Quest of Honor

by Ellie St. Clair

  Victoria raced across the kitchen as fast as she could, but she wasn’t quick enough. The bag of flour had already tipped off the shelf. By the time she reached it, half the flour had spilled, covering Archie, the floor, and now her.

  “Oh Archie, why did you have to do that?”

  “Snow!” he cried and scooped up handfuls of the flour and tossed it in the air.

  Victoria sighed. She knew why Maisie was so tired and desperate for alone time with Gilbert. As adorable as Archie was, he was a menace. The two year old was so tiny, but had somehow managed to open every cupboard door, find every hiding place, and grab onto every object that was forbidden. He laughed at the word “no.”

  Victoria was exhausted and Archie had only been here for a few hours. They had the entire evening to get through. Sarah had come home for a moment an hour before. She took one look at the house and told Victoria she had to return to the clinic.

  “Aunt Sarah,” Victoria had said before her aunt left. “I spoke with Charlie today.”

  “With Charlie?”

  “Yes. He really is a very nice man.”

  “Oh, I know. It has been wonderful to have his help since Albert has been gone.”

  “Well, that’s just it. Aunt Sarah, is it his helpfulness that you enjoy or is it perhaps something else?”

  “Victoria, Albert has not been gone long and —”

  “It’s been two years. Uncle Albert would want you to be happy. I think you could happy with Charlie.”

  “Do you really think so? I feel so guilty for having feelings for another. Albert and I shared so much for so long…” She trailed off wistfully.

  “What would you have wanted him to do had you been the one to pass on?”

  Sarah looked at her with tears in her eyes. “I would want him to hold a place for me in his heart, but to make room for someone else.”

  “Exactly. Why don’t you stop by the General Store tonight on your way home?

  “Perhaps.”

  Victoria noticed Sarah did change into her newest dress before she left, careful to skirt around Archie’s grubby fingers as she gave him a quick pat on the head before she left.

  Now here they were, the two of them, sitting on the kitchen floor, both covered in flour. She gave up trying to keep things tidy and started to make piles of flour with the child when there was a knock on the door.

  “Oh blast,” she said.

  “Blast!” repeated Archie.

  “No, Archie, do not say that, it is a bad word.”

  “Blast!” he said again.

  Victoria looked heavenward for help, and made her way through the mess to the door. She opened it to reveal Callum. Of course.

  “Hello,” she said warily.

  He tried to keep his face neutral as he took her in. His eyes started at her flour-dusted shoes, then traveled up her dress to her face, which was smudged with flour and dirt and everything else Archie had discovered since his arrival. She looked disheveled and downright exhausted, but also glowed a little.

  “Have ye had an accident, lass?” he asked, his mouth twitching. Somehow he didn’t think laughter would be the best response for Victoria right now.

  “Not me,” she sighed. Why did he always catch her at her very worst? Not that she was often at her best, but still. “Archie’s here.”

  “Archie! Where is the little guy?”

  At the sound of Callum’s voice, Archie came barreling out of the kitchen. He crashed into Callum, who crouched down to give him a hug. Callum didn’t even flinch at the flour covering the boy, which now transferred to his body.

  “We’re certainly a sight to see,” said Victoria. “Come in, Callum. Since you are here, and now you’re flour-dusted too, you can help us clean up the mess.”

  “Cayum, snow!” said Archie, who could not yet quite pronounce an L.

  “Not snow, Archie,” said Callum. “Flour. And not for playing. Where’s the broom, Victoria?”

  Victoria went to find the broom while Callum tried to keep Archie from extending the mess.

  “Why don’t I take him outside while you clean up?” he asked her.

  “I would say you’re giving me the tough task but I’m not sure that’s the case with this little one.”

  “Well to be fair, I wasn’t here when the mess was made. And I don’t think we’re going to get any cleaning done with Archie in the house.”

  “I know,” she said with a sight. “I was teasing. Partly. Have fun.”

