Rumors Among the Heather

by Amanda Balfour

  The peddler looked at her in surprise. “First, how do I get to Stonehaven, and second, the ribbon, peddler.”

  The expression on his face changed from blank innocence to guile. The craftiness written across his face made it plain he would have taken her money without giving anything in return. He had probably duped other young boys before Julie without too much trouble.

  “All right, all right, ye’re a smart one, ain’t ye? I could use a lad like ye. A feller like yourself with some guidance from me, we could make a team of it. What say ye?”

  “I said where’s Stonehaven, and my ribbon and no tricks, peddler. I’ve got brothers bigger and smarter than me ta home who wouldnae take kindly ta their brother being cheated,” Julie said with a mischievous grin.

  “No need to get testy. It seems an honest man gets nothin’ but abuse. Here’s yer ribbon. Turn at the next road to the right beside a graveyard. Stonehaven’s a day’s journey south from there once you come to the Causey Mounth,” he said tersely with his hand out.

  Julie gave him the coin and urged her horse along. She had no desire to waste any more time or spend any more of her money in the presence of the peddler. She would have liked to ask him if he knew her aunt, but something told her it would not be wise. The less he knew of her business the better.

  She rode as far as she could that day, before watering and hobbling her horse to let him graze through the night. She burrowed a hole in a stack of fresh cut hay and lay down to rest. Her hideaway felt warm and dry. After the dampness of the mountains, she had lost all hope of ever being warm and dry again.

  The next morning, after the sun woke her, she went down to the stream to wash as best she could. She had run out of food two days ago, so she would go without food again today. She drank as much water as she could to try and settle her grumbling stomach and ease the light-headedness plaguing her. Her bones ached and every now and then a chill attacked her body. Too tired to continue and too stubborn not to, she prepared to leave.

  Julie found her horse lying down. “Come on, Pokey. Get up. It’s not that much farther. Then we can rest and get some proper food. Please get up. I know you’re tired and I am too, but it can’t be that much farther. Please,” Julie begged while tugging at the reins. “Don’t you want some water? It might be a long time before we find another stream. There’s nice green grass dripping with dew. Wouldn’t that be tasty?” Julie urged.

  He refused to drink and did not appear interested in eating this morning. Once up, he seemed willing to go on so Julie mounted him, and they started down the road again. They had only gone a short distance before he went down on two legs and soon collapsed under her.

  Julie urged him to get up, and after several tries he did finally get up on wobbly legs. She knew his legs would not carry him far. Slowly, she walked him into the shade of a nearby tree. She patted his nose and talked soothingly to him.

  He nudged her softly and neighed before he collapsed again. He stretched out on his side and quietly lay there, breathing raggedly. This time Julie knew no amount of urging would get him up on all fours. He had carried his last burden. He breathed a deep sigh of release, and then he was gone. She patted his head and sat beside him for a while. She hated to leave him where he lay. He deserved better, but she could do nothing for him now.

  “You were a good horse, old friend. Thank you for the miles you’ve given me,” she said sadly. She patted his head one last time.

  Julie got to her feet and started walking. Steeling herself, she did not look back. It would do no good. She plowed on unsteadily as her eyes blurred with tears for her gentle steed.

  At sundown, she arrived in Stonehaven much the worse for wear. She asked some children who were playing near the outskirts of town where Lady Catherine Blair lived. They directed her down a tree-lined lane toward the sea. When she thought her legs would not carry her another step, she saw the words “Pari Passu” on a huge gate across a drive. Unconsciously, she noted the words meant “together” or “with equal step” as she stepped through the stile.

  Pari Passu was a rambling three-story stone house. Ivy climbed the walls, dividing it into charming sections. The greenery added character to what would have been a plain stone building. The lawns in front and on the sides of the house were lined with rhododendron just beginning to come into bloom.

  Julie continued walking up the brick-paved driveway to the massive front door. She knocked timidly before she saw the bell. With a trembling hand, she rang the bell and waited. A stern-looking woman in her late fifties opened the door. Julie hoped with all her heart this was not her aunt. If it was, she had no hope of finding refuge here.

