Callum entered the wide south doors of the barn with a smile on his face. The liveliness and excitement in the air and the community spirit reminded him of home. Children ran around the outskirts of the barn, as their parents and other adults swung each other around in the middle of the floor. The smell of fresh-cut pine filled the air, and sawdust could be seen drifting through the light. The dirt floor had been packed down to a hard surface, and wood was stacked in one corner, in preparation to build bays on the floor for threshing. The barn was banked, with access in one corner to the upper floor, which would be used for storing and processing. Aside from people, the barn was mainly empty, as the celebration was taking place just days after the building had been completed and yet before the farmer moved in his animals and supplies — perfect for an occasion like this.
He saw many gazes were turned toward the middle of the dance floor, and he craned his neck to see what they were staring at.
Of course it was her. A vision in purple, her hair had, of course, started falling out in curly tendrils around her face. Her laughter was infectious, and she had caught the attention of many people in the room, in particular the man she danced with. He looked infatuated with her, his gaze never leaving her face.
“She is something, is she not?” Callum turned to see Mrs. Johnson, who had seen him entering the barn. “She’s the girl — Sarah’s niece.”
“Aye, we’ve met,” said Callum. “Who is that with her?”
“Oh, that’s the doctor,” said Mrs. Johnson. “Sarah says he’s wonderful. She’s encouraging Victoria to allow him to court her. She feels the two of them would be just the perfect match. It would take away some of Sarah’s responsibilities if the doctor had more help, and Sarah would like someone to look after the girl, should anything happen to her. They do look well suited, do they not?”
“Aye,” Callum said, his good mood evaporating. “Perfect.”
He couldn’t help himself as he abruptly left Mrs. Johnson and his feet took him onto the dance floor towards the couple. He caught himself before coming off too aggressively, and politely tapped the doctor on the shoulder.
“May I cut in?”
When Dr. Hampton stopped moving, Victoria turned to him to see what the matter was. It was Callum. He stood behind the doctor, and Victoria had never seen such a look on his face. His eyebrows were drawn low in a vee, and his eyes had turned an even darker blue than usual. His smile was all brittle politeness as he respectfully requested the dance. She felt her heart thump hard in her chest as she stared at him while he kept his gaze on Dr. Hampton.
The doctor looked disappointed, but let go of Victoria and answered, “Of course. I have monopolized her for far too long.”
Callum took his place, settling a hand on Victoria’s waist as she stood looking warily up at him.
“Evenin’ lass,” he said, his gaze unreadable.
“Good evening,” she responded, her eyes at his chest as they started to move to the ballad that had just begun, played by a rag-tag group of musicians in the corner. “I’m conveniently available to you again?”
“Excuse me?”
“You haven’t spoken to me for a week following our… encounter in the woods.”
“Aye,” he answered tersely. “And for that I apologized. I told you that shouldn’t have happened. And I accept your apology for chasing me through the woods.”
“I never chased… Never mind that,” she said, tilting her head back to look him in the eye. “There’s nothing wrong with what happened between us. Why should it not have happened?”
“‘Tis complicated. It would not work between us,” he said, his eyes not meeting hers but wandering around the barn.
“Are you married? Is there someone else?”
“No of course not,” he replied, his gaze whipping around to her intently. “I would never…” he sighed. “I’m not here to stay, Victoria. I’ll be returning to Scotland. I’ll not take back an Englishwoman as a wife, and you’re too much a lady for anything else to occur between us.”
Victoria felt like she was on the ship again, rocking back and forth between emotions. No wife, no other woman, but he was leaving, and still holding the fact she was English against her.
“You came all the way here to leave? Why?”
“As I said, it’s complicated.”
“Well this is ridiculous,” she said, her voice becoming heated. “It’s one thing to joke about secrets, but this…”
“And why are you here Victoria? Would you care to share?”
“No thank you.”
“My point exactly.”
They finished the dance in silence, holding each other tensely.
“I thank ye for the dance,” he said at the end, releasing her hand.
“And to you.”
They danced the rest of the night, although not with each other and not with much enthusiasm. Victoria spent time with the doctor, and while he was kind and polite and a lovely man, all she could say was that he was an amiable acquaintance. She had left England to choose her own destiny and, should she ever decide to marry, her own husband. Sarah had her best interests at heart but Victoria wasn’t about to go against her own vow.
The dance was a wonderful way to meet more of the community. Nearly everyone who lived in and around the town was there, as were men Victoria recognized from the boardinghouse and the train. She saw the tall thin man Callum had been meeting with the other day, and many patients from the clinic approached her to say hello.
After one lively spin with Maisie and some of the other women, Victoria stepped outside the barn for fresh air. She moved away from the revellers around the corner for a moment alone, gazing out on the expanse of field and prairie in front of her. She leaned back against the wall, smelling the pine of the barn and the whiff of vegetation springing through the ground. She tilted her head back, gazing up at the stars. How interesting that they barely changed halfway around the world. They were situated a little differently, but still the same stars as back in England.
“We’re continuing to investigate.”
She jerked aware as she heard voices coming from her left. She sunk back deeper in the shadows, not wanting to be caught alone outside.
