by Adams, Alisa
After breakfast, they went out for a brisk walk along the seafront, then had lunch at the inn where James was staying. The fresh air had whipped roses into his cheeks, and he felt and looked invigorated. They turned a corner into the industrial part of the shoreline, and suddenly they were standing in front of the last place James wanted to be.
"The chandlers," he groaned, " Heather, why did you bring me here? Bruce is working."
"It's time for dinner," she informed him as they went in. "Look, there he is. He'll be off early today too. I love Saturdays!"
Bruce was standing behind a high counter weighing out nails on a scale. He looked up briefly and saw them, but he was busy with his customer and said nothing. Eventually, the man had finished, and Bruce came around the counter to embrace Heather. When he had let her go, James extended a hand to him.
"My apologies sir," he said firmly, "I was wrong, and I would like your forgiveness."
Bruce hesitated for a moment, quite taken aback, then he grasped James's hand, almost crushing it with his forceful handshake. He smiled warmly at him. "Yer apology is accepted, sir," he replied, "but we must talk mair aboot it."
"Right," Heather said decisively, "are you two finished butting heads like a pair of billy goats now?"
"Aye," Bruce answered, grinning.
"Yes," James said with a mischievous smile.
"Thank God for that!" Heather cast her eyes heavenwards, then gave each of them a resounding kiss on the cheek. As they left, she looked over her shoulder and blew Bruce a kiss.
"You definitely bring out the best in Bruce," James observed over a glass of sherry as they sat on either side of the fire when they got back to the house.
Heather smiled. "He brings out the best in me too," she answered, "I used to order other people about, but I am happy to do his bidding and he mine. We would do anything for each other. Remember I said I wanted a man who would let me be myself?"
James nodded.
"He is that man."
"I am glad for you," he said sadly, "I would happily marry Jessica, you know."
Heather leaned forward and patted his knee. "Jessica doesn't want you, James," she pointed out, “find someone who does, and don't care what anybody says. The only reason we were so secret was in case any of Father's men stopped us. Love who you love and marry who you want. She will be a lucky girl, whoever she is."
James laughed cynically. "Easier said than done, sister!" Then he changed the subject abruptly. "What are you knitting?"
Heather held up the piece of knitting she was working on. It was only a foot long at that stage, but James knew that his sister got great pleasure from knitting and would finish it quickly. It was a plain cream color with blocks and stripes of raised stitches all over it.
"A sweater for Bruce. They tell me it comes from the Isle of Arran in Ireland," she told him. A lady from the market showed me how to do it and I copied her instructions."
"I am sure he will love it," James said fondly.
"When I'm finished I will make one for you too." She paused to negotiate a tricky stitch. "And deliver it personally."
Brother and sister looked at each other directly for a moment before James said, "Father will go mad."
Heather shrugged. "He's done it before," she said nonchalantly, "I'm sure both of us will survive."
Just then the door opened and Bruce walked in, windblown and smelling of fresh air. He bent down to kiss Heather. "Evenin', wee lassie!" He said fondly, then looked at James. "Sorry James," he said regretfully, "I knaw we're pals noo, but I'm no' kissin' you."
"I'm very glad to hear it!" James laughed.
James ate better at Heather's house than he had ever done at the castle. For dinner, they had a lamb pie with rich gravy and a mountain of mashed potatoes. This was followed by shortbread with cream and raspberry jam.
"Sorry," Heather apologized, "I hadn't time to make this jam - I had to buy it from the market."
"You make it sound like a sin." James laughed.
Bruce shook his head. "Sometimes I find it hard tae believe she is a Laird's daughter," Bruce confessed, "she is so good at everythin'."
James laughed. "Mother always said that if you showed her something once you never had to show her again," he said proudly.
"Are you talking about me?" Heather's voice wafted in from the kitchen.
"Only good stuff, sweetheart!" Bruce laughed.
