Laird of the Mist

by Foery MacDonell

  ―Did ye really travel through time to the future?‖ he asked Carrick, ignoring the remark on his health. ―What was it like?‖

  ―Verra interesting,‖ Carrick said thoughtfully. ―They have machines ye fly in, and things called automobiles which ye ride in and move on their own power. No horses or carriages. And boxes called televisions where ye can watch moving pictures that talk and…well, I can tell ye all of it later. Mind ye, dinna tell mother, aye?‖

  Ian put his hand over his mouth indicating his silence on the matter. ―She‘ll nay hear it from me, I assure ye, Carrick.‖ Ian‘s eyes were wide at the thought of what his brother had described.

  ―So then, if ye are fit enough, I will need yer help with some things, Ian. Come into the study with me, aye?‖

  ―Aye,‖ Ian beamed and reached for his crutches in order to follow Carrick, who was nearly to the door. ―Anything I can do to help, Carrick,‖ he said, and begun humming the Beatles tune again in perfect pitch.

  ―Aye, Nessa?‖ Carrick acknowledged the housekeep er standing in the door of his study. He had spent the last three hours going over estate business with Ian. ―What is it?‖

  ―Well, Laird,‖ Nessa answered tentatively. ―There is someone here to see ye-

  ―I don‘t need an introduction to myown family,‖ Fiona interrupted and charged past her into the room. ―You can go now,‖ she spat at Nessa and waved her away. ―The laird knows who I am.‖

  Fiona abruptly sat herself down in a leather chair and glared at Ian. ―You‘re grown since last I saw you. You arethe brother, aren‘t you?‖

  Ian, who could not recall the woman, stared back in silence and awe. He had never seen such a flamboyant woman before. He merely nodded in assent.

  ―What are ye doing here, Fiona?‖ Carrick began to rise from behind the desk. ―I thought ye were lodgingat the Inn.‖

  ―Iwas.‖ She sighed with a pout. ―But Ichanged my mind. Iwas anxious to see mydear da and the rest of you. It‘s been so very long.‖

  ―I‘m quite certain ye were,‖ Carrick replied sarcastically. ―That‘s why ye st ayed away—what is it, Fiona? Nigh fifteen years? What makes ye think ye‘re welcome here?‖

  ―Fetch me a brandy, boy,‖ she ordered Ian. ―And be quick. I‘m parched. This Highland climate is most unnerving. And tell my da and your mother I have arrived while you‘re at it.‖

  Ian grabbed his crutches and quickly left the room. He didn‘t know who the woman was, but the malicious tone she used all but chased him out. He was happy to get as far away from her as he could.

  ―What‘s wrong with him? Is he a cripple?‖ Fiona turned back on Carrick. ―Bad breeding, I suppose. You Highlanders, always marrying your cousins…‖

  ―Enough, Fiona,‖ bellowed Carrick, leaning over the desk at her. ―I‘ll have none of yer vitriol under my roof. Ian was injured defending yer own daughter against the Sasunnach ye love so bloody much. Now shut yer vilegob. Ye have no right to be here. State yer business and get out. Now.‖

  ―No need to be so rude, Carrick,‖ Fiona scolded with a smile. ―I‘m sure your mother would not approve of your treating a guest so. Where is Molly?I‘d like to pay my respects. We are old friends, you know.‖

  ―Ye ended that friendship when ye left Laird William.‖ Carrick was seething and trying to gain control of his temper. He would not let this woman undo him. ―I doubt my mother would want to see ye. Now, I say again, state yer business.‖

  Fiona settled more deeply into her chair. ―I already did,‖ she stated flatly. ―I came to see my family. Won‘t your brother get them,or do I have to go and find them myself?‖

  ―No need.‖ A furious Cat entered and stood squarely in front of Fiona. ―I thought we were well rid of ye, Fiona. I wantye out of my house this minute.‖

  ―Now, Caitriona.‖ Fiona slowly rose to face her. ―You wouldn‘t throw your own mother out? I have nowhere to go, my dear. Surely you aren‘t that cruel?‖

  ―As cruel as ye, ye mean?‖ Cat stiffened in righteous anger. ―As cruel as when ye abandoned yer family for a French Vicomte? Oh aye, I am. ‗Tis in my genes. Just watch me...‖

  ―In your what?‖ Fiona asked, confused by the word genes.

  ―I inherited it from ye, Fiona.‖ Cat leaned closerto Fiona‘s face, itching to smack her. ―Get out of my house!‖ Cat raised her arm as if to hit her.

