Through the Mist: Restoration

by C. Renee Freeman

  “Do you have plans after you finish teaching the children?” he asked. “I thought we might take a stroll down to the loch.”

  She was relieved he did not suggest another horseback ride. Her spine would likely need a few days to heal. “I was not sure if my teaching would continue now that the tutor has arrived,” she said.

  “Ah, yes, Mr. Ramsey,” he said absently. “He will wish to spend some time with you. He should know about your educational progress so that he can form lesson plans.”

  “Will he teach all the children?” she asked hesitantly. She enjoyed teaching and hated to see it come to an end.

  “Of course not. He will teach Allan for now. In a year or two, Angus can join him.” He placed a light kiss on her hand. “I would greatly appreciate it if you would continue teaching the other boys.”

  She smiled. “I would like that very much,” she said happily. “And, yes, I would love to take a stroll to the loch after lessons are finished.”

  ∞

  After breakfast, Benjamin and Tilly went to the family library where the new tutor waited for them. They found the bespectacled man making notes in a small, leather-bound journal as he surveyed the books upon the shelves.

  He was shorter than Tilly. His light brown hair was held in check with a simple gray bow that matched his similarly-colored eyes. A dove gray coat and charcoal gray trousers were perfectly fitted to his slender frame. His well-polished black leather shoes had a fancy silver buckle that glinted in the sunlight. A smartly-tied knot topped the starched white shirt he wore. His outfit may not have been of the finest quality, yet it was obvious he took great care to be presentable.

  He bowed deeply when he saw her. “Good day, madam,” he said. “I am the new tutor, Daniel Ramsey.”

  She offered a decent curtsey. Sarah had taught her well. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Ramsey.” Gesturing toward the bookshelves, she commented, “I hope the selection of books meets with your approval.”

  He glanced at the full shelves and nodded. “It warms my heart to see parents who have a fine interest in knowledge,” he said. “It will make teaching your children so much easier.”

  Tilly was about to correct him when Benjamin asked about the journey. The two men exchanged pleasantries before he told the tutor it was time to meet his eldest son. He asked Tilly to wait for them. He flashed a smile at her as they moved into the classroom next door. The simple gesture warmed her heart.

  She strode to a window that offered the best view of the grounds. She watched one of the servants trim a shrub and glanced at the verdant forest. The view was gorgeous. Did the leaves provide a dazzling display of color here, as they did back home? She was surprised that she really wanted to see it. She did not find herself pining for North Carolina.

  She did not want to ponder the reason for her change of heart. Instead, she recalled the conversation she shared with Benjamin yesterday and scanned the area again. This time, she observed the men who strolled around the grounds and along the edges of the forest. Were they always there? Or, had Benjamin increased their presence because of the MacDonald threat?

  A movement to the left caught her eye. She squinted. Was that a flash of tartan? She could not be certain. Shaking her head, she stepped away from the window. Maybe it was just the same sentry she encountered with Allan in the forest.

  Thirty

  Mr. Ramsey was most eager to learn the extent of Allan’s knowledge. When he returned to the library for his meeting with Tilly, he asked very thorough, thoughtful questions. Then, he wanted to observe her when she began the day’s lessons with the children. He sat in the back of the classroom, making occasional notes and smiling amiably at her. He was so quiet that she quickly forgot he was there and completed the lessons with ease.

  As the boys shuffled from the classroom, Mr. Ramsey pronounced Allan well prepared for his continued education. She suspected he was overly generous with his praise. After all, a look of concern crossed his face when she revealed the boy knew no Latin, Greek, or French.

  Tilly went in search of Benjamin and found him in his study, talking with Iain. When she entered the room, he immediately put down the quill and rose from his seat. “I am sure you will decide what is best,” he said to the factor, joining her at the door. “Mrs. Munro and I are going for a walk.”

  She took Benjamin’s arm and noticed a frown on Iain’s face. She let it pass.

