I wove my way through the crowds searchin’ up and down the street for the right door.
* * *
The sign was marked: St Thomas Hospital. Twas an imposin’ building with a large courtyard. I crossed the open grounds and left the cart on the doorstep of the main entrance, heftin’ Fraoch tae my shoulder, and draggin’ him inside. We were led through to a back room with three rows of low beds. I dropped Fraoch down ontae the nearest empty one beside the wall.
The room smelled like death.
Fraoch was verra dirty and Kaitlyn had told me twas the dirt that was dangerous when there were wounds on a man. She told me I had tae wash m’self more than I might think.
I untied his leather boots and peeled them from his skin. His feet were wrinkled and pale gray, his legs bruised purple, twas then more than afore that I began tae really fear for my friend’s life.
His clothes were filthy, the sheets were stained. Nae one had come tae see him yet, so I found a nurse tae ask for the physician.
I was told I would have tae wait.
So I sat on the ground beside Fraoch’s hospital bed and waited for the doctor tae come.
* * *
The physician cleared his throat and I started. I must have been sleepin’. I clambered stiffly tae my feet. “Doctor, we have voyaged from the colonies, and my brother, Fraoch, has fallen ill.”
The doctor said, “He is close tae death, twill be mercy on him.”
“Nae, he canna die, I have tae get him home.” I added, “I have money, I can pay for ye tae care for him. I—”
The doctor squinted his eyes at me. “We are a charitable hospital. We care for the indigent.”
“He is nae, I have money for his care. We have family. I want ye tae care for him. My name is—”
His eyes traveled down my clothes. I was filthy. My beard was unkempt. I hadna bathed or changed clothes in two months except in the basest terms, the only shower I took was when I worked through a storm.
He said, “I have heard of a treatment for the ship sickness — a malt formula that will sometimes cure the affliction, but twill take effort tae procure it. It is expensive, and the treatment takes some time, if it works at all. You should save your money.”
“I am Magnus Campbell, the nephew of the Earl of Breadalbane in Scotland, cousin tae the Lord of Argyll, that…” I wanted to add their names but this was 1740, forty-five years after I last saw them. “The Campbells that live at Ham House, here in London, dost ye ken of them?”
“I have heard of them, I—”
I dug through my purse. “I have six shillings now.” I dug through Fraoch’s purse. “I have another here.” I passed him a pocket full of coins. “I will return in a few hours with more. But I want assurance ye will care for him and keep him alive until I return.”
“Yes, Master Campbell.” He pocketed the money, but I dinna trust he would give Fraoch the extra help he might require and now that I had been in a modern hospital this care felt verra inadequate.
I returned tae Fraoch’s bedside. I couldna tell if he was awake; his eyes were closed and his face wore a deathly pallor. “I have paid the physician tae keep ye alive.”
He groaned. Without openin’ his eyes he said, “Tis nae matter in it. Save yer money.”
“Nae. I winna.” I patted his arm. “I have tae go Fraoch. I have tae get a message tae m’wife. She needs tae hear from me and must be verra worried. I will be gone for a time, but I will try tae send someone tae help ye. And if I canna, I will return in a few days. Then you and I will travel tae Scotland. I would like ye tae gain yer strength though because I daena ken if I can carry ye all the way there.”
He moaned. “Ye are too weak tae do it, Og Maggy.”
“Says the man lyin’ in the hospital cryin’ like a bairn.”
“Everythin’ hurts verra awful.”
I squeezed his arm. “Well, ye look awful so I suspect it does. I will see ye in time.”
“I pray ye get tae yer wife soon.”
“Aye, I pray it as well, beannachd leibh, Fraoch.”
“Beannachd leibh, Og Maggy.”
I left the hospital and looked out over the main street. Twas a busy day, looked tae be evening, August, hot, and I was so hungry I wished I had eaten some of the oysters I paid for earlier. I would take the cart back tae the man I bought it from but twas now stolen from the courtyard.