  ―Caitriona!‖ Hamish stood in the doorway. ―None of that, lass. Ye must no strike yer mother, regardless of what she has done in the past.‖

  Hamish had beeninformed of Fiona‘s presence and quickly recalled the story Carrick had told him. He instructed Ian to fetch Molly and Olivia to the parlor, and went on to meet the notorious woman alone.

  ―Let‘s go into the parlor,‖ Hamish commanded in his gentle way.

  Cat lowered her hand and pushed past Hamish without comment. Fiona quickly did the same, not daring to look at Hamish.

  ―Ye cleared the room, Hamish,‖ Carrick said, joining him as they followed a ways behind the women. ―Well done.‖

  ―We shall see, Carrick,‖ replied Hamish with a shake of his head.

  Cat was seated on the sofa, arms folded over her chest, glaring pointedly at Fiona. Fiona had settled herself into an opposite chair and assumed a casual air.

  ―Well, da,‖ Fiona greeted Hamishwith a careless tone. ―You‘re looking fit for your age. I thought you‘d be long dead by now.‖

  ―Ye dinna need to jab at me, Fiona,‖ Hamish answered as he moved to stand near the mantle.

  Carrick joined Cat on the sofa and listened intently.

  ―I wasn‘t jabbing, da…‖ Fiona began.

  ―Aye, ye were,‖ Hamish cut her short. ―And I demand ye be respectful to all in this house while ye‘re present. D‘ye hear me, lass?‖

  Fiona lowered her eyes to the floor, not in shame, but in defiance. ―If you wish it,‖ she muttered.

  ―What is yer business here at this time, Fiona?‖ Hamish questioned. He stood firmly by the fireplace, a stern look on him.

  ―She wants my inheritance,‖ Cat broke in. ―She means to take us to court for Laird William‘s estate and turn Carrick into the Sasunnach.‖

  ―I merely wished to see my family…‖

  ―Bollocks!‖ Cat interrupted with vehemence. ―That‘s not what ye said at the Inn. Ye threatened Carrick.‖

  ―Is it true, Fiona?‖ Hamish watched Fiona for signs of discomfort to prove her lie. As he did, a vague image came into his mind of a fire-haired child in his arms. A willful, spoilt child who did as she pleased, and was often disciplined to no avail.

  The memory was vivid and odd—he had never had a daughter in 2010. He shook off the image and began again. ―Is that yer intent?‖

  ―I only want what is rightfully mine,‖ Fiona answered insolently. ―I am Laird William‘s rightful widow. Everyoneknows it.‖

  ―Nay, Fiona. Ye surrendered that right when ye left him and yer bairns.‖ Hamish‘s vision was flooding with images of this woman at various times of her life. Child, adolescent, and the mother abandoning her daughters and husband.

  Had he truly lived that life as her father? Was he really the reincarnation of Hamish MacAllan as Carrick suggested? If not, then what? He had never considered himself psychic. He‘d never had a supernatural experience outside of the travel to 1746, although he did believe in the unexplainable. Could it be true? Was this truly his daughter in a past life?

  The possible truth of it nearly unnerved him. Composing his thoughts backinto logic, he said. ―So now ye come to the family ye hated and left to ask hospitality, do ye? I am most ashamed of ye, daughter.‖ Where did that come from? Daughter?

  The word hung in the air between them, and Cat stared at Hamish in astonishment. What is going on here? she wondered. Odd that Hamish would play the part so well. He was never a good actor or liar. Either someone had coached him very thoroughly, or…could it be true?

  ―I have a wee propositionfor ye, Fiona,‖ Carrick interjected.―With yer permissio
n, Caitriona,‖ he said, seeking her approval before continuing. Cat merely shrugged, too numb to verbalize a response.

  ―Aye, then.‖ He leaned forward, hands clasped in front of him. ―There are caretakers living in Taigh MacHendrie. Ye may abide there for a wee time, provided ye pay yer daughter, Caitriona, fair rent. Ye‘d be responsible for yer own expenses and board. Perhaps six moths? Or do ye need more time to find a new husband, being a woman of yer age, ye ken?‖

  Fiona reddened against the insult. ―Pay my own daughter to lodge in a house I rightfully own? Are you mad, Carrick? And where do you expect me to get the money to pay her at any rate?‖

  ―I doubt the noble Vicomte left ye as abject as ye claim.‖ Carrick calmly leaned back into the sofa. ―I‘m quite certain he paid ye what yer services were worth to him. Nay, ye shallna have complete charity from yer daughters, I will see to that. ‗Tis charitable enough as I offer it. Do ye no like it, ye may go back to France and see what charity ye may find there—if there is any left for ye, which I doubt, or ye wouldna be troubling us.‖

  ―And you, Caitriona?‖ Fiona was furious. ―Do you agree with this plan? And you as well, da?‖ She looked from one to the other, seeking support.

