Aunt Toffy and the Ghost

by Linda Lea Castle

  “I think a trip to Gretna Green’s blacksmith is more likely,” Rawly said.

  “Gretna? An elopement?” Mrs. Scrum gasped.

  “So Basil’s plan was a success?” Toffy asked.

  “Not as he planned, but yes the Dullinmuth heir that he wanted so bad will be here soon.”

  “Rawly, what are you saying?” Adorna asked in exasperation. “We have grown to live with your mysteriousness, but this is too much! We still do not know what it is you do and now you are speaking in riddles about your marriage—and the birth of an heir. My mind is whirling with the possibilities. Please, be clear.”

  He laughed. “I’m sorry—in a matter of speaking it is not my tale to tell. But I can say there will be a wedding however—I will not be a part of it.”

  “You must stop all this nonsense and tell us,” Mrs. Scrum demanded. “This is beyond the pale—is Molly expecting?—Are you to wed?”

  Before Rawly could say another word, a knock came at the door. Crosbie ushered in a couple that looked a little travel stained and wind-blown—and the man looked remarkably like Rawly.

  “Ah, you have made it in one piece. I was beginning to worry.” Rawly crossed the parlor and embraced the man. “Now I won’t have to tell you anything, Mrs. Scrum. You can question this fellow and get the story from the source. May I introduce my brother, Bart Rawlings?”

  “Ladies, I am pleased to make your acquaintance. This is, Mary.”

  Adorna focused on the pretty girl at Bart’s side. She was small, with bright blue eyes and cheeks pinked from the wind. And she was very obviously with child.

  “We were married on the ship on the return home,” Bart added and Adorna heard the sigh of relief from Toffy and Mrs. Scrum.

  “Toby has said you might be able to provide us with a room? Heaven only knows how my grandfather will take the news—for now at least we have no other place to stay—”

  “Of course we have a room. In fact, Crosbie will take your bags up now. Mrs. Rawlings, would you like to lie down—rest? You look all done in.”

  “You are very kind. If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, I would like to be able to change my clothing. I feel as if I have worn this traveling suit since I was a child.” She pulled off her bonnet and a wealth of brown curls tumbled down her shoulders.

  “Isn’t she bonny?” Bart asked while his loving gaze fell upon her. He picked up her hand and kissed his fingers. “Can you manage my love—do you need help up the stairs?”

  “No, Bart, I’m not made of porcelain. I can manage nicely. Now why don’t you sit yourself down, have a dram, and I will see you presently.”

  “Well, at least it was a love match,” Toffy said dryly. “When I saw her condition, I worried for a moment, but he is clearly besotted.”

  “Toffy!” Adorna stared at her aunt in shock.

  “Oh, stop looking so surprised. You know you wondered too. Now, young man, we have waited long enough, so sit down and tell us what you can to alleviate our curiosity.”

  Rawly poured them both a dram of whisky. He settled himself in a chair and waited with his brows raised, as if this would be fresh news to him as well.

  “I met Mary last year and fell top over tail in love with her from the first. She was leaving Scotland, and I was not about to let her leave without me.”

  “Grandfather mentioned something to that effect.”

  “Grandfather is a cynic. He wants what he wants when he wants it. I on the other hand believe if it is worth having, it is worth working for. Mary made me work to get her.” He chuckled and took a sip of whisky. “She is a devout woman—and I don’t mind saying that being with her has brought me closer to God. That in itself has been a good thing.”

  “Tell us about Africa,” Mrs. Scrum said impatiently.

  “Och, so you knew where we went then? Well, Mary and her father were determined to bring the Word to Africa. It was working too—I saw a lot of souls converted. But there is horrible violence. It fair broke Mary’s heart. It also opened her heart. She fell in love with me and agreed to be my wife. We expected to be there at least another year in Africa after we wed, but the political climate changed abruptly. I persuaded her to marry me there in Africa on the spot; her father is a minister and performed the ceremony. Then when Mary discovered she was with child she agreed we should return home. We had another ceremony on the ship in case there was any question about the bairn’s legitimacy. So even Grandfather should be assured of the bond between us.”

