by Wendy Bayne
I looked at Miles. “So when do your cousins and uncle arrive?”
He took my hand and pulled me towards the window pointing towards the woods. “That company is my Cousin Derek’s from the 1st Regiment of Foot. Uncle Angus and my younger cousins were riding down with him.”
“You never told me that you have a cousin in the army.”
He laughed out loud and was shushed by his aunt. Then he whispered, “It’s not something Uncle Angus is particularly proud of, having a son of his in the English army. Uncle Angus is a cousin to the 7th Earl of Elgin though they don’t get along but he’s fiercely proud of the Bruce heritage.”
“So how does he account for Derek betraying the family trust?” Miles looked over his shoulder at the card players and then whispered in my ear, “Oh, that’s my aunty’s fault for being English even though the regiment is called the Royal Scots.”
Aunt Millicent had obviously heard us for she piped up, “When Angus told the old bastard that he married me, the Earl said he must have been drunk and nay knew what he was doing.” She laughed. “Angus was very drunk on our wedding day, but he was stone cold sober on the day he proposed.” She looked back to her cards and played her trump without missing a beat.
Miles just shrugged then nodded towards the field beyond. “Would you like to go meet them? I can’t say they’re all harmless having grown up in the wilds of Scotland. But Maurice is the kindest soul you could ever meet even though he’s the most like Aunt Millicent.”
I looked at his aunt and she was smiling from ear to ear saying. “Georgina unfortunately will not be with them, she is awaiting the birth of her first child any day now.”
Miles took my arm and led me out the door through the kitchen garden and into the yard to meet the horseman approaching us across the field.
One brash young man with the same red hair and brilliant blue eyes as the others jumped down just as his horse came abreast of us, taking Miles into a head lock and not even acknowledging me. “I told you you’d marry the English chit, now pay up, cuz!”
Miles extricated himself and straightened his jacket. “I can see that Cambridge has not improved your manners any, William, and my fiancée is not a chit!” He smacked the young man on the ear to get him to loosen his grip then turned his back on him to look up at an older mountain of a man who was still sitting on his horse and smiling at the exchange. “Well, Uncle Angus, are you determined to give me a crick in my neck or shall we serve you supper up there.” The older man laughed and jumped down off his horse with an energy that belied his years and pulled Miles into a hug. Another younger man had dismounted behind him, but he didn’t say a word…he just stood there staring at me.
A much younger man came around him and stopped in front of me. “You must be Miss Turner.” I nodded. “I’m pleased to meet you and ask that you excuse the course manners of my father and brothers. May I introduce myself since my cousin seems to have forgotten his manners as well? I am Maurice Bruce.” He bowed elegantly as his brothers whistled behind him.
The older gentleman stepped forward taking my hand, his eyes were as bright as his sons, in fact, they all looked like copies of the man in front of me just different ages. He noticed my eyeing them all and laughed. “Yes, my dear, I can nay say that my wife ever strayed on me. One look at these three and their other brother is like looking at my past in the mirror. Now my daughter Georgiana is all her mother thank God, at least I’ve been blessed there.” Then he kissed my hand. “Angus Bruce at your service, Miss Turner. Miles’ letters have not done ye justice for I can see that you are a rare English Rose, not one of those pale yellow-haired fortune hunters.” I smiled and tried to supress a giggle. He caught me at it and snorted. “Aye, these bumbling arses of mine have brought home more than one of them thinking they’re in love, but I soon showed them the door. You wouldn’t happen to have any sisters, now, would you?” I shook my head no. “Ah, well, there’s still time and all of Scotland for them to pick from.”
He abruptly changed his tone and looked at Miles, “I need to speak to Sir Thomas, we heard a few things while we were passing through Hampshire about several bands of ruffians headed this way.” Miles clapped him on the back and walked back toward the house with his uncle leaving me at the mercy of his cousins.
