Forget Me Not, My Scottish Love (Heart of a Highlander Collection Book 3)

by Allie Palomino

  “Gillyanne confided in me that Abby thinks we are all conspiring with her father to return her to him. Gillyanne says that she also speaks of taking her own life,” Cameron said in a whisper. He rubbed his eyes from the exhaustion he felt. His head would not stop throbbing and his eyes were sensitive to the light.

  “Nay! Cameron ye lie!”

  Cameron flinched at her loud voice, and shook his head. “I wish I were, Mother,” he said and left the room, unable to hear anymore.

  The family stood for a moment, absorbing what Cameron had said.

  “Dear Lord, what is happening to her?” Alice asked.

  “Cameron fears her mind is breaking again. ‘Tis the only explanation. Remember we saw her in much the same manner on her wedding day, thin and frail. I think she’s regressing,” Keith said.

  “I…I have…”

  They looked at Amy.

  “What is it, sweeting?”

  Amy’s eyes focused on Keith’s. She returned everyone’s gaze.

  “I was sworn to secrecy. So was Bess. Doona become angry.”

  Alice reached out and squeezed her hand.

  “Worry not, dear Amy. What is it?”

  Amy’s eyes welled with tears.

  “Amy? What is the matter?” Keith looked at his wife with worried eyes and a wrinkled brow.

  Amy bit her lips, took a deep breath, and spoke.

  “Abby was with child, but lost the bairn a fortnight ago.”

  They collectively inhaled.

  “I walked into her chamber, and Bess was there. Abby was nay doing verra well. I didna know prior to this. Apparently, she didna want to raise our hopes, so she made Bess swear not to say a word.”

  Alice sat down and cried softly. “Oh, poor Abby.”

  The silence was deafening.

  “Cameron doesna know?”

  “Nay, Keith. She didna want any of us or him to know. Ye must nay tell him.”

  “We canna tell him. ‘Tis too much for him to bear now,” Alice added. “Has Cameron noticed she’s losing her hair?”

  “Aye, Mother, Cameron notices everything. He feels helpless. The woman he loves acts as if she hates him and us. Gillyanne is the only one who she allows near her,” Aidan said.

  Upstairs, Gillyanne gave Abby more tea and forced her to drink broth.

  “I don’t want to drink so many hot liquids, Gillyanne. The broth tastes bitter!” Abby said.

  “It tastes bitter because ye’re not used to eating or drinking anything other than tea,” Gillyanne said softly, pushing back Abby’s hair.

  “I suppose you’re right,” Abby said, sipping the broth.

  Once done, Gillyanne took the bowl and spoon downstairs. “I’ll bring ye more tea, yes?” Gillyanne said, but Abby was fast asleep.

  Downstairs, Gillyanne saw Alice and Amy.

  “Abby is sleeping. I forced her to drink all of the broth. She fell asleep after. I think I’ll take a walk, now, for a bit of fresh air. Please find me if she calls for me,” Gillyanne said, her eyes troubled.

  “Go, Gillyanne. Ye’ve been cooped up in there, seeing to our Abby. Go on, I shall keep an ear out,” Amy said. Gillyanne gave a small, sad smile and left.

  “I doona trust her. I doona know exactly what it is, but something’s amiss,” Alice said.

  “I’m telling ye, Alice. I heard it all. She could easily turn Abby against us but she doesna. At her own detriment, being Abby’s only friend now, she tried to convince her that we mean her no harm. I’m afraid Cameron is right- Abby is losing her soundness of mind,” Amy said, a tear coming down her cheek.

  The two women turned to go to the kitchens.

  Meanwhile, Gillyanne headed for a romp with one of the guards that had caught her eye. She practically pranced towards him and he smiled wide. He was in for a wild time.

  Later, Abby was awake when Gillyanne returned.

  “Here ye are, some nice, warm tea. How are ye feeling?”

  “Not good, Gilly. I feel awful. My insides hurt,” Abby whispered in pain.

  “Drink this tea. Now, doona give me that face, I put some cream in it so that it’s easier on yer stomach,” Gillyanne said gently, handing the cup to Abby.

  Gillyanne waited until she drank it all. Abby began to grow weary.

  “Lie back, darling,” Gillyanne said. “All will be well.”

