by Fiona Faris
They were quiet as they packed the horses ready to travel back to Eddingfield Hall. Amos stood in the doorway of the house - together with Mr. Cooke who would stay for a few more days before following them - watching them prepare; his face sad.
“I remember your father,” he said to Emily, “He was a good man.”
“Thank you.”
Emily sighed, making her way to her horse. She was deeply regretting the whiskey from last night, and that together with the bout of crying, had left her with a monstrous headache.
Her eyes felt swollen and heavy and her nose was blocked. Everyone was handling her with kid gloves, which somehow made her feel worse. She did not know how to live this life where she had no father.
She looked up at Alexander, currently saddling her horse. “I can do that.”
“I dinna mind doing it. Ye’ll have plenty of opportunities to saddle it, dinna fash. For today, just rest yer head.”
She had to search for the words before she could utter them. “Thank you.”
“Ye’re most welcome wife.”
He strode over to her, picked her up and placed her on the horse. “Time to go Princess.”
She nodded, unable to say anything more and followed as Alexander led her out the gate, with Rebecca and Frances following faithfully behind.
As they passed through the gate, she felt as if she was leaving an old life behind and riding into a new.
Chapter Twenty-Five
The slow sway of the horse’s gait lulled Emily into a trancelike state that she was almost grateful for. She didn’t know what she would find when she arrived back at the Hall, but she could imagine the pain and fear her family was experiencing. It broke her heart twice over.
She could feel Alexander’s eyes on her as they rode, like a warm soothing sun to her right. Rebecca rode on her left and Frances sat behind them on the wagon. The silence was deafening. Emily might have broken it had she not been using every ounce of energy she had to hold herself together.
She only noticed the pitter patter of a light drizzle when Alexander threw a plaid cloak over her shoulders and covered her head – that was when she realized her face was wet. Her face had been so wet with tears that it did not matter.
She turned to Alexander, smiling as brightly as she could.
“Talk to me,” he urged softly, “Tell me something aboot yer childhood.”
“What would you like to know?” she sniffed softly, lifting a corner of the cloak to wipe at her face.
“Anything ye’d like ter tell me.”
Emily knew he was simply trying to distract her. Nevertheless she was grateful for anything that would stop her from feeling so wretched.
“Well…I could tell you about the first time my father took us to the fair.”
Alexander smiled with encouragement. “I should be grateful to hear it.”
“Alright.” She paused, gathering her thoughts. “My father took us to the frost fair on the River Thames. It was so cold, you can’t imagine.”
Alexander laughed. “I hail from Scotland. I think I can.”
“Yes well,” Emily shrugged and gave him a small smile, “We had never seen a river frozen over in that way. Just Elinor and I were considered old enough to go.” A single tear fell down her cheek at the thought of happier times.
“It must have been quite a treat.”
Emily nodded. “It was.” She wiped at her eyes. “There were couples sledging side by side, and sometimes the man would reach out and touch the woman to steady her. We were excited and scared to try it for ourselves. We wondered to what we should do if the ice were to crack beneath our feet.”
“That sounds…like a dangerous pastime, pointless too?”
“Oh boo. It was…exhilarating and exciting. It was our first time in town too. I don’t think we had ever seen so many people in one place.”
“And so? Did ye actually do the sledding?”
“Why yes we did. My sister and I went while our father,” she paused, feeling choked. “Our father waited at the shore.”
“Tis guid that ye have such fond memories of him. Some are not sae lucky.”
Emily’s face sobered. “You do not have any memories of your own father?”
Alexander shook his head. “He died of the ague when I was verra young. Then it was just Rebecca and I.”
Emily nodded. “Yes, Rebecca told me.”
Alexander shrugged. “Still, I willna greet aboot it. Come now, tell me more about yer faither.”
They spent the rest of the ride reminiscing about Emily’s childhood. Her father had been a distant but affectionate figure, whilst her mother bridged the gap effectively between them. Alexander listened, rapt, to a family dynamic he’d never been part of. He wondered if all fathers were meant to be distant from their children, because he certainly did not want that for his own.
“Is that what you want for our future children?” he asked, “Do you want me to always be removed from them?
“Oh,” Emily’s eyes widened as her skin flushed beautifully, “I think not. I don’t know, I have not thought about it. Do you wish to be like that?”
Alexander shook his head. “I want to talk with my children, play with them, hear their troubles and be a bulwark for them against pain and sorrow. And how can I know what pains them if I am not close to them?”