  As she cleaned, she watched them out the window. Callum was a natural with children. He threw Archie in the air with enough strength and fun to make him laugh but with a gentleness that prevented him from getting hurt or even nervous. She had seen this side of him on the train, and it was enchanting. He really would make an amazing father.

  She came to the realization so suddenly she dropped the broom right back into the pile of flour. She loved him. She loved his laugh and his easy smile, and the way he took care of children and his family. She loved his concern for her, the way he had covered her with a blanket and wouldn’t take things too far because he couldn’t promise a future. She loved that he had dropped everything and traveled across the world for someone he loved. He made her angry, and this was why, because she felt so much for him. It hurt that he didn’t respond in the same way, and she covered it with anger.

  Therein lay the problem. What was she to do with these feelings when there was no future upon which to lay them?

  Callum stayed for dinner that night. He kept Archie busy while Victoria cooked. She didn’t have enough experience to be a very good cook, but she had developed enough skill to get by. She would have to continue to learn from Aunt Sarah, who, she hoped, was currently also cooking, but in the rooms above the General Store.

  They sat down to beef, peas, and potatoes, helping Archie spoon it all in, trying to minimize the amount of food that fell to the floor. Callum told her stories about his family, making her laugh. He was so fond of his siblings, and she could tell how much he loved and missed them. He told her of Adam, Finlay, Margaret and Roderick. The mischievousness of all of them as children, and the warm home his parents always provided.

  “Finlay is the next oldest after me,” he said. “While I shall be chieftain, I will need him. The people like me, but it’s Finlay who has a head for the business. And he has ideas. He’s only 25, but he knows how to make the clan better, to move it forward. He’s fairly stoic, not like Roderick and I. He and Margaret have the brains. Margaret is like him, but while Finlay likes the comfort of home, Margaret loves the unknown. She’s 20, and Father is forever trying to keep her from spreading her wings and flying away. She wanted to come with me, you know, but we all put a stop to that. Adam is 23, quiet but with quite the intelligent head on his shoulders. And Roderick, well, Roderick is like I was at 21. Still having too much fun. Gregor was like a twin brother. Kindred spirits we are I guess you could say. I loved to have fun and he loved adventure. We found ourselves in a lot of trouble when we were younger.”

  “I can only imagine. They all sound wonderful,” she said. “I can see why you want to go back to them.”

  “Yes, they can be trying at times, but I wouldn’t change them for anything,” he answered with a smile.

  Suddenly Archie caught her attention. He was so tired, his head dropped right into his peas and potatoes.

  “Oh Archie!” she exclaimed, cleaning him with a towel as he snoozed. “Poor boy. I best get him cleaned up and into bed.”

  She tucked Archie into the makeshift cot beside her own bed and came downstairs, where Callum had tidied up.

  “Thank you,” she said. “I was dreading the cleanup. It was very helpful to have you here. He loves you — and you wore him out, thank goodness.”

  “You put in a good stint yourself,” he said. “Come sit.” He drew her into the sitting room, pulling her down next to him on the sofa and handing her a tea.

  Victoria realized she had never asked Callum what he was doing at her do
orstep in the first place.

  “Did you know Archie was here?” she asked.

  “No, why?”

  “Why did you come here?”

  “I wanted to ask you more about those three men.”

  “Oh. I told you everything about that night,” she said, then realized there was more. “But, with Archie and everything happening I completely forgot! How could I let that slip my mind? I went and talked to Charlie today.”

  “Charlie, from the General Store?”

  “Yes, that’s right. That’s where Aunt Sarah is now. Charlie loves her and I think she loves him back. I really think they can find happiness together, Sarah just has to let herself….Sorry I’m getting carried away again. Anyway I knew Charlie would know everything about everyone. And I was right. He has trouble sleeping, and he has seen these three, out late at night. He said they slip out of the boardinghouse and into the stables after midnight. He is not sure where they go. He thinks they’re going to find lady friends, but maybe they are going somewhere else. And he said Chester and Alistair are not so bad, but he really doesn’t like Brandon.”

