Highland Jewel

by Markland, Anna

“Did ye bring my emerald?”

  The Beadle thumped the staff on the planked floor. “Ye see. She’s an incorrigible liar who keeps insisting she has an emerald.”

  The orphans drew closer together, like the doomed crew whose ship is about to crash upon the rocks.

  Maggie lifted her head and glared at him. “Ye dinna believe me, but I do.”

  Garnet smiled at the bairn’s spunk, but then he looked at her. The livid welt across her face stoked the fires of anger. He passed her over to Quinn, and went to stand nose to nose with the Beadle. “What kind of man are ye, to strike a wee lassie?”

  Bryer backed away, dropping the staff in his haste to avoid Garnet’s fists. “Nay, nay, ’twas her lunatic mother did that.”

  Garnet glared at the matron. “Why would Mrs. Cameron do such a thing?”

  “’Cos I’m a changeling,” Maggie said with a sigh.

  Silly Goose

  Blinking away tears, Jewel touched her palm to Maggie’s bruised face. “Mrs. Guthrie will have a salve for that.”

  “Nay,” Mrs. Bryer protested. “Ye canna take the lass.”

  “Dinna fash,” Quinn declared, handing Maggie back to Garnet. “We’ll make a donation…”

  The matronly frown softened. “Weel…”

  “…When ye tell us the whereabouts of this wee one’s sisters,” Garnet added.

  “But that might take weeks,” the woman whined. “There are too many bairns and we dinna write everything down, ye ken.”

  “Maybe ’tis time ye did,” Quinn retorted as he ushered everyone to the door, leaving Mr. and Mrs. Bryer with mouths agape.

  Jewel gulped fresh air when they regained the outdoors. “All those orphans,” she lamented, “in that awful place with those awful people. They probably canna read or write, so how can they keep records?”

  “Aye,” Garnet agreed. “Yer brother’s correct that something needs to be done for such bairns. Let’s hope the Bryers dinna take out their indignation on their charges.”

  “He doesna beat them,” Maggie insisted as they neared the Physic Garden. “Just bullies.”

  “And locks ye in cupboards,” Beatris muttered.

  Jewel espied a long bench in the corner of the garden. “Let’s sit for a while. The fragrances might calm our agitation.”

  Garnet sat Maggie on his knee. “What’s this nonsense about being a changeling?”

  Beatris perched on her husband’s lap and Jewel squeezed in between the two men.

  “Mam’s always blamed me for everything that’s gone wrong in our family.”

  Jewel thought of her own childhood and the love Morgan and Hannah Pendray had lavished on their children. “’Tis ridiculous,” she replied. “How can the misfortunes be yer fault?”

  “’Cos I’m the only one with red hair.”

  Jewel and Garnet exchanged a wary glance. “I dinna understand. I have red hair and I’m nay a jinx.”

  “Mam says ’tis because I’m daddy’s bastard. Can I see my emerald now?”

  The color drained from Garnet’s face, but he retrieved the pouch and coaxed the emerald into his palm.

  Maggie sighed as she stared at the stone. “I kent ye’d keep yer promise.”

  Garnet nestled his chin in the red curls and stared at Jewel.

  She nodded her agreement to the unspoken plea in his eyes.

  * * *

  A myriad of emotions swirled in Garnet’s heart. Anger at the fanatical Michael Cameron’s hypocrisy threatened to consume him, but at least the man had provided a home for his natural born daughter. Outrage ebbed in the wake of overwhelming gratitude for a wife who would willingly take in an abandoned child. “Munro isna the only person in yer family who cares about the plight of these bairns,” he said softly as Maggie poked at the stone in his palm.

  “Ye have much in common with Munro, too,” Jewel replied.

  The twinkle in her eye was puzzling but, knowing his wife, she’d eventually tell him what was in her mind. “I’d be interested in learning more about yer brother’s plans for helping orphans. Herriot’s Hospital is just one institution here. There’s clearly a need for more.”

  “There are more,” Quinn interjected. “Trouble is they attract people like Mr. and Mrs. Bryer who dinna have the best interests of the bairns at heart.”

  “Aye,” Garnet replied. “The problem seems gigantic. Where to begin?”

