“I’ve been proposed to multiple times, with many more suitors. Each time it wasn’t meant to be. Some were cold, some were mean, most were fortune hunting, and many were simply boring. Unless I felt that they actually had true intentions towards me, I managed to offend most of them enough that they just went away and I never had to say no.”
She stopped, seeing Callum’s laughter.
“Why are you laughing?”
“You offended them?”
“Yes, I’d just act improperly enough that they realized we wouldn’t suit and they left me alone.”
“I see.”
“So as I was saying, they all went away until the Duke of Lansingberg. There wasn’t anything that I could do to make him reject me. The fortune held enough importance for him. He and my stepfather had some kind of deal that they would split my inheritance. The Duke is desperate. He’s a gambler, a losing one at that, and his estate is in ruin. He will have to be rid of it soon if he cannot find a way to pay his debts. He’s worse than all the rest though. It was never proven, but widely believed that he killed his first wife. And you should see his estate. It’s eerie, Callum, it gave me the shivers. Aunt Sarah, my father’s sister, who you met tonight, we have been in correspondence for years and she finally insisted that I come here. So I escaped. I left the night before the wedding, traveled to Liverpool, boarded the ship and you know the story from there. The Gambles are my Aunt Sarah’s friends. Now, here I am, in Fort Qu'Appelle.”
“That’s quite the story, lass.”
She recoiled. “You don’t believe me?”
“Oh, I believe you. I don’t think you’re very capable of telling a lie.”
She relaxed slightly. “I’m unsure how to take that, but thank you, I think.”
“You are welcome,” he replied. “What of your uncle, the earl?”
“He was angry of the fortune my grandfather left my father and would have no interest in welcoming me into his home. Sarah, their sister, was truly close with my father, and welcomed me.”
“And now?”
“Now what?”
“What are you going to do here? Find a man to marry?”
“I have not quite found my place. I’ve never quite had the desire to marry. Perhaps if I were to ever fall desperately in love I would, but otherwise… it seems much work and compromise for what — companionship? I do not need someone to take care of me. My immediate plans are to work with Aunt Sarah and Dr. Hampton, and to determine my future as it comes.”
“You’ve not seen many a happy marriage, have ye? And uh,” Callum cleared his throat, “You're not ‘desperately in love’ with the doctor?”
“No, not Dr. Hampton,” Victoria replied, smiling as she realized how hard it was for Callum to ask that question, warming to the fact that he cared enough to find out. “He’s a lovely man, and a marriage between us would make sense, but there just isn’t that spark, you know?”
That he knew.
“Victoria!” Aunt Sarah called from inside. “I think you’d best come in before we become tomorrow’s gossip.”
“Well I’d better go,” Victoria said, rising from the steps. “Good night Callum. Thank you for listening.”
“Good night, Victoria.”
The next day, Victoria walked briskly down the dusty street, trying to keep her skirt from dragging through the dry and caked mud. She had to tell Callum all she had heard outside of the barn. She should have told him last night. But as always, she got carried away with her own drama and completely forgot about his. They were having such a nice moment. He seemed to truly care. But she should have remembered — this was so much more important. She strode up to the boardinghouse, and knocked on the door.
The morning was warm and Victoria had enjoyed rising early and walking down by the lake. It was so pretty that she had taken her shoes off and waded in. The water had warmed significantly in a few short weeks, and she would be on the search for a secluded spot where she could swim. She would have to ask the seamstress in town to create a bathing costume for her, but until then she figured she could swim in her undergarments, alone of course.
As she stood on the step waiting for the door to open, she felt oddly exposed. More so here, clothed, than in the middle of the stream. Here in the middle of Main Street — bustling by western small town standards — it seemed she was capturing quite a bit of attention as passersby stared, wondering what she was doing on the steps of the boardinghouse.
The door swung open to reveal Mrs. Johnson. She had a dish towel slung over her shoulder, and Victoria could smell breakfast from within.
“Good morning Mrs. Johnson. Is Callum… that is, Mr. McDougall, is he in?”
“Callum, lass? He just left.”
“Oh,” said Victoria, “do you know where he’s gone?”
“I’m only his innkeeper. I don’t keep his schedule,” she said, but with a gentle smile.
“Perhaps I can be of some use.” The voice came from behind the door. Mrs. Johnson opened the door wider to reveal a grubby looking man. His clothing was loose and didn’t fit quite right, while his scruffy beard outlined a mouth full of chipped and broken teeth. Victoria gave a start, as she recognized the voice and realized he was one of the men she had seen outside of the barn last night.
“Looking for the newly arrived Scot, are you?”
“Yes.”
“Well what do you need? I’m Brandon. I’m sure I can help?”
“I really need to talk to Callum, but thank you sir.”
“Fancy the man?”
“No. Thank you, good day.”
Victoria tried to turn down the steps while Brandon continued.
“He went north up the road, if that helps ya. But if you're looking for a good time, we could have much more fun without him!”
Victoria sailed down the final two steps, her cheeks flaming. Of all the nerve. She tried not to let it bother her as she squared her shoulders and began striding down the street after Callum.