  They walked in comfortable silence for some time. The air was crisp and cool. It felt like rain, not an uncommon thing in Scotland. She could count on one hand the number of times the sun shone that summer. Nothing like the South, she thought ruefully.

  “What are you thinking?” Benjamin asked.

  “The weather is so different here,” she said. “Where I come from, it is so hot and humid in the summer. When it rains, the temperature may cool for a few minutes. Then, it is just as hot as it was before the rain.”

  “Do you miss it?”

  “Yes, I wish we had more sunshine here.”

  “No, I meant your home.”

  Tilly considered it for a moment. “I miss Beth,” she replied quietly.

  “Please tell me about her.”

  “I’m not sure you would like her.” Seeing the bewildered look on his face, she said, “She is very blunt, and you sometimes have a problem with that.”

  “I am not used to women having strong opinions that are so freely expressed,” he said, shaking his head. “And yet, I imagine such frankness would be refreshing in certain situations.”

  She stopped walking and stared at him. “Have I unwittingly succeeded in making a 19th century man appreciate women for their intelligence rather than their child-rearing skills?” she asked, incredulous.

  Benjamin tossed back his head and laughed heartily. “Whenever I speak with you, I realize that I have much to learn, Tilly.” He nudged her ribs. “Now, tell me about your friend.”

  “We met when we were in college. We both worked as waitresses at a restaurant.”

  “What does ‘waitress’ mean?”

  “It is someone who takes a patron’s order and brings food and drink to that person. I guess it would be similar to the servants who bring our meals to us every day.”

  “You seem like a woman from a respectable home. Did you work because your parents were unable to provide for you?”

  Once again, she found herself dealing with a difference in eras. In Benjamin’s mind, women of good breeding did not work. She decided it was time to enlighten him. “I did come from a respectable home,” she said hotly. “Things are very different in my time. Women of all social classes are employed outside the home. We are quite accomplished.”

  “I apologize if I have offended you,” he said sincerely. “I did not mean to imply that – “

  “That only poor people work?” she interrupted him, frowning. “Open your mind, Benjamin.”

  He started at her choice of words but said nothing. He squeezed her hand, and they resumed their walk. “Please tell me your story, Tilly.”

  “It was a difficult time,” she continued. “Before I entered college, my father lost his job. They couldn’t afford to send me to school on my mother’s salary. I was lucky to get a few scholarships and earn some money as a waitress. Somehow, I scrapped together enough money for tuition.”

  She paused meditatively. “I would sometimes work until 3 in the morning. I studied ‘til 5, slept a couple of hours, and then went to class. I don’t know how I did so much on so little sleep. I suppose it prepared me for the twins.”

  “Was Beth in a similar situation?”

  “Yes. Her father left her mother before Beth was born. Her life was a constant struggle.”

  He stopped walking and appeared to have difficulty processing her story. At last, he asked, “Assuming you are indeed from the future, why are women of good breeding forced to support themselves? Can they not marry well? Are there no genteel families who can assist those in need?”

  Tilly sighed i
n exasperation. “In my time, a woman does not rely on a man to rescue her,” she explained patiently. “We make our own way. We support ourselves as best we can. That’s exactly what Beth and I did. We worked damn hard to get what we had.”

  “Madam, I sincerely apologize for my choice of words,” he said, looking very contrite. “I fear I have upset you again. I want to understand the story you have told. It is unusual for my time.”

  “Is it? When have you had an honest conversation with a woman? Do you believe that someone like Mrs. Keith is not a respectable person because she is forced to work? Is she worth less in your eyes because she cannot spend her days embroidering pillows or taking turns around the garden?”

  Benjamin jerked as if she had slapped him. “While I spent my youth with the cottars, I did not spend a great deal of time with women,” he said, lowering his head. “Mrs. Keith is a wonderful woman. I would be lost without her guidance and care for my family. I am deeply ashamed to admit my ignorance. Listening to you, I fear that I am just like my father.”