Heather came back in with a pot of tea, which she set down on the table. When she had poured for everyone, Bruce grabbed her and pulled her onto his lap, locking his arms around her. "Now, Mrs. Ferguson - see if ye can get oot o' that!"
Heather giggled. "Last time he did this I was here for an hour!"
James looked at both of them playing like children. If he had had any lingering doubts about their love for each other, they had gone. Heather was right. Love was love wherever it came from, and he would tell his father so.
Presently, Bruce let Heather go with a playful smack on her backside and they sat beside the fire for a while.
"I must go soon," James said sadly, "but I wanted to have a few words with Bruce before I go—Heather?"
"Of course, but you can stay here," she replied, "we have another bedroom."
"I left my horse at the inn," he said regretfully, "but thank you."
"I'll leave you alone, then," Heather said, yawning. "Goodnight James. Will you come back tomorrow?"
"Of course," he answered, "goodnight, Heather, and sleep well."
When she had gone, Bruce poured a dram of whiskey for each of them. "Now," he said, "what did ye want tae talk aboot?"
35
Dougie and Jessica
Sadie McFarlane was overjoyed that Dougie was walking out with Jessica. They never met at the castle, of course, since Jessica was not one of the Laird's family, but she saw him on Sundays and any time he could get around to his parents' house.
Often, if he had any time off they could be seen walking around the village hand-in-hand. Jessica was completely taken aback by how much she felt for him, and Dougie was astonished that a well-educated, Latin-speaking woman would ever allow him to court her.
Frequently on wet and rainy evenings, she would sit in the parlor of the Manse with Sadie and John. Dougie would put his arm around her and they would gaze into the fire, while the older couple watched with indulgent pleasure.
One evening Sadie asked Jessica a question she had delayed broaching for a long time, not wanting to touch a tender spot, but it seemed that John had serious intentions towards her, and she had to know the girl's background.
"Jessica, I hope I am no' bein' forward, lass," she asked tentatively, "but ye never talk about yer family."
"I have none," she replied simply, "my mother and father died of typhus along with my two brothers when I was three years old. I was brought up by my eldest sister, who was fifteen at the time. She would have been in her middle thirties by now but she died in childbirth. I do not know what happened to my brother-in-law."
John and Sadie were shocked, both at her tragic story and her calm acceptance of it.
"But how did ye cope?" John asked, frowning.
"I have been making my own way since I was sixteen," she said proudly, "I worked finishing dresses for a seamstress at the weekends and I read everything I could about all the things I wanted to know. I have always liked children and when the chance to become a governess came along I grabbed it with both hands, and I was good at it.
The McAlpine family was very kind to me and treated me like one of their own. They gave me a roof over my head and all my meals were eaten with them. I loved it. but when they had to move to the Lowlands I knew I had to leave. This is my home - the Highlands. I went to Glasgow once and I will be happy if I never see that smelly, smoky place ever again!"
They laughed, but Jessica had gone up even further in their estimation. Dougie said goodnight when his friend came to pick him up in his cart. He charged a small fee for this and made a good living when th
ere were a lot of passengers. They stood at the door for a moment looking into each other’s eyes.
"Oh, Jess," he breathed, "I wish I could take ye back wi' me an' we could coorie up in a nice big feather bed."
She laughed softly. "That would be lovely," she replied, "but your friends are becoming impatient. Goodnight, Dougie."
"Goodnight, lass," he kissed her softly.
Then one of the men shouted from the cart, "Put her doon, Dougie!"
Jessica giggled and Dougie rolled his eyes.
"See you lot? Ye've got nae sense o' romance!" He shouted indignantly.
Jessica smiled and shook her head. Being with Dougie was never boring!
Jessica and Sadie were progressing well with the school. The new building had been finished and it soon became apparent that the numbers of children necessitated another teacher. Sadie and Jessica were reluctant to take this step since the loss of Heather's contribution had left them short of money and a few of the niceties which they had previously enjoyed had had to be stopped.