  “Weel,” Jewel began, taking a deep breath.

  “Weel?” he asked.

  “Ye could begin in Ayrshire. Help Munro with his efforts, then return to Edinburgh with what ye’ve learned.”

  It was a notion he’d played with in the back of his mind, though returning to Edinburgh had never factored in his thoughts. Did she sense that, or was it simply that she wanted to return home? “Munro might not want my help.”

  She put her hand on his knee. “Trust me. He will. Ye’ve a practical side Munro lacks.”

  Beatris pouted. “But we talked about a ceremony in the High Kirk. If ye go back to Kilmer…”

  * * *

  Jewel took her cousin’s hand. “’Tis true I’ve long harbored the fanciful idea of being married in St. Giles’. However, to be honest, if we must have another ceremony, I’d prefer it take place in our family chapel in Kilmer. Then my parents and brothers would be there. I love ye like the sister I never had, but…” She turned back to Garnet. “…I have to admit I dinna want to stay in Edinburgh, and neither do ye.”

  He smiled. “True. Ayrshire sounds more appealing. I want ye to be happy.”

  Maggie suddenly snatched the emerald and held it tight in her fist. “Ye canna take my magic stone with ye.”

  Garnet laughed and hugged the bairn. “Silly goose,” he chided. “Ye’re coming with us.”

  “But ye said ye’re getting wed.”

  “Mr. Barclay and I are already married,” Jewel explained, “and we want ye as part of our family.”

  “But I canna go without my sisters.”

  “We’ll do our best to find them,” Quinn promised.

  Maggie’s eyes darted from one person to the next. “Will Stotle come too?”

  Garnet chuckled. “Nay, he belongs to Katie and Meaghan and Jane. But we’ll get ye a puppy of yer own.”

  “’Tis settled then,” the lass agreed, opening her fist. “Can ye keep care of this for me on the journey?”

  Jewel and Garnet exchanged a smile. A dog seemed to carry more weight in the bairn’s decision than her siblings.

  * * *

  Within a week, Garnet and Gray had tracked down Esther and Rachel Cameron. Some saber-rattling on Quinn’s part eventually loosened Mrs. Bryer’s tongue as to their whereabouts. She suddenly remembered the location of the households where she’d sent them as scullery maids.

  However, it seemed no amount of persuasion, monetary or otherwise, would jog her memory about Faith.

  As they left the almshouse for what would likely be the last time, Gray said, “I get the feeling the Bryers are afraid of revealing the name of Faith’s employer.”

  Garnet nodded. “Which means he’s powerful.”

  “And rich. Quinn might have a suggestion or two, at least about the streets where we could search.”

  They walked to Quinn’s office in the castle and put the question to him.

  “There’s many a wealthy family in this town, but only one or two who wield their wealth with an iron fist.” He provided the names and addresses but warned them not to expect a warm reception.

  Garnet called a halt as they approached the street where both residences were located. “We have no choice but to leave on the morrow if we want the military escort. Faith isna really yer concern, but time’s running out. Ye take one house, I’ll take the other.”

  “That’s where ye’re wrong,” Gray replied. “Young lasses canna simply be sold off to people who dinna care about them and who’ll likely work them to death. Munro’s right that things have to change.”

  Garnet clapped a hand on his shou
lder. “Aye. You take the house on the left, I’ll take the other.”

  As he approached the opulent mansion allotted to him, Gray decided he’d have better luck if he tried the servants’ entrance first.

  A portly, grey-haired woman accosted him as he stepped inside the rear door which had been left open. “No trespassing,” she growled.

  Gray executed a courtly bow. “A thousand pardons,” he drawled. “Permit me to introduce myself. I’m Grainger Pendray, son of the Earl of Glenheath. And ye are?”

  As he expected, his unusual first name and mention of his father’s title took some of the starch out of the woman’s posture. “Mrs. McBride,” she replied, attempting what might pass for a half-curtsey before clearly deciding to reestablish her authority. “I’m the housekeeper. What does yer lordship want?”

  “I’m given to understand ye recently took on a young lass from the orphanage.”

  Mrs. McBride’s hooded eyes darted here and there as if seeking a means of escape. “Who told ye that?”

