Wedgewick Woman

by Patricia Strefling

  Meredith wrote not a word.

  During the long months inside, Annabel sewed several plain dresses of durable fabric. Living alongside the cottars in the longhouses would require a wardrobe that suited her surroundings and she did not want to appear overly English to the Scots who were a proud people.

  Satisfied with her work, she packed a large trunk, hired a driver and interviewed several companions. She chose one older lady who, quite low in her purses, had seemed honest enough and needed an income.

  The trip back to Scotland was much more pleasant. With someone to converse with and the colorful profusion of spring flowers to entertain her eyes, she identified buttercups, daisies, foxglove and clover. As they rode along Annabel closed her eyes and pulled into her nostrils the fresh fragrance of the newly ripened earth. She felt the first spring of hope arise in her heart.

  She asked the driver to take her to the older couple’s home they had stayed at before. They appeared nice enough, but not as happy to see her as before, she noted sadly. Nevertheless they allowed her, her companion and driver to stay with them.

  “It will be just for a few days, until I can find a place of my own.” She said and the two looked at each other, but said nothing.

  While the driver was yet carrying her trunk inside the elderly gentleman sent a missive to Laird Carmichael.

  When Cork and the Laird’s driver returned to Dunbeernton those months ago they told their master of Annabel’s desire to the Mulhannon lands. The Laird had at first looked angry and then determined. Both young man and older knew it bode no good. Something was amiss and they had their instructions that should they hear of Miss Wedgewick’s return to the Mulhannon’s; he was to know immediately.

  The missive arrived when the Laird was in Edinburgh. When he returned he was met first by Cork.

  “She is back, Sir.”

  “Who?” he said as he stepped down from Knight.

  “Miss Wedgewick. She has returned to the cottar’s house.” He could hardly contain himself, worried that she might get hurt…or worse. Her being English and a lass and all.

  “Aye…’tis this day I have dreaded.” He patted his horse and let the stable boy take his mount to the stables for proper care. Cork looked at the Laird’s expression.

  “She is not in danger is she?” Cork asked handing the Laird a clean pair of boots for the spring rains had muddied his other ones.

  Lee looked down into the anxious face and saw that the boy loved the woman. He would not lie. “She is at that.” He said. “But you are not to repeat what I have told you. I am about to ride over to see to her after I’ve had some refreshment and let Knight rest for a while. Ready yourself.” he added quickly and saw the brown eyes light up. “Polish my boots. I would have a clean pair when I return.” He ordered. Cork was off knowing the Laird was just spouting, for every day since he’d first made the error of misplacing the Laird’s boots he had fulfilled his duty to perfection.

  Lee had had plenty of time to think what he was going to say to Annabel. She knew nothing of the Scot’s ways and was about to put herself in danger, not to mention the Mulhannons. He hated to tell her what he knew would break her heart… again. But it had to be done.

  He ran above stairs to see his daughter first. “Aye, ye have grown lass and me being gone barely eight days.” He picked her up then set her down when she wiggled out of his embrace.

  Her limp was strong yet and her legs wobbly. Flinging her arms in wide circles as she steadied herself, she made the short trip and fell into his arms.

  “A strong lass ye are.” He laughed heartily, set her on her feet, and promptly asked her to do it again. She complied and he sat down to read to her like Annabel had done.

  “Phoebe.” He called to her governess. “Please see that she has a walk about the grounds today. It is a fine day. I shall be leaving this eve and return on the morrow.”

  “Aye.” Phoebe answered.

  He noticed how the English woman had picked up the Scot ways. She and Fergus were waiting until Spring to be married. She wanted to carry fresh daisies and walk the hills, green and lush, on their wedding day. Nothing less would do for Phoebe and the Laird knew she would have her way.

  He did not mention that Annabel was in Scotland. No one need know where she was. He would be bringing her back to Dunbeernton unless she preferred to go back to London but he doubted that since she’d want to see Eleanor, Cork and Phoebe.

  “Ross, bring me Knight and accompany me. Cork is riding with us.”