  She smoothed Abby’s hair, and some stuck to her hand. Gillyanne made a face and whipped her hand fast to shake off the strands.

  “I promise.”

  Chapter Twenty

  “Good morn, Abby,” Cameron greeted as she descended the stairs.

  “Traitor! Don’t speak to me,” she hissed.

  “Abby, ye’re sick. Ye doona mean what ye say.”

  “I know what I saw that night,” she said, grabbing hold of the chair to ease her swaying. She could barely stand on her own. “And I know you want to hand me over to my father. You and your family. Liars, all of you!” she said, sobbing.

  “I havena been with another woman, Abby. I doona want ye to return to yer father,” he said, restraining himself from yelling.

  By now, the whole family stood watching.

  “I saw you that night, yet you deny it.”

  He stood up, furious.

  “Doona ever question my integrity. Ye’re seeing things. Yer distrust of everyone grows every day! Ye’re ill, Abby. Ye’re not eating, ye’re having visions, and ye’re paranoid of everyone,” he said, looking into her once vibrant green eyes. Now they were mere pale and muddled green disks.

  “You’re saying this so that you can petition for annulment, and have me out of your life. Out of all of your lives. You want to be free to lie with any whore you choose!” she said, her lips quivering. She began sobbing.

  He stepped forward to offer her help, but she held her palm up.

  “You’ve destroyed this marriage. Simply annul it then, Cameron. Annul it. I cannot keep fighting it. You desire it so strongly! I hate ye. I hate ye!” she yelled, trembling with rage.

  “Ye plan to kill yerself to end our marriage, and ye think that’s better?” he said scathingly. He looked at her very pale face.

  “I would never do that. How blasphemous! How dare you.” She clutched her cheek as if he had slapped her.

  “Ye lie, Abigail, yet ye accuse me of lying.”

  “Blasphemy!” she whispered, hurt. “Blasphemy,” she murmured.

  Then she collapsed.

  “Will it not stop!” Alice hurried over to Abby. “Hasna she suffered enough?” she sobbed. She ran a gentle hand through Abby’s hair and when she pulled back, a chunk of hair came with it. Alice squeaked in shock.

  “Abby, my love. Abby? Doona do this, Abby! Awake, my love, awake!” Cameron said desperately. He leaned down and kissed her pale, cracked lips. He touched his forehead to hers. “Abby, my love?” he whispered, tears blurring his sight.

  Bess came in just then.

  “Can ye do anything, Bess?” Cameron asked, knowing the answer.

  “Nay. She doesna wish to eat,” Bess said, helplessly.

  “I will force her to.”

  Bess looked at Cameron. “There comes a time when a body canna accept food, even if it needs o’ wants it. I’ve never encountered another who refused to eat as Abby has. I doona know the full consequence o’ such an act.”

  “Dear Lord, no. No!” Cameron bellowed in pain. “I love her,” he whispered in pain, holding her thin hand.

  “Take her upstairs, Laird. Let her rest,” Bess said.

  “Help her, Bess.”

  “I doona know how to, Laird.”

  Cameron gingerly picked her up. “She weighs no more than a bairn,” he said, tears blurring his vision.

  Upstairs, he placed her in her bed and tucked the covers around her frail, thin body. Her cheeks were sunken in and her eyes shadowed.

  “I canna take seeing her this way,” he said brokenly.

  “Get some air, Cameron. Go. I’ll stay with her,” Alice said, rubbing
his back. He shook his head but Alice insisted.

  “I will call on ye should anything happen.”

  He nodded, took one last look at Abby, and left.

  A week passed and Abby was too weak to leave the bed. She’d only been drinking her tea and broth, but that was all. Gillyanne had to hold it for her because Abby couldn’t hold it up herself.

  One morning, Alice came in.

  “May I?”

  Abby nodded.

  “Now doona get all fussy. I brought ye some light fare.”

  Abby’s lips curled into a small smile.

  “I’m sorry.”

  Her small, sad voice touched Alice. “None of that, now,” she said patting Abby’s hand. She indicated the food. “‘Tis some hearty broth from stew meat, and dry day-old bread. It should sit well in yer tummy despite nay having eaten in a long while.”

  Abby lifted her nose. “Smells nice. I’ve nay even had a drop of tea today.”

  Alice beamed. “Can I help ye eat?”