  “Have you written to Basil?” Adorna asked.

  “Aye, several times but Rawly said he dashed the letter into the fireplace. That was when I simply started writing Rawly alone, telling him of our plans and our return.”

  “I have tried to speak with Basil—to let him know of all this, but he refuses to listen. So like it or no, Basil is in for a shock.” Rawly finished his dram.

  “Serves him right,” Toffy said.

  “I only hope in time he will accept Mary,” Bart said softly.

  “In time?” Snorted Rawly. “When he sees the lass and finds out an heir is on the way, he will have her settled in Dullinmuth in the blink of an eye.”

  “But Rawly where does that leave you and Molly?” Adorna’s curiosity was still not satisfied.

  “Oh, didn’t I say? Molly is in love with another man, and she has a plan to get them married.”

  Chapter Twelve

  The piper of Dullinmuth appeared at the top of the stairs. He started his nightly march and dirge. Molly stood near the fireplace watching and waiting. Her mother and father were sitting near Basil and Todd was by the window.

  She had told nobody of her plan, but tonight was the night.

  As soon as the piper disappeared into the stone wall…

  The sound grew a little fainter, and then he took a step and disappeared. She took a deep breath and tipped back the dram of whisky she had poured for herself.

  “Mother, Father, I have something to tell you.” Her voice quavered a little and she cleared her throat. This was not the time to turn missish.

  “What is it dear?” Her mother turned her gaze on her, and for a moment Molly nearly lost her courage.

  “I—that is—I must be married immediately.”

  “Och, so Rawly has finally asked you again, has he?” Basil smiled widely. “Odd of the lad to propose and then take off like a shot—but that does not matter now. And I am glad you have decided to do the deed quickly.”

  “I need to marry immediately but not Rawly. I have been—indiscreet.”

  “Indiscreet?” Her father roared and jumped to his feet. “Molly explain yourself. Is that why the blackguard disappeared, is it? Left you here to tell us alone. I will have his liver!”

  “Father, calm down. It was not Rawly that has compromised me—if that is the word to use when both parties are willing—I am in love—with Todd.”

  At that moment every eye turned to the young man who had gone paler than any ghost ever seen in the whole of Scotland. To his credit he strode across the room and put his arm around Molly’s shoulder. He stiffened his spine and spoke in a strong steady voice.

  “Molly and I are in love. We will be married immediately. With your blessing or without, but we would like to have you with us. We are leaving for Gretna Green at the dawn.”

  “Will you come with us?” she pleaded to her parents.

  “You are not marrying Rawly?” Basil sputtered before he flopped heavily into a chair.

  “No, Basil, Rawly and I are not in love. I’m going to be Mrs. Todd Hull and then we are leaving on the first ship to Egypt,” Molly said gently.

  At that moment Mr. Malone was too busy catching his swooning wife to see the passionate kiss shared by the young couple. Only Basil saw it—and mourned the fact that Rawly was not the intended groom. After all his work and planning—how had this happened?

  ****

  Sunday morning was the brightest, sunniest, warmest day of Scotland’s summer. Adorna was putting the finishing
touches on her hair when Toffy came to her room.

  “Adorna, the sprigged muslin looks fine on you. And the lovely little buttons—here let me help you.” Toffy started buttoning the dozen tiny pearl buttons that ran down tight fitted sleeves from elbow to wrist in contrast to the shoulders of Adorna’s dress which were fat and puffy. The modiste had created the latest fashions for them.

  “Toffy, you look like a young girl.” Adorna turned slightly so Toffy could more easily reach the other sleeve.

  “I wasn’t so sure of the tartan pattern, but she did a fine job. And the pleating at the hem is just enough. I feel rather fine and indulgent in such a dress.”

  “You deserve it—too bad we canna put a new toga on Meridius so he could benefit from our windfall—after all he is the one actually earning the money. Where is he? Have you seen him lately?”

  “I think the new arrivals have thrown him a bit. He can be a bit shy around strangers, you know—but it seems as if he has been shimmery and somewhat see through. I have spotted him in the back garden several times of late.”