William came forward, introduced himself formally then bowed and kissing my hand for just a second to long. He was soundly thumped by his eldest brother, Douglas, who slapped William aside with his hat. “Please, don’t judge us by William’s conduct, he has been socializing with the wrong crowd at university and if he doesn’t stop soon, I’ll recommend that Father order him back to Glencoe.”
Now I was perplexed. “But I thought…Miles said that you lived just outside of Edinburgh? Isn’t Glencoe in the Highlands?”
Douglas nodded and smiled. “Aye, it is, Glencoe is our summer home. Edinburgh is where we go in the winter for the entertainments and when Mother needs to do a wee bit of shopping.”
I knew immediately that they would be delightful additions to our party. I also noticed that they were casual about their weapons and comfortable using them. They all carried a brace of pistols as well as dirks and a sabre. Maurice even had a long bow attached to his saddle and William a crossbow. He caught my eye wandering in that direction. “Aye, Miss Turner, we’ve come ready for some fun. Poor Georgie will be nigh onto exploding when she finds out that she missed a fight, she is a fair shot with both bow, and rifle. Miles told us that you’re a fair marksman yourself, Miss Turner, I looked forward to seeing your skill, providing our cousin doesn’t wrap you in cotton wool and lock you in a closet.” I was taken aback by his statement. “Aye, miss, we’ve heard of your adventures. Miles was beside himself to think of what kind of trouble you might find yourself in when he wasn’t around.”
It was then that I felt an arm slink around my waist. I jumped and glancing over my shoulder to see Miles glaring at his cousins. “Telling tall tales runs in this family, my love, especially if it will get anyone else into trouble.” He leaned over and kissed my cheek. “Come, darling, I would like a few minutes alone with you before dinner.” He took me to his study and closed the door then whirled me around against that door and proceeded to kiss me deeply and thoroughly, taking my breath away and making my head spin. Then he pulled back. Let’s go down to the village and get married this instant, I’ve talked to the vicar and he’s willing to conduct the ceremony any time we want. I don’t want to wait a minute longer, before whatever is going to happen I want to know that you’re mine.
I was speechless, all the reasons of why we should run away ran through my head. But then I saw my father walking across his room holding onto my arm and the smile on his face. “I can’t, Miles.” He looked hurt as he opened his mouth but before he could say anything I rushed on, “It’s my father, he walked across his room today, he wants to walk me down the aisle. He’s been keeping this as a surprise for everyone. He’s had so little time with me, I can’t deprive him of this.”
Miles face softened, and he nodded as he bent down to kiss me again. “I love you, my sweet darling. And I know how he feels. I have loved and cherished every single moment that I’ve spent with you. I won’t cheat him out of this moment.” He leaned his forehead against mine as we stood there in peace with the knowledge that our commitment would be forever. Then he pulled me over by the fire, he sat in his favourite chair pulling me down onto his lap and we lost ourselves in our love.
That is until the pounding on the door rattled the windows. “Come out, cuz! Your Mrs Dawson is ready to feed us!”
Miles rolled his eyes. “Away with you, William.”
There was a pause and then the pounding started again. “Edward has arrived!”
Miles propped his chin on top of my head and took a deep breath. I giggled and jostled him in all the wrong places, he groaned then kissed me quickly. “Up you get, you temptress, before I get us both into trouble.”
I rose, smoothed down my skirts and checked
my hair in the looking glass over the mantle while Miles watched me with a crooked smile. Then I offered him my hand and we walked to the door just as it burst open with William and Maurice tumbling in and falling to the floor. Douglas and a man in uniform were standing outside the door obviously amused at their siblings both being kicked then picked up by Miles. He caught sight of Derek and beamed. “Lissa, that person looking like a toy soldier is my cousin Derek. Captain Derek Reginald Lucas Bruce of his Majesty’s 1st Foot.”
The man in uniform came in and gave me a courtly bow. “Miss Turner, I am delighted to finally meet you.” Then he turned smartly to Miles. “Well, cuz, I hear that you are now Lord Tinley! That must have made Edward the happiest man in the realm. I’ve never known a man who hated his exalted position more than he did.” Derek seemed rather cool in his form of address, but his eyes were warm and friendly as he offered his arm to me. “May I escort you into dinner, Miss Turner?” All his brothers and Miles stood there looking at him mouth agape.