  Ross knew all and shot his employer a look. “All will be well.” Ross said quietly.

  “Aye…I have hope that it will be…for I have no desire to add more sorrow to this woman.” Laird Carmichael said quietly.

  Ross looked at him and pulled his reins turning the mount’s head toward their destination.

  Cork’s happiness shone on his newly washed face. Ross noted also that he had on a fresh pair of knickers with stockings in the Carmichael colors…the excellent work of Mrs. Calvert.

  The threesome pulled up at the Mulhannon’s cottage…at Cork’s direction. He had been the only one who knew where Miss Wedgewick had stayed before. The Laird dismounted scanning the countryside as he did. He saw no sign of her.

  Cork’s feet hit the ground. He handed his reins to the Laird and was off across the meadow at a dead run; Laird Carmichael almost envied the boy of having a mother. He had longed for it, too, as a young lad.

  He called to her and she turned, dropping her flowers, for Cork was heading straight for her arms. He was taller now and almost knocked her over as he fell into her embrace. The Laird rather envied that as well. He looked away to give them privacy. Turning Knight he looked over the huge expanse of rolling hills and felt a deep love for his country then dismounted.

  Ross took Knight’s reins and found a small stable at the rear of the house.

  Laird Carmichael knocked loudly and was answered immediately and brought in.

  “Tis glad we are to see ye.” The woman wiped her hands on her apron, took it off, hung it on a hook and sat at the table, pouring tea and offering some of the morning’s biscuits. She called her husband to come from the byre.

  “Laird Carmichael.” The man greeted, a proud look on his face. “It is good of ye to come.”

  “Aye, it is me who should be thanking ye for I have known we are about to have trouble with the Campbells. Miss Wedgewick, being English, has no idea what an angry Scot is about. Nay, she thinks too kindly of all.”

  “That she does.” The woman added.

  “I would have a word with her alone, if ye don’t mind whenever I can get her from the embraces of the boy.” he smiled.

  “Aye, t’would be pleasant to get away from the house work.” The lady agreed. “We will be working in the garden.” And they left him.

  When Cork came through the door he pulled Annabel inside.

  Laird Carmichael’s eyes set upon her and a muscle twitched in his face. Her eyes were softer. She was more beautiful even than before, he thought and realized he was staring.

  “Laird Carmichael, it is good of you to bring Cork.” She smiled, her hands primly at her waist, a bouquet of yellow flowers clutched in them, as though she were a bride.

  “Aye…it is good to set eyes upon ye.” He said quietly and motioned for Cork to leave.

  He offered her a chair. “Is Eleanor all right?” She asked immediately.

  “She is walking and speaking new words.” He said proudly, watching her move about the tiny kitchen as she pumped water and arranged the flowers in an old vase.

  She joined him at the table. “That is good.” But then jumped up again, calling over her shoulder, “Tea?”

  “Yes.” He accepted hoping that it would keep her hands busy, for she always fidgeted.

  When she sat again, he began.

  “Miss Wedgewick…Annabel, it has come to my attention that ye plan on staying here on the Mulhannon’s land. Is that true?”

  “Yes, it is.”
She said quietly, then… “Does that bother you? I mean with me being so close to Eleanor, I’m not about— ”

  Laird Carmichael interrupted her. “Ye know ye’re welcome to see Eleanor any time ye wish.” He looked fair affronted that she’d thought otherwise.

  “Thank you. Then I shall come.”

  “Annabel…” he used her Christian name again…”There is something I’m needin’ to tell ye.” He stood and paced.

  “Yes.” She put her teacup down lest it rattle in the dish.

  “The Mulhannon lands…they’re not yours.” He said flatly.

  “Not mine? Why of course they are, my father…”

  “Meredith sold them to me.” He spoke the truth.

  “Sold them to you? How could she? Father left them to me.”

  He hated the sorrow in her lovely eyes. “Last year when I went to Edinburgh, it was to sign papers. Meredith sold the land to me. She needed the money.”