  At Abby’s nod, Alice took some broth and fed Abby. Abby nearly choked, but recovered and swallowed. Her eyes widened and she smiled.

  “Tastes good.”

  “I’m relieved, lass.”

  They stayed in quiet thought as Alice fed her. “Nay too fast lest it comes back up.”

  Once Abby had eaten the food and Alice was satisfied that she would not be retching it out of her stomach, she placed the cup and trencher aside.

  “I apologize, Alice.”

  Alice turned concerned eyes on Abby.

  “I don’t know why I have been behaving as I have as of late.”

  The other woman nodded. “We are all worried for ye.”

  Abby’s eyes became guarded. “Pardon me, Alice.” She stopped speaking as coughs overtook her. Her hand returned with blood. They shared a concerned look.

  “I…well, I do not believe that Cameron is.”

  “But why not? ‘Tis the truth he is my son, but I know his faults. Adultery isna one of them. My son loves ye, Abby. Of that, I’ve no doubt.”

  “How can ye know this, Alice?”

  Abby saw Alice’s eyes moisten. “The way he looks at ye, is the way me Robert looked at me.”

  Abby shook her head as a tear fell down her cheek.

  “I saw him, Alice. He was with another woman. I also have difficulty believing it, but I saw him.”

  “Abby, it is with no disrespect that I say this, but ye have been exhibiting unusual behavior.”

  “I know.”

  “Then could ye nay at least allow that mayhap ‘tis ye who cannot remember things well, or mayhap yer eyes were nay seeing accurately what ye saw?”

  “Alice. I know what I saw.” She paused to cough again. “He had a woman on him. He was kissing her.”

  “Abby I-”

  “Alice, please. I don’t have the ability or strength to argue. Do you not believe that it hurts me to have seen my husband with another woman? What would I have to gain from such an accusation?” Abby shook her head when Alice made to speak. “Nay, Alice. I love you. I love you all, even my hurtful and philandering husband, but I am certain of what I saw.”

  Alice looked down for a moment. “Verra well, Abby.” Alice lightly slapped her lap and rose. “Well, ‘tis about time I leave ye to rest. If you have a need of anything, please call for me.”

  Abby nodded. “I’m sorry, Alice. Thank you for visitng. ‘Tis the truth I already feel improved some after that fare.”

  Alice smiled sadly. “I am happy to know that, dear.”

  Alice gathered the remainder of what was left of Abby’s food, nodded one last time, and left.

  Abby couldn’t help the tears that welled.

  She’d seen Cameron with another woman.

  Hadn’t she?

  Yes.

  She knew she saw Cameron that night because every time her weak heart beat, she felt the knife move with it.

  “I just want to see how Abby is farin’,” Bess said as she paused in front of Abby’s room.

  Cameron was too emotional to speak. He simply nodded his head. They entered and saw Abby sleeping soundly. Her color had improved some. She examined Abby before turning to them.

  “Now that she is restin’, I want to get some added nourishment down ‘er throat. Yer mother ‘elped ‘er eat stew broth an’ stale bread. I think I’ll prepare ‘er a bit of ‘erbal tea,” she said, turning to leave.

  “Wait, Bess. Here’s some and it’s still warm,” Aidan said, lifting the cup. He sniffed. “Bess, no wonder the clan hates yer potions, they smell awful,” Aidan said wrinkling his nose.

  Bess snatched the cup out of Aidan’s hand and sniffed it. She tasted the liquid and spit it out.

  “What is it?” Cameron asked.

  “Taste this, Laird,” she said, giving him the brew.

  Cameron took a taste.

  “That’s awful, Bess. It’s bitter, but isna it the tea ye fix for Abby?” he asked.

  “Aye. Well, nay! I prepare it, but I doona always bring it to Abby. I know that Gillyanne makes it for ‘er at times. I taught Gillyanne which herbs to use, but apparently, she hasna been using them,” she said, feeling Abby’s forehead.

  “Well, quite honestly, from what I’ve observed, Gillyanne solely makes the tea and has made it for Abby for quite some time.”

  “Are ye sure, Aidan?”

  “Aye, Keith.”

  “Impossible.” Keith breathed. “But yes, it could be.”

  “She’s been poisoning Abby, hasna she, Bess?” His steely gaze reflected rage.