I walked along the south bank of the Thames headed in the direction of Ham House considering what was left of my money. I needed food and a place tae sleep because by my guess twould be a three hour walk.
Twould be better tae arrive in the morn than in the deep night, so I found the closest tavern and procured the largest meal I could afford, a roast beef and cauliflower with celery and a pastry with raisins and almonds. I drank five mugs of ale, until I was verra full. I slept with my head on my arms at the table, grateful tae be on land again.
Twenty-eight - Magnus
I woke in the dark and began walkin’ through city roads that were already busy with merchants and vendors setting up their shops and then as the day was upon us, hawking their wares.
I passed a bakery with bread in the window and though I needed tae save my last shilling for the trip north tae scotland, I was too hungry tae go without food.
I ate bread with some berry preserves while sitting on the road in front of the store, moaning with the happiness of a full stomach.
I was feelin’ more energized from the food I had filled myself with, strengthened by the movement and the fresh air. As the sun rose, it was a clear sky and the day was beautiful. As I walked from town center the landscape sprawled greener and outside of town I filled my lungs with fresh air.
As I neared Ham House I pulled up to the river’s edge, took off my shoes, washed my feet and legs of the sea salt, and then scrubbed water on my face and through my beard and hair. I longed for the mirror of our Amelia Island home, my toothbrush because my teeth were sore. I wished for the shampoo, bending forward with Kaitlyn rubbing it through my hair. I wanted a razor for m’beard, better clothes, and as I left the city behind, I wanted more than this small knife. I needed a dirk or sword, there were highwaymen about.
I was drippin’ wet. I sat on the river bank and let the sun dry my skin. Then I strapped on my leather boots and resumed my walk following the Thames.
* * *
As I walked I thought about how happy I had been when I lived at Ham House. And remembered the day in my sixteenth year when Uncle Baldie sent for me tae come home.
Uncle John had read me Baldie’s letter sayin’ I was expected in Scotland and would be travelin’ by myself. By then I had lived in London for six years. I thought of my cousins as m’own family and I verra much liked the luxury and comforts of Ham House and the excitement of living so close tae London.
I had missed Sean and especially Lizbeth, but she was already married and havin’ bairns of her own. It pained me tae think it now, but I had grown used tae thinkin’ of my older brother in Scotland as bein’ uncivilized. Tae hear that I was now tae go live with my Scottish relations had left me heavy and worried.
I had been given a day tae prepare for my trip and then I had tae say goodbye tae my cousins in the formal living room. They curtseyed and bowed and we respectfully said our goodbyes under the watchful eye of my aunt and uncle.
As I had crossed the gravel drive though, for the coach that would convey me tae the carriage station, the cousins followed me from the house and there we hugged and said goodbye again, this time with laughs and tears.
Twas a verra difficult day tae leave them.
I kent I would be without them for a long time.
That had been the year 1697. Twas now forty-three years later. I was a ghost from the past and wasna sure how tae explain myself. I spent the next hour walking getting my story straight.
When I approached Ham House it looked much the same as I remembered even though close tae fifty years had gone by.
In my lifetime it
had been only eight.
Twenty-nine - Magnus
I stood in front of the imposing door and rang the bell.
The footman told me tae remove myself from the front steps and tae go around tae the back door.
“Pardon me, nae. Sir, I am Magnus Campbell, son of Magnus Campbell that once lived here, I…”
The man was dressed in an impressive uniform. He cleared his throat and looked me over.
I added, “I would like tae speak for a moment with the Lord Argyll or his descendents, Henry or Theodore…” I couldn’t think of the right way to ask so I said, “I am wondering if there is a Master Henry Campbell at home?”
The man’s eyes squinted. “The house is inhabited by the Duke of Lauderdale and the Duchess Mary, the daughter of the 3rd Duke of Argyll.”
