by Fiona Faris
He could not abide crowds, especially rowdy ones. Gritting his teeth, he endured it, but he had his limits and prayed fervently that the celebrations be soon over so he could find solace in silence.
When it was time for the attendants to escort the king back to his horses, Alex breathed a sigh of relief and took off towards the gardens. He knew they would come searching for him soon - he was essentially abandoning his bride - but he just needed a minute to himself.
Concealing himself in the arbour where he had found his bride speaking with his sister, he closed his eyes, breathing deeply.
All is well. Everything is going fine.
Rebecca found him, knowing that he sometimes needed his own company. She sat down beside him without saying a word.
“Do they need me?”
Rebecca sighed. “I expect they’re glad for the break just as much as ye.”
Alexander huffed. “What a mingin’ this is.”
His sister regarded him solemnly. “We shall overcome brother.”
Emily had sought her own solace in a gazebo near her mother’s herb garden. She leaned her head against the cold stone, closing her eyes and praying for clarity.
Lord, if you’re there, please show me the way. For I am lost in the wilderness with no way home.
“May I join you?”
She opened her eyes into the deep green of Philip’s, close to hers with a look of concern.
“You really shouldn’t be here.”
His eyes crinkled at the corners. “That was not the question I asked.”
Emily straightened up. Perhaps this was the answer to her prayer?
Chapter Seven
“What can I do to make you happy?”
Emily studied Philip’s face, trying to gauge his true meaning.
If I ask you to get me out of here, out of this marriage, would you?
He looked so earnest, regarded her with such concern. Emily was convinced he cared for her just as much as she cared for him. They were star-crossed lovers doomed to miss each other, like ships passing in the night.
“I don’t know what you can do. What do you think you can do?”
Philip sighed. “I can help you get away, so you don’t have to consummate your marriage. A marriage contract is not complete unless it is consummated.”
The colour immediately rose to the girl’s cheeks. “I…” She opened and shut her mouth like a landed fish, flummoxed at how to reply. “I cannot have this conversation with you.”
She took off at a run, her face flaming.
Once the festivities were over, her mother called her to her chamber. Emily was still reeling from her talk with Philip and hoped that it did not show on her face. Her mother sat her down on the bed and faced her solemnly.
“My darling, tonight you will become a woman.”
The girl knew immediately the topic of conversation and was not in the mood to hear it, not after Philip’s words and her own uncertainty.
“Mama!”
Lady Caldwell shook her head. “No my dear, it is my duty to send you to your marriage bed at least slightly prepared for what you will have to endure.”
Emily’s face was flaming red. “No mama, I really don’t need-”
Her mother’s face became concerned. “Are you saying that you are not pure?”
Emily stared at her mother, unable to comprehend what she was asking. “Pure? What…?”
Lady Caldwell sighed in relief to see Emily’s confusion. “Never mind my dear. Just remember this, try to relax and do not resist your husband.”
Emily nodded, embarrassed at the thought, looking anywhere but at her mother.
Once Emily had retired to her chambers to allow her sisters to help her prepare for the night ahead, Lady Caldwell went in search of Alexander. She had not forgotten her resolve to speak with him about her concerns and rang the bell to summon the butler.
He appeared within minutes, knocking politely before entering her room.
“I need you to fetch Mr MacTavish, have him wait for me in my small sitting room.”
Lady Caldwell sighed, feeling the weight on her shoulders like an anchor, pulling her downward. Would she drown in regret or remain securely tethered?
That indeed was the question.
As she waited for the Scotsman, she tried to think on what she would say to him but was too nervous to formulate anything solid. She was startled when the door suddenly opened, and Alexander entered.
“Ye called for me, my lady?” his voice was quiet and low and strangely soothing to her ear. Lady Caldwell wanted to like him.
“Yes, I wish to speak with you about my daughter.”
Alexander looked surprised but remained silent.
Lady Caldwell inhaled sharply before she spoke. “Emily is a lot more sheltered than the women you have previously met. She is delicate and innocent and requires care. Do you understand what I am saying, Mr MacTavish?”
He gave a cynical smile. “Ye’re saying she’s no whore and I shouldna treat her like one?”
She sighed, closing her eyes briefly before opening them to fix Alexander MacTavish with a glare. “I am asking you to remember that my daughter is gently bred and to treat her so.”