Miles recovered quickly and took my arm away from Derek. “He is the one that you really have to watch, my dear, or rather I’ll have to watch. He fancies himself a lady’s man and so far, no lady has proved him wrong.” Then he looked at Derek and the others. “This lady is taken, gentlemen, so go find your own but leave the maids alone!” We left them flummoxed standing in the doorway of his study.
Chapter 47
Preparation
We didn’t stand on ceremony at the Rambles, so dinner was served at country hours. Miles’ father and Edward had arrived, the Earl looked weary and Edward was chewing frantically on his lower lip. Miles noticed immediately. “What’s wrong? Are Lady Jane and the children alright?” The Earl smiled at the mention of his current wife and their young children. Edward answered, “They’re splendid, Miles, and looking forward to meeting your bride.”
Miles looked at the Earl. “Then what’s bothering you, Father?”
The Earl’s countenance changed. “I met young Burley before I left London. He was at my club and deep in his cups. He asked me to tell you that he was sorry, that he had no idea how far his father had fallen. Then he told me that hell was about to be unleashed and that I would do well to get you and Miss Turner out of the way. I questioned him, but he was unable or unwilling to give me any details before he had to be carried home by his friends. I found Edward and we left immediately.” He glanced at Derek. “I assume that’s why you’re here with your men, it’s not for the wedding.”
Derek was eating like he hadn’t seen a decent meal in months. “Aye, Uncle, Sir Thomas has a way with words and my regiment’s commander sent me down here to help with the problem. One other thing I meant to ask you, Miles, where did those gypsies go that you’ve talked so much about?”
Miles swallowed. “Go? What do mean where did they go! They were here this afternoon.”
“Aye, they were when we arrived but shortly after they decamped.”
Miles sighed. “I’m sure they’re nearby, they’ve committed to helping us. But Magda doesn’t want her people too close to your troops.”
Derek grinned. “That’s good to know, I wasn’t too happy to see them either. My men just got paid and I haven’t had a chance yet to bully them into sending some of it to their wives and children.”
Miles groaned. “Then I fear that you may be too late, cuz.”
Derek shrugged. “I often am.”
Dinner proceeded in the usual fashion except that the men didn’t stay behind for port, instead they went about the house in tandem, reviewing the need to fortify it and the out buildings.
Once I was in bed I could sense that an uneasy peace had settled about the house, but I was too anxious to rest so I sat by the window watching the clouds scud across the moon. It was then that I saw a movement by the stables then a burst flame. I jumped to my feet and ran to Miles’ room pounding on the door. When he opened it, he was partially undressed, “Miles, the stables!”
“I know, I saw it too. Rouse the house, will you… I think tomorrow just arrived.”
I pounded on all the doors. rousing both guests and staff. Mrs Dawson and Mrs Cripps were arguing as they padded downstairs about who would load for who. Mrs Mac came up behind them with a brace of pistols and a rifle. They both looked at her shocked as they viewed her armoury, she smiled, “My work is valuable, ladies, and I travel a good deal. I’ve been robbed more than once so necessity has been my teacher,” she continued as she brandished the pistols. “I never leave home without these lassies.”
I hurriedly dressed and raced down the stairs coming up short when I saw the entry hall full of people. Captain Bruce was there with his aid and senior officers and Jibben was there with his most trusted people. Magda stood nearby taking in the scene through narrowed eyes and with a deepening frown on her face then she spied me on the stairway and nodded just before she placed two fingers in her mouth and let loose an ear-piercing whistle then yelled, “STOP!”
Gradually everyone stopped talking and turned to look at her as she came shuffling up the stairs to stand by me. Without preamble, she yelled, “You do not want to meet them on their terms by marching out and letting them attack you.” She stomped her foot hard on the stair making it shake when the others started to talk again. An immediate hush fell over them again. “You must lure them into a trap of your making!” No one spoke as she went on. “They will not attack the house knowing that you are prepared. That little fire by the stables hurt nothing, it was made so you would know they are coming. They are hoping to draw you out and divide your forces.”
