The Road to Love ; Hearts in the Highlands

by Linda Ford

  “I must consider what is to be done once she is fully recovered. I really can’t have such behavior under my roof. Think of your children, Vera. What will Theo say?”

  “Yes, I know. There’ll be time enough to deal with Miss Norton once she is up again.”

  Reid stared at her. “Are you thinking of dismissing her, Aunt Millicent?”

  “Reid, dear, consider my position. What were you thinking, taking an unmarried woman—my paid companion—up a mountaintop? How could you do such a thing?”

  “I was thinking of her good. She spends most of her time cooped up in a stuffy house in London—”

  “In my ample house in one of its best quarters—”

  “You can hardly breathe the air in that city—”

  Aunt Millicent closed her fan with a snap and tapped it against the chair arm. “Her behavior was improper, to say the least. What is everyone going to think?”

  “I thought the fresh air would do her good—”

  “Fresh air? Fresh air?” She waved the fan around her. “There’s all kinds of fresh air around us.”

  Reid paced the room, frustrated. They were clearly talking at cross-purposes. “The poor lady is as pale as a sheet and suffers headaches.”

  “Nonsense. She’s as strong as a horse and gets out on plenty of my errands. And how do you know so much about her, anyway?”

  Reid stopped. “She works for me, too, or don’t you remember Uncle George’s collection?”

  “I should never have agreed to that arrangement. I regret ever hiring the woman. Well, she won’t be with me much longer, I can tell you that.”

  Reid’s resolve hardened. He’d done Miss Norton enough harm. “If you dismiss her, I’ll hire her to work with me at the British Museum.”

  Suddenly Aunt Millicent slumped forward. “Oh, Reid, I feel...it’s my...heart...it’s just tripping. Help me!”

  Reid and his sister were at her chair instantly. “What is it? What can I get you? Where are your pills?”

  “Ring for Mad—for my maid,” she amended, clutching her chest.

  The maid, when she arrived, immediately got her one of her pills and handed it to her with a glass of water. “There, ma’am, that should fix you up.”

  Vera rose to look out the window. “I wonder if the doctor has arrived. He can take a look at you, Auntie.”

  “Yes, please,” Aunt Millicent whispered, lying back against the chair now, her breathing steadier.

  Reid headed for the door. “I’ll go see.” He felt torn between worry for Miss Norton and causing his aunt further upset. Her attack of nerves seemed almost too convenient, but he couldn’t doubt it. He’d done enough damage as it was already.

  Women! He was better off returning to the desert and the company of men. He knew how to deal with them there.

  * * *

  The doctor confirmed that Miss Norton had indeed suffered a concussion and was to take it easy over the next several days. He gave Lady Haversham a sedative with instructions to the others not to worry her with anything.

  By midafternoon the next day, when Lady Haversham was sitting up in her bed, her niece came to share tea with her.

  “How is that woman?” was Lady Haversham’s first question after replying to Vera’s inquiry over her own health.

  Vera made a moue of distaste. “I’ve seen neither hide nor hair of her. Hiding out in her room, it seems.”

  “What are we to do? I don’t like it, not at all. You saw the way Reid blew up at me over her.”

  “I know, Auntie. I agree the situation is of concern.” She tapped her teacup with a fingernail, looking at her aunt with troubled eyes. “But do you really think Reid would give a woman like that a second glance... I mean, with serious intentions?”

  Lady Haversham firmed her lips. “I wouldn’t have thought so until yesterday. But remember how he was with Octavia? One look and he fell hard for her. What if he were to do so with this...this creature?” She shuddered.

  Vera gave an incredulous laugh. “Miss Norton and Octavia? Why, the two are nothing alike. What does Miss Norton have to offer? Oh, I grant you, she’s passably attractive, but she’s no longer young, she comes from who knows where. She’s a paid companion, for goodness’ sake!”

  “Nevertheless, she’s wily,” Aunt Millicent reminded her. “She has insinuated herself as an assistant to poor Reid. It’s all my fault for allowing her to work some hours with him on your uncle George’s artifacts. To think of her closeted alone with Reid. The poor man has been beguiled.”