Emily blinked at him. “I had not thought of that.”
In fact she had never thought about what kind of father Alexander would be, nor had she contemplated the prospect of being a mother.
How silly of me! She thought in trepidation for surely, with so much intimacy between them lately, it was quite likely that she would have a belly full very soon.
Emily blanched. She did not think she was ready for that at all! Why she felt as if she was barely a child herself. Adjusting to this new life with its ever present dangers was difficult enough without bringing a child into it.
Flicking a glance at her husband, she wondered if he would consent to cease their intimate relations until such a time…her head shook from side to side of its own volition as she looked away. She did not want to cease their intimate relations. They were enjoyable and made her feel desirable and desired. She did not want to lose that aspect of their relationship. It had been so hard won and it brought them closer. After everything they had been through, she did not want to think about going backwards.
She risked another glance at Alexander, his shoulders so broad and sturdy, his big hands so capable, and his head held high, confident and brave.
He will protect me and his children. It will be alright.
“I have distressed ye in some way, haven’t I?” his voice was quiet and sorrowful.
Emily shook her head vigorously. “No you have not, Alexander. You just brought to my attention things I had not yet contemplated. It is sobering.”
“Och, as if ye were not sober enough. Would ye like me to tell ye a story of my childhood?”
“Ah, all your stories are laced with woe.”
“Not this one. I promise ye.”
“Alright then, tell me.”
“Well ye ken that Scotland is full of lochs don’t ye?”
Emily shook her head, “I’ve never been to Scotland.”
Alexander smiled. “I shall be sure to take ye one day.”
“Thank you, I’d like that.”
“Well, the lochs are deep with foaming waves and freezing water and one day, while we were with the garrison, Rebecca and I stole away for the day. It had been a particularly hot summer ye see and both of us just needed a bit o’ a break from work. So we stole some bread and cheese from the kitchens and went off to take a dip. Rumor had it that a monster lived in the water and I for one, was hoping to see it.”
Emily gasped, mouth open; hand on her heart. “Are you mad?”
Alexander laughed. “More like we were eedjits. We didna really believe the story ye see. Thought it was just blarney told to wee bairns to stop them wandering close to the loch
.”
“And was it, just stories?”
“No.”
Emily stiffened; her eyes wide and staring. “You saw something?”
Alexander sighed, turning to her in mock irritation. “Will ye let me tell the story on my own or will ye keep interrupting?”
Emily raised her hands in surrender, before grabbing her reins back up.
“Well, we sat by the loch, watching the waves come in and out, trying to think which water monster it might be. We guessed kelpies or water sprites, selkies…we wondered about Bean-Nighes and what we would do if we saw one.”
“What is a bean…?” Emily hesitated over the word.
“Bean-Nighe?”
Emily nodded.
“It’s a spectre of a washer woman who is said to be a fairy. She lurks near streams and pools washing the clothes of those about to die.”
Emily shuddered, her face falling. Alexander quickly reached out to cover her hand with his. “It’s just a story. Dinna worry.”
Emily shook her head sadly. “I’m not worried. My father is already dead.”
Alexander sighed, his eyes dropping. “I didna mean to remind ye of that.”
“It’s not that easy to forget. But you were telling me a story. Please continue.”
“Yes well, so we are sitting there and then Rebecca tells me that we should go into the loch. Just to see ye ken?”
“What? Why should she say that?”
Alexander raised his voice. “Because when she gets the de’il in her, there’s no talking to her.”
Rebecca stuck her tongue out at her brother before turning to resume her ambling trot. She had pulled slightly ahead of them, keeping watch as they reached the outskirts of the village.
“So what ha-”
There was the sound of running footsteps and Alexander unsheathed his sgian dhu and held it at the ready as he turned to see who was following them. It was the young man who had taken a shine to Frances. Alexander lowered his weapon.
“Sir? Sir? Are you all leaving?” his eyes darted to Frances and then back to Alexander.
Alexander sheathed his knife, hiding a smile. “We have a funeral to attend.”
“Oh,” the boy breathed hard watching them, “Well then…you should not travel alone. It is not safe.”
“Och aye. But we will be fine. Go tae yer hame young man. You shouldna be out here on yer own.”
“I’ll come with you.”
Alexander lifted an eyebrow.
“Please. Let me. I can fight with a sword and I’m good with my fists. Let me come with you.”
He sounded so earnest, Alexander sighed.
“Look young man-”
“Benjie. My name’s Benjie sir.”
“Benjie. I canna take ye away from yer family and I have no idea how long we’ll be.”