  ―I do,‖ Cat said simply.

  ―And I, Fiona,‖ Hamish finally managed to say. He was steadily recovering from his visions, and looking stronger by the second. ―It is best for all concerned.‖

  Realizing she was in no position to argue the point further, Fiona sighed deeply and put up her hands.

  ―Fine then,‖ she agreed disparagingly. ―As you wish. When may I move into the house?‖

  ―There is a stipulation first, Fiona.‖ Carrick was all business. ―Ye willna go to the courts, nor will ye be unkind or bring harm to anyone on these lands. If ye canna agree, ye will leave, never to return. I dinna believe ye can hold to itthough. Ye canna uncurl a sow‘s tail, can ye now?‖

  Fiona was sick of his demands, but saw the futility of non-acquiescence. ―I agree,‖ she said curtlyand sat back in her chair to rest her chin on the back of her hand. ―May I have a brandy, now that we have concluded the business portion ofmy visit?‖

  ―Oh,my God!‖ Olivia exclaimed from the doorway. She was white as a cloud and looked about to faint. ―It‘s you!‖ She pointed at Fiona as she collapsed to the floor.

  ―Olivia!‖ Cat cried, running to kneel at her sister‘s side.

  Hamish and Carrick quickly joined her; Hamish lookedback to Fiona in anguish.‖See what ye‘ve done to her, Fiona! Do ye see what good yer coming has brought?‖ Then to Carrick, ―Can ye take her up to her bed, Carrick? I will tend to her there, away from this madness.‖

  ―Aye, Hamish,‖ Carrick answered as he lifted the unconscious Olivia into his arms and started for the door.

  ―Fiona,‖ he addressed her, looking over his shoulder. ―Be gone when I return. Ye may move into Taigh MacHendrie in the morning. I will notify the staff to make ready for yer arrival. See to it, Ian,‖ he directed his brother and left.

  ―Ye‘re a bloody hatefulviper,‖ Cat cursed Fiona as she rose to follow Carrick. ―I wish to never lay eyes on ye again. How dare ye?‖ she said as she left the room. ―How dare ye come back?‖

  Fiona sat in stunned silence. She hadn‘t seen Olivia since the girl was six-yearsold and hadn‘t expected her to be such a beauty. ―Was that…?‖ she asked Hamish.

  ―Aye, Fiona.‖‘ he answered softly. ―Yer changeling child. Olivia is her name. And she grew into a fine woman without ye. Do as Carrick says, Fiona. I warn ye, he will no tolerate yer games and lies. Tread carefully, daughter.‖ Leaving the warning behind for Fiona to contemplate, he went to care for Olivia.

  Ian sat frozen. He had never seen such a spectacle in his life and was speechless in its wake. Slowly, deliberately, he began to reach for his crutches so that he could carry out Carrick‘s directives.

  ―Fiona MacHendrie!‖ Mollyentered the room and planted herself firmlyin front of Fiona. ―I couldn‘t believe it was true. So, now ye come crawling like the snake ye are—back to the verra folk ye betrayed. Ye always did have a nerve, woman.‖

  Molly put her hands on her hips indignantly and glared at the woman who had once been her best friend. ―And I am told ye want Caitriona‘s inheritance to boot. Well, ye never did have any shame.‖

  Fiona put up her hand to stop the tirade. ―Enough, Molly,‖ she said, tired from the battles. ―I‘m leaving immediately.My business here is concluded.‖ Fiona rose and stepped past Molly, who refused to budge. ―I‘ll not trouble you further,‖ she swore as she walked toward the door. ―Nice to see you, too.‖

  Fiona went into the foyer and let herself out. She strode arrogantly to her waiting carriage and was assisted into it by the driver. Molly followed to be certain Fiona was truly going. She stood in the portico and watched the carriage drive down the hill as a flock of ravens flew directly over the departing coach—their shadows cast ominously on its rooftop.

  Olivia was sitting up on her bed, back against the pile of pillows Cat had arranged for her. She had awakened as soon as Carrick laid her down.

  ―How do ye feel now?‖ Hamish asked, taking her pulse. ―Any light-headedness or wooziness, perhaps?‖

  ―No,grandda,‖ she answered, putting a hand to her head. ―Just a slight headache. Who was that woman?‖

  ―Who do ye think she was?‖ Cat asked anxiously, sitting on the bed beside her sister. ―Do ye recall anything?‖

  ―Aye,‖ Olivia answeredslowly. ―I remember coming into the room and seeing her. Then it was as though my vision was gone, and I was only seeing flashes of things…almost like memories. Wait! I saw myself as a child with that woman! Oh, my God. Oh, no!‖ screamed Olivia. ―No! No! It isn‘t true…!‖ Olivia jumped from the bed, wresting her hand from Hamish. ―Do ye think it‘s true—what Morag told us?‖ She asked them in an agitated, high-pitched voice.

