Midnight Runner: A Novel

by Marilee Jackson

  * * *

  As the sun made its descent toward the western horizon, Brian stood and stretched out his stiff muscles. He ached to take Isobail in his arms and comfort her. He wasn’t close enough to hear what had passed between her and Blane, but it didn’t look like it was pleasant. He had half a mind to go find Blane and make him explain what he had said to make Isobail cry. She hadn’t come back out since this morning, which made for a very long boring day.

  He imagined Isobail sitting down to eat dinner with her parents or settling into a comfortable chair with a good book. His heart ached to know her better, to be a part of her life.

  I would have loved to teach her to walk, tie her shoes, read a book. I would have gladly wiped away her tears and kept her safe at night, he thought. There are so many things I’ve missed from her life. Tears filled his eyes once again for the daughter that would never know him. Brian took one last look at the house his beautiful daughter lived in and saw a shadow move stealthily across the yard toward the front door. He couldn’t make out who or what it was in the hazy twilight, so he crept closer to get a better look. As quickly as it had come, the shadow was gone.

  Brian waited until he was sure the shadow wasn’t coming back before he turned and slowly walked back to where he had tethered his horse. Still on edge from the peculiar shadow, every whistle of wind or creak of a branch caught his attention. “Come on, Brian,” he said out loud. “Settle down, or you’ll give yourself a heart attack.”

  “Yes, Brian. We wouldn’t want you to have a heart attack,” said a soft voice.

  23

  Who are you? Show yourself!” Brian said to the trees surrounding him. “Come out and talk to me like a man, you coward.”

  “Now, there’s no need to call names, Brian. I just want to find out a little bit more about you.” The stranger walked out from behind a tall tree. “Find out if it is safe to leave Isobail unprotected.” The young man took a few steps closer and came into Brian’s view.

  Relief flooded through Brian and he relaxed his tense stance. “Blane, what are you doing here? What do you mean ‘leave Isobail unprotected’? Was that you in their front yard?”

  “How do you know my name? Who are you? Why do you come here every week?” Blane asked defensively.

  “I asked you first.”

  “Well, I asked you second. Besides, you apparently already know who I am, so you have the upper hand. Now answer my questions.”

  “Fair enough, I’ll tell you everything. Just calm down. First of all, I’m not here to hurt anybody, especially not Isobail.” Brian motioned for Blane to sit on a fallen tree.

  “I think I’ll stand if it’s all the same to you, old man!”

  “Okay, suit yourself. Let’s start at the beginning. First of all, my name is Brian MacDonald. I was born and raised on a large farm in Oidean. I’m a beloved member of the village and everyone there trusts me explicitly.”

  “Good for them, but we aren’t in Oidean, are we? We are in Teich and I don’t know who you are.” Blane took a step toward him.

  “Patience, young Andersone. I’ll tell you everything, I promise. I’m not going to lie to you and I’m not going to attack you, so would you please sit down and listen to me.” Brian once again motioned to the fallen tree. Blane eyed him skeptically, but he sighed and sat down.

  “Fine, but you better tell me the truth, or so help me . . .”

  “Yes, yes. I’ll tell you the truth or you may flog me, okay?”

  Blane nodded.

  Brian told him all about the time he spent with Moira. When he was finished, he sat down on the log next to Blane to rest.

  “That’s a sad and awful story. I’m sorry it happened to you. But what does it have to do with Teich and why you watch Isobail every week?” Blane furrowed his brow.

  “Teich is where I awoke from a drunken stupor and saw a Moira, large with child, fleeing from me. She had been here all along. She was staying on the other side of the village with an old woman who died a few years back,” Brian explained.

  “Mama Ross?”

  “Sure, I guess. Anyway, I found the tiny house just as Moira was giving birth. I went to have a shower and a shave and came back to talk to Moira, to reason with her. When I got there Moira was leaving. I followed her across the village. She left my baby on a doorstep and vanished into the night.” Brian stopped and wiped away a tear that had slipped from his eye.