“Aye, Mary May, wouldst ye pardon my appearance and let the Duchess of Lauderdale ken that her cousin, Magnus Campbell, the son of her cousin, Magnus Archibald Caehlin Campbell, is here tae see her?”
He squinted his eyes some more and then stiffly turned and left me alone on the stoop.
* * *
About thirty minutes later, while I stood waiting, a woman came tae the door. She was dressed luxuriously in fine fabrics and lace, her skirt verra wide, a tilt tae her head, inquisitive, she was almost unrecognizable as the five-year-old I once kent, but she had a smile that reminded me of my aunt Elizabeth, her mother, and a twinkle in her eyes that I recognized as the little girl that once followed me around with a smile and a laugh.
“And you are?”
“I have explained tae yer man that I am Magnus Campbell, the son of—”
She waved her hand, “I have heard who you say you are, though I can barely believe it, we never heard from Magnus again in all these forty years and yet here you are, the same eyes, the same smile, clearly his son. Whatever has become of him? He must be verra auld now as I am well on in age and he was much grown when I thought him the most wondrous of men.”
“He has passed tae his reward after living for many years in the New World. He spoke often of ye, Cousin May, and he wanted me tae travel here someday and see ye.”
Her face fell. “I am so sorry about the loss of him. I suppose that as we age we have to get used to saying goodbye to our family and friends, but it is still very difficult. Well then cousin, I have a mind to tuck my arm in yours and take a turn in the gardens while you tell me all about your father. I would like this very much, but I see you have the countenance of someone who has traveled a grave distance...”
“I have, I have crossed the Atlantic from the Colonies. I have only arrived yesterday and came tae see ye first thing.”
“Enter then, you have traveled far and have walked from London. We will not weary your feet with more walking, we will sit with our feet up and talk of my old friend.”
She led me intae the house away from the sun that was beginnin’ tae beat down upon my back.
I had forgotten how grand Ham House was, luxurious and sophisticated in a way nae other home I ever lived in was. The foyer was full of dark wood and black and white floor tiles. The ornate carving on the stair was exquisite, a familiar balcony stretched most of the way around on the first floor. I remembered the older cousins hanging over the rail the day I arrived. Cousin May had been born the following year.
She led me through the beautiful dark wood-paneled gallery to the parlor and though she offered me a damask covered chair, I tried tae sit on it without touchin’ it.
“So tell me, Master Campbell, of your father.”
“He has been living in—”
“The colonies? Tell me of it, did you grow up there?”
“I have lived there most of my life.”
She stared off intae the distance. “I would have liked tae see it.”
I shook my head, “Och, tis a verra long distance. I canna recommend the trip.” I joked, “I am nae completely convinced I have survived it yet.”
She laughed, “You have your father’s sense of humor too. He was a legend among us for many long years.”
“How are they? Henry and Theodore and—”
“Henry has been Lord Steward of the royal household. Is that not wondrous? Your father never would have thought our Henry would be so important.”
I said, “I daena ken, he only had the highest words tae speak of Henry.”
“Yes, well, Henry in his youth and your father, Magnus, were often at odds about what to do. Henry preferred to lounge, read, and ignore the rest of us, but Magnus wanted to create something of a day. I knew if I wanted attention I just had to find Magnus and within minutes the whole of us were outside with a game afoot.” She stared off into space with a smile, then said, “I do not see Henry as often as I would like, but when I see him next I will tell him I met you. He will be very pleased. He often speaks of Magnus and misses him greatly. Archibald has been elected part of the Privy Council and they call him the most powerful man there. I have not seen him in many years, but hear he has been improving his estate, especially the gardens. The news is that he has been importing trees and his gardens are the talk of the kingdom. I really long to visit him sometime soon.”
She added, “I am talking a great deal about people you do not know but you have made me feel nostalgic.”
“I have heard my father speak of them so often I feel as if I ken them too, please go on. I am enjoyin’ the stories. What of Mabel and Theodore, ye haena mentioned them?”