  She looked from Carrick to Cat, then back to Hamish as she paced the room like a wounded animal. ―She said that families reincarnate together.That we are the reincarnations of Jenny‘s family? But it can‘t be!‖

  Cat went over and put her arms around Olivia, holding her tight. ―Who knows, baby? Who knows what is true. Doye feel it‘s true?‖ she asked, rocking her gently to comfort her.

  Olivia began to cry, tears spilling onto Cat‘s sleeve. ―Aye,‖ she sniffled, lookingup at her. ―Aye, Ido. I‘m the other Olivia—Olivia MacHendrie,‖ she said, composing herself a bit. ―I saw it. And that horrid woman was mymother!‖

  ―And mine,‖ Cat said compassionately. ―I have already dealt with her twice now. I ken yer feelings toward her well, Olivia. She‘s an evil one. I had hoped to protect us all from her. I had no idea ye were involvedas well.‖

  ―Ahem,‖ Hamish clearedhis throat to beg their attention. ―I think perhaps— well—it may be that she was my daughter as well as yer mother,‖ he volunteered tentatively.

  All eyes turned on Hamish in wonder. Had the immensely reasonable doctor actually had a supernatural experience?

  ―Ye too, grandda?‖ Cat managed, her face paling at the confession.

  ―Aye, Hamish,‖ Carrick finally broke in. ―I thought ye looked a wee bit pale for a moment when ye addressed her as daughter.‖

  ―Yehave the right of it, Carrick,‖Hamish answered, runninga hand through his greyhair. ―As Olivia, I had the visions, too. Powerful visions from somewhere deep in my bones. Aye, I believe it‘s true,‖ he said firmly.

  ―Wonderful,‖ Cat replied, letting go of Olivia, who sank into a chair. ―What do we do now?‖ she asked to no one in particular, but turning instinctively to Carrick.

  ―We keep our agreement to her. She may live in Taigh MacHendrie for six months. That will give us time to devise a plan for dealing with the buidseach. In the now, we take joy that the family is united—by reincarnationor otherwise, aye?‖

  ―Agreed,‖ Cat went to her husband‘s side and hugged his arm. ―Strange it may be, but we are together. That is all that ma
tters.‖

  ―A united front!‖ Olivia exclaimed, rising to her feet and hugging Hamish.

  ―Aye, elf,‖ Hamish hugged her in turn, then stopped abruptly and drew slightly back.―I always wondered where I got the idea to call ye elf or fey.‖Realization dawned on his features. ―From that damned Fiona,who called ye a changeling.‖

  Hamish reddened and softened his voice. ―I apologize to ye, Olivia. I‘ll no call ye that again, I promise.‖

  ―No, grandda.‖ She smiled back at him, the love rising in her eyes. ―It doesna matter. I ken ye always said it with love. Dinna stop, please. I am what I am.‖

  ―And what ye are is mine,‖ Hamish cupped her face and put a light kiss on hercheek. ―As are ye all,‖ he said to his family standing around him. ―Fiona can never change that.‖

  ―So there ye are,‖ Molly was bending over a tray laden with brandy, tea, and scones, readying them to be served. ―Are ye well now, Olivia?‖ she asked. She had lately developed an affection for the girl and took an interest in her wellbeing. ―May I pour ye a wee dram?‖

  Giving Molly a quick hug, she proceededto the sofa and sighed. ―Aye, Molly. I‘m fine. Just a bit of a shock to see Fiona, ye ken?‖ she answered. ―And a dram would be welcome, thank ye.‖

  The rest of the family filed into the parlor and made themselves comfortable. One by one, each helped themselves to the tea tray, and they sat companionably enjoying their snacks, trying to avoid the topic on everyone‘s minds.

  ―Is she gone?‖ Ian asked from the doorway.

  ―Aye, Ian,‖ Molly answered him. ―Do come in and refresh yerself.‖

  Ian made his way to a chair and laid the crutches down. As he did, Olivia sprang up, fixed a plate and

  cup, and brought it to him. ―Here ye are,‖ she said, presenting it to him. ―I hope ye enjoy it, Ian. I made the scones myself this morning.‖ She beamed with delight and accomplishment.

  ―Ye made these?‖ Cat was taken aback. ―Ye‘ve never cooked a thing in yer life!‖