by Alisa Adams
"Logan - you look as if you've seen a ghost!" she said, shocked, "What has happened?"
He shook his head and paused as if unable to get the words out.
"I have a son," he said heavily, "I have a son, Rosie." He looked up at her, his eyes full of wonder.
"How do you know?"
"I saw him, with Loretta at the market," he replied, "he looked right at me - and our eyes are exactly the same - and our hair. I only saw him for a few seconds, but I know."
"I wish I could have seen him too," Rosina said quietly.
"She has at least one other child too," he went on, "A little girl of about six, and a husband who looks about as unlike me as is humanly possible!"
"How do you feel?" she asked gently, taking one of her cold hands in her own.
"Strange - sad, happy, regretful - a million different feelings at once," he answered, and sighed, "Oh, Rosie, I wish I had known."
* * *
She moved along the couch so that he could lay his head on her lap.
"Think of yourself at seventeen," she urged, "could you have coped with a child and his mother?" He shook his head.
"I knew you'd be wise," he whispered, "It's one of the reasons I love you."
"I love you because you can talk your way out of anything," she laughed, "and because I can tell your feelings by how hot your hands are!"
"I won't see him again," Logan went on. "I am a stranger now and he has a family of his own. I wonder what his name is?"
"Logan, you will probably never meet him again so try not to worry."
Logan sighed.
"You are right, my Rosie," he smiled sadly, "but I hope neither of them suffered because of me. However, it's good to know that I can sire a child and that he's happy."
* * *
Rosina looked down at him, smiling up at her.
"Strange how I always knew your name," she said dreamily, "but I never knew what you were like. Promise me that we will try to have a baby as soon as we get married, Logan. I don't care if it's a girl or a boy, but the story of your son makes me very keen to get with child as soon as I can!"
* * *
"Me too, my wild Rosie," he laughed, "I think about you every night before I go to sleep and long to have you in my arms. But it will not be long now - after I find out who is besmirching my name in Dumbarton!"
"I don't want to go back," Rosina said sadly, "I love it here. I love my own river too, but it is beautiful here. Why did you not want to sail here?"
"I am not keen on water - I get seasick," he admitted, "but I love the road. I love to be on horseback and I know you ladies do too."
Rosie nodded and Logan closed his eyes.
"Mmmm…" he said contentedly, "may I stay here forever just resting my head in your lap?"
"Then how will we make babies?" Rosina giggled.
Logan frowned and nodded.
"I suppose I shall have to move then," he conceded, "my stomach thinks so anyway. It wants to be fed."
* * *
"Then let us feed it, Logan Fraser, before you starve to death!" They put their arms around each others' waists and went out.
"Do you not think that Rosina Fraser is a most becoming name?"
"I do."
"Then the faster we change my name the better!" Rosina said excitedly, "We need to make plans as soon as we get back."
"We will not have a big wedding, will we, Rosie?" he looked worried, "I don't like to be the center of attention."
"We can have whatever size you want," she smiled, "whatever makes you happy."
"Maisie!" Rosina called as she went back to her room. Maisie appeared instantly.
When they went inside Rosina asked gently:
"Have you made up your mind?"
"Mistress," she began carefully, "I will go back with you and I will wait and see how I feel in a month or so. There is a postal service now - it is a very new thing - but we can write to each other for a while. Then we will both have time to consider."
Rosina smiled at her.
"Maisie, you `never fail to astonish me," she said admiringly, "you always find a way!"
50
Annie and Callum
Maisie was somewhat tearful when she said goodbye to Findlay, but he himself tried to be cheerful for her sake, even though his heart was breaking. He had never met anyone like this beautiful, intelligent, funny woman with all her skills and accomplishments. He hoped that their relationship would continue and that she would not forget him till they saw each other again, but he had no illusions about himself. Which woman would want a one-eyed man after she had had time to think about it?
* * *
He pressed a small velvet pouch into her hand as they said farewell. She was dismayed.
"But Findlay, I have nothing for you!"
'We do not give to receive," he said warmly, then kissed her on the cheek, "and write to me. I will do the same."
Maisie nodded, then they mounted the horses and began the journey back to Fort William. She did not look back.
The journey was uneventful, and they arrived at Rosina's house in the middle of the afternoon. It was the eighteenth of December, three days before the winter solstice, and darkness was already creeping in. They had managed to get back just in time to avoid the snowstorm which was about to descend on them from the north, but already the first flakes were falling and settling on the frozen ground.
* * *
Annie came running out to meet them, and the two women embraced her while Logan and Malcolm put the horses away. There was much laughing, kissing and each one was trying to be heard over the other, so it was a happy bunch who entered the warm fire lit parlor.
Annie set about making tea while the ladies sat down and told her and Callum all about the trip. Rosina wanted to hear all the details about their honeymoon but Annie put her foot down.
"You first, Rosina!" she insisted, "time for us auld folks by and by."
* * *
"Oh, Annie," Rosina began, "it was truly wonderful. What a beautiful castle - although the dècor needs a lot of updating!"
When the men came in, Annie noticed that Logan's expression and manner were a lot lighter and more carefree, and it needed none of her psychic powers to tell her why, because he gave it away every time he looked at Rosina.
Annie was alarmed when she heard of the ambush.
"Were ye no' terrible feart?" she asked anxiously, "I wid hae been tremblin' in ma boots!"
"We were," Logan said, his face grim as he remembered it, "they came out of nowhere. They wanted everything we had, even Rosina and Maisie!" he thumped the table with remembered anger and everyone jumped. "Savages!"
"Shhh…calm yourself, Sweetheart," Rosina kissed him on the cheek, "we had a bit of a skirmish -"
"Skirmish!" Logan cried, "he was holding a sword to your throat!"