  “But how could she, my name was…”

  “That’s why she came to Dunbeernton…to tell you that you were not a Wedgewick. She instructed the solicitor to disinherit you and without proof that the man you called your father…well, by law you had no impact without papers showing that you were a true blooded Wedgewick.” He finished.

  Annabel stood, the chair scraping against the wooden floor, turned her back and walked to the window.

  He took a step then stopped. “She was cruel to do it Annabel. But I could not let the Mulhannon’s go to the Campbells or worse. I had to buy the land from her.”

  “Yes. I can see that you did. I wish you would have told me when I left, I would not have come back…”

  In a moment he stood behind her and turned her to face him. “I am truly sorry. ‘Twas not your fault.”

  “It never is.” She looked at her feet and saw his arms fall to his sides. A loneliness swept over her and bruised her heart.

  “Thank you for telling me.” She said and left the cottage.

  He watched from the doorway signaling to Cork and Ross to let her be. “She must be about dealing with it in her own way.” He said gruffly. “Keep an eye on her. The Campbells roam the land looking for trouble these days.”

  He went to find the older couple for they needed to talk. “It is known that Donald Campbell is about to quarrel with the Mulhannon’s in these parts. He wants to overtake the smallest piece and join it to his lands. I will make it known now, whilst I could not before, that I am Laird of this tract now. A small sect of Campbells have already come under my protection for Donald Campbell has become an evil man. I believe there will be more coming to us and well ye know he’ll be looking to fight all of us because of it.” He said. “What say you?” he asked for the older man’s wisdom.

  “Aye…this Campbell Scot is not happy unless he is ravaging both land and women.

  “Then it will be as I say. Do not repeat what I have told you and look out for yourselves. I will bring together a band of men and visit the Clan Campbell’s Chief. After that be prepared to come to Dunbeernton until such time we can secure our borders.

  The elderly couple looked at each other sadly.

  “There’s been enough ancient quarreling within the clans and I wish it to stop it now. The uprisings are destroying Scotland.” Laird Carmichael stood.

  “Aye.” The old man agreed.

  “Where is the girl?” The woman asked.

  “She has gone walking. It is unfortunate that she has been disinherited, but it is for the best. She would have gotten herself killed or worse, if Donald Campbell knew an English woman owned this land.”

  “It is as you say.” They agreed.

  “Now I shall collect Miss Wedgewick and be about my business concerning your lands. If you trust your neighbors, tell them what is about and to look out for the raiders. Campbell likes to surprise. Board up your windows until we have it out.” The Laird ordered and quit the cottage.

  “Ross I shall collect her and return. He sighted her standing against a white barked birch and went after her.

  “Annabel.” he spoke from behind.

  “Yes.” she turned. He was surprised to find that she had not been crying, but her cheeks were a soft pink.

  “We need to be about some business. Would you mind coming along now?”

  “Of course not.” She walked past him her shoulders firm.

  He caught up easily with his wide steps. “Scotland has the finest lush lowlands, have we not?”

  “Yes. It is a beautiful land.”

  “See here.” He stopped, turned. “It is not that I wished to see you lose this land. There is trouble with the Campbells who are only a few miles north. While you were away some of them came under my protection for fear of retribution from their own Laird. There is word of an uprising and if you. an English lass, were found to be owner of this property, I would fear for your safety and that of the Mulhannons. It is best as it is.”

  “You are right.” She said and continued walking.

  He was surprised at her calm acceptance, but said no more until they reached the cottage.

  “Your driver will bring your companion and your trunks.”

  They entered the little cottage.

  “I wish to thank you for your kindness to me.” She said to the couple.

  “We wish no harm to ye, lass, it’s best that Laird Carmichael owns these lands. Laird Campbell is an especially evil man. He would have harmed you.”

  Annabel nodded, forced a smile to her face, then went to pack her few belongings and tell her companion and driver they were leaving.

  Within the half hour they were in the hired carriage, the horses stomping about in the high spring winds.