  “Well?” The woman stared at Julie, and her frown of disapproval grew deeper.

  Julie cleared her throat and said weakly, “May I speak to Lady Catherine Blair, please? I’ve come a long way.”

  “We’ve no time for peddlers or gypsies. Be gone with ye.”

  “Please, I’m not a gypsy. Is Lady Catherine in? Would you ask her if she will see me? I can’t go any farther, please.”

  “You’re wasting my time. This is not a house of charity,” she snapped and then grudgingly asked, “What’s your name?”

  “I’ll tell Lady Catherine myself. Tell her I’ll only need a few minutes of her time.”

  “Of all the nerve, I’ll do no such thing. You be on your way,” she said haughtily.

  She tried to slam the door, but Julie placed her foot quickly in its path. She did not have the strength to push her way in.

  “Now see here, you ruffian. Remove your foot this instant, or I’ll have the bailiff down on you,” she shrieked at Julie.

  “What’s going on here, Maggie?”

  Before Maggie could answer, Julie spoke up quickly. “Are you Lady Catherine?”

  Julie looked with hope at the small, neat figure before her. Where her father had been tall and lean, Lady Catherine was short and plump, but she had the unmistakable nose and green eyes of the Hastings, which Julie and her father both possessed.

  Those shrewd eyes were also looking back at her. Julie relaxed a little before she remembered how stubborn the Hastingses could be. She wanted to rush into her arms and confess everything as she would have to her father, but she knew she had to go slowly. This lady was not her father, and for all she knew, she might not be sympathetic to her plight.

  “I’m Lady Catherine Blair. Why are you here, and what is this about?”

  Before Julie could answer her, she invited her into a pleasant sitting room where the ocean could be seen through the windows. She looked around at the wicker furnishings and chintz cushions and thought how well they suited their owner. Her aunt motioned for her to sit down. Julie quickly took the chair opposite Lady Catherine.

  Maggie followed, sputtering with indignation. Julie began, “Lady Catherine, I have come to talk to you about Christmas presents and mercy. I am…” Julie looked from Lady Catherine to Maggie.

  Lady Catherine seemed to realize the hesitation she felt to speak with Maggie present. “Maggie, you may leave us now.”

  Julie and Lady Catherine watched her leave the room like an ill wind. When she finally closed the door to the sitting room, the two women turned to face each other.

  “You mustn’t mind Maggie. She means well. Now, what’s this all about, my dear?” Lady Catherine asked.

  “As you, I think, have already guessed, I’m a woman and not a boy. I have traveled a long way to find you. Please hear my story before you turn me out. I know the trouble in our families, but I also know you sent us Christmas presents for almost ten years. Presents we were not allowed to keep. My name is Juliana Hastings, and my father was Garrett Hastings.”

  “Was Garrett Hastings? Then he’s dead?”

  Julie nodded her head.

  “Poor, poor, stubborn Garrett. When we were growing up, he was my favorite brother. I wish I had known, but you see it has been six or seven years since I have heard any news of the family. I never go home anymore since
my husband died. I needed his strength to face them. They’re a formidable bunch. How long ago did Garrett die?”

  “It will be a year in June. So much has happened, it seems longer,” Julie said, suddenly realizing everything that had happened to her in this short space of time.

  “Seems like there was another girl. A cousin, I believe, from the other side,” Lady Catherine commented.

  “Yes, her name is Hannah. She came to live with us after her parents died. She is married to Robert St. Clair, and they live in Bath. They were on their honeymoon when I left.”

  “Robert St. Clair, you say? So that takes care of Hannah, but what of you, Juliana?” Lady Catherine gave her a stern look. “Before you start your story, I feel it only fair to tell you I will not tolerate lies. I’m too old a cat to be kidded by a kitten.”

  Julie held on to the arm of her chair to steady a tinge of nerves and fear. She fought off another tremor coursing through her body. She took a deep breath and began.

  “It’s a long story, and it’s my shame I’ll be telling you. Please do not judge me too harshly. I came to you because I did not have anywhere to turn, and I hoped the kind person who sent us those presents so long ago might understand,” Julie said somewhat shakily.

