Highland Healer

by Florence Love Karsner

  * * *

  Upon entering the sanctuary early one morning, preparing for morning prayers, the vicar discovered, to his amazement, a small child sitting on the cold, stone floor, its thumb stuck in its mouth and seemingly taken with the sunbeams of light that were streaming through the stained glass window above the crucifix. He picked the child up and took it back inside where the warmth from the fireplace could bring some comfort to this child who was wearing only a long dress, almost like one would expect to see at a christening. The child was not wearing any shoes, and the vicar held his hands around the small little toes, which felt like tiny shards of ice attached to feet that were just as cold. But, the child made no sounds to indicate it was uncomfortable in any way. It just smiled up at the vicar and drooled down the front of its dress.

  The vicar was accustomed to caring for people in need, but an infant was totally beyond his scope. Being unmarried himself, he needed to find a caregiver for the child, and immediately thought of Dorothea.

  Yes, Dorothea could remember every detail vividly — even today.

  CHAPTER 51

  Now, on this bitter, biting-cold morning, Clint was up early as always, making his usual trek around the property, when he saw smoke coming from not one, but two chimneys at the castle. After watching for a short time, he caught sight of someone, a man he thought, making his way to the stables. The man was limping and having difficulty moving about. Clint made a decision to watch a bit longer before coming to any conclusions that could prove to be erroneous. But, for someone to be inside the castle was most unexpected.

  Word had gotten around the village about the deaths of the Cameron women, and fear began to raise its ugly head. Most of the village women were afraid to go anywhere alone, or even to go outside without someone with them. The staff at the castle were truly frightened out of their wits. Even the cook, Ethel, had left, fearing she might be next. The young girls went home to their families and had not come back again.

  That only left Clint and Winston to do whatever they could. There really wasn't a whole lot to do anymore, since the Mistress had sold most of the sheep to a farmer in the upper regions of the Highlands. Clint and Winston looked after the few horses that were left, fed and watered them, and as there were still numerous chickens running about the yard, they fed them and kept water in the trays, and gathered the eggs.

  When the two mistresses were alive, they didn't require much and had enough resources to keep the castle working, and paying the help was not an issue. Most of all, they kept the "family" together and would have continued to until their passing. Clint had assumed Mistress Moira would inherit the place, and after her, then the granddaughter, Lady Millie, in England. They had all thought that was still some time off, but all that had changed in just one evening.

  Clint wondered what would happen to the place now. He and Winston would continue as best they could, but someone would need to take over and see the place was cared for, and if they couldn't find Lady Millie, then he just couldn't see how he and Winston could make it work. He lived in one of the crofter's huts, as did Winston, but those belonged to the estate and he and Winston would have no means by which to live anywhere else.

  By his age, however, Clint had weathered many difficulties before, and would not allow himself to dwell too long on this as he had learned long ago that each day would take care of itself. You must see where it takes you before deciding whether to go along with it or whether to make your own choices, however limited they may be.

  Clint continued to watch from his vantage point somewhat higher than the stables. Just a little later, he watched as a woman, a very small woman with bright red hair came out. At least he thought she was a woman, with her long curls down her back. But, she was wearing some kind of breeches, most unusual for a woman. She crossed the distance from the castle to the stables, entered and pulled the door to behind her. Now who could they be? And a woman wearing a man's clothing? Surely they must be kind of some kin, thought Clint. But, he didn't know the family nearly as well as another one did, Dorothea.

  With that thought in mind, he hooked up the mare to a small cart and started out. This old girl was the one he had ridden home every evening for many years now. In fact, Clint wasn't sure who was older, himself or the mare. He trotted the old gal out of the paddock and across the little bridge that spanned the stream running next to his hut. The old horse snorted her displeasure at having to get moving on such a cold morning, but she finally accepted he wouldn't let up on that little stinging whip until she did.

  "Yeah, well, I'm not too fond of gettin' up and out here meself. So, on with ye now." And he snapped the reins once again.