“Yet nothing,” came the reply in a familiar voice. Callum.
“Nothing to speak of.” Victoria peeked out to see a tall, rather stately looking man talking to Callum.
“I do not understand how a man suddenly disappears. One day he’s here, one day he’s not? ‘Tis not rational. Could it have been the Cree or the Saulteaux?”
“No, that would not be reasonable. They would not take him without a trace. ‘Tis not likely though - we’re friendly with the them. In fact, close to peace with them. They’d have no reason to take your cousin.”
As they walked off, Victoria could hear less and less of their conversation. It had re-sparked her interest, though. She had become distracted from investigating Callum after their kiss. Between Callum’s comments to her and the conversation she had overheard, she was more curious than ever as to Callum’s motives for traveling to Fort Qu'Appelle. Callum was here for a reason. And she was going to find out what it was.
Victoria slipped back into the barn after Callum did, and watched him as he began making his goodbyes. He circled the room, shaking hands, receiving slaps on the back, and conversing with people who, as far as she knew, had been complete strangers to him up until a couple of weeks ago. He seemed to fit in so easily, and had made so many friends. She had made far fewer. Besides Maisie and Sarah, many of the women in town were fairly cold and distant toward her. Sarah told her it was because she was attracting the attention of most of the young men in town, but Victoria had hardly spoken to many of them.
She looked on as Callum introduced himself to Aunt Sarah, who was sitting beside the dance floor with Mrs. Johnson.
“Mrs. Carter, ‘tis a pleasure to meet you,” he said, taking her hand.
“This is Mr. McDougall,” added Mrs. Johnson. “H
e’s one of our boarders. He’s looking for land in the area.”
“Aye, I’m ensuring this is where I’d like to settle before taking on any land myself,” said Callum.
“He arrived the same day as your Victoria,” said Mrs. Johnson.
“Oh you know Victoria?” asked Sarah.
“Aye, we’ve met,” he replied politely. “She’s a lovely young woman.”
“Well, I’m surprised she hasn’t mentioned you, the tall, good looking young man you are!”
Callum tried not to frown. Hadn’t mentioned him? He thought he was surely worth a mention.
“Well, I won’t keep you,” said Sarah. “I hope to see you again soon.”
Victoria was making her way back to her aunt when she saw Callum walk out the door. She hesitated, then finally made up her mind to go after him when she was delayed by Maisie, who by now had had one too many cups of spiked cider.
“Just one moment, Maisie, I’ll be right back.”
Victoria hurried to the door. Callum was already riding down the road into the distance. She was trying to decide between turning around to go back inside and following him — although to do or say what, Heaven knows — when the whispers of three men caught her ear.
She told herself to go back inside. Gossiping was a sin, and did that not include eavesdropping as well? Her mother had always told her that curiosity would get the best of her one day. She had always tried to ignore Maxine, but maybe, in this instance, she was right. Really though, she consoled herself, she was just learning more about this town she was making a home in. What was the harm in listening to some innocent chit chat?
She hugged the wall, and peeked out through the shadows.
“He knows nothing,” one of the men gruffly whispered. “All he knows is his cousin is gone. He thinks it was the Cree.”
“We should have just left him,” answered another. “This is all too much.”
“‘Tis what it is now,” said the third. “Keep him close. Away we go.”
They headed out, following Callum, and Victoria’s mind was racing. There was a connection. Had to be. They talked about a cousin, as Callum did with the tall policeman. Should she talk to Callum, and let him know what she had overheard? She’d have to admit she had eavesdropped on him earlier. Would he forgive her once he realized she was trying to help?
No longer in the dancing mood, Victoria went back into the barn. She saw Sarah and Charlie leaving, so she said goodbye to Maisie and Gilbert, and asked Dr. Hampton to take her home. He looked disappointed, and Victoria decided they needed to have a frank conversation. He helped her into the carriage, then turned it towards Sarah’s home. Victoria allowed the small talk to continue until they were close to town.
“Victoria, I’ve had such a lovely time,” said Dr. Hampton. “Would you mind if I—”
“Dr. Hampton,” she interrupted, placing a hand on his arm. “I had fun as well. But I do have to tell you something.”
“Yes?”
“You’re a wonderful man, and I really did enjoy my time tonight. I also very much like working with you in your clinic. However while I hopefully look forward to your continued friendship, this will be our last… umm… potential romantic time together.”
“Romantic?”
“Well, you know… a time when we… or, that is, maybe one of us, thinks that, perhaps, this could lead somewhere. I just mean that…”
“Victoria,” he said softly, stopping her. “I understand. You do not want to pursue anything with me.”
“Precisely!” she exclaimed, then tempered herself, seeing the glum look on his face. “It’s only, you are such a wonderful man and I did enjoy our time tonight, but I’m not interested in a suitor or marriage, or anything of that sort.”
“Not interested? In me you mean, or with anyone?”
“Well, with anyone for now, in the foreseeable future. However, I believe that you and I would be better off as great friends, if you will have that. And if you’ll have me, I would be happy to continue to help in the clinic. I do enjoy it and perhaps Sarah could then have more free time. ”
“Sure Victoria,” he said with a gentle smile, breaking her heart. “Friends are fine. As is the work. We can discuss it further tomorrow.”