  “Yes... I see.”

  Lady Haversham squeezed her niece’s hand. “Don’t forget, you and Reid are my only heirs. Miss Norton is no fool. She’s looking out for her future.” Her eyes hardened. “I won’t have some gold-digging servant get her claws into my nephew who’s too gullible to know he’s being taken in. I told Reid I’d dismiss her, and I meant it.”

  “You must be careful, Aunt Millicent. You heard what Reid said about hiring her himself.”

  “Oh, don’t even mention that! I won’t have it!”

  “Yes, I know. I like it as little as you do, but we need to consider things carefully. We wouldn’t want to precipitate anything.”

  Her aunt regarded her niece. “What do you suggest, then? I can’t have her under my roof anymore.”

  “Perhaps it’s better to have her where you can keep an eye on her...keep her so busy she’ll have no time to be in Reid’s company.”

  Her aunt considered and slowly nodded. “I see your point, my dear.” She gave a deep sigh, lying against the pillow. “I shall have to think about your suggestion.”

  “Well, there’s no undue rush. The woman has to convalesce awhile, it seems, according to the doctor.”

  Her aunt’s look soured once again. “Yes. She certainly arranged that conveniently.”

  “Don’t fret, Aunt Millicent. As long as she’s confined to her room, Reid can’t see her, either.”

  “Yes, there is that. It will give us time, too, to decide on our course.”

  * * *

  Maddie awoke on her birthday feeling every one of her thirty years.

  After washing and dressing, she examined herself in the mirror—an activity she wasn’t in the habit of doing. She didn’t look any different. No gray threads running through her hair yet, but it was only a matter of time.

  She swung away from the glass. Enough of that nonsense. At least the pain in her head had subsided. The doctor had explained to her that her brain had been jolted around a bit and was most likely a bit bruised. “Best to let it settle and heal,” he’d said with a final snap of his bag after instructing her to take it easy and to indulge in no strenuous activities for at least a week.

  She didn’t see the family until dinner. She’d spent most of the intervening days in her room, having her meals sent up. It wasn’t that she was afraid of confronting Lady Haversham, but neither had she felt up to facing an immediate dismissal without references. She had no doubt that was what awaited her as soon as she saw her employer.

  She’d also not seen Mr. Gallagher. Her feelings there were more complicated. She had received a brief note from him, delivered by a maid. He urged her to rest and take it easy. She wondered if he, too, thought it best that she stay out of his aunt’s way for a few days. Torn between desiring to see his dear face and afraid of depending on him too much, she’d finally kept to her room in order to avoid him, as well.

  Maddie had packed most of her few belongings. Now she stood a second, hearing the murmur of voices in the dining room, telling her the others were already assembled.

  She opened the door and immediately they all fell silent. Everyone around the table turned to look at her.

  Lady Haversham held her fork aloft. “You’ve decided to grace us with your company, I see.” Not waiting for Maddie’s reply, she turned away and continued
eating.

  “Yes, my lady.” Maddie stepped to her place. A footman came immediately to pull out her chair. “Thank you.”

  “Good afternoon, Miss Norton.” Maddie turned to greet Mr. Gallagher, who stood. She returned his smile with a tentative one of her own. At least he did not regret their outing to Ben Lawers. “It’s good to see you up and about again.”

  She took her seat. “Thank you.”

  Lady Haversham turned her attention to Maddie again. “I can’t say I have fully recovered. I have suffered countless lost hours of sleep and a terrible strain to my heart on your account.”

  Maddie’s smile disappeared. “I’m sorry for any—”

  Mr. Gallagher set his fork down with a clatter. “Now, Aunt Millicent, do we really need to begin our meal in this manner? We’ve been over this already.”

  “You are right, dear boy. This is not the time nor the place for what I have to say.”

  Whatever appetite Maddie had had upon entering the room shriveled up and she shook her head at the tray of sliced meat the footman held before her. Instead she took a sip of the crystal goblet of water.