  Tilly knew she should be greatly offended by his admission. Having spent time in this age, she could understand how his opinions were formed, though. “You are already a better man than him,” she said gently. She wrapped her arms around his waist. “You realize you have faults and will change them. Based upon everything you told me, he lacks both the ability to see his weakness and the desire to correct it.”

  “Lass, I sincerely hope you are right.” He placed a light kiss on her forehead. “Pray, educate me about the minds of women. I have much to learn.”

  ∞

  From the entrance to the castle, Iain watched Benjamin and Tilly with growing displeasure. They walked arm in arm, laughing and smiling. He was shocked to see his friend embrace her and place a kiss on her forehead. He snorted in disgust and made his way to the study.

  He sat behind Benjamin’s desk, reviewing the book of accounts. He read the same passage several times before he angrily slammed the book shut. He was most distressed at his friend’s behavior.

  Despite his best efforts, he learned nothing about the strange woman. No one had heard of any travelers in the area for months. He sent inquiries about any visiting Americans as far away as Glasgow to the south and Edinburgh to the east. No one fit Tilly’s description. It was as if she really did materialize from the mist itself. Iain did not like it.

  “What troubles you?” Benjamin asked as he strode through the doorway. His cheeks were flush, likely from his previous company rather than the chill in the air.

  Iain carefully placed the quill in its holder. He tented his fingers and stared at Benjamin for a moment. “You seem most content with Mrs. Munro,” he said coolly.

  “Aye,” Benjamin answered, taking a seat in a chair opposite the desk. “She is a remarkable woman.”

  “She must be very remarkable indeed, for I understand you took her to meet my parents.”

  “Yes, what of it?” Benjamin asked defensively. “I hold your family in great esteem and wanted to introduce her to them.”

  “It was not long ago that you wanted your children to stay away from her. Now, you let her instruct them and are taking her on horseback rides to meet my family. She has free run of the castle. Why, I heard the two of you ate breakfast in the family dining room this morning.” Arching an eyebrow, he asked, “Do you plan to wed her next?”

  “I may do as I please,” Benjamin said, folding his arms across his chest. “I do not need permission from you or any other man.”

  “I know you well, my friend. Your heart aches because of Mary’s unfortunate passing.”

  “What the bloody hell does that have to do with anything, Iain?” he roared, rising from the chair. He paced in front of the desk. “Do you think I am allowing Tilly to take advantage of me because I am lonely?”

  “So, it is ‘Tilly’ now?” Iain asked quietly. “You are very familiar with a woman you hardly know.”

  Benjamin placed his hands on the desk and leaned forward. “It is not like you to peck, Iain. Say it.”

  “We know nothing about her, yet you have let her close to everything you hold dear. You grow fonder of her every day. I can see it. What has happened to my careful companion?”

  “I am always careful,” Benjamin scoffed. He pushed away from the desk and glowered at Iain. “It is true that we do not know from whence she came. I can see that she is a good person, though. She means no harm.”

  “You are blinded by your growing affection for her.”

  “And, you are wrong. If I thought there was any chance that she posed a danger to my family, I would toss her on a cart and send her to Glasgow this moment.”

  “What if I told you that I intercepted a message she sent to your father? It seems she has been his agent all this time.”

  Benjamin looked as if his heart plunged to his stomach. He fell into a nearby chair, deflated. “No,” he whispered. “She cannot be. After all the time we have spent together, after all the intimate moments we shared…it cannot be true. How could it all be a lie?” He stared at Iain, anguish written upon his face. “I tried to build a wall and keep her out, but she found her way inside. No, no, please say it is not true!”

  Iain rose from his seat and walked around the desk. “You are the most stubborn person I know. If you hold this woman in such high regard, then would it matter if she worked for your father?” he asked. “Are you not confident that you have won her allegiance?”

