settled on her grandfather. She held out her hand to him. When he took it in his own she held on to him tightly as if frightened.
With tears in her eyes Alice said, “She doesn't know who I am. Oh, Bridget, my lassie.”
At about the same moment, Dr. Thompson arrive to see his patient.
“Well, Bridget, how are we tonight? You are looking much better than the last time I saw you.”
As he bent over her, a frightened look came into Bridget's face and she clung to Robert's hand.
“There now, Bridget, my girl,” said Robert, “it's all right, no one is going to hurt you. This is Dr. Thompson.” She relaxed somewhat then, but still clung to Robert's hand and remained silent.
When he had finished his examination the doctor said, “Physically she is fine, but just as I thought she apparently has a temporary loss memory. She seems to recognize you, Robert, that's why she clings to you in her
bewilderment.”
“Her mother wants to take her home, doctor.”
“No, no, Mrs. Campbell,” the doctor said emphatically, shaking his head side to side. “That would be the worst thing you could do right now. She would feel completely lost away from the surroundings she has gotten used to, but you could stay here with her if you can.”
Wiping away her tears, Alice answered, “I was planning on staying till she's up and around again. How long do you think that will be?”
“I would like her to stay in bed at least three, or maybe four, days and to rest completely. Don't try to force her to eat too much either. Just thin broth or beef tea, and maybe an occasional piece of toast. Rest is the very best thing for her now. I'll leave these mild tablets with you but just give her one at night to make sure she gets her sleep. I will look in again tomorrow, but there isn't much any of us can do. Rest, love, and understanding are the only things that will bring her back. It will take an awful lot of patience.”
“We will do all we can, doctor,” said Alice, and thank you very much for your help and concern.”
That night, Alice insisted on sleeping with Bridget, but Robert was the only one from whom she would accept the sleeping tablet.
The next morning, Aidan left the house early for another work day and in passing the room where the two women were sleeping, noticed the door was slightly ajar. He pushed it wider, thinking Alice might be in need of help. They were both asleep, Bridget cradled in her mother's arms, head resting against her bosom.
Motherless as a small lad, Aidan had never experienced such a love. He quietly closed the door. He felt a choking sensation in his chest as he walked down the hall.
Her Rebellious Heart: A Scottish Historical Romance Page 9