  Clint reached the cottage behind the vicarage, where Dorothea and her little boy, Garry, lived. He had visited here before and knew her cottage was small but every inch was spotless. She had such a green thumb, and flowering plants, herbs and various sorts of greenery could be found in every room. Clint knew that anything in Dorothea's care was fortunate.

  "Clint? Come in." Dorothea opened the door widely and closed it quickly as it was even colder this morning than when she went to bed. Her small fireplace was more than adequate to keep the entire place warm, and she and her lad were comfortable here. When Dorothea had agreed to take the little boy, she had no idea what his name was, so she decided she would call him Garry, the name of a young man she had known long ago. And, it fit the little lad perfectly as he was a happy child. Dorothea doted on him as she had Lady Millie. The difference here was that Dorothea was the only mother this child would ever know, and Dorothea loved him as if he were her own.

  "Whatever brings you out on this cold day?" she asked.

  She had known Clint all her life, and knew he didn't usually make house calls. So, she was most apprehensive about this visit.

  "Oh, Dorothea, I hate to bother ye again, about the castle and all that's happened. I know ye've written Mistress, er, Lady Millie, and I guessed she didn't write ye back, eh?"

  "That's right, Clint. I didn't ever hear from her, but then I didn't expect to. You just can't know what a miserable husband she has to live with. It's such a sad story, and she was such a wonderful child, and woman."

  "Well, I need to ask ye to come to the castle with me. There are some folks there now, and I don't rightly know that I would even recognize Mistress, er, Lady Warwick, Millie, if I saw her. But, then, it may not be her either. This morning I saw a man go into the stables. Then a few minutes later, a small little lady, with this fiery red hair followed him, it seemed to me And, there was smoke coming from two chimneys. So I don't rightly know what we may find, but I wondered if ye would go with me to try and find out who they could be."

  "Oh, my. You think it may be Lady Millicent?"

  "Well, who else could it be?"

  "Do you think we should get the parish constable to go with us?" asked Dorothea, a bit unsure about this plan of Clint's.

  "Well, I dunno. I only saw a man and a woman this morning. I'm not sure, but he seemed to be limping. Or at least moving slow like."

  "I see. What if we ask Winston to come too? I would feel better if there are at least as many of us as there are of them. Just a man and a woman you say?"

  "Ye got a point there. Alright, we'll get Winston and go over there. That can't be too dangerous I don't believe. And we must go, because no one else will, that fer sure! As it is, none of the castle staff will go back into the house since the murders. 'Cept me and Winston."

  After stopping at the crofter's hut to pick Winston up, Clint, Dorothea, and little Garry started out in the cart on their way to the castle. They were all a bit anxious, but went on in spite of it.

  CHAPTER 52

  With the decision made for Wabi and Alex to travel back, they all put their heads together to make their plans. Wabi agreed that the ladies and child should go with Jack, and he would make his way back along the trail on the east side. Maybe he would come upon Warwick. If so, he would make short work of taking care of him. Alex would take
the path that led through Tate's Hell, not a path that was used often as men had been known to go in there and never come out again.

  "Let's hope Warwick did go through Tate's Hell — probably where he needs to be anyway," said Alex. There were nods of agreement all around.

  So, with a long hug for Caitlin and another for his new friends, Millie, Jack and Alex, Wabi was on his way. Both he and Alex needed to get moving.

  Alex was loathe to leave Caitlin so soon after just finding her. But running from some lord just didn't sit well with him. So, he got his small pack together and readied himself to ride out with Wabi. He looked over at Caitlin, sitting in a chair with her leg resting on another. He thanked his lucky stars that he was able to find her again.

  "Caitlin, I'm leaving now with Wabi. Yer in good hands with Jack. He'll take care of all of ye. I trust him completely."

  "Aye, I know, Alex. He's already shown me what he's made of. Just you be careful and come back to me." A look passed between the two that they both understood.

  Millie was not yet convinced this was a good plan, her going with them. She was reluctant to put them in even more danger.

