"It's a very complicated predicament, but you see, I am fleeing my husband, an abusive man, whom I will no longer tolerate. I was coming here in hopes that I might find safety away from him and have a place to live with my child."
Taking a deep breath she continued, "But, I don't know what to make of what we find here. The whole place has apparently been deserted for some weeks, perhaps. Where has everyone gone? Where are Grandmother and Aunt Moira? Why is there no one here at all?"
"And does your husband know you have come to your family's home?" Alex asked. He had kept silent as long as he could. The longer he listened to Millie, the more he feared for Caitlin as well as Millie.
"I left in the middle of the night while he was gone to London for a meeting, along with my father. He didn't know I was leaving, but certainly he knows how unhappy I've been. He sees me only as a possession and one who can bring him more lands and an estate in Scotland. Once he returns and finds I'm gone, he'll either send some of his men to look for me, or maybe even come himself, although I'm not sure he would put that much personal effort into the task. But, he thinks that a son will bring him even more riches so he'll be seeking me for that reason if nothing more."
"He would use his child as a pawn?" inquired Jack.
"What kind of man would be so callous as to do such a thing?"
"He'll do anything to increase his wealth, even use his child. But, in that respect he is in for an unwelcome surprise, for he does not have a son; rather, he has a daughter, which to his thinking will mean another useless female to care for. He won't be interested in her whatsoever." She smiled when she delivered this news.
Wabi saw Caitlin sit up straighter, clearly concerned, and with a quizzical look on her face.
"Millie, did you say your husband's name is Warwick? Lord Warwick?"
"Yes, Caitlin, Lord Edward Warwick. Someone I never wish to see again! He's a very despicable person, and I will not live with him any longer."
Wabi had been listening and had already realized who this gentleman was, the same lord that was in league with Thomas back on Skye. The same lord that may well be after Caitlin still.
"Millie, Lord Warwick may also be seeking to find Caitlin, so we must come up with some plan. What if his men or even he comes here? What will he do? Would he harm you or the child?" asked Wabi.
Millie started pacing again. "Why would he seek Caitlin?"
"It's a very long story Millie, but it seems that Lord Warwick made some deals with an innkeeper in Skye and Caitlin overheard their plans regarding capturing Jacobite sympathizers and seizing their properties. So, the innkeeper and the lord have been searching for her. I've taken care of the innkeeper, Thomas, but Lord Warwick seems to still be looking for her. So, you see, even though Commander Campbell is no longer a threat, your husband is."
"No! Oh, I've been such a fool! Coming here would only have put my family in danger. I wasn't thinking clearly, obviously, but I had nowhere else to go. My father was as bad as Edward, so I couldn't go back there. And now, you all have taken care of me and my child and you're in danger too. What have I done?"
CHAPTER 48
Wabi's first inclination was to take them all to the Isle of Skye where he could keep an eye on them. But, again, he must let Caitlin walk her path, wherever it might take her.
The old man walked over to stand next to Jack at a large window that looked out onto the moor. There were a few crofter's huts and a dozen or so sheep ambling about. The snow was deep and the sheep burrowed their black faces into the ground, hoping to find anything that might be edible underneath the frozen snow. Wabi could almost feel Jack's mind working as the man struggled to come to a decision.
"Da, Hector, Uncle Andrew and old Jamie are all keeping the place going while me and Alex are away. And I know they have their hands full. But they wouldn't even think of leaving two women and a child to fend for themselves, and neither will we."
Some of Jack's earliest memories were of Mam and Da, sitting with them outside on the porch and listening to them talk about a neighbor, Mrs. Finlayson, an old woman who lived alone. She was unable to care for herself anymore, and no relations seemed to come to her aid. Mam brought the woman into their home and cared for her until she passed away. It was "what any caring person should do," Mam had said. Then Da had chimed in, "We should treat family like friends, and friends like family."
The two Highlanders knew exactly what they must do. They would never leave two defenseless women to deal with a situation like this. Well, maybe not totally defenseless, Jack thought, remembering Caitlin's wolf and Millie's temper. But, it was time for them to get these women to safety.
Usually Alex made most decisions related to family affairs, but just now, walking around the room, rubbing the baby's back gently, Jack began.
"Well, I don't know if ye want my ideas, but if I may offer one suggestion?
"It seems to me Caitlin has been given a reprieve from the soldier, but both she and Millie are in some danger from Warwick still. I don't want to be presumptuous, but it could be a good move on our part to get ourselves together quickly and head on to MacKinnon land. It's not so far now, only a day or so if we stay with it. Once there, there are plenty of farm hands and family to come to our aide if we need. Plus, it's pretty difficult to find our place, which is an advantage."
Wabi liked Jack's idea very much. This way, Caitlin would be protected as well as Millie. And, according to Owl, this man called Alex was intent on making Caitlin a part of his life. And from Owl's account, he was a most decent man, one that honored family above all else, as did Wabi. What more could he want for Caitlin? More gossip from Owl indicated there was great chemistry between the two. But Wabi knew from personal experience that such chemistry could also make for fireworks in other areas as well. Wabi still stood next to Jack. The scene outside was one of peace and calm, very unlike the one inside.