  Her behavior convinced Gray he’d come to the right house.

  “Mrs. Bryer,” he replied, edging further inside. “However, there has been a grave error. The lass is under my father’s protection. She canna stay here.”

  Panic settled in Mrs. McBride’s eyes as she took a step backwards. “But the master…he’ll nay allow ye to take her away.”

  “Why not? He’ll be compensated.”

  She made a deprecating sound. “Sir David doesna care about coin.”

  “So, he’ll have nay objection if I take her. She doesna belong in a kitchen.”

  The woman blushed so fiercely, Garnet was afraid she might have an apoplectic fit. “Oh, he doesna want her for kitchen duties…” The blush deepened as she struggled for the words she sought.

  A knot tightened in Gray’s gut. Something strange was going on. “What are her duties?”

  “Sir David has appointed her as governess to his daughters.”

  “So, she is here?” Gray asked.

  Mrs. McBride came close to snarling at the realization she’d confirmed Faith’s presence. “Ye’ll have to speak to the master. Come with me.”

  He followed her through the servants’ quarters, up a dingy staircase and through a door which opened onto a large, well-stocked library. It wasn’t as grand as his father’s library at Kilmer, but shelves filled with leather-bound books lined all four walls. He wondered for a moment if perhaps this was a good place for Faith to be employed, but then he thought of Maggie’s grief if her older sister remained behind in Edinburgh.

  He also couldn’t rid himself of the nagging feeling that something wasn’t quite right.

  He took an instant dislike to Sir David as soon as the fellow strutted into the library. He’d been introduced to men of his ilk at some of the receptions his parents gave. They nigh on reeked of power and privilege. His father referred to them as parasites. Sir David’s overgrown mutton-chop whiskers, rheumy eyes and swollen belly put Gray in mind of the sea-lions he’d seen on Ayrshire beaches. He was too old to have daughters who needed a governess.

  Another man followed him into the library. He wore the formal livery of a butler but looked more like a stone-faced dockyard thug.

  “What’s this nonsense about taking away the gal?” Sir David asked gruffly.

  Gray ticked off another reason for disliking the magnate—a Scot trying to imitate an English accent—but he extended his hand. “Grainger Pendray, sir, son of…”

  His host waved him away like a pesky gnat. “Yes, yes, so I understand. Faith is part of our household now. You can be on your way.”

  Gray clenched his jaw. “I canna leave without Faith Cameron,” he insisted, trying to keep the emotion out of his voice.

  “Patton, fetch the wench,” Sir David commanded without turning to look at his henchman. “You’ll see she’s perfectly happy here.”

  Patton left without so much as a nod.

  They awaited Faith’s arrival in silence, until Sir David mumbled, “Why would an earl be interested in the daughter of an outlaw and a madwoman?”

  Gray wondered how far away Garnet was. It was becoming crystal clear Faith would be treated like a chattel in this household. If he had to remove her forcibly, he could use Garnet’s help. Sir David wouldn’t engage in fisticuffs, hence the reason for Patton’s presence.

  When the butler escorted Faith into the library, Gray’s hackles rose. The fourteen year old was dressed like a middle-aged tart—rouged cheeks, lipstick red lips, and a gaudy gown with a neckline more suited to a woman with an ample cleavage to show off.

  Gray smiled when she recognized him. “Hello Faith.”

  Eyes filled with fear, she looked up at Sir David who nodded. “Hello, Mr. Pendray,” she whispered, averting her gaze to study the elaborately tiled floor.

  Gray clenched his fists, bile rising in his throat. Sir David was practically salivating, his eyes fixed on Faith’s budding breasts.

  Before Patton had time to react, Gray grasped Faith’s arm and led her to the door. To his relief, she seemed to sense the urgency of complying with his haste to leave. They practically ran to the foyer, Patton on their heels. Gray elbowed an elderly manservant out of the way and yanked open the door, relieved beyond measure to see Garnet on the doorstep poised to knock.

  He thrust Faith into the arms of his scowling brother-by-marriage and turned to face Patton, who’d come to an abrupt halt upon seeing Garnet. “If ye stand in our way, I guarantee to have a squad of dragoons here within the hour.”