  He stared down at Benjamin, who had no reply. Shaking his head, he strode toward the door. “If you were secure in your affection for her, I would taste my own blood now,” he said. “You were too quick to believe my lie. Do not be so quick to believe hers.”

  He left Benjamin alone to consider his warning.

  Thirty One

  With the arrival of the tutor, they had a new guest for dinner. Tilly supposed it was normally uncommon for servants to dine with their employers. Did Mr. Ramsey’s position qualify him for a higher ranking on the food chain? Whatever the reason, she was excited at the prospect of getting to know the newest member of their household. She was further pleased to see that Benjamin continued to have the meals in the family dining room, a much less stuffy location than the state dining room on the second floor.

  Iain saw fit to join them. She suspected every new person was fresh fodder for the factor. The tutor would likely get the same interrogation she herself endured. Secretly, she was delighted by the prospect. Let someone else squirm for a change, she thought wickedly as she took a sip of wine.

  Mr. Ramsey proved to be an interesting man with no reticence at sharing his life story. He was from Edinburgh. The sixth son of twelve boys, he told them he knew at an early age he had to find his own way in life. He decided to pursue a life of piety within the church. He was fortunate that his mother worked for a respectable family who became his patrons. He spent many years preparing for the endeavor. It instilled in him a great love of knowledge. Unfortunately, it could not take away his fondness for women and whisky, he informed them, with a wink to Tilly. Iain roared with laughter when he heard the admission.

  As Daniel continued his tale, he absently smoothed the sides of his hair, this time held in check with a vibrant blue ribbon that stood in sharp contrast to his soft gray coat and the crisp white lace collar of his shirt. He had clearly dressed better for the evening’s repast than his normal, dreary work-a-day attire. She guessed the man was actually a dandy, something that would not agree with the austere accoutrements of a spiritual lifestyle.

  He expressed great regret at leaving the church. After some inquiry with the local gentry, he found work as a private tutor in Edinburgh. Alas, he longed for a life outside the city after he travelled with a family to the Highlands. He proclaimed that, with one inhale of the fresh country air, his soul belonged there. Fortunately, a colleague of his knew about the Campbell family’s need for an instructor. He met Mr. Malcolm Campbell shortly thereafter and was most happy that he obtained employment at such a
fine estate.

  He further complimented his new employer for allowing him time to visit friends on his way to the castle. “It was a most fortuitous visit, for they gave me a fine collection of books that your son will enjoy,” he said. “I look forward to continuing the excellent work started by Mrs. Munro.”

  Benjamin smiled, yet seemed distant. Tilly was puzzled by the abrupt change in his manner. He was so warm and affectionate earlier in the day.

  After the meal, she excused herself. She could tell the men wanted some time alone to discuss whatever it is men in the 19th century discuss over whisky. She happily left them to their pursuits and hoped the company would brighten Benjamin’s mood.

  ∞

  Tilly was delighted when she heard two faint knocks on her door later that evening. Benjamin entered her room without comment and sat in his favorite chair. She was glad he did not spend the entire evening with Iain and Mr. Ramsey.

  “He seems to be a wise man,” he said as he sank into the chair. “I think he will be a good tutor.”

  “Yes, I believe he will.” She crossed the room to a table in the corner. “He will also be a great source of entertainment for the adults, particularly Iain.”

  “After you left, he told tales that would make you blush,” he said, chuckling at the memory. “I must remember to limit his access to whisky, or I fear Allan will be educated in ways I did not intend.”

  She joined Benjamin by the fire and handed him a small glass. He stared at it before taking a tentative sip. He sighed with pleasure as the amber liquid rolled across his tongue.

  She took a seat opposite him and sipped from her own glass. Tilly confessed, “I stole a bottle of whisky. I thought it would be nice to offer you refreshment if you ever returned to my room.”

  “I thank you for your consideration,” he said, raising his glass to salute her.

  Between the warmth of the blaze and the heat of the drink, they settled into a blissful state of contentment. They sat for several moments listening to the crackle and hiss of the logs.