  “What are you trying to say?” Blane asked, his face going pale.

  “Before I could get to my baby, the door swung open and a nice young lady took the baby into her house and closed the door. My baby was a girl. The house was that one right over there.” Brian pointed to the Blyths’ house.

  “What do you . . . what are you?” Blane couldn’t think. His head was swimming with the information. “Iso is your . . . your . . .”

  “My daughter? Yes, Isobail Blyth is my daughter. I never did find Moira again, but then again I never really looked for her much after she left Isobail here.” He gestured to the small farmhouse. “I had a new purpose. I had to make sure that my daughter was taken care of. Every year on her birthday I leave money for them. I feel it is only fair that I help provide for her. The Blyths have stopped wondering where it comes from. They are happy to have the extra money and I am happy to contribute to my daughter’s life any way I can.”

  Blane’s eyes were wide with astonishment. “This is nuts! To think all this time I thought you were some crazy old man that was going to murder her in her sleep. You know, she knew all along. I mean she didn’t know, but she knew.”

  Brian waited patiently for Blane to wrap his mind around all of the new information. “I’ve answered your questions. Now it’s your turn to answer mine.”

  “Okay, fair’s fair. Go ahead.” Blane still felt a little unsettled.

  Brian nodded. “What do you mean she knew all along? What did you mean you couldn’t leave Isobail unprotected? And was that you in their front yard?”

  “She knew something about you all along, not that you are her father or anything like that, but she just knew you weren’t going to harm her. I’ve expressed my concern about you time and time again. She always brushes it off saying you’re comfortable, familiar even. That she would be worried if you weren’t here once a week to watch her. It used to make me so mad, but now I understand what she meant.” Blane paused to study Brian’s reaction. When he gave none Blane continued.

  “Yes, that was me in the front yard. I was leaving a letter for Isobail. We had a, uh, disagreement this morning. She made it very clear she doesn’t love me the way that I love her. I won’t inherit anything from my father, being the youngest son, so she was the only thing keeping me here. Now that I know there is no prospect of marriage to her, I have decided to move to Iasg and find work on a fishing boat. It’s good money and I won’t have to be here to watch her fall in love, marry, and then bear another man’s children . . . That would break my heart . . .” Blane paused to gain control of his emotions.

  “But if you truly love her, wouldn’t you want her to be happy? No matter how she finds that happiness, even if it isn’t with you?” Brian asked.

  “I would like to say yes. I would like to say all I want is her happiness no matter what, but then I would be lying. I do want her happiness, of course I do, but I also know that no one else will ever make her happy like I can. No one will ever love her as I do. I don’t care what you think of me. Call me young, call me stupid, or call me selfish if you like. But that is how I feel.”

  “No, you aren’t any of those things, Blane Andersone. You are truthful. I admire that about you. You’re far more truthful than some twice your age. You’re a good man.” Brian patted him on the back.

  “So now that I know you won’t murder Iso in her sleep, I feel better leaving her alone,” Blane said.

  “She isn’t alone. She’ll always have me,” Brian said.

  “I know that. Thank you for giving me some peace of
mind. I’m sorry for what happened to you. It must hurt to watch someone else raise your child.”

  Brian nodded. “It does.”

  “I have known Iso for a long time and I promise you she has been very loved. Moira couldn’t have picked better parents for her.” Blane stuck his right hand out toward Brian.

  Brian took his proffered hand and shook it. “Thank you, Blane. I’m sad to see you go and Isobail is going to be heartbroken. But you must do what you think is best.”

  “Thank you. I’m glad I got to meet you. I’ll leave you alone now. I have to finish packing for my trip so I’d better get home.” Blane stood and left the forest.