  Her head began to feel light. She stood up to go over to the window for some air, but the room turned dark.

  * * *

  Julie came to when Maggie placed sal volatile under her nose.

  Lady Catherine looked on, wringing her hands. “How long has it been since you have eaten?”

  “It has been almost four days, I think,” Julie said weakly. The room seemed to whirl in front of her every time she opened her eyes.

  “You just rest for a while. I’ll hear your story later, but for now we need to get some food in you.” Lady Catherine patted Julie’s hand gently. “Maggie, be a dear and bring us some tea and some of the soup we had for lunch,” Lady Catherine ordered. Maggie relinquished her fan into Lady Catherine’s hand, and she continued to fan Julie.

  Julie drank the strong, sweet tea and ate the soup with pieces of fresh bread. She had a second helping of everything. She looked at Lady Catherine from under her eyelashes and knew the time had come to tell her story.

  She could almost hear her mother’s words telling her she did not deserve this lady’s kindness. She felt shy when she looked at her stern face. She knew she would shock her aunt, and the possibility of being sent packing weighed heavily indeed. Be that as it may, she knew nothing but the complete story would do.

  She tried to clear the hoarseness from her throat. She straightened up and began her story. She told her everything from the time her father died, to her trip to Lord Bonnleigh’s estate, to the sham marriage, continuing with Geoffrey’s treachery, her pregnancy, and her flight to Stonehaven. When she finished she sat back in her chair and looked at her aunt, who sat quietly in the darkened room, and waited for her to speak.

  Lady Catherine’s calm voice cut through the breathless stillness of the room. Her voice seemed to magnify her sound many times in Julie’s ears.

  “My, my, you have certainly had an adventure. I’m astonished you managed to find your way here, but I’m glad you did,” she said, shaking her head in disbelief. Her eyes misted over when she looked at Julie again. “You know, you’re just like your father. I was the youngest, but Garrett always let me tag along with him growing up. From a kind boy, he grew into a kind man. Even then he never thought about the future, only the here and now. He never seemed to worry about anything. I suppose that was good for a preacher but not for a family. He should have provided for you better.

  “I wrote him several times after your mother died, offering to take both of you girls. You see, I could not have children of my own. He sent me a letter with just the one word on it, No! I tried several more times to write to him, but he always returned my letters unopened. Finally, I just quit writing, but I see now I should not have. If I had continued, then you girls would have come to me when this happened and you would not be in this trouble.”

  “Ma’am, it’s not your fault, truly it is not. I love Matthew, and I think I always will. I fully realize what I have done, and I know I will have to pay the consequences. I have saved a little money, and I plan to support myself somehow in the future. I did not come here for charity, only a small amount of your mercy.

  “What worries me is the time when my baby will be born and my confinement. I came to ask you to let me work here for room and board. A place in the servants’ quarters would be all I need. When the baby is born, I would stay only long enough until I can secure work. You need not tell anyone I am related to you. Just shelter and food are all I ask,” Julie finished simply.

  “Tsk, tsk, child, don’t talk nonsense. Food and shelter you shall have, my dear, but I will not have you working in your condition. There can be no talk of going away after the baby’s born, either. You must know there is nothing out there for a penniless woman with a baby. You would both die or be put in debtor’s prison or worse. No, my dear, you have a home here with me for as long as you like, as my niece and not as anything else.”

  Tears burned Julie’s eyes. She hugged her aunt. Lady Catherine dried her tears as well as Julie’s and said, “All the servants have this day off. We are lucky no one is about. Maggie and I always do for ourselves. I kind of like a quiet house. When they come back, I will introduce you as my niece who is married to a sea captain. We will say this sea captain is reported lost at sea, and being your nearest relative you came to me. I’ll send Maggie to Aberdeen to buy you some clothes. She can have the clothes put in some old trunks and sent down to us. We’ll just say your carriage broke down, and you came on ahead.”

  “Thank you, Aunt Catherine. I appreciate all you are doing for me. Someday I will think of a way to pay you back for your kindness,” Julie said humbly.