  Lady Haversham turned to her nephew. “Reid, I’m told there’s a beautiful castle we really must see. I do hope you can accompany us before we leave.”

  Maddie’s heart sank, not wanting to be reminded of having to leave Scotland.

  “Just let me know when you’d like to visit, Aunt Millicent, and I’ll arrange an outing.”

  “Thank you, my dear.” Lady Haversham sighed. “It’s hard to imagine that by next week it will be time to return to London. Poor Cecily Mason was desolate to have to depart so soon.”

  “I, for one, look forward to our return,” Vera said. “Not that I haven’t enjoyed this holiday, but there’s something about the vigor of city life I miss.”

  “It’s a pity Theo couldn’t stay longer,” Lady Haversham said.

  “Yes, another reason I must return. I’m sure my poor husband is pining.”

  Maddie sighed. What would it be like when they returned to London? Would Maddie ever see Mr. Gallagher again? Where would she go? She could only count on her unpaid wages.

  “Aren’t you hungry?”

  She lifted her head at Mr. Gallagher’s sharp tone.

  “Not too much, I’m afraid.” Her stomach already felt twisted in knots.

  Lady Haversham looked at her fork. “This lamb is delicious, so tender and well seasoned. The cook has outdone herself with the new potatoes and peas. What a shame to have it go to waste.”

  Mr. Gallagher motioned for the footman to pass Maddie another platter. “If you want something lighter, we can have them bring in some of the potato-and-leek soup from the first course.”

  “No, this is fine, thank you.” She took some of the vegetables offered her, determined to make an effort to eat, if only to please Mr. Gallagher. She could see he was trying hard to be agreeable to everyone and at the same time shield her from his aunt’s barbs.

  Finally, the dishes were cleared away and the dessert plates brought in. Mrs. Walker’s three children marched into the room, their nursemaid accompanying them.

  Harry came up to his uncle, his face eager. “Are we in time, Uncle Reid?”

  “Just in time.” He placed a finger to his lips. “Hush, now.”

  The boy nodded vigorously. All three children seated themselves at the foot of the table, at the place where their nursemaid indicated.

  Lady Haversham smiled at them from the opposite end of the table. “What brings all of you here?”

  “A surprise!” her oldest nephew answered, barely able to keep his excitement contained.

  Before she could react, a maid appeared in the doorway carrying an enormous round cake topped by dozens of lit candles. Amidst the children’s chorus of “Happy Birthday,” she headed toward Maddie.

  Maddie’s hands flew to her cheeks, unable to believe what was happening.

  The maid smiled and set the cake before her. “Happy birthday, miss.”

  “Th-thank you.” Maddie hardly knew what to say. The children clapped, and she noticed Mr. Gallagher clapping, as well. She looked around her in question, but both Lady Haversham and her niece seemed as surprised as she. Maddie’s gaze landed on Mr. Gallagher who gave her a small nod of acknowledgment.

  Before she could decide if he’d been responsible for her surprise party, the butler brought her a tray of wrapped packages. “Oh, my, what’s all this?”

  Lisbeth stood up. “Happy birthday, Miss Norton. The presents are from us—and Uncle Reid.”

  Her gaze flew once more to Mr. Gallagher. He shrugged. “Just a small token to celebrate this special day.”

  “Oh, my.” It was almost too much to absorb. She stole a look at Lady Haversham, and her joy evaporated when she saw the woman’s pursed lips.

  “Aren’t you going to blow out your candles, Miss Norton?”

  “Oh—yes!” She looked from Lisbeth’s shining face to the candles which had burned down at least halfway.

  “As I recall, today you’re officially an old maid.”

  At the acid tone, Maddie turned to her employer, surprised by how much the words hurt. “Yes, your memory serves you well.” She drew a deep breath, ready to extinguish the candles.

  “Make a wish first!”

  She stopped immediately. “Of course.” She edged back and closed her eyes. The only thing she could think of was to wish that she’d always remember this moment, and the warm light shining in Mr. Gallagher’s eyes, later...when the way got lonelier.