Alexander could barely refrain from rolling his eyes. “I understand ye Lady Caldwell. And I do assure you, I know how to treat a woman.”
“Oh, I am sure you do!” Lady Caldwell hastened to reassure him.
“Now if ye will excuse me, I have a wedding night to prepare for.”
Emily paced back and forth in her chambers, wringing her hands as she tried to reconcile herself to what must happen next. She thought about Alexander’s size, his hands like dinner plates, callused and strong enough to wield a claymore, his eyes, perpetually cold as the sleet at dawn. He could easily hold her down with one hand tied behind his back and he was already angry with her.
Would he hurt her when they were alone? Sitting on the bed she examined her nightgown that had been especially made for her wedding night. The sheer white chemise with its small purple lace bow sitting snugly between her twin mounds, her shoulders and cleavage would be laid bare to his eyes.
All of her clothes had been packed in a trunk, her bridal trousseau neatly waiting for her. Alexander’s bags were deposited in the corner of the suite ready for their departure on the morrow.
She felt like a rat in a trap.
Suddenly she rose, reaching for her gown to pull over her chemise with no care to modesty. Thrusting her feet into her shoes she hurried out of the chamber, going in search of Philip.
She found him loitering at the end of the hallway as if he had known all along that she would come looking.
“Philip! Help me.”
Smiling, he held out his hand. “Come with me.”
Unhesitatingly, she took it, trusting that he would not lead her astray. He led her to the back stairs, along corridors that she was not readily familiar with. Caldwell House was large and old, with many passages and tunnels that had fallen out of use.
They were dark, cold, and forbidding and Emily shivered, blinking rapidly in an effort to see in the pitch-blackness. She wondered how Philip knew where he was going but did not question him.
Eventually and much to her surprise, they came out of the tunnel and into the stables.
The horses were blowing and snorting, around them.
He led her to a huge bay mare that was unfamiliar to her.
“Is this yours?” she whispered.
He nodded eyes bright with pride. “Indeed she is. Emily, meet Aphrodite.”
Saddling the mare, he led her to the entrance, managing not to alert the stable hands. Mounting the horse he held out his hand for her to do the same.
For a moment she hesitated; doubtful.
“But where will we go?”
He frowned. “Don’t you trust me?”
She nodded quickly.
“Well then, come.”
Pulling her up in front of him, they set off at a seda
te trot towards the bottom of the garden.
“You are very well versed in all the secret ways out of here?”
He barked a laugh. “I simply listen, my girl. There is nothing a grey head likes as much as a captive audience.”
Emily frowned. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing now let me concentrate or we shall end up flat on the ground if Aphrodite were to shy away or rear up.”
Emily kept her mouth shut but her mind was filled with questions. Why had Philip found out about all the secret passages in Caldwell House and why did he need to know alternate routes to leave it? Had he known that she would come to him for help, or had he but hoped?
She herself had not known that she would run away. It had been but the decision of a moment and she was beginning to wonder if it had been a huge mistake. Once her escape was discovered, it would cause such a scandal. Her marriage would be destroyed, her reputation ruined, and her sisters’ prospects would suffer because of it.
What was I thinking?
She opened her mouth to ask Philip to take her back, but now they were galloping off into the unknown with such speed that there was no opportunity to speak.
I will just tell him to go back once we stop.
Alexander walked into the bridal chamber with his heart in his mouth. A lot was at stake and he wanted this to go well. Not just for the sake of his pride; life would be much smoother if he and his bride could get along. He was surprised to find the chamber empty. He had been reliably informed that his bride was awaiting him.
He checked behind the screen to see if she was doing her business but there was nobody there. His eyes scanned the room, looking for signs.
There was no night rail laid out, but her dressing gown was present. Her slippers lay on their side as if they had been flung off and her shoes had gone. The gown she had been wearing earlier was also missing. Her luggage was still very much present.
Therefore, he deduced that she must have gone out somewhere, and hesitated, wondering if he should wait or go in search of her. His head told him to wait but his heart urged him to find her. His heart had never been wrong. He would enlist Rebecca’s help in case there were places he could not go - such as her sisters’ chambers.
He sighed, shaking his head in exasperation as he went in search of his sister.
“Well well, I didna expect to see ye tonight.”
“I did not expect to see ye either, but I seem to have lost my bride and I was hoping ye could help me find her.”