  "I don't think we have a lot of choice, Millie," Jack responded. "We don't know for sure who killed your family members, but they could be out for ye, too. And yer husband or his men are sure to come here looking for ye. I would do my best to protect ye, but there is only one of me and no telling how many men he may send. Our farm will give ye protection, trust me."

  "But, how are we ever going to travel with Caitlin nursing a broken leg?" asked Millie. She was still having some difficulty getting around herself. Having a baby did leave one lacking in energy, and she could use a few more days to heal also.

  Jack observed that Caitlin had sat, saying nothing, which was most unusual for her. He was sure she understood the predicament they were in and realized he was right. They must move on and quickly.

  "Jack, do you think you could rig up some sort of bed, like you did for Ian, for me to travel on?"

  "What kind of bed is that? A traveling bed?" asked Millie.

  Jack explained what Caitlin was suggesting and before he could finish, Millie stopped him.

  "You don't need to do that. There used to be a cart that we hooked to the ponies when I came here as a child. It would be plenty large enough for Caitlin to ride in, and perhaps she could hold the babe also. Look in the back part of the stable. It was kept in a large open room with several other wagons. Maybe it's still there."

  Jack liked this idea and it would save a lot of precious time. He quickly went outside and found his way to the rear of the stables. There, just as Millie had described, was the pony cart. It was a little worn to be sure, but good enough for their purposes.

  As he was about to enter the door at the kitchen entry, he saw a small wagon pulling up at the front of the castle. There were two men and a woman with a small child riding on the cart. He hurried inside and locked the door behind him.

  Calling out to Millie, he ran to the great hall where both the women were warming at the fireplace.

  "Millie, there's someone here. They just pulled up in the yard."

  "I'll see who it is," said Millie.

  "No, let me go." Jack didn't want Millie to open the door to anyone without him being there first.

  The two men and the woman came up the steps and rapped the door with the large brass knocker

  "Who's there?" asked Jack, not venturing to open the door to anyone just yet.

  "It's Dorothea, and Clint and Winston," said a female voice. Before Jack could say anything, Millie had come forward and thrown the door wide open.

  "Dorothea! Is it really you?" Millie towered over the older woman, and wrapped her in a hug that almost cut off her breath. Dorothea still looked the same, a few more gray hairs mixed in with the dark ones, but still wore the same loving expression Millie remembered always.

  "Oh, my Lady Millicent! Oh, what a relief!"

  Millie held the woman at arm's length and just stared at her.

  "Dorothea, please come in. And Clint, and Winston!" Another hug for the men also. She had never been so glad to see anyone as she as to see these people from her past.

  "And who is this?" The little boy had grabbed his mother's skirt and was holding on for dear life. Millie smiled at the little lad, with his sandy colored hair which was thick and curled about his ears. Millie knew Dorothea would have been ever so careful when she trimmed it.

  "Oh, milady, this is Garry. He's my son," stated Dorothea, as proudly as if the had birthed him.

  "Oh, Dorothea, how wonderful!" And she put an arm around the small boy.

  Insisting they come in, she ushered them to the kitchen where Caitlin still rested with her leg on a chair, holding the baby. Jack introduced himself, and old Clint remembered the young man had come with a brother and bought the sheep when the Mistress Cameron decided to let them go.

  Everyone started to talk at once, and Jack had great difficulty following the conversation, as did Caitlin. But, once they got down to discussing the family situation, Millie could not believe what had transpired.

  "They were just smothered in their beds?" Millie could not believe this could have happened, or that anyone could be so cruel. Tears were threatening to spill over any moment.

  "Aye, milady, it is so. But, so far, we have no way of finding out who might be responsible for committing such crimes. The mistresses were greatly cared about in this region. And, 'course, the estate provided employment for many folk. Now, what's going to happen to the place and the people? But, we're so glad to have ye here. The place would be yers now, wouldn't it?" Clint said it more as a statement of fact rather than a question. He was standing in the hallway with his tam in his hand, having removed it immediately upon seeing Lady Millicent. His sparse hair was standing on end and his ears had reddened from the cold. Millicent asked them all to sit, but Clint had better manners than to sit in the presence of a lady!