"I think we will have to approach Lady Katrine," Jessica said to Sadie one afternoon. "If we cannot employ another teacher I see no way to continue."
Sadie nodded slowly. "Aye, ye're right, hen," she agreed, sighing, "if only Heather wis here! Is James no' back fae Dundee yet?"
"He has been away for almost a month," Jessica said sadly, "I'm sure that he will have contacted them now. Could we wait until next week?"
Sadie thought for a moment. "Aye," she said firmly, "but nae longer, lass. We dinnae want the bairns fallin' behind."
Just then, Dougie came in. His face lit up when he saw Jessica and he came and wrapped his arms around her. He kissed her softly on the lips and smiled, while she stroked his face lightly and laid her head on his shoulder. Dougie glanced up at his mother and made an almost imperceptible movement of his head. Sadie nodded.
"I'll make some tea," she said and went into the kitchen.
"Will ye sit doon, lass?" Dougie asked solemnly.
Jessica sat down, frowning, then he sat down beside her, angling his body so that he was facing her. "Is anything wrong, Dougie?" she asked anxiously.
He took her hands and looked deeply into her wide green eyes, then stretched out his hands to cup her face. "Naethin' at a', lass," he replied tenderly, "I jist wanted to ask ye somethin'."
Jessica's heart began to beat very fast as she saw the look in his eyes. She could see that he was very nervous, and he did not seem to be able to speak. "Dougie, you're scaring me!"
He took a deep breath and blurted out, "Marry me, Jessica, I love you!" It came out in one continuous spout of words and she realized how scared he had been. He seemed to be frozen in place, his eyes fixed on hers. At last, he managed one final word. "Please."
"Of course, I'll marry you, Dougie!" She laughed. "I thought you'd never ask!"
The look of disbelief on his face was something she knew she'd carry with her for the rest of her life. "Ye will?" The grin on his face was the widest she had ever seen. He picked her up and whirled her around till she was breathless.
"Stop!" she cried, squealing with laughter. He set her on her feet again then kissed her as she had never been kissed before, a hard, demanding kiss that she returned with equal fervor.
Then they stood looking at each other savoring the sweetest moment of their lives, until Dougie said, "I thought you might refuse since we havenae been thigether that long." His voice was husky and his amber eyes shining.
"I had a feeling about you the first time I saw you," she whispered, "I don't mean love at first sight or anything so fanciful, just a pleasant feeling that you were a good man."
"I will always be a good man for you, my Jess," he answered, "and every day I will try to be a better one."
"And I will be the very best wife I can be—and we will have lots of red-headed children!"
"I like the sound o' that!"
Just then, Sadie came in with the tea tray. She looked at both of their flushed, happy faces and raised her eyebrows. "Well?" she asked, "who is going to tell me what the matter is?"
"I asked this young lady to marry me," Dougie said joyfully, "and she said yes."
Sadie squealed and came forward to give Jessica a warm motherly hug. "Thank ye lass," she said fervently, "for making my son sae happy. And I am happy too. You will make a fine daughter."
"I can't wait to be your daughter, but don't you think it is too soon?" Jessica asked doubtfully.
"We dinnae hae tae get married the morrow," Dougie said, sitting down again and pulling her onto his lap, "but let us no' wait too long."
"We have a few practical things to work out first, sweetheart," she pointed out, "where are we going to live?"
"Aye," Dougie said thoughtfully, "I cannae see the Laird bein' happy aboot me bringin' my wife in. Maybe I could get another position somewhere else."
"I think we should discuss it when we have more time," Jessica stood on tiptoe and kissed him, "you should get back to work."
"Listen tae that, Ma!" He laughed. "Bossin' me aroon already!"
36
Return to Invergar
"You have been married before, have you not?" James asked.
"Aye." A shadow of sadness crossed Bruce's face. "And a wonderful woman she was. I didnae dream I wid ever find happiness again till I met Heather."
"You truly have let go of your first wife?"
