Fortunes of the Heart

by Jenny Telfer Chaplin

  Kate had a secret smile to herself as she thought: Much as it grieves me to admit it, but my wee Isabella takes after Pearce’s side of the family. Nothing of the starving, poverty-stricken Irish peasant about her. No wonder that Pearce has such great plans for her in the years ahead. Wouldn’t surprise me in the least if he were to return in triumph to Ireland with a grown-up Isabella on his arm. and insist that his family pay her due homage, perhaps even hold a coming-out ball at Laggan House for the young beauty. Ah, well, Kate my girl, time will tell.

  Chapter 24

  The first morning of the holiday, they awoke to brilliant sunshine spilling through the partly-closed curtains. Kate stirred lazily in bed, and for a hazy, still half-asleep moment, she wondered where on earth she could possibly be. Then, as she stretched her arms luxuriously and her splayed hand finally came to rest on Pearce’s arm, it all came back to her in one glorious, mind-boggling rush of wonderful realisation. Of course. She was on holiday and not only on the first holiday of her life, but also for the first time in years, she was truly, in every sense, in her husband’s bed. She smiled a secret smile and felt the blood rush to her face as she thought: Wasn’t last night glorious? Oh, if only life could always be like this. But who knows? Perhaps this is the start of something new and better than I’ve ever known? Well, time alone will tell, Kate my girl. Meantime, enjoy this heavenly experience and make the very most of your two weeks.

  Pearce was still sleeping soundly so, removing her hand from where it still lay on his arm, she then edged over to her own side of the bed and crept out as quietly as possible. That done without causing more than a slight moan from her husband, Kate then put on her outdoor coat over her best nightgown.

  Who knows, she thought, perhaps one fine day Pearce might even buy me a lovely dressing gown such as the fine ladies in the Big House used to wear. Imagine it. Me, a lady’s maid, with a quilted, satin dressing-gown. Now, wouldn’t that be something to tell the neighbours?

  She was still smiling at this happy thought and on her way to check on the children in the next room, when she stopped with her hand on the door handle. An even stranger thought had just come to her: After the carefree passion of last night, my girl, it won’t be a swanky dressing gown you’ll be after wanting. No, more like it would be a bell tent, voluminous nightgown. Something to cover the bulge of your belly rather than a glamorous dressing gown.

  Like a mischievous schoolgirl, she giggled into her cupped hand as she allowed her thoughts to wander idly.

  To think such a thing should happen now – especially after Betty’s warnings about the strength of the Rothesay air. Shouldn’t be surprised if I take more than a stick of seaside rock back to the Candleriggs as a wee souvenir.’

  She was still smiling as she went in to rouse the children in good time for the cooked breakfast which Mrs Graham had promised them. Normally loathe to get up on mornings back home, on this occasion the children needed no second bidding and were soon diving about the room in various stages of undress. With the promise that Mammy herself would see to the brushing of Hannah’s hair, which was always something of a trial, Jenny was delegated to the task of getting Hannah dressed in her best summer frock.

  Later that same day, replete with food, the family gathered in the lush acre of garden, ablaze with hydrangeas, fuchsias, and a myriad of other flowers whose name they had not yet been told. The garden of Ardbeg House overlooked the seafront and on such a day, with the sun overhead, yachts sailing along effortlessly over the waves, and the urgent cry of seagulls above them, the children and Kate thought they were in Paradise.

  Having drunk their fill of the exquisite scenery, there was some dissension as to exactly what plans should be made for the glorious summer day now lying so invitingly before them. Jenny wanted to take her bucket and spade and head without a moment’s delay for the beach at the Children’s Corner, there to delve into the making of sand castles with all possible speed; Isabella desperately wanted to go and see the Exhibition of Highland Dancing, the advertisement for which she had spelled out carefully and laboriously while on the boat coming over to the Island; Daniel, with every fibre of his being, wanted to accept Mrs Graham’s kind offer of the use of the little rowing boat which she kept permanently moored at her own private stretch of beach just across the road; Pearce wanted to walk for miles and on the way, explore the flora and fauna of this magical island with its magnificent palm trees and its sun-kissed shores lapped by the warming balm of the Gulf Stream; Kate, still feeling mellow and drunk with happiness, would have been happy to fall in with anyone’s plans so long as it did not necessitate her leaving this Madeira of Scotland.