  24

  Every bump of the carriage wheels set Lady Nuala’s teeth on edge. She was miserable. The sleepless night had been spent on a lumpy mattress in a disgusting inn in the middle of nowhere. She didn’t know who had found out about her past, but she was determined to fix this mess for good like she should have sixteen years ago. All she wanted was to be safe in Dòmhail enjoying the summer festivities. She had to go figure out the situation with Brian and their daughter. Then there was the problem of her brother; that would have to wait until later. She wanted nothing more than to live the remainder of her days in the safety of her beautiful palace.

  A sad smile touched the corners of her lips as she thought of the wonderful life she had dreamed of as a child. Sixteen years and I am still only partway there. But I guess better late than never.

  The carriage slowed and finally came to a stop near a small stream on the side of the road. Lady Nuala pulled open the thick fabric. “Why have we stopped? Aren’t we nearly there?” she asked the driver.

  “It’s the horses, m’lady. They’re in need of water. They’re working up a lather. We’ll be back on the road soon, m’lady.”

  “That’s fine. It will give me a chance to stretch for a bit.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” The fat driver scrambled down from his perch to open her door and offer his arm. Lady Nuala took in the fresh morning air as it rushed in the open door. She put her booted foot onto the step and took the waiting arm.

  “Where’s Squire Drustan?”

  “He and Anya went for some air,” the driver answered.

  “All right, I’ll be back in five minutes. Please make sure everyone is ready to go when I return. I really want to be back on the road to Dòmhail as soon as possible.” The paunchy man nodded at her instructions. “I won’t require any assistance on this walk, but thank you.”

  “Yes, ma’am!” The driver was relieved to return to the carriage and sleep, if only for a few minutes.

  Lady Nuala looked around and decided to head in the opposite direction from the thirsty horses sucking in the forest spring water. She walked for ten yards, turned, and looked at the back at her caravan. Deciding no one was watching her, she ducked behind the closest tree.

  “This is ridiculous,” she whispered. Making sure the alder bushes were hiding her from any passersby, she grabbed the hem of her traveling dress and hiked it up to her waist, pulled down her underclothing, and then tried her best at squatting in the forest. “I never thought I would be doing this again.”

  She giggled under her breath and lost her footing on the dewy grass and fell into her puddle.

  * * *

  “Do you know why we’re goin’ to Teich?” the driver asked Squire Drustan when he returned from the woods.

  “All I know is Lady Nuala requested it,” he answered, “and we do not question our lady. Understood?”

  The driver nodded. “I’m sorry. I just want to get to Dòmhail already. I’m aching for all the royal gossip.”

  “I understand. We’ll get there soon.”

  Lady Nuala reemerged from the forest just as a scream ripped through the quiet morning, spooking the horses.

  “Anya!” Lady Nuala screamed. “Find her! Someone find her!” All three took off in different directions. Squire Drustan caught sight of an immense cloaked figure carrying Anya away on a large black horse. Even when he broke into a run, Drustan still couldn’t catch them.

  “Did you find her?” Lady Nuala asked as the three of them came back together at the carriage. The driver shook his bald head.

  “There . . . was . . . a . . . man on horseback,” Squire Drustan said, panting. “He took Anya.”

  “Who was he? Did you get a good look at him?” she asked, ice gripping her heart.

  “No, my lady. I’m sorry.”

  “What should we do? We have to go after them. Don’t we?” she asked hysterically.

  “No, my lady. I don’t think that is a good idea. Who knows how many of them there are. I think the best thing we can do is keep moving and hope and pray Anya will be okay,” Squire Drustan said sadly.

  “I agree, m’lady.” The driver nodded. “What if they come back for you?”

  “Fine.” She groaned as she climbed back into the carriage. “Let’s go before they come back. Just know, I am going against my will.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” The two men walked away before she had a chance to change her mind. The small group set off to finish their side trip so they could get back to the safety of their group in Dòmhail.

  After twenty minutes in the carriage, Lady Nuala began to get restless. It wasn’t right to leave without even trying to find Anya. She wrestled with her conscience. When her mind was made up, she opened the curtain to tell the driver to turn around. Teich could wait. Her past could wait. She opened her mouth to stop them.