Benjie’s eyes darted to Frances again. “I have no family.”
“Oh, Alexander cocked an eyebrow. “Och aye?”
“Yes, my grandmother was old and sick, she got caught up in the squall last week and caught the ague.”
Alexander narrowed his eyes at the boy, watching him carefully. He noted the grief in the man’s eyes. “My condolences.”
Benjie nodded in acknowledgement.
Alexander sighed, looking around at their party. They had three horses and a wagon. He supposed the boy could ride along with Frances. He looked between the boy and Frances. “If you promise to behave, you can climb up on the wagon. You got anything?”
The boy lifted his hand, to show a sack. “I even have food.”
Alexander nodded, “Get on the wagon then.”
They didn’t really have enough to feed another mouth but Alexander was not about to turn the boy away. There was always hunting if things got bad, and there would be inns along the way where they could replenish themselves. Besides, it might actually be helpful to have the boy along. A party with two men was more of a deterrent for brigands than one man and three women.
Speaking of brigands… Alexander turned the boy.
“Have ye had any trouble in the village? Are the bandits back?”
“They disappeared after you beat up their chief,” Benjie grinned, “word that is, they were seen around the inn some time back and then they disappeared again.”
“Do ye have any idea where they would go?”
“No sir, none.”
Alexander frowned. It all sounded rather sketchy. The brigands could not be that afraid of him. He was only one man after all.
“I see. And no one has caught sight or sound of them?”
Benjie shook his head vigorously, “No sir.” Then his face became uncertain and he seemed to hesitate. “Well…there was one of the brigands, has a sweetheart what lives with her mother on one of yer crofters cottages. Word is he was here to convince her to run off with him.”
“Oh? And did she?”
“No. she couldn’t leave her mother.”
“Does it mean they’re not coming back?” Frances wondered.
Alexander snapped his head up as his eyes widened. “They may be gone for good perhaps?”
“I don’t know sir.”
Alexander narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. If that was true, it was very good news. Perhaps they would be safe now.
Philip Bristol took a long drink of his whiskey as he waited for the report. He had been hanging around like a eunuch in a whorehouse, on tenterhooks for news. This was a bold move he was employing and he was anxious for it to work. His hands slid through the mountain of unpaid bills on his study table. The coffers were empty. What had not gone toward taxes for the war effort had been eaten up with sustaining him in the manner to which he was accustomed.
It was getting urgent that he replenish his financed and whilst his idea was harsh, it was also the easiest and quickest way he could see to get what he needed.
His butler knocked on the door before coming in without waiting to be asked. Philip frowned, wanting to rebuke him, but he was only one of two servants still remaining and Philip could not afford to lose him.
“A message has come for you my lord.” The butler extending the silver tray with a letter on it, Philip nodded in acknowledgement before taking the letter, and tearing it open eagerly. His eyes lit up as he read the words written on the page and he smiled.
He looked up at his butler. “Prepare my horse and pack me a bag. I shall be riding out shortly.”
The butler gave a stiff bow. “Yes my lord.”
Philip looked back at the letter with a smile before crossing over to the wall to take down his barking irons. He packed up his paper cartridges and lead balls in an oiled leather satchel to keep them dry.
He sucked in a breath. “Time for the next phase of my plan.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
They managed to leave the district before nightfall, the rain slowing them down significantly. As luck would have it, they came across an empty crofter’s cottage where they could rest for the night.
Alexander asked his family to wait while he checked that the inside was habitable, free from vermin and pests as well as people. He had to dispose of a few rats, but apart from that, all was well.
His sgian dhu went to work and had soon reduced the vermin to bloodstains and fur. He might have been tempted to skin them for dinner if not for Emily.
Besides, they were not starving – they had plenty of food supplies – it was simply a habit of a lifetime to avoid waste. He threw the carcasses out of the back window so that Emily would not see before walking out of the door.
“It is clear. We can spend the night peacefully here.”
The others alighted from their horses. Benjie and Frances were already maneuvering the wagon close to the door so they could transfer goods easily to the cottage.
Emily frowned. “Should we not just leave them in the wagon? Tomorrow we’ll waste more time putting the goods back into the wagon?”
“We canna know who is here. Brigands could be lurking in the bush. We dinna ken. W
e may leave the goods outside to save time but lose them all instead.” Rebecca spoke from experience.
Emily nodded. “Oh.” Her eyes swept their surroundings fearfully before she turned and hurried inside the cottage.