  When things were beginning to get a bit out of hand, and the discussion was fast developing into a good-going family row, Pearce, in his usual way, took total command of the situation. He clapped his hands once only, and immediately, without a word spoken, his troops fell into line.

  “Now then, here is what I would suggest ... Jenny wants to make sand castles? All right, so she and Hannah can both go to the beach with Mammy. And yes, since it’s a holiday, I’ll even give them all money with which to buy ice cream.”

  There were whoops of delight at this suggestion, for perpetually befogged or not, Hannah knew the words ice cream. So, as soon as she heard the magic words she started a none-too-rhythmic banging of her bunched fist against the metal sides of her go-chair.

  “Nice cream. Nice cream. Hannah good girl, Dadda. Hannah like nice cream. Good girl, Dadda.”

  The appealed-to Dadda cast her one of his usual looks of utter loathing and distaste that he had fathered such a creature.

  “Yes, yes, Hannah, my girl. I think we’ve all got that message loud and clear, thank you.”

  Just then, Kate happened to look over at Isabella who, despite a brave attempt to keep her composure, nevertheless could not still the trembling of her lower lip. Not wishing the slightest thing to mar this wonderful holiday, Kate hastened to point to Isabella.

  “And what about poor Isabella? Is she to be left out of all these lovely treats? What about her, Dadda?”

  At once Pearce’s face softened, and although he did not say so in so many words, it soon clear he had left the best treat of all to the last, as if wanting to savour it and hug it to his heart. He smiled at Isabella and it was a smile such as he never at any time bestowed on the rest of his brood. With the eyes of an adoring father, he at once stretched out a hand and stroked his favourite daughter’s ribbon-held ringlets.

  “Forgotten my wee Isabella? Of course I haven’t forgotten her. What a question. No, here’s the master plan for her ... She has set her little heart on seeing the Highland Dancing Display, so that is exactly what she will do and have ice cream too. In fact, I myself will take her. I gather it is being held at the little village of Port Bannatyne. A pleasant walk on such a day, according to our esteemed landlady. So if we walk there and back, see the display, and at that same time, see something of this beautiful island, that will suit us both just fine and dandy. That not so, eh, Isabella?”

  Dadda chucked her under the chin. Isabella had no need to reply to the hypothetical question, for her beaming face said it all. And best of all, her delighted grin acknowledged how pleased she was that she ,out of all the family, would have Dadda to herself.

  As yet, nobody had thought either to mention Daniel or enquire as to what his wishes might be. Painfully aware of this fact, the unhappy boy, all the while toeing patterns in the stone path with his new holiday sandals, was trying his best to look as nonchalant as possible. He raised his head with a jerk the very moment he heard his father address him by name.

  “Right then, Daniel. I expect you would like to get off on your own and do what most lads enjoy on seaside holiday – a spot of fishing. How about that?”

  At once Daniel blinked in utter disbelief at his own good fortune and, as the full meaning dawned on him, his face broke into a delighted grin. Go fishing, on his own, and in Mrs Graham’s wee cracker of a boat.
Perhaps his Dadda did trust him, did harbour some fatherly love for him after all.

  He opened his mouth and had started to stutter his heart-felt thanks when the voice of his father overrode that of his own.

  “As I say, Daniel, a spot of fishing. And who knows, you might even catch a tiddler or two for our tea. Ha ha. How about that, eh? Mind you ...” Pearce wagged a playful yet at the same time admonitory finger, “... just one thing to remember ... whatever fishing you do, is to be done from the pier. And not – I repeat NOT – to be done from that boat of Mrs Graham’s. Do I make myself clear, Daniel? You are to leave that rowing boat strictly alone. Now, do you understand?”

  Daniel, his face by now a picture of misery, could only choke back his bitter disappointment, at the same time nodding in stunned agreement with his autocratic father.