  “Teich ahead, m’lady!” the driver said before she could speak.

  “Oh,” she said, surprised. “Good, let’s get this over with and then get to Dòmhail. I have grown weary of traveling. Please take us to the first inn you find. I wish to clean up properly before I make my visit.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” the driver answered as Lady Nuala leaned back into her seat.

  After Lady Nuala slept and freshened up, she left her two companions. Making her way to the farmhouse on the outskirts of the small village, she reflected on the last time she had been on this street. Lady Nuala reached the small farm. Stopping at the gate, she took a deep breath to steady her nerves. She knocked on the door and waited for an answer. A folded piece of paper fell to the ground as the large wooded door creaked open. A young lady of sixteen with chestnut hair and beautiful green eyes greeted her.

  “Hello, ma’am. May I help you?” She offered a warm, inviting smile.

  Lady Nuala was speechless. She didn’t know where to begin.

  “Ma’am, are you feeling well? You look as if you have seen a ghost,” Isobail sincerely asked.

  “Aye, lass.” Lady Nuala smiled warmly and fought the urge to take the beautiful young woman in her arms. She cleared her throat. “I’m Lady Nuala from Allail. I was wondering if I might have a word with you and your parents.”

  “Oh, well, of course. We are delighted to have you.” The young woman bowed. Lady Nuala walked into her living room. “Won’t you please come in? I’ll get my parents and bring some tea, if you would like to take a seat.” The girl motioned to an armchair in the corner by a bookshelf.

  “Thank you, my dear. That would be lovely.” Doing her best to cover her fear with a fake cheerful disposition, Lady Nuala stepped over the threshold and shut the door.

  Nuala took her seat as the young woman bowed out of the room. She was impressed by Isobail’s manners. Her breathing became irregular as panic struck her. This small room reminded her too much of Brian’s farmhouse. The room began to spin as her head filled with the ghosts of her past. She had tried so hard to bury them, to run away from what she had been, and now here she was, dragging it all up again, just because somebody knew what she had done.

  “Lady Nuala, your grace.” Nuala jumped as a middle-aged man and woman came into the room and bowed simultaneously. “My name is Gerry Blyth, this is my wife, Mary, and I believe you have already met our daughter, Isobail.” He took her hand in his and kissed the back of it.

  “Indeed, I have
. She is . . .” Lady Nuala paused, thinking how much the young girl looked like Brian. Except for her eyes. Lady Nuala hoped no one else noticed the resemblance. “She’s charming,” she finished when she realized the Blyths were staring at her.

  “Thank you very much, my lady. We are very fond of her,” Mary said.

  Lady Nuala motioned for them to sit on the small bench across from her.

  “Please forgive us. We are a bit nervous. It’s not often we get anybody of noble blood here in Teich, and we have never had one in our humble home,” Gerry explained, wiping his sweaty palms on his wool trousers.

  “Not at all.” Lady Nuala motioned with her hand as if brushing away the apology. Isobail returned with the tea on a tray with small biscuits.

  “If you don’t mind me asking, to what do we owe the gracious honor of your presence?” Gerry asked nervously.

  Talamh Glasosh was a small country, and rumors ran rampant of the mysterious, beautiful, and possibly dangerous Lady Nuala. No one knew what happened to some of her servants.

  “Well, I will be brief since it is late in the afternoon, and I am sure there are dinner preparations you need to get to. I have had some bad luck finding a lady’s maid that is suitable.” Her heart broke for the loss of Anya. “I have been through several in the last little while. I am not sure why. I am unhappy with my current one,” she lied. “I’ve been asking around on my travels, and when I stopped at Òsdair Inn for the night, naturally I inquired about suitable help in the area. A number of the locals recommended your lovely young daughter. So I have come to offer her a position as my lady’s maid.”