  Then she opened her eyes and blew out the candles. There seemed to be so many candles, but she didn’t stop to count them. At that moment it didn’t matter how old she was. She felt she was once again eighteen.

  The maid removed the cake from in front of her and proceeded to cut it. Meanwhile the children clamored until she opened their gifts. She saw at once which ones were theirs. They were clumsily wrapped in brown paper with colorful string and ribbons.

  Timmy leaned toward her. “That one’s from me.”

  “Sit straight,” his mother admonished.

  Maddie took her time opening it, relishing the act. Inside was a yo-yo, which she recognized as Timmy’s own. She looked at him with a smile.

  “That’s my favorite one. You can have it now.”

  “Thank you, Timmy. It’s very kind of you to part with your favorite yo-yo.”

  Harry grabbed a thin parcel “Mine next, mine next!”

  “Goodness, Harry, where are your manners, reaching across the table like that!” Lady Haversham scolded.

  “Thank you, Harry.” Maddie smiled at the boy, taking the package from him.

  Inside she found a folded paper. Spreading it flat, she saw a picture he’d painted with his watercolors.

  “That’s Ben Lawers from Loch Tay. And that’s you falling down the hill.”

  Maddie looked more closely at the drawing. Sure enough, a sticklike figure was tumbling backward down a crudely drawn mountainside. She laughed. “Indeed it is. I’m glad I didn’t fall quite so far.” She looked across at Mr. Gallagher and met his smile. She handed the painting to him.

  He looked at it, amusement lighting his blue eyes. “So it is. I agree with Miss Norton. It’s a good thing she didn’t fall quite such a distance. But you were very accurate. It certainly seemed as if she’d fallen that far the other day.”

  Lisbeth handed Maddie her parcel with a shy smile.

  “Thank you, dear.” She found one of the young girl’s hair ribbons neatly rolled up in the small parcel. “It’s beautiful,” she said, fingering the blue satin ribbon.

  “It will look very pretty against Miss Norton’s hair,” Mr. Gallagher told his niece.

  Lisbeth looked pleased.

  Maddie felt herself blush. A glance at the other two women at the table
caused her to quickly put the ribbon back in its wrapping and gather the packages together.

  “Miss Norton, you forgot your biggest present.” Harry reached across the table and handed her the neatest looking package.

  If she’d had any doubts whom it was from, Mr. Gallagher’s next words dispelled them. “Many happy returns.”

  She lifted her gaze to meet his. “Thank you.” His answering smile was so warm, she felt her heart squeeze with tenderness. How was she to manage without him?

  “Aren’t you going to open it, Miss Norton?” Timmy piped in.

  Mr. Gallagher gave a slight nod. “Go ahead.”

  She wished she could take his gift up to her room and open it in private. Her fingers trembled as she untied the bow of the wide ribbon holding together the wrapping paper. She laid it on the table and parted the paper.

  “Oh!” Inside lay a leather-bound book. She turned it toward its spine and read the golden letters: The Poems and Songs of Robert Burns. She opened the book and leafed through the gilt-edged pages, before looking toward Mr. Gallagher. “Thank you. It’s beautiful.”

  “Just a small token to mark your day...as well as your holiday in the Highlands.”

  “Yes.” How apt his gift. She would always remember her holiday in the Highlands.

  “You’ll find his poem ‘The Birks of Aberfeldy’ in there. It’s said he was inspired by the burn that runs through the town.”

  “We must visit it, then,” Vera said.

  He turned his attention away from Maddie. “Yes, we could make an excursion there.”

  Maddie continued paging through the beautiful Moroccan bound edition, the voices around her fading as she read scraps of poetry. Already she was pondering what she could give Mr. Gallagher on his birthday. She hadn’t much to spend, and was mindful of what would be proper for a lady to give a gentleman that wasn’t too personal. But she wanted him to have something to remember her by once he was far away in the desert....

  After they’d eaten their cake, Lady Haversham rose from the table. “Miss Norton, please attend me in my room.”