  Seeing this reaction, so different from those of the other children on being told of their respective treats, Pearce frowned.

  “I must say, Daniel, a vestige of enthusiasm would go a very long way, my boy. However, be that as it may, I shall of course, give you sufficient money to buy a fishing net, and if you make your purchase prudently, then who knows, there may even be enough money left over with which to buy an ice cream wafer, for I think you are now rather too old for the childish pokey-hat.”

  Poor Daniel, with an obvious effort of will, tried his level best to appear suitably grateful for such parental munificence. But even this watery smile misfired, and his father fixed a beady eye on the hapless youth.

  “On the other hand, instead of guzzling ice cream, you may prefer to use any extra cash towards the improvement of your mind. Use the money to pay for your entrance to Rothesay Castle. Learn something useful for a change. I believe the castle dates back to something like the thirteenth century.”

  Kate had a pretty shrewd idea as to what her first-born was mentally saying. That being so, she flashed a quick, sympathetic smile as the boy caught her glance. She knew in her heart of hearts that poor Daniel would have given anything for even a crumb of fatherly love or even attention. But she knew also that the deprived lad was too unsure of himself and too certain of his father’s quick temper ever to voice aloud such private thoughts. The pity was she knew he never would.

  Chapter 25

  The rest of the week passed just as happily as that first glorious day. As in sunshine, which seemed as if it would go on for ever, the Kinnons played and relaxed together as a united family on the shores of Sweet Rothesay Bay. Early on the Saturday morning, Kate stood at the bay window of their bedroom and looked out over the already sun-dappled Firth, stretching her arms luxuriously above her head as she thought: ‘How beautiful. Thank you, God, for yet another lovely day.’

  Later that same morning, as they sat round Mrs Graham’s dining table, Kate exulted in the fact that for the first time ever they seemed to be a real family at long last–even the tension between Pearce and Daniel seemed to have softened. They had all just enjoyed a cooked breakfast and were still on the toast and marmalade stage as Kate poured out extra cups of tea from the elegant silver teapot. Pearce looked on approvingly at her dainty, refined manner of playing the society hostess in such a rich setting, and smiled fondly at his wife.

  “Yes, Kate Mavourneen, we’ll make a lady out of you yet.”

  Kate stopped with the teapot poised over Daniel’s still-empty cup and glimpsed up at her husband with twinkling, impish eyes.

  “Well, now, Lord Pearce. If it’s all the same to you, kind sir, we won’t be starting all that up again. What you see before you is all the lady I’m ever likely to be. So, I beg of you, sir, let’s just leave that flea stick to the wall.”

  Pearce threw his head back and gave a great belly laugh which gladdened Kate’s heart to hear. But it was his next words which brought a beam of delight to her face, and an even greater lift to her heart.

  “Kate, I’ve been thinking. I’ve just had a wonderful idea. Kate my girl, how would you like it if we were to get a little flat, or cottage even, down here in Rothesay, or at least somewhere on this lovely island? Then for future holidays, it would be so easy. We could come and go as we pleased.”

  Kate’s grinned and could hardly speak, so surprised and delighted was she.

  “Pearce, do you really mean it? Could we possibly do such a thing? You’re not just teasing me, are you? Not just giving me a touch of the old Irish blarney now, are you? But how could we afford it? Where’s the money to come from?

  Pearce nodded sagely.

  “I’ve been keeping it as a surprise and this seems as good a moment as any to mention it. You see, I’m doing well at my job now. In fact, recently there have been strong hints of a possible promotion. Between that, and a bit of extra overtime on other nights besides Fridays, I’m sure we could take on that lovely little cottage which Isabella and I saw yesterday. Isabella’s quite fallen in love with it, you know. Isn’t that right, Isabella, my dear?”

  Isabella beamed from ear to ear. Seeing this, Pearce leant across the table and patted the child fondly on the hand.

  Kate did not doubt his words for one moment, but even so, there were a. dozen questions which at once sprang to mind.

  “But Pearce, where is this dream cottage? And how could we get it?”

  Pearce held up a hand.