  “That makes two of us.”

  “So what do we do now? Did you learn anything?”

  “To answer your second question, yes I did. To answer your first, we do nothing. I will follow up. And I appreciate your lead, but please remember I asked you not to continue your ‘investigation.’”

  Victoria’s brow wrinkled. “What did you find out?”

  “I am not going to telling you — you’ll only get yourself into more trouble.”

  “Tell me. I will not, I promise.”

  “‘Tis what you said before.”

  “Compromise?”

  “Perhaps.”

  “Tell me what you learned and I promise I shall stop asking questions.”

  He wanted to believe her, but the twinkle in her eye both told him he shouldn’t and at the same time made him want to spill out his heart to her.

  “Fine,” he gave in. “I did a little digging, literally.”

  “Tell me more,” she demanded, leaning into him.

  “I went through the men’s rooms while they were out,” he said. “I found nothing in Chester’s or Alistair’s, but in Brandon’s I did find a slip of paper with G.C., a time and a place. 13:00, Lebret.”

  “Lebret, that’s not far,” she said. “G.C.? What is Gregor’s last name?”

  “Campbell,” he said.

  “Callum, that’s a huge clue,” she said, setting her tea aside as she leaned forward, her body tense with excitement.

  “Aye,” he replied. “And Victoria, I’ve been thinking. You should learn how to protect yourself. I want you to stay away from these men, but just in case, have you ever fired a gun?”

  “Of course not!”

  “Well maybe you should learn how, just in case.”

  “I’d prefer not to.”

  “Well, even so, there are a few things I can teach you. It would make me feel better. It would allow you to watch out for your Aunt Sarah as well. The two of you are alone in this house.”

  “I suppose.”

  “Ok, that’s settled. We’ll start tomorrow.”

  “And what do we do now about everything else?”

  “Now, I should leave and you should go to bed. You’re exhausted.”

  “I’m not tired,” she said.

  “You are. You —”

  She cut him off as she leaned up, closed her eyes, and softly kissed him. As the pressure increased, she grabbed his shirt collar and pulled herself closer. He responded, putting his arms around her and bringing her in, deepening the kiss until it turned desperate, one through which they shared their feelings without words.

  Suddenly Victoria heard the door squeak open. She pushed off Callum and sprang back to her original space on the sofa.

  “Aunt Sarah, you’re home!” she exclaimed.

  “Yes, what a night. Victoria, you were right. Charlie is —”

  “Sarah, we have company,” Victoria stopped her before she went any farther.

  “Company? You mean Archie?” she rounded the corner. “Oh Mr. McDougall! How lovely to see you again. I am sorry I was not here earlier. I was dining with a…a friend. I am sure you were here to see Victoria, however I should have been here nonetheless. Would you care for a tea?”

  “We had one,” interjected Victoria. “Thank you though, Sarah.”

  “It’s actually time to take my leave,” said Callum. “I have done my duty and helped put Archie to sleep. Good night ladies.” He took his hat from the coat rack and was on his way.

  “What was that all about? I did not want to be rude in front of Mr. McDougall, however I’m not sure it was wise for you to be unchaperoned with a young man,” Sarah said.

  “Archie was here. And could I not ask you the same? You’re home late,” Victoria replied.

  “I am a grown woman.”

  “As am I.”

  “True.”

  They stared at each other for a moment before dissolving into laughter.

  “Oh Sarah, he’s so absolutely wonderful. He’s gentlemanly and funny and friendly and the way he took care of Archie was just heartwarming. But it just won’t work.” She took in Sarah’s concerned expression. “Do not worry, all will be fine. I must ask you though, how was Charlie?”

  “Charlie was Charlie,” said Sarah. “And I finally accepted him and his feelings. I feel so… relieved.”