Rebecca’s eyes widened in surprise. “Really? She has disappeared?”
“Looks like.”
“And what about that dunderheid, Philip Bristol, have ye seen him?”
Alexander shook his head slowly. “What exactly are ye saying, Rebecca?”
His sister shrugged. “It is just terribly convenient that ye have not seen them both after the displays they have been putting on for the last few days.”
Alexander narrowed his eyes. “Be careful Rebecca that is my wife ye speak of.”
“Indeed, she is. I hope that she kens that.”
“Come, let us find her quickly before I am not just the only one missing her. The last thing we need is a scandal. Start with her sisters. I shall seek her out in the gardens.”
Rebecca headed towards the sister’s rooms and Alexander went downstairs. He used the servants’ entrance hoping one of the servants might have seen her.
He came across the butler carrying a tray of glasses.
The butler frowned as Alex explained.
“Is she not supposed to be in the bridal chamber? Her sisters took her up there to prepare.”
“Indeed, I thought so as well. But she is not there now.”
“That is strange. Shall I enquire as to her whereabouts for you? I believe I saw her lady’s maid in the kitchen.”
“Please, if you would.”
Alexander nodded his thanks and proceeded outside to see if she was in the arbour or wandering around the balustrades.
Where is she? What is she up to?
He had seen her watching him, weighing him up. Perhaps he should have spoken more to her; been more considerate. She was after all his wife-well almost.
Did she develop cold feet? And what will I do if she has?
When he knew the answer to that question, he would know how to proceed.
Chapter Eight
Rebecca knocked softly at the door of Emily’s room and waited. She knew that Emily shared the chamber with one of her sisters who should be inside. She was surprised when there was no response.
Knocking again she put her ear to the door to listen. Someone was definitely moving about inside.
She knocked again, louder.
“What are you doing?”
One of the younger girls peeked out of her room.
“I am looking for Emily.”
The girl giggled. “Emily isn’t there silly. She got married today so she’s in the married quarters.”
Rebecca shook her head. “Actually, she isn’t. So, I thought I’d come to look for her.”
“Well…Elinor is not going to hear you knocking.”
“Why not?”
“Because she can’t hear.”
Rebecca blinked in surprise.
The young girl slid out of her room and opened the door in front of Rebecca. “Elinor! You have a visitor!”
Rebecca stepped tentatively into the room where a girl with brown hair and big green eyes regarded her curiously. Rebecca waved.
“Hello.” Her words were slow and deliberate.
“I…was looking for Emily.” She spoke clearly hoping the girl would understand.
Elinor laughed. “Emily’s not here. She’s married now.”
“Yes, she is. She is married to my brother. But now we can’t find her.”
Elinor frowned.
“That silly girl. What has she done now?”
“What?” Rebecca was surprised her reply.
Elinor shook her head, exasperated. “My sister is a little impulsive. She gets into the silliest scrapes because of it. She’s lucky that she gets out of them before our parents hear about it. I don’t know where she is, but maybe just give her some time, she’ll turn up.”
Thanking the girl, Rebecca left the room deep in thought.
If I were being impulsive, where would I go?
She turned back, wanting to ask whether there were any secret passages or hidey-holes where Emily might be hiding. But why should she be hiding?
“Madam?”
The voice was low and tentative, and she was surprised to see a diminutive maid, lurking at the end of the corridor. She walked slowly, toward her.
“Did ye want something?”
The maid nodded, her hair falling onto her eyes.
Rebecca smiled in a friendly way. “What would ye like to tell me?”
“I…know where Miss Emily went,” her voice was low, almost incomprehensible.
“Good. That’s good, could ye tell me where?”
“The tunnels.”
Rebecca stared, not sure she had heard correctly. “Tunnels?”
The maid pointed to the west.
“Down there?”
The maid nodded.
“Would ye take me?”
The maid shook her head frantically as if frightened half to death.
“What’s yer name?”
“Matilda, ma’am.”
“Matilda, that’s a lovely name. Now, if Emily’s got hersel’ in a bit o’ trauchle, ye want to help her don’t ye?”
Matilda nodded uncertainly.
“Good. Then show me where she went.”
As they walked through the tunnels the girl grew bolder.
She told Emily about herself and her father, the head groom at the Hall. The tunnels were dark and dank, and Rebecca wondered what on earth the girl would be doing in such a place.