Mending a Highland Heart: Healing him was more scandalous than she ever imagined…

by Kendrick, Kenna

  Elizabeth blushed under the praise. “It did feel good to fight back. Just this once.” Charlotte smiled and then returned to her gloomy thoughts.

  She was pensive for a moment before she asked, “Elizabeth, why did your father come to Fort William? I don’t think I know what his actual purpose is? My father mentioned only that an assistant would be arriving. Do all Scottish forts receive such?”

  Elizabeth replied, “No, we only seem to travel if there is some sort of issue at the particular fort. For example, perhaps the men are not training properly, there is a lack of leadership, or the fort has not been sending records of what’s been going on in the area, things like that.”

  “Do you remember why your father needed to be sent here? Did he ever tell you?”

  Elizabeth shook her head. “No, not directly. He rarely mentions what we will be doing. He is wary of telling me about his work, I think. He would think it a waste on a woman’s mind.” Charlotte could see that Elizabeth’s ire was raised. Good. It would need to be if they were to work together to fight back.

  Charlotte was disappointed. She needed to know something about this mysterious earl in order to help Angus. She wasn’t sure what she was looking for, but she had to find it.

  Elizabeth suddenly spoke again. “There was something. I don’t know if it’ll help, but he kept muttering under his breath on our way to Scotland. Every time we would pass a clan seat, he would say to himself, ‘I’ll make them pay.’”. Elizabeth shrugged. “But my father is wont to many eccentricities. I have no idea why he should say such a thing or what it could mean for this clan.”

  Charlotte tapped her finger to her lips. “It is something, Elizabeth. So he may be seeking revenge, but why?”

  Elizabeth perked up. “Oh! I cannot believe I have forgotten this!” She placed a hand on her forehead in surprise. “What a fool I am! I suppose because I have never met the man, it did not register with me as something of note.”

  Charlotte was on the edge of her seat. “What? What is it?”

  “I have an uncle. My mother always told me he was a cruel, unkind man, and I never met him. I know my father would often see him, and they were very close. He was a General as well, like your father, and I remember hearing that he would often be stationed at different Forts in different areas of the Kingdom. But once, I overheard my father telling one of his friends that my uncle had died only a few months ago. He was very upset.”

  Charlotte sat back, her excitement slightly deflated. What could that have to do with anything? “No, I’m not sure that that would mean anything. I haven’t heard of any deaths nearby—” Then she stopped, and her heart began to beat furiously in her chest.

  “Elizabeth, what was the name of your uncle?”

  “George Whiteman.”

  Charlotte froze for a moment but then jumped in happiness. “Of course!”

  * * *

  Angus tried to collect himself as best he could. He remembered that night clearly when General Whiteman had plummeted to his death from the pressure of John Campbell’s boot. “What is it ye’d like tae know, Lord Darling?” He crossed his arms, attempting to gain back whatever ground he’d lost in this interaction.

  Lord Darling shrugged. “Just tell me what happened to him. He is dead, and the King wishes to know the details.”

  Angus was confused. “But we had a trial. Did General Andrews nae tell ye? All of it was sorted. The documents are there. He was killed at Duart Castle, but ‘twas nae at our hands. It was at the hands of the Campbells. Whiteman was found taking extra money from the surrounding clans. He wasnae even giving the money tae the Crown; he was keeping it for himself. We were able tae prove it tae General Andrews with the fake tax book as well as the hidden money in this very room! And my brother’s wife’s uncle, the General’s friend, testified against him!

  He could hear his voice rising, and he wished he could remain calm. So this man did not wish to discuss inciting battles but rather the death of a horrible traitor?

  Lord Darling, at Angus’ loud words, looked slightly taken aback. He showed it in the merest movement of his eyes, and his face went just a slight shade paler. Soon, he returned to normal, and Angus wasn’t sure if he had even seen a change at all.

  “What are you talking about? The King knows nothing of this. General Andrews has not spoken of this to me, and there are no documents to prove it. The Campbell men claim that ‘twas you who killed General Whiteman, and I believe it was for no other reason than hate for the British. You wish to defeat them in battle, fighting to get back what freedoms you had before the Act that brought your country under ours indefinitely.” He grinned. He was calm and collected, but his voice held a cold menace that made Angus shiver.

  He knew that he would not be treated fairly in this. For some reason, the man would not listen to reason. This man had the power to kill him and not receive any punishment for it. Unless he could get his hands on those documents. “Those Campbells are liars. They have been rivals of our clan for years. They wish tae get their hands on our land.”

  Mortimer smiled. “Yes, they have told me all about it. So I have asked them to meet us here to join our little tête-à-tête. There are two men who say that it was you who killed him, one of which is a laird. You have no witnesses. Your brother is not here, and I can assure you that General Andrews will not be of use to you. He is subservient to the Crown, as am I.” In his seat, Mortimer did a slight yet still obsequious bow of the head. “Besides, that man you speak of, Andrew Bradford, is on trial for his brother’s murder. He will soon hang if the execution has not happened already.”