  Sarah proceeded to tell Victoria about a lovely evening. Charlie had been surprised when she had arrived at General Store. She tentatively had asked if he would like a home-cooked meal. When she offered to make it there, his face had lit up.

  “It really was a wonderful evening,” said Sarah. “And I promised him that I would at least try to see where things could go. And I will try, albeit slowly.”

  “Oh Aunt Sarah, I’m so happy for you.”

  “And I hope to be happy for you too someday, Victoria. You deserve it.”

  “I am happy, Sarah, do not worry about me.”

  They walked upstairs, each to their own beds and dreams.

  15

  After a day of relentless pursuit that led to dead ends, Callum knocked on Victoria’s door as arranged. When she answered with a brilliant smile, he forced his heart to slow.

  “Ready?” he asked.

  “Ready.”

  She was dressed conservatively, for whatever may be in store in their “protection” session. He led her around behind the house, where a long stretch of prairie grass was shaded by a couple of large elm trees, blocking them from neighbors.

  “Where do we start?” she asked.

  Callum thought of his sister, Peggy. She had grown up with brothers and naturally learned how to combat them as they roughhoused with her. Victoria never had that experience, but she did have spunk. He figured he’d start slow and see where it progressed.

  “All right,” he said, facing her. “You did fairly well for yourself that day near the river in Brockville, but say you came across someone who was stronger than that man, or had better reflexes and less drink in him. If I leaned in to grasp your shoulders, what would you do?”

  “Lean in?” she said with a laugh.

  “No, Victoria, this is serious. What would you do?”

  “Likely turn and run.”

  “And if your pursuer was faster than you, he would simply chase you down, or catch you before you could get away. You must take him off guard. Reverse our roles. Reach out to me.”

  As she leaned in, Callum demonstrated a twist and arm motion to find the vulnerable place in the neck. “Do this, and then you run,” he instructed.

  They went through the motions a few times. Callum then stepped behind her.

  Victoria’s skin tickled as she felt him come behind her and wrap his arms around her. She closed her eyes and leaned into him.

  Callum cleared his throat. “Victoria? That’s not what you are to do if someone were to capture you like this. Use your h
eel to kick back into my shin.”

  He walked her through the movements, then they went through them again, faster this time.

  Callum demonstrated a few more defensive movements before pulling the firearm out of his waistband.

  “Victoria, you need to carry this and learn how to use it.”

  Her eyes grew wide. “I would really rather not,” she replied.

  “I understand, but just for the time? And you cannot carry it unless you have the proper knowledge or you will end up shooting yourself.”

  She eyed him warily. “Fine, I’ll try it.”

  He slipped behind her, placing the gun in her hands and his arms around hers, showing her where to place her fingers. He tried to be gentle as he could tell she was anxious about the firearm in her hands. He showed her how to load the gun, aim, and pull the trigger. She practiced a few times without actually shooting anything.

  “Now, keep that in a safe place, but with you whenever you go somewhere alone,” he instructed, adding, “although I’d prefer ye not be wandering by yourself.”

  “I shall try to remember,” she said with a smile.

  He framed her face in his hands. “Please be careful Victoria.” He placed a quick kiss on her lips and then left her in the yard.

  Victoria offered to help Sarah in the doctor’s office the next day. It would provide an activity to keep her hands and mind busy as she determined how to help Callum find Gregor and ignore the feelings she had for him. He wasn't making it easy with his quick kisses and closeness whenever he was around.

  She had never wanted to be married, but she had finally found someone that she not only wouldn’t dread spending her life with, but she would actually look forward to being with every day. She had finished re-reading Pride and Prejudice and now reflected that maybe she had been too hard on Elizabeth and Jane Bennett and their pursuit of the ideal husband. What it really came down to was finding your own Mr. Darcy. She wished she could better read Callum’s feelings. Perhaps she was just a distraction for the short time he was here. He didn't seem to want a wife, though, and she certainly wasn’t going to let him see how much she wanted him if he didn’t reciprocate those feelings.