“Ah, yes,” Her face fell. “We lost Teddy in the Battle of Sherrifmuir, it has been twenty-five years but I still feel the loss very much. And sweet Mabel, she lived with her husband, the Earl of Bute, and they were wonderful patrons of the arts but she has passed away now, five years ago.”
“I am sorry tae hear of your losses, my father would have been greatly saddened.”
“So tell me of their life there, and of your mother. She still lives?”
“She has passed as well, tis why I felt it permissible tae leave. I wanted tae see Scotland, and pay my respects tae my father’s family.”
“We are your family as well.”
“Aye. He met her in the West Indies, they gained land and built a home in the colonies. They did very well.”
“We get news from the colonies, I had not heard his name. I will be sure to pay closer attention now that I know he had land there. Was he growing tobacco? I hope he grew tobacco so you will have a fortune to live on.”
“Aye,” I said, because it seemed like I ought tae. “I have been doing verra well. I have come tae speak tae ye though, Cousin May, because I have had some difficulties on the crossin’…”
She leveled her eyes on me, now full of concern.
“I have a friend who came across with me on the ship from the colonies. He is a fellow Scotsman, and he has fallen ill. I have given the hospital the full rest of my purse tae keep him in health, and I have some pressin’ business tae attend tae for a few days and… I canna return tae see tae him. I was wonderin’ if ye could send someone tae the St Thomas Hospital tae look after him in my stead?”
“Oh, yes, of course, do you know what he is ailed by, is it the ship sickness?”
“Aye,” I shifted in my seat. “The physician has said he is nae well, but I want tae get him home tae Scotland, if God wills it.”
“I will help if I can. I will be going to London on the morrow, but I will send someone today to see to his care. He is a Campbell?”
“Nae, his is a MacDonald. His name is Fraoch.”
“Is he a Jacobite, Magnus?”
I looked down at my hands. “He has saved my life three times. I vowed tae God I would try everything in my power tae save his. I hope ye understand, Cousin May, I am askin’ only tae help him as a friend.”
She sighed. “It has been a very long time since someone called me May and you have such a likeness to your father in your eyes. You are causing me to remember a great many happy days from our youth. Did your father tell you about the games we played in the gardens?
He was always springing from the bushes and scarin’ all the cousins, but he would never scare me. Instead he would rustle the leaves so I would know he was there and then he would wink at me and I would pretend to be afraid. He never wanted me to be left out of the games but he was always careful not to bring me to tears. The others though, he would promise not to scare them, and a minute later they were screaming because he had jumped at them again. We all loved the games and Magnus.” Her eyes went very thoughtful.
“He told me about a secret stair?”
Her eyes regained their twinkle. “Yes! There is a stair for the servants, but we all called it our secret stair and had many a game running up and down it. I could only do it if Magnus held my hand.”
I nodded, feelin’ rather overwhelmed by the conversation.
She said, “Do you need a place to stay, young Magnus?”
“Nae, I have tae see tae some business. It will take me away for a couple of days, remind me of taeday’s date?”
She laughed. “Long voyages have a way of causing one to forget the days. It is August 23.”
I joked, “August 23, the year of our lord seventeen forty-seven? Because it feels that long.”
She laughed again, “Your trip was not that long, Young Magnus, it is still seventeen forty by my count. The king is still George II. The last winter has been one of the coldest winters and I can still feel the frost in my bones, but I will go to London tomorrow. I will see tae your unlikely friend the one, Fraoch MacDonald. And have you enough money to see to your business? I do not want to tell you how to deport yourself, young Magnus, but as your elder, you need to adopt a better uniform for your status.”
I chuckled. “I haena money for food or clothes. I do find myself in dire need of an elder’s wisdom.”
“Good, consider me your patron. I will take care of you and your friend for the kindness your father showed me as a young child.” She stood. “I will send a servant in to show you to a dressing room: new attire, some money, and then a meal before you go about your day. Will I see you again, I hope soon?”
Under the Same Sky Page 10