She once again borrowed Star from Charlie and spied Callum on the road a half-mile outside of town. He must be headed out toward the police post again. Was he working with the Mounties? Did they work with civilians? She really wasn’t sure how the North-West Mounted Police worked, but they were clearly looking into something to do with Callum’s cousin.
He was standing by the edge of the lake, looking out over the water. He turned when he heard the horse trotting down the road. Not surprised to see Victoria, his lips curled into a grin.
“Are ye following me lass? Our meetings seem to be a common occurrence.”
“No,” she said, sending him what she hoped was a scathing glare. “It’s a small town. I’m here to help you.”
“To help me? You look like the one who may need a hand.”
Victoria was warm from the sun and her brisk walk. Her hair was sticking to the back of her neck and her dress was uncomfortable. She was sure her face was bright red. But she didn’t care.
“How do you expect me to look? You do know that women aren’t naturally put together, but that it takes work? And sometimes that work can be UN-done, by heat and activity and –”
“I understand, Victoria,” Callum said, cutting her off before his mind could wander to what kind of activity would make her come so undone. He may have teased her about her current look, but she looked all too inviting to his mind.
“Regardless,” she said, cutting into his thoughts. “I heard a conversation last night that I thought you would want to know about. I’m sorry, it completely slipped my mind last evening at Sarah’s. We were all caught up in my situation and this was so important yet somehow I just —” she caught his exasperated look. “Right, I’ll move along.”
The man really was not that patient, she thought to herself, then repeated to him the words she had heard outside the barn.
“And,” she finished triumphantly, “at least one of the men lives at your boardinghouse! I saw him this morning when I called on you.”
&
nbsp; “What did the three look like?”
She described them and he recognized them as the old, craggy Alistair, strong and good-looking Chester, and finally the unkempt Brandon she had encountered that morning.
“Interesting,” he said and eyed her suspiciously. “And why, lass, do you assume it is me who these men think ‘knows nothing about his cousin going missing?’”
“Oh!” Victoria flushed a darker red, realizing there was no other avenue for her than to tell the truth. Callum would just have to forgive her. “Well, you see, earlier in the evening at the dance I was outside getting fresh air, and I saw you walking with a man. You were talking about finding out information, and then I heard this conversation, and I thought perhaps the two were connected. That sounds ridiculous now that I listen to myself, I mean, really, what kind of connection could you have to someone who is missing? You’ve only just arrived!”
She took a breath. She was making a fool out of herself, tying everything together for what she realized now was an excuse to stay close to Callum. She was supposed to be distancing herself and here she was following him around town like a schoolgirl. And now her skirts were too hot and sticking to her legs, there was sweat dripping down her forehead, and her feet itched inside her boots. Her mother must be rolling in her grave right now.
He was looking at her with confusion etched on his face
“I- I apologize, Callum. I’ll leave you be, I promise. I’m sorry. Enjoy the lake.”
She took a step back and stumbled over her skirts before catching herself on a tree branch. “Damnit,” she cursed under her breath as she turned to go.
“Victoria,” Callum’s voice stopped her. “You’re not wrong.”
She looked back over her shoulder at him, and with the sun framing her curves and those wide violet eyes piercing into him, the stir he felt for her was becoming more difficult to ignore.
He sighed and continued. “Come sit, lass. I suppose ‘tis my turn to tell you a story.”
He caught her hand and pulled her down next to him on the shore. He looked off into the distance, cleared his throat, and began.
“My family lives in the Highlands of Scotland, which you know already,” he said. “What ye don’t know, is I’m not just a clan member — my father is the chieftain and I shall be the next chief following his death, which we all pray will be a long ways off.”
“But you traveled here in steerage!” she interjected.
“Yes, I did. Being the leader of a clan does not mean vast amounts of wealth, especially not anymore. Our clan, like all others, is struggling. People are hungry. We lost lives in the Jacobite uprisings, and the agricultural revolution continues to threaten our way of life. Have you ever been to Scotland? No? Well, there are fewer and fewer clans, and people are leaving to the cities, or this new world, looking for a better way of life. Have you noticed how many Scots live in Fort Qu'Appelle? The new land is becoming our home. But the Highlands — the Highlands are a different world. They are magic. This place holds some of that, which I would not have thought possible.
“But that’s not the story. I have brothers and a sister, but I also grew up with my cousin, Gregor. He was — is, rather — more than my cousin. He is closer to me than any brother. A year ago, Gregor decided to come to the Americas. He had few prospects for his future in Scotland. He hates the British, and wanted to get away from them. He attended a gathering where recruiters presented about the Territories, and he set his mind on coming here. We tried to convince him to stay, but he was determined. Life wasn’t the same for me at home after he left, but as long as he was happy and making a life for himself here, that’s what mattered. We exchanged letters a few times. He wrote to me of Fort Qu'Appelle. He was involved in the fur trade, with Hudson’s Bay. He loved it. Going into the forests, traveling the countryside, trapping, enjoying all nature had to offer.