"Jack, as for me, I think that your idea is a very fine one. If you and Alex are willing to take on two women, or three as it is, then I would be most agreeable and personally thankful. If you need me, then I will gladly accompany you. But if not, then I believe I might be of more assistance if I continue my walkabout and go back to Skye. As it is, you never know who I might meet along the way."
Jack was still unsure what this old man truly was. But, no matter, he took care of his niece and finished off a most despicable soldier, something Jack was glad of. He had not forgotten the sparks flying the air, and the noise, and the sizzle that went through his brain. But, his heart knew the old man was a good soul. So, accepting that some things were beyond his comprehension, he accepted all this and put any more thought of it aside. As for being concerned about the old man going back to Skye alone, Jack pitied anyone who might try to do battle with him!
Millie looked at her new friends.
"Jack, I'm aware that my concern for my baby may be clouding my judgment. But you all owe me nothing. And I'll only bring danger to you and your family. You are too generous for your own good. But, I can only speak for myself, Caitlin may not feel the same way. Surely, I can get away from Warwick some way without involving so many others."
Jack handed the babe back to Millie. He just looked at her, standing there with her small infant, both of them just pawns in some horrid lord's diabolical plan. He would take care of them and would listen to no more protestations from any of them. Taking Millie by the shoulders he began to speak, slowly and calmly.
"Millie, danger is a constant when you live in the Highlands. You learn to accept its challengers, and you become stronger each time you face it. This is something I must do. Please help me with this task."
Alex stood there, having weighed as much information as he could. He coughed, a sure way to get attention.
"Jack, I like yer plan as well. But I'd like to make one small change. It seems that none of us are safe as long as Warwick is out there. Now, there are only three paths that lead from the Culloden area up this way, and the same ones continue up to our p
lace. I'm thinking that if Wabi travels one of those and I go back on the another, one of is may just run across him.
"You could take the ladies north while Wabi and I go back down. Then I'll catch up with ye all at the crofter's hut on the edge of our property. I'll move much faster than ye'll be able to, so I might be there shortly after ye are. Wait overnight, and if I'm not back, then ye go on home. But, I'm tired of running from this idiot. It's time we changed the situation." Everyone nodded their agreement with Alex's addition to the plan.
Wabi spoke with Caitlin, alone, for some time, then gathered his belongings and his crooked staff and started down the path, with Owl following along overhead. The two old friends conversed for a few minutes, then the owl took wing and headed back in the direction of the castle. Wabi was willing to let Caitlin make her own decisions, but he still wanted to be aware of any happenings that might warrant his attention.
CHAPTER 49
The activity at the castle last night and this morning had not gone unnoticed. Old Clint still lived in one of the crofter's huts located on the back side of the moor and, as had always been his habit, he walked to the crest of the moor overlooking the estate and took in the scenery every evening before he retired. He may have never owned any part of this land, but his soul was embedded in it as surely as if he were the owner. And, the old Laird and the Mistress had always treated Clint and all their workers as part of the Cameron family. So, anything that happened here didn't just affect the Camerons, but all those attached to this place. His mind went immediately to the terrible event of late. He supposed his memory of that day would never leave him.
* * *
When the two young parlor maids arrived at the castle that morning, they went up to the bed chambers to awaken the ladies before bringing the early morning tea. They knocked lightly, as always, and entered the bedroom of Mistress Cameron and Mistress Moira, like all other days. Upon discovering the women dead in their respective beds, the two of them dissolved into hysterics. They had run down the stairs and out into the bailey, screaming to the top of their lungs. The two old farm hands came running, and found the girls crying uncontrollably, not making much sense, or so it seemed to them.
Old Clint got there first and took one of them by her shoulders forcing her to be still and look at him. "Hold now, Susie. Gwendolyn! Hold now. Quiet. What's happened?" he asked, being the older of the two farmhands.
"Oh, Mister Clint, they be lying perfectly still! Neither of them is breathin,' I tell ye! And the Mistress Moira! She still has a pillow over her face! Someone has done taken they lives!"
Leaving the girls in the capable hands of Winston, Old Clint slowly walked up the stairs to see for himself. Susie and Gwendolyn had been here for some time now, but they were both very young and tended to have emotional bouts over just about anything. So, he thought to find they had probably exaggerated the entire event.
But, having seen much in his time, Clint could feel the emptiness even before he entered the bedroom where he knew the older Mistress Cameron slept. Somehow, when there is life in a room, one can feel the energy — that is, if one pays attention. And, there was no energy at all in this room. He looked about, saw the Mistress' body on the bed and then retreated, quietly closing her door. Walking to the next door, Mistress Moira's room, he paused before turning the knob.
When he opened the door, just slightly, the same emptiness hit him in the face again. "Oh, dear Lord, why would someone harm these ladies?" he asked himself.
One quick glance told him that the girls had seen the unbelievable calamity as it truly was, a most gruesome scene. He hung his head and sent a prayer to whomever might be listening.