  The bully hesitated before slamming the door.

  Faith sobbed as Garnet wiped off the lipstick and rouge, then launched herself at Gray, clinging like a limpet. He stroked her hair, not knowing quite what to say to console her.

  “Well done, laddie,” Garnet exclaimed, wrapping his plaid around Faith. “That took courage. Now, let’s away before yon thug brings reinforcements.”

  Faith turned wide tear-filled eyes to him as Garnet lifted her from his embrace. “Thank ye,” she murmured.

  The Right Decision

  Ayrshire, Two weeks Later

  Garnet called a halt to the cavalcade when the Kilmer estate came into view at last. Maggie and her sisters climbed down from their wagon and gaped at the grand edifice in the distance. It was the first time they’d stopped talking during daylight hours since the departure from Edinburgh. He couldn’t blame them. Conversation had been frowned upon in the Cameron household.

  They hadn’t pried into what Faith had endured in Sir David’s employ, but Jewel was of the opinion the lass seemed too happy to have been violated. It seemed Gray had rescued her before disaster struck.

  “Off ye go,” Garnet said to his wife. “We’ll be safe here with the dragoons.”

  He’d appreciated Quinn’s offer of a company of soldiers, given they were carrying the coin for the emeralds Herriot had handed over, and another precious object only he knew about. Andrews had readily agreed, given the role they’d played in tracking down Axton and Balford.

  Eyes bright with unconcealed excitement, Jewel shook her head. “I still think…”

  “Nay,” he insisted, surer than ever leaving Edinburgh had been the right decision.

  “But my parents’ letter of reply to my missive expressed their genuine delight I was bringing home a husband. They even mentioned Munro’s impatience to meet ye.”

  “I’m nay hanging back because I’m nervous,” he lied. “I simply think ye and Gray and yer Highlanders should go first. ’Tis yer homecoming.”

  “Is it because we’re bringing four lasses and nay one as I said in my letter?”

  “Weel, ’twill be a surprise for yer mam and dad, nay doot,” he said with a smile, “but judging by the size of Kilmer…ye didna tell me ’tis a palace.”

  Murtagh rode up alongside. “Shall we stand here gabbing all day?” he asked gruffly.

  “Aye,” Gray agreed, “I’m for home,” he yelled, urging Crown to a gallop with a whoop.
<
br />   Led by the blacksmith, five of the Highlanders who’d decided to return to Kilmer followed him and their exuberant shouts of joy echoed off the surrounding moors.

  Jewel winked. “Stubborn mon,” she teased. “I’ll be back.”

  “I’m counting on it,” he shouted as she too galloped away on Scepter. The wind caught the apprentice’s cap and her hair fell loose like a blazing banner. “Crivens, I love that woman,” he declared.

  “Plato,” Maggie shrieked as her puppy ran to retrieve the cap, then took off in pursuit of its owner. “Naughty dog.”

  Faith shaded her eyes. “Will we be welcome?” she asked.

  “Of course,” he replied, hoping Jewel’s assurances of her family’s philanthropic nature were true. He doubted the Earl and Countess of Glenheath had ever dreamt their daughter would come home from the Highlands with four foster daughters—and a husband.

  * * *

  Jewel slowed Scepter as she neared the home where she’d been born. Her parents, Munro, Gray, Murtagh and his Highland comrades, Giles and Luke—all were embracing each other, exchanging words of greeting, laughing with relief and happiness the travelers had come home.

  She inhaled deeply. Unlike the other members of her family, she’d brought baggage. No one had expected her to return with a husband—and four bairns.

  She’d reassured Garnet a thousand times that her family would understand and be welcoming. Now the meeting was at hand, doubt crept into her mind.

  She recognized the moment Munro saw her. He waved both hands over his head and started running. “Jewel,” he exclaimed, arms wide when she reined to a halt.

  It seemed natural to spring from the horse into his embrace. “Munro! I’ve missed ye.”

  “A likely story,” he quipped, squeezing her tightly. “Ye’ve been too busy with yer new husband. I canna wait to meet him.”

  She blinked away tears. “Ye’ll like him, I promise.”