“Then one day, the letters stopped. I didn't hear from him anymore. We waited a few months, thinking that perhaps there was a problem with the post. Gregor had been staying at the Johnsons’ boardinghouse as well, and Mrs. Johnson finally responded to one of my letters, saying that Gregor had not returned, she was selling his belongings, and if I would like any of them, could I please send postage and she would send them back to Scotland.
“Which is why I’m here. Trying to find Gregor, or find out what happened to him, if that’s the case. I contacted Angus McLaren of the North-West Mounted Police. He’s a fellow Scot, and he had been looking into Gregor’s disappearance. But there is a small amount of men to look after the needs of a large territory with many people and concerns. So I’m seeing what I can find out myself. Once we find Gregor, I’ll return home to my family and continue to look after my people.
“And there you have it. Now you know.”
He finally turned to look at her.
Victoria was wide-eyed.
“Thank you for telling me,” she said softly. “I’m sorry for what you’ve been through. I’m sure we’ll find your cousin. He cannot have simply disappeared. And we have a clue now. Those men must have something to do with Gregor’s disappearance. We should go tell Sergeant McLaren, and he should bring them in for questioning.”
“Hold now, lassie,” he said. “I’m not sure who you mean by ‘we.’ I appreciate your interest, but I can take it from here. I’m sure you understand the importance of keeping this information to yourself, as I will your story. Now you’re right, I really must be going to talk to Angus.”
“Please, Callum, let me help. I can find out things that you could not. People open up to me, and they would never guess what I’m asking about. I can investigate, I promise. I am a wonderful listener,” she captured his hand between hers, and looked up at him with her most pleading expression. It was usually irresistible, and while she didn’t use it often, she knew it could make a man change his mind.
“‘Tis cute, Victoria,” he said with a smile. “But it’s not going to work. Now let me go.”
He reluctantly removed his hand from hers, couldn’t resist a quick kiss on her lips, stood and walked over to his horse.
“Callum,” she called. “Do you really have to leave?”
Whether she was meaning right this moment, or in the future to Scotland, or maybe both — she wasn’t quite sure, and neither was he —- but the answer was the same.
“I wish I didn't, but yes. I do.”
13
Callum rode on to the Mountie barracks, thinking over what Victoria had told him, her reaction in wanting to help him, and the look on her face when he said he would be leaving once he found Gregor. She wore her heart in her expressions, which was part of the reason he didn’t want her helping him. She’d give herself away and it could be far too dangerous for her. He didn’t want to worry about protecting her as well as finding Gregor. It was all too much. He had one goal at the moment, and he must stay focused.
Angus was not at the barracks when he arrived, with no sign of when he might return. Callum decided to head back to the boardinghouse, and see if he could investigate himself by finding his way into the rooms of his three roommates to see what secrets they held.
Victoria slowly made her way back to town, leading Star as she wandered along the lakeshore, thinking over all that Callum had told her. What a story! And the fact he came all the way here for his cousin. What it must be like to have someone that close, to love you that much. She had loved her father in that way, but she had been so young, it was a different kind of love. She had depended on him — he was her life. And she loved her Aunt Sarah, but often Sarah was more of a protector than a friend. Callum and Gregor had the bond of close siblings that she never had a chance to experience, thanks to her mother and stepfather.
She was so lost in her daydreams, she didn’t hear anything unusual. She stepped onto the bridge to get back to town, thinking over Callum’s statement that he was going home, back to Scotland when this was all over. It explained much of his actions toward her. He didn’t have the inclination
to spend time with a woman. Suppose he had someone waiting at home? Perhaps —
Suddenly she felt a shove on her back. She lost her footing and tripped over the side of the bridge, splashing into the water. She came up for air, sputtering and angry. She looked around for the perpetrator but saw no one. Now that she was in, the water felt nice. Luckily she had been an excellent swimmer since learning as a child. While the stream between the lakes was fairly deep, the current was more that of a meandering brook rather than a fast-flowing river. What she had never done was swim in such heavy skirts. They weighed her down as she swam over to the bank. Had she not been as strong of a swimmer as she was, she would have been in much greater jeopardy. She was just pulling herself out when Callum rounded the corner on his horse.
“Victoria? What happened?” he looked on incredulously, dismounting and rushing over.
“I was pushed into the river,” she said, still in disbelief herself, as she hauled her legs up over the edge.
“Pushed — are you sure?”
“Am I sure? Of course I’m sure. I am not an idiot and while I may be known to occasionally lose my footing, I would not just fall off a bridge,” she said. “Or perhaps I just decided a swim fully dressed sounded like a wonderful idea.”
He laughed and stretched his arm out to help her up. She certainly had backbone.
“Well, come here,” he said, “I’ll ride with you back to town. You’ll be wanting fresh clothes.”
“I’ll dry in a moment,” she said. “It’s warm. Go on ahead, I’ll stay here.”
“Leave you alone after someone pushed you?”
“Oh, so you do believe me?”
Quest of Honor Page 24