  Angus could feel the precariousness of his situation heavily. It was true. He could be dead before his brother returned home. He had no way to contact him. The only hope that he had was if Calum appeared in Scotland within hours. And he knew that neither Charlotte nor her father would act as witnesses, even if Charlotte was allowed to be one. Her father would surely look upon him as a man who deflowered his daughter and endangered her.

  Even though ‘twas she who tricked me. And those papers couldn’t have just disappeared!

  Angus wanted to rage at the world. It truly was as if everything had been against him from the very beginning. First, Calum sank into depression and left him to try to manage a clan that was sinking into ruin. Then, he thought his world was finally getting better when Calum fell in love and married Julia.

  But along with Julia came this woman who got under his skin and into his heart, only to leave him shortly thereafter. When Charlotte finally returned to Duart castle, he thought he had finally achieved happiness, and he had, for one bright day and night, until everything changed with the morning, and he found out that it was all a lie, a ruse to further bring his clan into ignominy.

  Angus sat back in his chair, still not allowing Lord Darling to see any weakness. “Surely, we must wait for yer esteemed friends, the Campbells, tae arrive afore we begin any sort of trial. Even though General Andrews will nae act as a witness, surely he will wish tae be here during the trial? Then I can ask him what he did with those papers that I have seen with my very own eyes.”

  Mortimer reddened at Angus’ refusal to look weak and dismayed. “There are no papers, you idiot! You must get that out of your head. And General Whiteman did nothing of the sort. He was an honorable man who would do anything for his country. Neither the King nor I wish to see his death go by without justice!” Angus felt a slight satisfaction at Lord Darling losing his cool. Why did he care so much about one man who was seemingly a stranger to him? Why should the King care so much either? It didn’t make sense.

  Angus did not reply, and Mortimer simply said, a little calmer this time, “Yes, we will wait until they arrive. You will excuse me while I speak to the General about this, and then we can commence with your trial.”

  Angus was relieved as the door shut behind him. He had possibly only minutes to find what papers he needed to prove his innocence. But why did the General not tell the earl about all of this?
Lord Darling acted as if he knew nothing of the matter at all! It was strange, for certain, they had discussed it even before Angus had come into their minds as a murder suspect. He stood warily and glanced at the closed door quickly before he began to rummage through the desk, searching for the papers he had seen months ago.

  He lost track of time as he shuffled and pulled, moving through sheets of paper as quickly as possible. But none of them were the ones he needed. All of them were very outdated, and most of them were not even from Whiteman’s time as General of the Fort. He sat, confused, and then stood up sharply, when Lord Darling arrived back in the study.

  Lord Darling looked puzzled at first when he saw Angus in a different place, papers all around him in a pile. However, when the realization hit him, his face slowly folded into a wide grin, and Angus realized that it was too late.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Charlotte and Elizabeth moved out of Charlotte’s bedroom quietly. They needed to hurry, or else they might be sent back to the safety of their rooms by Lord Darling. He certainly wouldn’t want two women underfoot as he dispensed his form of justice. Charlotte also didn’t want to meet anyone else along the way until she got what she needed. Good thing her father was away for the moment. He was completely under Lord Darling’s control, and he would not be on her side any longer. She had to help him get out of whatever spell he was under, and she had to do that by finding those documents.

  Charlotte told Elizabeth that not only had her father written a note of judgment for George Whiteman, but he also retained the evidence to prove Whiteman’s foul play and fraud. There was the faked tax book as well as the stolen money and a description of the trial of John Campbell and his punishment.

  The relevant authorities had been pleased with her father’s account of the proceedings, and so there was no need for further trial. Once the King found out about Whiteman’s treason, he was no longer concerned about calling for the death of John Campbell, or so her father had been told. All had been truly well. These documents would prove Angus’ innocence. Either Lord Darling knew nothing about them, or he had already taken them and would destroy them to avenge his brother. He had the wrong man, and Charlotte would not let despair weaken her when there was still a chance she could save Angus. She held onto Elizabeth’s hand tightly as they took the servant’s passage towards her father’s study.

  He took the same study that General Whiteman had occupied, even though it had been the scene of Whiteman’s crime. But Charlotte had not taken the same room that Julia had done, for she preferred the one on the far side of the Fort. She was chiding herself for her choice now, for Julia’s old room was merely steps away from the study. They rushed through the upstairs passages. They passed a few soldiers, and when they saw them, Elizabeth and Charlotte slowed their steps and lowered their heads demurely.

  The men nodded and smiled, never suspecting a thing. At that moment, Charlotte was grateful that she was a woman. She could at least move through some spaces undetected. The two of them soon found themselves at the base of the stairs leading up to the study. Charlotte paused and looked up. “Let’s go. Lord Darling will soon begin the supposed trial for Angus, I’m sure.” She took Elizabeth’s hand again and walked slowly up the steps before pushing open the study door.

  No one was there. It was a miracle! Since the men had had their training increased, there were fewer of them about the inside of the Fort, guarding certain rooms. It was the perfect chance to do a bit of sneaking. They rushed inside and shut the door behind them, locking it. “At least this will give us some time to find what we need.”