They continued the last couple of minutes in silence. He helped her down from the wagon with a rueful smile.
“Goodnight Victoria,” he said. “Thank you for agreeing to tonight.”
She felt mixed emotions as she let herself in. Dr. Hampton really was a wonderful man, and he would make a good husband, but for someone else. She had done the right thing.
“Victoria!” Sarah was there to greet her as Victoria inwardly groaned.
“How was your night? Did you and Dr. Hampton get along? Isn’t he wonderful?”
“Yes, Aunt Sarah. He’s wonderful. However he’s not for me.”
Victoria walked passed her aunt’s disappointed face and began preparing for bed, emotions swirling through her mind. She felt guilt for the situation with Dr. Hampton, and for not being more trusting of Callum. Then there was her confusion of all she had heard tonight. What should she tell him?
12
Callum went back to the boardinghouse but couldn’t sit still. He paced. He should be doing something. Gregor was gone, missing, and there had been no trace of him. He trusted Angus, but should he or any of his men not have found something by now? People remembered Gregor, sure, but they all thought he had moved on, continued elsewhere with Hudson’s Bay. Angus had been the only one to take an interest and follow up on the case.
And while he should be completely focused on Gregor, he couldn’t get Victoria out of his mind. He had been rude to her, and he was never rude. But she woke something up in him that he couldn’t shake, and the closer he got to her, the harder it was going to be to leave. No matter his feelings for her, as much as he wanted her, he also had to admit she was the one true friend he had here. Angus was nice enough, but somewhat standoffish. The men here, the other boarders, they were friendly, but he couldn’t trust them.
When he had left the dance, she was still there with the doctor. That caused his stomach to twist — her with another man. Isn’t that how it should be though? He sighed, and sat down at the end of the bed, rubbing his eyes. As much as he would enjoy having her here in his bed, she wasn’t the type of women for which that would be enough. He had made it clear to her that there was no future to be had between them. Now he just had to convince himself. Where was he to go from here?
Victoria closed her bedroom door but had not yet undressed when she heard a knock from downstairs.
She heard Sarah open the door, and then call to her up the stairs.
Victoria descended, full of curiosity. Who would be calling at this time?
“A young man to see you, Victoria,” said Sarah, who bent to whisper to her when Victoria reached the bottom of the stairs. “I believe I now know why you turned down Dr. Hampton. I’ll give you time alone, but be sure to stay in sight. We don’t want to be improper, now do we?”
“I’ll make sure, Aunt Sarah,” she replied with a slight smile on her lips, as Sarah moved to the next room.
And there he was, filling the door frame. His dark locks of hair were tousled around his face, and half the buttons of his vest were undone.
“Victoria,” he said, inclining his head toward her.
“Callum,” she replied steadily, her eyes gazing intently on his face as she yearned to go to him but held herself back. “It’s such a beautiful evening, let’s sit outside.”
Then there would also be a door between them and curious Aunt Sarah.
“Once again, I feel the need to apologize,” said Callum, not moving outside but neither moving towards her. “You’re not ready to trust me. I understand. We all have our secrets.”
“I know, we both do. However I believe it’s past time we trust each other.”
They paused, staring at each other in unspoken agreement that a barrier was coming dow
n.
She moved past him, leading him around the corner to the wooden side steps, where they sat, side by side but not touching. Beside them Aunt Sarah’s perennials were just beginning to bloom and brought cheer to the somewhat dreary view.
Callum wanted badly to reach out and take her hand. He hadn’t been able to keep himself from her this night. There was so much unsettled, unresolved. He’d sat there, alone in his room, and all he could think about was the way her curves felt under his hands as they danced, the humor in her smile, and the quick wit that came out of her mind and through her soft lips. Then he recalled the way that smile had lapsed as they danced, how she had gone stiff in his arms as tension of different sorts built between them. There was the coldness of their unwillingness to trust one another battling with the current that sparked between them. He wanted her, and while she couldn’t be his, he was drawn to her in a way he couldn’t resist.
She seemed ready and willing to give him something now. It wasn’t her body, but her trust. And tonight it would be enough.
“I’ll tell you my story,” she said. “It’s nothing tragic or clandestine, but I have my reasons for keeping it to myself. If word got out I was here, there could be… consequences.”
She proceeded to tell him of her happy childhood with her father, John Brighton, her mother’s beauty yet her frightful coldness, her father’s passing, and her mother’s remarrying of Edward Travers III. She told him about Michael, about her disappointment in Michael’s rejection of her, and about his death.
“So I’m all Edward has left, not that he cares much for me,” she said. “It’s my inheritance that matters to him. You see, my father was the second son of an earl. It’s partly why my mother married him — she thought at the time he would become the earl, as his elder brother was sickly. However, his brother recovered, married, and had seven children. And so my mother’s dreams of a title disappeared. My father did, however, receive a large sum of money from his family. He saved most of it, and instead of leaving it to my mother, he left it as my inheritance. Edward can’t touch it. Only I can, or my husband, and only after I turn 21 in September.
Quest of Honor Page 23
