Highland Bloodline

by Florence Love Karsner

  "But why? That seems like a waste of money to me I must say."

  "Waste? Oh, no, lass. Ye don't understand. It's just in case he needs it, ye ken? A bribe for St. Peter!"

  Even in his grief he grinned at the memory of making the pact with Andrew.

  Caitlin smiled and gave him a hug before she left him, then made her way up to the gravesite. The circle of stones still called to her and she could often be seen standing at the top of the moor, her fiery hair blowing in the wind and her long skirts whipping about her ankles. The spirits she encountered there always brought her peace when all else failed.

  Today she offered her prayers then quickly joined the others at the recently dug gravesite. Hamish and Kenny had prepared the plot, and Andrew would be buried next to his Florence as he had requested. Millie had made a floral arrangement using the white primroses and pine boughs that were plentiful.

  One more arrangement was brought to the site as well. This one was simply a single sprig of heather tied with a yellow ribbon. The ribbon belonged to Camille and she tied it around the heather, Andrew's favorite flower.

  They bowed their heads as the vicar offered prayers for Andrew's soul. His family would treasure his memory and his name would always bring a smile to their faces.

  There had been no choice but to bury him, as no one knew if and when Alex and Jack would return. At the end of the ceremony, family tradition was to spend the day bringing to mind fond memories of the deceased. But somehow, with Alex and Jack gone and Da in his bed, that didn't seem to be proper.

  Caitlin, Millie and Camille walked slowly back toward the lodge, each keeping their thoughts to themselves. As they got closer, Camille decided to go to her cottage alone. Her memories of Andrew were ones she would keep to herself, and some of them would last her a lifetime.

  Had Ian been there, perhaps he would have felt the presence of another grieving one. As it was, only Robbie was aware. He watched as the old stag stood at the edge of the forest for several moments before slowly disappearing into his wooded haven.

  CHAPTER 11

  T

  he Sanctuary at Cameron Castle was always a busy place. Children were constantly being herded from one room to another, the women called to each other across the grounds, and some days you might even hear a little laughter.

  But for many of the residents, having a roof over their heads, being safe, and having food didn't take care of all their needs. The horror of Culloden seemed to have invaded the very souls of some of the women, and those were the ones Reggie worried about.

  "Hector, I think we need to try to get Aileen to her family in Lairg. She has an older sister there who would take her in. Do you agree with that idea?"

  Sometimes Hector had difficulty responding to Reggie. Today she was wearing a cornflower blue dress with a high collar. The blue color accentuated her violet eyes, and her honey-colored hair was held back with a matching ribbon. She glided quietly along, her long skirts barely skimming the floor. These distractions got his attention more than her words.

  "Uh ... aye. Ethel tells me she's a great worker in the kitchen, but some days she's lost in her thoughts and stares off in space. Ethel's worried about her, too."

  "Do you think we can arrange that? To get her to Lairg Fern?"

  Hector stared down at his boots for a long moment, then looked back up at Reggie.

  "I'll be going to the Highlands in a couple of days. I need to see Da and my brothers. They're bound to be as worried as I am about the Brits. I'll take Aileen with me and help her find her sister. Lairg's one of the villages on the trail, so it's not out of my way."

  "I knew you'd find a way, you always do."

  She smiled at him and walked away satisfied this one woman would have a chance at life again now.

  Next morning, Hector wanted to get underway as early as possible. The trek to the Highland lodge was always a long one, and he had a detour to make along the way this time. Aileen had been very pleased he had offered to take her as far as Lairg Fern.

  "Mr. MacKinnon, I do thank you. I know I'm difficult for Ethel to deal with some days, but I do try. It's just that I'm so alone now."

  "Lairg is not much out of my way, Aileen. I've never been there, but I believe it's just south and west of our own properties. It'll take us a while, but if ye get tired we'll just let ye rest in the back of the cart. There's a blanket and that'll keep ye warm enough. I've used this cart many times for just such trips as this one. We'll find yer sister, then I'll get on to my own family. It's an easy enough task, lass."