She paused eyeing everyone and I noticed that Derek soon wiped the smug smile off his face along with his officers. It was obvious that he had planned to do just that and race off into the night to chase them down. Magda looked fierce with her knives in her belt and two pistol butts jutting out of the waistband of her skirt. She smiled, pointing her finger at Sir Thomas. “You need to ignore the fire. The wedding must happen tomorrow…to bait the trap. They must believe that you are not ready.” She paused and still no one said a word. “Captain, some of your men will be an honour guard at the wedding, the rest will stay behind with Jibben’s men.”
She smiled, and it sent shivers down my spine, in the half-light she looked like a storybook witch. Then with a grin she added, “It will be like hunting wild pigs. My girls and some of our men have enough English clothes to dress like English gentry. The rest of you…do what you would always do…they cannot know we expect them. Keep your weapons hidden but within easy reach.” She stood there with her hands on her hips looking at all their up-turned faces.
I heard a noise behind me and turned to see my father walking down the hall with Lettie on one side and my mother on the other. They reached the top of the stairs and all eyes locked on them. Then Sir Thomas came forward and kissed Magda’s hand. “Excellent plan, dear lady, I wish I had you on my staff.” Then he looked down at everyone in the hall. “Are there any objections gentlemen?” No one said a thing. “Good, then I think we all need to get some sleep.” He turned to me, “Miss Turner, you will be married tomorrow after all. I’m only sorry that the reception might be during a battle.”
I could do nothing but shrug. “It wouldn’t seem like a family affair without some sort of drama, Sir Thomas.”
I returned to my room and as I climbed into bed my door opened and my mother came in. “I’m sorry to disturb you, my dear, but your father and I have talked. We’d like you to postpone the wedding until this is over. You’ve had so much disappointment in your life that this hardly seems fair. They can find another way other than your wedding to lure these people in.”
I smiled at her. “Thank you but no, Mother, I don’t want to wait, and I would venture to say that Miles doesn’t either. Sir Thomas and Magda are correct, it’s the perfect lure. I want this over with, we all want it over.”
Mother stumbled as she came to my bedside and kissed me goodnight. I was growing more concerned for her health as the days went by, it seem
ed as my father improved she declined. “Your father seems to know you better than I do now…he said you’d refuse our offer. I’ll see you in the morning, my darling.” She tried to smile and left my room moving slowly grasping at furniture nearby to lean on as she went. I would have to speak to Dr Jefferson about her and soon. I had half expected Miles to visit me, but he didn’t, which was just as well. I don’t think I could have resisted the temptation to start our honeymoon early.
Before dawn, the household was awake, and preparations were under way. Some of the Captain’s troops had moved closer to the house while the rest remained hidden in the woodlands. There was no sign of the gypsies’ camp at all. Meg informed me as I relaxed in my bath that many of their ladies and some of the men had been accommodated in the house looking and acting very much like ladies and gentlemen which had astonished her. But Angel had told her that gypsies were talented mimics and providing no one looked too closely they would appear to be who and what they pretended to be.
I met Miles in the breakfast room, he looked upset and was drumming his fingers on the table then glanced up and smiled when he noticed me. “I’ve missed you, poppet. I hope you got some sleep.”
I only nodded having spent a sleepless night, I sat down and helped myself to some toast and tea. “You looked preoccupied when I came in, is everything alright and where is everyone?”
He grimaced biting his lower lip. “Everything is fine, and others are off doing things to prepare for today.”
“But I thought everything was ready for the wedding.”
He reached out and took my hand. “It is…this is about our potential unwelcomed visitors. Lord Burley arrived this morning.”
He couldn’t have caught me more off guard, my cup slipped from my quaking hand, hitting the table, the tea ran across the shining surface to drip down onto the floor just inches from my dress. “He’s here? WHY?”