  “Aye, an’ the more I think on it, I would say for quite some time now, Laird.” Bess shook her head, her eyes wide. “How could I nay see this? I would say it began since about the time Abby began retchin’ and refusin’ to eat. Makes sense. This dose, however, was meant to end ‘er life,” Bess said, sniffing the brew again. “This is purely a poisonous concoction, with no healin’ ‘erbs at all.”

  “She’s been poisoning Abby this whole time,” Cameron repeated in shock.

  “I apologize, Laird. I simply believed it was her lack of eatin.” Bess looked down, visibly upset.

  “Nay. Ye’re not to blame. We should have all been suspicious but Gillyanne had us fooled. Damn it.” Cameron cursed, fisting his hands. “I’ve never considered killing a woman, but I’m considering it now.”

  Cameron looked over to the bed and to Aidan.

  “Aidan, stay here with Abby. Bess, let’s search Gillyanne’s room,” Cameron said, hurrying out. “Follow us, Keith.” To Bess, he ordered, “Ye can identify the herbs and poison she’s been using against her.”

  Once in Gillyanne’s room, Cameron found where the herbs were hidden- in a trunk against the wall.

  “Dear Lord, Cameron. These plants are the worst of the lot. These three are the ones I smell in Abby’s tea. This plant here- oh my!” she said, looking up to him.

  “What?” he asked anxiously.

  “This particular one is to prevent conception. If taken while carryin’, ‘twould cause the loss of the bairn.” Her whisper came to a stop and she looked up at him with a mixture of horror and sadness. Her eyes moved to Keith.

  “She’s been taking this since she’s been here, for years, hasna she?” he asked, his eyes showing his fury.

  He tried putting aside his feelings, only focusing on Abby for the moment.

  Bess and Keith stared a moment at each other.

  “What is it?”

  Bess shook her head at Keith, and Keith cleared his throat.

  “Cameron, I…”

  “This is nay the time to have yer tongue stop wagging, Keith. Out with it, man.”

  Bess and Keith shared another look and Keith’s eyes found Cameron’s.

  “Abby was carrying yer child.”

  Cameron’s angry face changed to one of confusion.

  “Nay. She didna tell me. She would have.”

  Keith shook his head. “Nay if she didna wish to disappoint ye if something hap
pened.”

  “She was tryin’ to protect ye, Laird.”

  Cameron’s eyes locked on Bess’.

  “Exactly just who knew about my bairn.”

  The silence told him all he needed to know.

  “In the beginnin’, only I knew. When she lost the bairn, Amy caught her cryin’. She told Amy, then.”

  Cameron focused his eyes on Keith.

  “When she began acting unusual, Amy told the rest of us. We agreed that we wouldna tell ye, since ye had enough hardship with Abby’s behavior.”

  Cameron turned his back to them to gather his thoughts.

  “She was carrying my bairn,” he whispered. Cameron sat down, rested his elbows on his knees, and placed his head in his hands. “My bairn.”

  Keith and Bess looked at one another.

  “Brother. Can I get ye something?”

  “‘Tis a might late for that, doona ye think?”

  Cameron looked up.

  Keith shook his head. “I am verra sorry that it happened, and I’m equally as sorry that ye discovered the truth in this manner, but ye must understand. We couldna tell ye. Ye were on the cliff of desperation as it was.”

  Cameron looked down.

  “I’m going to kill her.”

  Keith and Bess remained silent. Cameron raised his head again.

  “She may have done the same with me.”

  “What?”

  Cameron looked at Keith. “I have nay been feeling well.”

  Keith slowly nodded. “D’ye recall the night I helped ye to bed?”

  Cameron shook his head. “Barely.”

  A light went off in Keith’s eyes. “I helped ye upstairs. Ye had sensitivity to light and sound, and were practically slurring yer words. Ye’d fallen asleep downstairs.”

  At Cameron’s silence, Keith added, “Ye’d had a fair amount to drink.”

  Bess clucked and held up another herb. “This one would make the effects o’ too much ale, worse.”

  Cameron’s fists were so tight, his knuckles cracked.

  “Bess, can the poison be undone?” he asked, scared of a denial from Bess.

  Bess shook her head. “I’m nay sure, Laird. All I can do is prepare an herbal tea to help her- a proper herbal tea. She would need to eat, too. But I’m afraid there is no cure.”