  Originally he had planned to go by horseback, as that was quicker. But when Reggie had made her request he decided to take the cart instead.

  Aileen was a small, thin woman with an abundance of long dark hair. She wore it braided and it hung down her back. She kept to herself and didn't talk much, according to Ethel. Reggie had been able to get a few details out of her, but you didn't need to know the details to understand she was in pain and getting her to her sister's was a good idea. So before the sun even considered raising its golden head, Hector and Aileen were on the trail headed upland.

  "Reggie tells me your family is in the upper Highlands, too, Mr. MacKinnon." She was trying to make conversation, but found it difficult. She'd retreated inside herself some time ago and making small talk with others was a real trial for her.

  "Aye. I've got three brothers, my da and Uncle Andrew. And there's Caitlin and Millie, who are married to my brothers. Oh, and Millie has a little daughter named Midge. Millie was married once before, ye ken? It's a long story, but she's part of our family now."

  "All these people live in one cottage?"

  "Well, Da always added a room each time a bairn came along. Then he added another room when Old Jamie moved in, and then another when Uncle Andrew joined us. Da just likes to build cottages, I think. So what started out as a small crofter's hut became a rather large lodge. And believe it or not, there are still some empty rooms." He smiled at the woman.

  The two of them had traveled for most of the day when Hector decided to stop at an inn for a bite to eat. The inn was located on the south side of Cromarty Firth, which was where they would veer off and head toward Lairg. He'd taken the food Ethel had insisted on packing for him, but he thought Aileen would find dinner in the inn a pleasant experience, probably one she hadn't had in a long time.

  "Whoa, now, whoa, Bess. Hold here."

  Hector pulled hard on the reins and stepped down from the cart. Coming to the other side, he offered his hand to Aileen and helped her down.

  "What's this place, Mr. MacKinnon?"

  "This is an inn I sometimes frequent on my way. Ethel's cooking is great, but there's also a pub in here that will take care of my thirst, ye ken?"

  He smiled at the woman and led her through the door. To anyone watching, they would appear to be a young couple stopping for dinner along their journey, which is exactly what they were.

  Aileen looked about. She'd actually been a cook in an inn such as this, years ago now it seemed. She didn't like to remember those days, however, as they were from another lifetime, a time when her life was full of happiness and promise.

  "Why don't ye enjoy a small glass of their wine, Aileen? It might help ye relax a bit."

  "Yessir." And she drank not one, but two glasses of the rich red wine the innkeeper placed on their table. Hector had become used to the fine wine at Cameron Castle, but this wasn't too bad. If nothing else, it seemed to loosen Aileen's tongue a little and she began to tell him her story. Hector knew parts of it, as Reggie had told him as much as she knew. But he now understood there was much more to the story, and the telling of it renewed Aileen's sorrow and brought pain to his own heart as well.

  Mam, if ye can hear me, I need yer wisdom.

  Aileen waited patiently as Hector went to the counter and paid for their meal and wine. She was more relaxed than she could remember being in such a long time. Somehow, telling Hector her troubles was strangely a relief even though it brough
t back painful memories. It took Hector a bit longer at the counter than she thought it might, but she stayed put until he came back to their table.

  "The innkeeper says we can't cross Cromarty Firth just now. They've had so much rain the bridge is under water. He indicated there's another path we can take to get to Lairg Fern. It will take us a little longer, but we'll get there."

  "I see. If you think that's best, sir."

  They had only gone a short way when Hector saw Aileen's head lean to the side. She immediately sat up straight, but in another few minutes her chin dropped to her chest and she was nodding off again.

  Bringing the cart to a halt, he gently roused her.

  "Here, lass, let's let ye rest a bit in the cart. The blanket will keep ye warm and we'll be to our destination before ye know it."

  "Yessir. I'm just tired and sleepy, from the wine I guess."

  And she actually smiled at Hector, the first smile he had ever seen on her face.

  Hector himself was tired, but this trip was one he knew he had to make. The British were virtually crawling all over the country and it was only a matter of time before he and his brothers would be called on to take some kind of action. But that was the problem. What kind of action?