Coming back down the stairs, he looked over to Winston, the other farmhand, with a quick nod of his head.
"Winston, take them to the kitchen and have Ethel make some tea. That'll do more for them than about anything else."
Winston then took the young girls and started to lead them to the kitchen. Tea would soothe them, he thought, when nothing else would. Some traditions serve well when they are needed. The cook took one look at the girls and Winston, then quickly got about the tea.
"Whatever has happened, Winston?" She, a rather hefty woman who kept her kitchen staff on their toes, wiped her hands on her apron and poured the liquid into the cups. She had been cooking for the Cameron family for many years now and was about to get the breakfast ready for the ladies upstairs.
"Oh, Ethel, 'tis a very sad day, I'm a thinkin," he replied.
As he explained what was happening, Ethel sat down at her kitchen chair and covered her face with her hands. She must not let tears start just yet, she knew. Likely, the others would be looking to her to keep her wits about herself and help them all get through this terrible ordeal.
She would save her tears for later, and there would be many of them no doubt. So, with that thought, she straightened her cap and her apron and gathered herself together.
Taking a deep breath and rising from her chair, she spoke to Winston. "Then, there's work for me to do. Vittles will need to be prepared."
There would need to be food for a crowd and she must get busy with her task of having it all ready. She walked over to the larder to gather her ingredients and all but fell over the body of the young girl lying in the floor
"Oh! No! No! Clint! No!" Ethel ran from the larder and ran directly into Winston. "They've done gone and kilt Mariah too! She's in there! In me larder! Oh, what should we do?" Ethel was not one given to dramatic scenes, but even she was shaken by the latest discovery.
Clint came running when he heard Ethel screaming. "What's wrong Ethel?"
"Clint. In the larder. Mariah. They've done kilt her too!"
She was sobbing loudly and finally sat down in her kitchen chair. This morning would forever be remembered by all who were there.
Of course the local law enforcement, which was just the parish constable, made an official inquiry, but was unable to discover any clues that would help him to learn who had committed these atrocities. With nowhere else to turn, they tried to find out if there was more family to be notified of the untimely deaths of the Cameron ladies. They all racked their brains trying to figure out who they should contact. Surely there was family left somewhere.
As it turned out, old Clint remembered a local girl, Dorothea, had gone to England to serve as nursemaids to old Laird Cameron's oldest daughter, Louise, who married Lord Sinclair of England. When Louise had given birth to a daughter, she sent word to the family here in Scotland to please send her someone to help her with the baby. And, so, Dorothea went south and stayed for many years, long after the time a nursemaid would have been needed. Then, just a few years ago, she had returned to the village without much explanation as to why she had come home. Perhaps she could help them locate any remaining family.
The constable was pleased to have found Dorothea and now, after he had brought her up to date with the latest events, he needed her help.
"Dorothea, would you please write once more? I can't tell you how important it is that we find Lady Millie."
"Yessir, I'll write, but don't expect anything in return. I've written many times in the past three years, but never had a response from Lady Millie. That husband of hers most likely destroys all mail addressed to milady. He's a right awful man, ye ken."
CHAPTER 50
Dorothea had written the letter to Lady Millie as she had promised the constable she would. Just thinking about the day Lady Millie was separated from her was still a painful memory for her. She remembered every detail of that day still...
* * *
Dorothea stood watching as the coach carrying Lady Warwick started down the path, the driver lashing out again and again at the team of horses that were given the task of pulling the weight of a large coach and going as fast as they could. The faster they went, hopefully, the less they would feel the sting of the blistering lash the coachman wielded.
She stood there long after the coach was out of sight and her
charge taken away from her. Certainly she knew that Lady Millicent Sinclair Warwick didn't need a nursemaid, but she had taken care of her since she was a small baby, and the bond they shared could never be broken, no matter how far apart they might find themselves. Lady Millicent had loved her mother, Lady Sinclair, but the closeness she shared with Dorothea was uncommon. Millie never thought of Dorothea as a servant, but rather, as a loving person who always brought out the best in others and one who had spent a lifetime in the service of this family. Never once had Millie heard her complain about having no life of her own outside the castle. Dorothea still had family in Scotland, had visited them numerous times over the years, but she was most happy when she was caring for Millie.
Of course, Dorothea was totally at the mercy of Lord Warwick now that Millie was gone. So, she was greatly relieved when he wasted no time in telling her to pack her bags. The very next day after Millie was taken, Dorothea was roughly thrown inside a coach, much like the one that had taken Millie, and transported back to her own country, Scotland. The trip took some time as the roads were merely paths, and the coach lumbered across the moors as if it could feel the reluctance of its occupant to return to her home. It wasn't that she didn't want to see her family, but Millie was more like a daughter than a charge, and Dorothea had such an emptiness inside now that she could not fathom ever being able to fill.
Of course, time passed and the world went on, whether Dorothea wished it or not. And, as it was, Dorothea was content presently for she had found herself in demand once again. She was needed to help care for another child. The local vicar had known about Dorothea returning, and just shortly after her return, he had petitioned her to care for an orphaned child.
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