  “No problem there, my dear. It had a TO LET notice on it. And to tell you the truth, had today not been a Saturday, I would have been on the estate factor’s doorstep at dawn, down on my bended knees, begging to be allowed to become their new tenant.”

  The idea of Dadda ever having to beg for anything, far less abase himself in such a way, was too much for the family. The mental picture of their strict Dadda on his knees in supplication made them look first at each other in amazement, then burst out laughing.

  At this point kindly Mrs Graham came back into the room to see if they wanted more toast or a fresh brewing of tea. Having ascertained that more would be welcome, she said: “My and it’s just grand to see you all enjoying yourselves so much. The Rothesay air’s certainly doing you all a power of good already. Surely these nut-brown bairns can’t be the same, wee peelly-wally city sparrows that arrived here only last Saturday? If you don’t mind me saying so, it sounded is if you were all having a right good laugh a wee while since. So tell me this and tell me no more, is it a private joke, or can anyone join in?”

  Pearce beamed, then at his most gracious and without a moment’s hesitation, said to the rotund and jovial landlady: “No secret at all, Mrs Graham. I was just telling the family about the fact that I’d seen a lovely cottage to rent. Then I said I would even go down on my bended knees in order to get the keys of that particular little kingdom.”

  Again everyone laughed noisily and as Mrs Graham wiped the tears of laughter from her eyes, she said: “Your family’s right, Mr Kinnon, sir. You are much too distinguished a gentleman ever to have to beg for anything. Now, if you don’t mind my asking, sir, which particular cottage would that be?”

  “Let’s see now. I’m afraid I don’t know the name of the road, but I could take you to it. Turn left from your own garden gate and walk on out past the Thomson Fountain and it’s a wee cottage in the second line of buildings overlooking the sea front.”

  At once Mrs Graham clapped her hands.

  “I ken exactly where you are, sir. It’s one of the original old fisherman’s cottages. I ken fine the one you mean.”

  “Right then, first thing on Monday morning I’ll be on the doorstep of that factor.”

  “Yes, my wee pets,” Kate said. “It’s all going to be wonderful. We’ll be able to spend whole summers down here, like lots of other families already do, with Dadda coming down on the last boat on Friday nights for the weekend. It’s wonderful. A dream come true. And our life together is all going to be so different.”

  Chapter 26

  Still bouncing about on a wave of euphoria, the family set about making plans for that day. Jenny had already entered her name for a special sandcastle b
uilding competition. As a result of her improved relationship with Pearce, Kate had persuaded him they should both accompany Jenny and give her some moral support on this highly important day in her young life.

  “It would be a real treat for her, Pearce, especially since you went out with Isabella yesterday. Anyway, the other children will be just fine. They can play around on that bit of private beach over the road. Mrs Graham’s very kindly given them her permission. Honestly, she’s so kind, anybody would think that they were her own grandbairns. She’s told them to look on that stretch of beach as their own wee hideaway. Would you believe it, she even promised to give them a wee picnic to take with them. Now isn’t that kind? So, they’ll be fine over there. Within shouting distance of the house, I can’t see that any harm can come to them.”

  Pearce, having heard his wife out in silence, was still undecided and chewed at his lower lip in hesitation and perplexity.

  “Mmm. Can’t say I’m overjoyed at the prospect. Still, let’s see.”

  He turned to Daniel.

  “Here’s what we’ll do, Daniel. I’ll place you in charge of the other two children, right? Hannah will be perfectly safe sitting in her go-chair at the sea shore, tossing stones into the water. She’d like that. Isabella can amuse herself and play with Hannah. You can use the time to improve your mind a bit – perhaps make a study of the tiny creatures in all those fascinating rock pools.”

  Daniel looked somewhat nonplussed at this, but nevertheless nodded his head in ready agreement as his father went on: “Anyway, we should be back around noon. So surely no harm should come to any of you in that short time.”

  Pearce then turned to his wife with a worried frown on his face.

  “You know, Kate, I’m still not too happy about this. Look, tell you what. You take Jenny to the competition and I’ll stay here with Isabella and the others. Yes, more I think about it I’m sure that would be the best plan.”