  We’ll stay behind and watch your back.” The Laird called out over the wind as he mounted Knight.

  When Laird Carmichael followed the carriage over the bridge at Dunbeernton and Annabel was safely inside, he felt a certain joy. She was within his walls again and Eleanor would be happy to see her, not to mention Phoebe. A smile crossed his anxious face. She had done well. He had thought she…being a blue-blooded Englishwoman…would hightail it back to England where he would never see her again.

  There was one thing that bothered him. She had taken this last blow without so much as a wink or a stutter. A good Scot woman would have caused quite the bluster at her inconvenience. But then Annabel Wedgewick wasn’t a Scot.

  Chapter 35

  Cork shirked his duties, but Ross allowed it this once. “Give me the reins.” He told the boy, “And see to your…mother.”

  Cork’s smile widened full across his face and he went to help Annabel from the carriage that had pulled up to the castle doors just ahead of them. “Cork you are a true gentleman.” Her voice was gentle. “I am glad to see you.” She let him help her down and waited while he assisted her elderly companion.

  Ross led the driver to the stables and the women went inside. Cork followed the Laird’s instruction first and took the driver and the companion to Mrs. Calvert for a meal.

  Immediately after his first duty was finished he flew up the stairs, shouting in a most loud voice. “Phoebe, Miss Wedgewick is here, bring Eleanor.”

  Within moments Annabel’s heart was melting as she spotted Phoebe walking down slowly and then realized little Eleanor was taking each big stone step with two of her own. Tears formed and fell as she watched her little girl now nearly three come down the stairs on her own two feet, her limp apparent, but not impeding her in the least.

  “Mummy.” She cried and Annabel knew she had not been forgotten.

  “Eleanor. You are such a big girl.” Annabel lifted her in her arms and examined the now healed foot; but was immediately relieved of her precious duty when the Laird walked through the door and the child saw him.

  She called, “Papa.” And wiggled loose from Annabel’s arms, trying to run.

  “Walk, Eleanor.” Phoebe commanded her and turned to Annabel for a hug.

  “Aye, it is glad I am to see ye.” Annabel noted
her Scot tongue.

  “And I you, Phoebe. How is Fergus…are you married?”

  “No…we were waiting for Spring and it is here! And you are here! We will be married now.”

  Annabel smiled at her maid’s heart so full of joy.

  “Come Eleanor, we must help Mummy.” Phoebe took the reluctant child from her father’s arms. Mummy and I will help you up the stairs. Come now.”

  Phoebe and Annabel each held one hand talking and whispering to the happy little lass and Laird Carmichael watched as they ascended. His heart felt full.

  Two days later the hired driver and her companion took the carriage and returned to London, their duties finished. That same day the Campbell Laird laid siege to the Dunbeernton Castle.

  “Take cover.” Was heard within the castle walls. Screams from the women and children, shouts of men to get inside were heard above the pounding of horse’s hooves on the grounds outside the walls.

  “What is it?” Annabel put Eleanor down and ran to the window.

  “Aye. It is as the Laird thought…trouble with the Campbells. They are angry. They know he owns the Mulhannon land now and that dozens of his own have come under Laird Carmichael’s protection.” She whispered to Annabel as they stood at the window.

  “Come…we must not be seen at the windows. Look everyone below is scurrying to safety. We must make sure the doors are bolted inside.” She went to do the deed. “I am worried for Fergus. He is about a good skirmish and I hope he is not the fool.” Phoebe whispered and crossed herself saying a little prayer.

  “I had no idea the Campbells hated their kin that much.” Annabel whispered, realizing that she could have never stood against such an onslaught and would have brought evil onto the Mulhannons had not the Laird owned the land. He would fight.

  She would have died and many Mulhannons with her. She knew it now.

  “Aye. The Campbells have good people among them. But Donald Campbell is a liar, ravishes women and lands…that is the word that is about.” Phoebe said quietly. “Laird Carmichael takes upon himself a worthy opponent, not honest, but evil.” she finished.