  Millie was in shock, most certainly, But, as much as she didn't want to believe it, she knew immediately who had committed these atrocious crimes.

  "Yes, yes, he would be so cruel." She seemed to be speaking to herself as she was staring out into space. She looked over at Jack. He had walked to the window holding the baby close, looking out. Then he turned back to Millie. She searched his face, trying to find the words to say to him to make him understand her dilemma.

  "Jack, Caitlin, we must go, now. Edward would not hesitate for a moment to do the same to any of us." She was trembling and certainly struggling to keep her composure.

  "Oh, milady. Do you truly think even he is that evil?" Dorothea came close and put her arms around Millie, just as she always had.

  "Yes, Dorothea, you know he is."

  "Oh, aye. I would not put it past him."

  Jack was worried about all of them, and now, also about the two old men, Clint and Winston and the woman, Dorothea. The best thing he could do would be to get the women as far away as he could, and quickly.

  "Millie, let's get going as soon as possible." Jack nodded to the men, motioning for them to come outside with him.

  "Take Dorothea and the child and leave immediately. Hopefully, Warwick will not come, but Millie and Dorothea seem to think he is capable of doing most anything.

  "I'll take Millie and Caitlin and the baby with me to my home in the higher region. They'll be safer there than any place I can think of. And I've got brothers and uncles and others that will see they stay safe."

  "Aye, I think ye be reading the situation rightly, young man," Old Clint said, nodding his head in agreement.

  "I think we should all leave and try to keep out of the way of this murdering fool. Meanwhile, we'll tell the constable what's happened. Maybe he'll find enough help to stop this criminal."

  Millie was torn between keeping her child safe and caring for these people who had depended on her family for years. Yes, the estate would be hers now, but until Warwick was stopped, she knew she had no choice
but to go with Jack. She further knew that Warwick could buy off anyone trying to stop him.

  "Dorothea, you must leave at once, all of you. Edward could be here any moment now. We'll all leave immediately also. And if there is any way I can return, I will. Just take care of yourselves, but know I will find you again!"

  CHAPTER 53

  Alex and Wabi walked to the stable together. They both were torn between wanting to stay with Caitlin and keep her safe and knowing they must leave and try to find Warwick. Alex had never cared much for running from a problem. In his opinion, facing a problem head on was a quicker and more satisfying way of doing most anything.

  Alex saddled his favorite horse, Zeus, and Wabi had opted to go on foot. Looking around, Alex frowned.

  "What is it, Alex?" asked Wabi

  "Don't see Campbell's body anywhere."

  "Clint probably sent the farm lads over early and they took care of it. Never been so glad to see the last of anyone He was indeed a most evil man." Wabi replied.

  Alex mounted up and Wabi walked along beside him. As they reached the fork where they would part ways, Wabi stopped and looked at the man who had wound his way into Caitlin's heart.

  "Alex, take care now. I'm sure you can handle any situation with Warwick, but he's bound to have a few tricks up his sleeve. Be careful. If I find him, rest assured he'll no longer give us any trouble. But if I don't run across him, I'll be on my way home to Skye. I'm quite sure Caitlin is in good hands. You and Jack have shown me that much. But, if you ever need me, Caitlin knows how to get in touch with me. We'll see each other again — of that I'm sure."

  "Aye. And ye be careful, too, Wabi. Caitlin needs ye. We all do. See ye later."

  Alex spurred his horse on. He was anxious to get this chore completed. He had watched Wabi until he was out of sight. He didn't know much about this old man, but knew enough to realize what an important part he had played in Caitlin's life and how much she cared for him. Funny, thought Alex. You never seem to realize how much the old ones mean until they are gone — and he smiled as his mind brought up a picture of Mam.