  “Stuff and nonsense! You’re family,” she said, putting her arm around Julie. “Let us tell Maggie the good news and draw you a bath so you can get out of those ridiculous clothes. I have a nightgown that I think will fit you. We’ll get you to bed and some much needed rest, I think. Get away from that door, Maggie, we are coming through,” Lady Catherine called loudly. “She always listens in. She has to know what’s going on at all times. Her only character flaw, you might say. It’s hard living with perfection, my dear.”

  She jerked the door open and caught Maggie straightening up. Maggie had the good sense to blush when Lady Catherine and Julie went past her toward the stairs.

  “I’m sure you heard everything, so don’t just stand there. Get ready to go to Aberdeen.”

  Maggie sniffed, looking as if her senses were offended, but she followed them up the stairs. She found two of the servant girls had come back early. They drew the water for Julie’s bath. Lady Catherine and Maggie left Julie to enjoy her bath. Maggie received her final instructions on what to do in Aberdeen.

  Julie took off the clothes she had worn continuously for several weeks. They almost felt like a second skin, and they smelled definitely like something that should be buried six feet deep on a moonless night. She slid into the warm scented water and felt her muscles relax. She closed her eyes and let her cares float away. She felt her muscles relax and even her bones stopped aching. A sense of euphoria enveloped her.

  She was wrapped in a thirsty towel and drying her hair with another when Lady Catherine came back into her room. She brought a hand-embroidered cotton gown and wrapper. On her heels, Maggie brought in another cup of tea and some oatmeal scones. Julie went behind the screen to change into the soft nightgown and wrapper. She sat down to talk to her aunt when she started shaking violently.

  “Julie, what’s wrong?” Lady Catherine asked in alarm.

  Maggie felt her forehead and brought her hand back quickly. “Lordy, lordy, she’s burning up with fever. We’d best send for the doctor. It has to be pneumonia. She probably caught it traipsing about them mountains. She’ll start coughing, running a high temperature, and hav
ing chills if it is. I’ll go for the doctor,” Maggie said, rising from her chair to leave, shaking her head in disapproval and clucking her tongue.

  “No, Maggie, you go to Aberdeen just as we had planned. Send one of the stable boys for the doctor. Jem always comes back around this time.”

  “But you’ll need help,” Maggie insisted.

  “Nonsense, I can handle this. I’ve been through a siege of the plague and the outbreak of smallpox that took my husband. I think I’m up to a case of pneumonia. Now hurry, please. I have just found a long lost relative, and I have no intention of losing her.”

  Catherine helped Julie into bed, but Dr. Mudd could not come until the next morning. The night passed slowly, with Julie suffering bouts of fever followed by chills. The coughing started right before daybreak.

  By the time the doctor arrived, Catherine was fighting exhaustion as well as apprehension. When he entered the sickroom, Dr. Mudd was out of breath. He moved to the bed without greeting Catherine, and laid his hand on Julie’s forehead and took her pulse.

  “What are her symptoms?” he asked before unpacking his bag.

  “She started having violent chills about eight o’clock last night. Her fever is very high, and she has a dry cough. She’s also complaining of pains in her chest,” Lady Catherine said, wringing her hands. She looked on with concern while Dr. Mudd examined his patient. “Oh, and doctor, she is with child.”

  “Yes, I can see that. I would say she is in an exhaustive state, also. Not good, my lady.”

  Lady Catherine nodded her head.

  “This is very serious indeed. She could lose the baby, her life, or both. You have probably guessed by now it’s pneumonia. There is not a lot we can do. It is mainly up to the patient. We can keep her as comfortable as possible but not much more. You must try to keep her strength up with good nourishing soups, no solids. We need to get the fever down. I’ll leave you some medicine for her fever, with directions. If she has trouble breathing, open up the windows and let as much air in as possible. Sea air is a great restorative. Sometime between five and eleven days, her crisis will come. Her fever will come down, and she will start breathing easier after that—if we are lucky. If not, then you understand… I’ll check back in tomorrow,” Dr. Mudd said. He began repacking his bag. He left just as quickly as he came.