Bruce looked at him with a threatening frown on his face. "When ye love somebody as much as I loved Bridie ye never forget them. I will always carry her here." He laid his hand on his chest. "In my heart. But Heather knaws, she understauns that Bridie is the past an' she is the present. I wish that Bridie hadnae died, aye, but if she hadnae I wid never hae met yer wonderful sister."
James smiled. "Whose idea was it to elope?"
"Heather's," he replied, "I wisnae too keen at first but she is a hard woman tae argue wi'!"
"I won't disagree with you there!" James laughed, then grew serious again. "I see how much you two love each other and even if I could I would not try to come between you. My father, however, is a different matter, which is why I think it is better that you deal with my mother. I know she was shocked, but she is the more forgiving of the two of them, and between us, we may be able to build a bridge. Would you be willing to do that?"
"Only for Heather's sake," Bruce replied, "I care nothing for your mother and father." Bruce smiled ruefully.
"My father is pig-headed," he conceded, "he does not give in easily and I cannot push him too hard. Bruce, would you come back with me and face him? I want our family to be together - and I know that both my parents do too – although my father would rather die than say it."
Bruce walked over to the window. "Whit if I was a Laird?" he asked, "would there be a problem then?"
"No," James said honestly.
Bruce turned to face him. "If Heather agrees I will go." His voice was low and threatening, his eyes piercing as he looked at James. "An' only if she comes as well, but I warn ye, I will take no insults from him."
At that moment Heather appeared again.
"Wid ye like tae go an' see yer family for a wee while?" he asked, drawing her close. "Tae see if we can make things better?"
"Do you want to?" she asked, "because I will not do anything without you."
"I will go for you," he answered, "and I will meet wi' yer faither."
"Thank you," she whispered, hugging him. They turned to face James.
"We need to sort out our affairs," Heather said, "so we will go the day after tomorrow."
The journey back to Invergar was uneventful, but their reception was not. Since Bruce's departure, a new blacksmith had taken his place, a sturdy middle-aged bachelor called Colin Mulholland. He was not at all like his predecessor. Bruce had never been talkative, but he had always been courteous, pleasant and helpful. Mulholland was dour, surly and universally disliked. He was very fond of whiskey and was usually in a drunken stupor by eight in the evening
. How the village missed Bruce!
Bruce felt hurt and nauseated when he saw the condition of his forge, which he had always kept in the best of repair. By its nature, a forge was a dirty place, but Bruce had always kept it as tidy and clean as possible. Now he could see that some of the thatch on the roof was falling out, the floor was unswept and the place was generally looking unkempt and unloved. He felt anger boiling up inside him as he looked at it, but he told himself that it was useless to complain. He was the one who had walked away, and now his focus had to be on Heather.
The first person who greeted her was Sadie, who came running as fast as her legs would carry her out of the school. "Heather! Bruce!" She cried, almost weeping with joy, "I'm that glad tae see ye! Where have ye been?"
"We have been living in Dundee, Sadie," Heather answered, "and it's good to see you too. Now, if you'll excuse me, we have to go and see my parents. Please wish us luck, for we will need it!"
Sadie came around to the side of Bruce's horse and kissed him. "Bruce, ye've been missed," she said, her eyes shining with tears.
"I'm glad tae hear it, Sadie." He smiled at her. "We will be as quick as we can, hen."
She waved at them as they left then they went to the castle, with James leading the way. They stabled the horses and walked upstairs to the family's apartments.
"Let me go in first," James said quietly, "I will call you presently."
"Good luck!" Heather whispered.
James squeezed her hand as he went inside. Katrine was standing by the door as James came in. She froze for a moment, startled, then ran across the room to throw her arms around him.
"Hello Mother," he said gently, "how are you?"
"All the better for seeing you, my darling!" She smiled at him warmly, cupped his face in her hands and kissed him.
"I'm glad to be home, Mother," he replied.
"And how are you?" He could see her swallowing, trying to keep back tears. "Heather? Did you see her?"