  Adorna laughed. How much she had changed in the last months. Shimmery and see through? Now they discussed their ghost as if he were a favorite uncle in residence.

  “Are Rawly and his brother ready?”

  “I saw them heading downstairs as I came along the landing. I must say, Mary looks a picture today. She is wearing a lovely frock of palest pink with tiny loops of braid at the hem. The neck is high but square with stiffened lace all round. Quite fetching. A little rest has done her wonders. She is blooming as they say.”

  “It is nice to have a full house again, isn’t it? Between you and me, I would not find it any hardship if they stayed throughout her confinement. The sound of a child in this house would be wonderful.”

  Toffy touched Adorna’s cheek. “You missed out on much having a husband so much older, didn’t you?”

  “I was content with my life. And I’m happy now. It is just that sometimes—” She let her words trail off and Toffy nodded in understanding.

  “You are still a young woman Adorna.”

  They went downstairs and found Rawly and the young couple waiting for them. “I have ordered two carriages—I hope you don’t mind my taking the liberty. It is a lovely braw day, but I didn’t think Mary needed to be walking after their long journey. Mr. and Mrs. Scrum have already settled themselves in the first carriage.”

  “A carriage ride will be bonny. I feel like gentry,” Toffy quipped and took Rawly’s offered arm.

  The horses clip-clopped their way to Grayfriar’s Kirk. Mr and Mrs. Scrum and Toffy were in one carriage. Adorna, Rawly, Toby, and Mary in the other. Adorna did feel a bit like a princess when the carriage rolled up and the ladies were all helped down, conversing while they gathered on the stone walk before the kirk.

  The fine weather had brought out those who sometimes missed services due to the weather. They entered a packed congregation and were required to sit quite close to each other in the pews. Adorna, Toffy, and Mary had to flatten their skirts to make room for the men.

  It was a pleasant service, made all the more enjoyable because of the fellowship of the cobbled family that lived in Adorna’s house.

  The inside of the old kirk soon grew warm. The air was alive with ladies fanning themselves, the fluttering fans providing barely adequate ventilation for the gathering. Everyone was quite pink of cheek by the time the service came to an end.

  “The carriages are waiting for us outside,” Rawly said to Adorna.

  “If you don’t mind, I would like to walk. It was rather close inside, and I would welcome a chance to stretch my legs. I’m sure Toffy would enjoy the ride back, though.”

  “May I accompany you after we get her settled in the carriage?” Rawly asked.

  “Of course, that would be lovely.” Adorna waited while he got Toffy sorted, then she and Rawly set out on their own toward home.

  “It is good to be back in the city.” Rawly shortened his stride to accommodate Adorna’s. “I miss the traffic, the energy, the sound of cart wheels on the cobbles in the morning.”

  “Does country life bore you?” She took his offered arm, enjoying the companionship and the warm summer sun, knowing she would regret the freckles it would raise.

  “It is not that so much—I’m anxious to get back on my routine. I have missed my work.”

  Adorna stopped and looked at him. “Rawly, I have to simply come out and ask—what is it you have been doing? We are all consumed with curiosity over why you are so mysterious. We have guessed and wondered and have covered every possibility legal and not so legal. What exactly occupies your time?”

  He was silent for a moment. “I don’t mean to be mysterious it is just that most people scoff at what I’m doing.”

  “I promise not to scoff. But please, you must tell me. We have speculated—so far we have considered grave robbery, bank theft, and treasure seeking. We have ruled out the grave robbing—mostly,” she said with a smile.

  He laughed heartily. “I’m far more tame, and far more eccentric than all those possibilities. You see I’m looking for proof that a Roman General named Quintas Petillius Cerialis disappeared here in Scotland quite a long time ago.”

  “I’m sorry but I don’t understand why anyone would scoff at that—the only Roman I know is Meridius. In fact, don’t most scholars deny Romans ever making it into Scotland?”

  They both laughed. “That is why academics scoff when they learn what I’m doing. I’m pursuing something that may not even exist—according to most people it is all a myth like unicorns.”