  Hector had made this trip so many times he could do it in his sleep. In fact, he thought he may have slept the last few miles. But just the scent of the Highlands was enough for him to feel a warmth flowing through his body.

  It had taken him longer than usual to get here, but it was still light, as this time of year the days were much longer. The Highlands were alive with every flower and plant pushing its way through the soil, seeking the warmth of the sun. As always, he pulled to the back of the lodge, where he knew all the activity would be taking place. Looking out across the moor, he saw Hamish and Kenny working with the sheep, then he heard laughter coming from the stable. Suddenly, he caught brief snatches of voices—voices of children.

  "Grandda says he's still tired, but when he's better he'll teach me to ride."

  Dugald was showing Bridgette and Charlie the new pony Da had brought to the lodge. They looked at the pony briefly, then ran around the corner intent on chasing Tess, the old Border collie, as she slowly sauntered by. She was so old now that running was not an option for her.

  Millie and Caitlin heard the cart pull up and peeked out the window. "Oh, Millie, it's Hector. Thank goodness. And he's brought Dorothea. What a help she'll be."

  Millie rushed out the door, anxious to greet her old nursemaid and friend. But she stopped just short of going down the steps.

  "Caitlin, that's not Dorothea. I don't know that lady, do you?"

  Just seconds later, the three laughing bairns came flying around the corner of the stable, headed to the back door. They came to an abrupt halt, stared for several minutes, then began to run toward the woman standing by the cart. Dugald was the first one to find his voice.

  "Mum! That's our mum, that's our mum!" he yelled as he flew towards the cart. Bridgette stumbled and fell to the ground as she began to run faster trying to keep up with Dugald. She was on her feet again in a moment and once again darted forward.

  "Mummy! Mummy!" she screamed, and she, too, was across the yard grabbing at her mother's skirts.

  Aileen had sunk to her knees, and had not yet found her own voice. It was hiding somewhere between the sobs and tears. She knew she would find it eventually, but just now her arms did the talking and that was enough for Dugald and Bridgette.

  Then, as if he didn't trust his eyes, wee Charlie stood very still, then slowly began to make his way toward his mother. The closer he got, the faster his small legs began to run.

  "Mu, Mu, Mu."

  This was his first attempt at making any words since his frightening event with Drosera.

  Aileen finally uttered her first words also.

  "Oh, Charlie, come here! It's Mummy! Come here!"

  She gathered all three precious bairns in her thin arms and held them tightly, vowing to never let them go again.

  Millie and Caitlin stood by observing the scene in awe, and found themselves crying too. They watched in disbelief and wonderment as this small family came together after being separated by events none of them could understand. Caitlin sent up a small prayer of thanks for her own bairn, Flinn.

  "Uncle Wabi would tell you the Creator had a hand in this." She wiped her eyes and handed Millie the kerchief.

  "Ah, Caitlin, Millie, 'tis good to see ye both." Hector greeted them with a MacKinnon hug, which left the two of them staggering.

  "Hector, how in the world did you find their mother? I thought she was dead," Millie said. She and Caitlin had both been mother to these three for some time now, but certainly were glad their own mother had been found.

  "It's a long, sad, story ladies. There are so many sad stories at the Sanctuary. All of the women have one, and each one will pull at yer heartstrings. But once I heard Aileen's story it didn't take much to realize the bairns I had found in Cameron Castle belonged to her.

  I now know the children had left their cottage thinking their mother was dead. But apparently she was ill and had become unconscious for several days and when she finally did awaken, she couldn't find them. She came to the Sanctuary several months ago and has been having a most difficult time trying to get a grip on her life, a life without her husband and bairns. It seemed an impossible task for her and she withdrew more and more everyday.

  "Then she's one of the lucky ones, I say. Culloden has taken so much from so many," Caitlin said.

  And it may have taken Alex and Jack even as we speak.

  "So tell me what's happening up here. Where's Alex, Jack?"

  Millie turned away, preferring to let Caitlin tell Hector their own sad story.