  “And if someone finds us in here, Charlotte? What can we say?”

  Charlotte didn’t look at Elizabeth but rushed to the desk. “We’ll say that there was a letter I had left with my father and wished to collect. No one shall suspect. You’ll simply bat your eyelashes and freeze the men where they’re at. Just like you do with Liam.” Charlotte looked up for a second and smiled at Elizabeth.

  Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “Where shall I look?” She spun around, scanning the room for places to begin her search.

  Charlotte said, “The bookcase, please!” The two of them began looking in earnest. Charlotte was making frustrated noises as she shuffled through everything, closing, and opening drawers. Elizabeth was searching the book spines, attempting to find the faked tax book. “Nothing!” Charlotte cried out. “Where could it be?” She threw up her arms in desperation. They were running out of time.

  “Maybe he hid it somewhere? They are important documents, after all.” Elizabeth shrugged, and Charlotte nearly kissed her.

  “Elizabeth! Once again, you do not even know how brilliant you are! Yes—let us try the hidden spot. Julia showed it to me once everything was finished.” Charlotte knelt down next to the hearth and moved her hands over the wooden floor. “This is where General Whiteman placed everything when he was head of the Fort. I just have to find the right board.” She pushed gently around a few adjacent boards until one gave with a squeak. Her heart beat faster. Her father was cleverer than she thought! Certainly more than Lord Darling gave him credit for. But she couldn’t trust him not to reveal this to Lord Darling even though he had gone to the trouble of hiding it.

  Inside, she saw all of the documents tied together with string. She reached down and pulled them up. “Elizabeth. This is everything! We will use these to help prove Angus’ innocence. But we must tread carefully. If your father finds these documents, he will destroy them for the sake of his brother. Then, he will kill Angus for certain!” Charlotte’s eyes were wide as she stared at Elizabeth.

  She continued with hesitation. She did not want to offend Elizabeth, but she had to say, “You are my friend, but please, tell me you will not reveal any of this to your father!”

  Elizabeth replied softly, her cheeks burning red. “Of course not, Charlotte. I do not wish to assist my father when he acts like a tyrant. Angus is innocent! And you’ve seen me. You’re teaching me how to stand up to my father. I can keep this from him.”

  Charlotte smiled. “Thank you. Now come, I will wrap these documents in my shawl so that they’re hidden as we walk back. We need to discuss how to deal with this. I need to find out what your father’s plans are somehow.”

  They left the study and shut the door quietly behind them. Their hearts were in their throats as they tried to walk slowly back to Charlotte’s room. They passed by the opening to the Hall and could see a few men inside. Charlotte prayed fervently that nothing would prevent them from getting back to her room and hiding the documents away from Lord Darling’s hands.

  But just as they moved by the doorway, their names were called, and the voice filled Charlotte with heavy dread. “Miss Andrews. Elizabeth! Come in here!”

  Elizabeth and Charlotte glanced at each other. They moved back slowly into the room, and Charlotte’s hands were clasped tightly to her shawl. Charlotte pushed her shoulders back, and she stared directly at Lord Darling, not willing to show weakness any longer. He would be defeated. She could feel it deep within her, but she continued praying that he wouldn’t notice the slight bulge in her shawl.

  He looked at the pair of them crossly. He was surrounded by two Scotsmen. One of them she recognized. It was John Campbell, and he watched her silently. She remembered his appreciative gaze the last time they’d met when she was the one who’d revealed that Whiteman’s book was not a true tax record. She’d also let them know that it was Whiteman’s handwriting that had filled in the book, incriminating him in the case of stolen money.

  The other man was watching her as well. There was a slight resemblance to John, and she figured this was his brother, the laird, although he paled in comparison to John’s good looks with his rotund, rather unkempt appearance.

  Normally, she might have taken offense to these stares, but she returned her gaze to Lord Darling, whose eyes were dark with anger. He spoke slowly and sharply. “You ladies must take your leave. This is a man’s business. Why are you wandering
about? Elizabeth, I told you not to spend your time with this conniving woman. She will be a bad influence on you. Good thing her father agreed to have her married off right away.”

  To Charlotte’s surprise, Elizabeth wrapped her arm around Charlotte’s and said back to her father, “You are wrong, Father. Charlotte Andrews is a wonderful woman. She is strong, brave, and she has taught me many things.”

  Charlotte held her breath. She appreciated Elizabeth’s strength, but she wasn’t sure if now was the right time in which to show it off. Lord Darling moved closer to the two of them and stared down at his daughter. His face was reddening more and more with each second. “Did she teach you to be so disrespectful to your own father?”

  Charlotte worried that Elizabeth was going to break, but she merely set her chin and said, “It is not that, Father. But I will not take orders on who I can be friends with any longer. We will leave you to your men’s business.” She began to pull Charlotte away from a flabbergasted Lord, but Charlotte stopped. She was inspired. She turned back to the two Scotsmen. Her voice was strong, but a thin thread of pleading was woven in its notes.