  “Meridius would surely know. And since he is here—I mean I don’t pretend to understand the spirit world, but doesn’t he have to be anchored in some way to the place where he died?” Adorna offered.

  “I really don’t know, but it makes sense. The piper died at Dullinmuth, and that is where he stays. I was actually hoping that Meridius could help me in my quest. But you seemed so intent on keeping him secret, I didn’t want to—impose. Then the newspaper articles were published and his existence was a well documented fact.”

  “Well, my original intent was to keep it quiet. As you know the lodging house was our only source of income, but the newspaper articles put paid to that. Anyway everyone knows about my Roman ghost now. And, bless him, he has created a whole new occupation for Toffy and I. He has saved us from financial ruin—and you are partially responsible for that. It only seems fair that you should be one of our customers—no charge—of course. Meridius has helped many people, some with requests that seem more outlandish that yours.”

  “Will Toffy help me communicate with him?”

  “Oh, she will. You are a particular favorite of hers.”

  The rest of the journey took place in companionable silence. Birds chirped, the occasional squirrel darted across their path, and as they walked by window boxes of flowers, they got the scent of blooming buds. And just as Rawly said, the sound of wheels on cobbles was very charming.

  When they reached the house they found the Sunday roast laid out. Everyone else was gathered around the table.

  “Have we made you wait?” Adorna felt a bit guilty about her slow stroll home.

  “Not to worry, we have honed our appetites smelling and looking,” Mr. Scrum said.

  “Please, you carve,” Adorna asked him. He seemed pleased with the task as he sliced off beef and proceeded to fill the plates as they were passed to him. Tatties and neeps, fresh bannocks and scones, with newly churned butter had Adorna’s mouth watering.

  “Tell me, Mrs. Rawlings, how are you finding the city?” Mrs. Scrum asked Mary.

  “’Tis wonderful. I’m happy to be getting my land legs back, but I must confess to being a little tired.”

  “And so you should be. In your condition to have made such a crossing is a wonder. Why don’t you take a rest after we finish our luncheon?” Toffy suggested between bites. Adorna was happy to see how much the warmer weather had helped her. Sh
e was bright eyed and pink cheeked. Her illness of a few weeks ago was no longer present.

  “Thank you, I believe I will. Bart will you be all right on your own?” Mary turned adoring eyes on her husband.

  “It will give me time to walk off this meal. Perhaps I will take a stroll to the castle and back. I have eaten more today than I have in a fortnight. If I don’t take care, I will be needing to call the tailor. We both will be increasing our girth!”

  They all laughed while Mary blushed prettily. Within a short while, the meal was finished. Crosbie, Meg, and Cook saw to the details of clearing up. Mary disappeared up the stairs, and Bart was out the door for his jaunt up the royal mile.

  “My, it got quiet,” Toffy said as she settled herself in her favorite chair. Adorna took the other chair near the hearth knowing that her aunt would be napping in minutes. Rawly was standing near the window.

  “This gives me a good opportunity—” Rawly began but a clatter of carriage wheels and creak of harness drawing up outside stopped his words.

  Crosbie was already at the door when the knock came. He opened it, and Basil rushed inside.

  “Och, Rawly, my boy—I have come to tell you—there is no easy way to say it. The Malone lass has cried off!”

  “What do you mean, Grandfather?” Rawly poured out a measure of whisky and handed it to the older man. He was bareheaded, his hair jutting out in wild tufts as if he had ridden with his head out the carriage window.

  “She has jilted you, boy! Never thought to see it—a lass throwing over a Rawlings! But no matter. We will just begin again. With Mrs. Miggins help, we will have more teas and find you a bride. Best we found out what kind of a person she was now rather than later, I suppose, still it was a shock. Never in my days did I expect a lassie to say she had been ruined with such—pride.”

  “What are you talking about?” Toffy asked with a frown. “Sit down and make sense. You are exhausting me with all your excitement. Have another whisky—Rawly pour him another.”

  “Molly Malone announced to her parents, and myself, that she had been compromised by that young reporter, Todd Hull. They all left for Gretna Green this morning, I came here to tell Rawly. Sad business…but no matter. We will get you married.”