  "Alex and Jack left for the border about ten days ago. They were hoping to learn whatever information they can about the Brits in order to come up with a plan to keep us all safe, if that's possible."

  "Ten days? That's a long time. Were they planning to be gone that long?"

  "No, they had thought to be back within a week at most."

  "Then, I'll go look for them. Today."

  "There's more to tell, Hector. Alex sent Kenny down to the Black Isle to check on wool prices. He came back saying two Highlanders had been captured there the day before he arrived. The innkeeper at the local pub described one of them as having red hair and being big as a giant."

  "Jesus! That's gotta be Jack. And the other had to be Alex."

  "Yes, that's what we think, too. But, Da doesn't want us to do anything hasty."

  "Where's Da? He's usually got one of the bairns on his hip or reading to one of 'em. And where's Ian?"

  "We've had several weeks of Scarlet Fever here in the lodge. The bairns, Midge, Flinn and Bridgette, were first. Then Da and Andrew."

  "Well, I see the wee ones are up and about. How are the old ones?"

  "Go see for yourself. Da's upstairs in Mam's room. He's waiting for you."

  Hector bounded up the stairs and was at Mam's room in seconds. He knocked and, not waiting for an answer, opened the door.

  "Da? Are ye alright then?" Hector had never seen his father ailing. He'd watched him recover from a wound from a wild boar, but even that hadn't kept him in bed. At the moment he looked pale and gaunt.

  "Ah, lad. It's about time. We hoped ye'd come."

  Hector knelt next to Da's bed. "Caitlin says the fever got ye but that ye'll recover if ye take it easy a while."

  "Aye. It's nothing worth talking about."

  "Maybe, but she knows her business, Da. Ye need to listen to her, and I do have something worth talking about." He pulled up a stool, sat down and proceeded to tell Da the story of Aileen and her bairns.

  "That's the best news I've heard in a long time. It's right that ye brought her here. A mother needs to be with her bairns. Now, I'm tired of taking it easy, and when I'm ready I'm going downstairs whether the ladies like it or no. Caitlin's taken good care of me, but it's time for
me to get meself on me feet."

  "Caitlin says Uncle Andrew had the fever too. Guess he's over in his cottage with Camille."

  Da hesitated a moment, looking out the window over the moor. Then he turned back to Hector.

  "Lad, nae. Andrew's gone on to his next lodge, ye ken? He didn't make it."

  Hector stood and looked at Da, seeing unbearable grief in the old man's eyes. He and Andrew had been mates since they were but young lads. They'd spent a lifetime together and when you saw one, the other was close by.

  "But, Da. He can't be gone. He ... I ..."

  "I know, lad. It's like me right arm is gone. The only worse pain was when Alice left me. But ye know, son, she'd say, 'he's only a thought away, Daniel, only a thought away.'"

  Hector slowly walked down to the kitchen. It never occurred to him that his own family might be having their own problems while he was down at the Sanctuary helping others. Looking around, he saw Flinn asleep in her crib and Midge playing at Millie's feet as she and Caitlin prepared food for this large group.

  Aileen and the orphans had come inside and Hector made all the necessary introductions. The woman looked so forlorn, twisting her hands and pushing at her hair as if to tidy it. They all said the proper words, but her discomfort was apparent to everyone. She looked at Hector, perhaps seeking his approval. He smiled at her, and in a halting voice she began to speak.

  "I don't know what to say to you all. I thought my bairns were gone forever. But you have taken them in and cared for them as if they were your own. Whatever can I do to thank you? I have nothing, no money, not even a home for them now. But I do hope you'll understand I can't leave them again. Perhaps my sister will have room for us, if I can just make my way there."

  Hector, in true MacKinnon fashion, came to her rescue immediately.

  "Ye don't need to worry about a place for them, Aileen. They, and ye, can stay here as long as ye want. As far as we're concerned, they, and ye, yer all part of the MacKinnon family.

  "Now, Millie, I'm well aware of yer skills in the kitchen. Ye'll be pleased to know, however, that Aileen has worked in several inns as a cook and for the last weeks Ethel has taught her how to make dishes I've never even heard of."