Annie looked puzzled.
"Why did you come back the same way, then?" she asked.
"I made sure we had an escort of four heavily armed guards," Logan replied.
"It was very, very frightening," Rosina admitted, "but I was just about to stab him. He couldn't have held that sword a moment longer!" Then abruptly her tone changed. She was tired of the morbid tone of the conversation. She looked at Logan proudly.
"Logan rescued us as usual with the power of his magical silver tongue," she announced, laughing, "you may have the Sight, Annie, but Logan has the Speech."
"I need tae ask ane last question," Annie's tone was serious, but her green eyes were twinkling, "did somethin' else happen that day? There's somethin' ye're no tellin' me!"
There was a silence in which Rosina and Logan stared at each other fixedly. Eventually, Rosina threw up her hands.
* * *
"All right, all right," she sighed loudly, "he beat me in a contest of wills - but only because he is bigger and stronger than I am."
There was a gale of laughter around the table, which Rosina sheepishly and good-naturedly joined in.
> "I would hae given my right airm tae see that!" Annie was almost in tears, she was laughing so much, "weel done Logan!"
"Now you," Rosina said, leaning forward eagerly to hear what Annie had to say.
"Naethin' much tae tell ye, lass," Annie replied, "we stayed in most o' the time, bein waited on haun' an' fit, except for the time we went oot and got me a bonny fancy dress an' a smart suit for Callum."
"Oh, let's see them!" Maisie clapped her hands and bounced up and down on her chair with excitement.
Annie brought the dress in, a modest maroon velvet creation with a cinched waist, leg of mutton sleeves and a high neck. Callum's suit was of rust-colored Harris tweed with a waistcoat, snowy white shirt and a great kilt made of Anderson tartan.
* * *
"Oh, won't you try them on for us?" Rosina asked.
"No' the noo, hen," Annie replied, "Callum is tired." She looked lovingly at her husband, who was dozing in a soft armchair by the fire, his bad leg resting on a padded stool. Rosina had a feeling that he would not be with them much longer, and she knew that Annie felt the same as she gazed wistfully at him.
"Annie," Rosina put her hand on Annie's, "can you wear it to my wedding?"
Annie looked at him with undisguised delight.
* * *
"Congratulations, Rosie! And congratulations tae you Logan!" her face was alight with happiness. "I am that pleased for ye!"
Logan looked at Rosina then back at Annie then he smiled widely.
"Thank you, Annie," he said happily, then sighed and shook his head. "This time last year I was a very lonely man with a burden that was weighing on me so heavily I could hardly stand it. Then along came my Rosina and lifted it off my shoulders." He laced his fingers with hers on the table, then kissed her lips softly.
"Do you feel like sharing it now?" Rosina asked gently.
He nodded, and began to speak. When he had finished, Annie patted his hand.
* * *
"The darkness," she said softly.
"Yes. But it's gone now," he gazed at Rosina for another moment as she frowned at him in puzzlement. "Something Annie's sight told me, Rosie. I will enlighten you later," he looked back at Annie, "and I have a child - a son. I saw him at the market with Loretta and he looks uncannily like me, so I know."
Malcolm, who had hitherto been silent, now spoke up.
"And are ye goin' tae try tae see him, Sir?" he asked anxiously.
Logan sighed.
"No, Malky," he replied sadly, "he has his own family now, his own life. I will not go and disturb it for my own selfish reasons. I'm glad that he is healthy and happy, and that is enough for me."
"Besides," Rosina put in, "I hope to be having lots of wee Logans as soon as we are married."
"Oh, Mistress, that would be wonderful!" Maisie sighed.
"So, Annie," Rosina asked, "we will have the wedding in the chapel at Castle Fraser. Will you come?"
* * *
Annie looked over at Callum and slowly shook her head. He was sleeping soundly now.
"It wid be too much for him, Rosie," she said sadly.
"Then we will have a blessing here too," Rosina said warmly, "for you cannot be left out, Mistress Anderson!"
Annie laughed and kissed Rosina affectionately on the forehead, thinking how much love there was in the room.
51
Back to the Lowlands
The journey back to Dumbarton was also uneventful, due to the presence of the guards. Rosina was comforted by their presence, for she had never experienced anything like the ambush on the road and hoped never to again. They came to Dumbarton castle first and were astonished to be greeted by Henri and Jacques, who ran out to meet them and stroke the horses. When they went inside Hugh and Monique came out to greet them in the hallway hand in hand, smiling joyfully. Monique was blushing and Hugh looked about ten years younger than the last time they had seen him.
"Father - Monique," she kissed him, looking mystified.
"It's a long story," Hugh said, "how was your journey?"
"It was fine - Father," Rosina was almost screaming with frustration, "what has happened? Forgive me Monique, good day."
Monique bowed.
"In short, my Lady," she informed her, "your father and I are getting married."
"What?" Rosina stopped dead in the tracks, but Logan urged her on with a hand in the small of her back.
"Rosie," Hugh urged, "come and have a glass of wine and we will talk."
Rosina allowed herself to be led into the big front room, then waited while Logan poured her some wine. He had a glass of water and they both sipped their drinks, waiting to be enlightened.
"We have been in love since the first time we looked at each other," he gazed at her tenderly, "and we became lovers. To cut a long story short, Connor found out, so Monique, Juliette and the boys moved in here, and Monique and I are to be married as soon as the banns are called."
Logan was the first to recover. He stood up and bowed to both of them.
"Congratulations, and all the best to both of you!" he shook Hugh's hand and kissed Monique's, then Rosina embraced them both.
"I am so happy for you! Father - you have been lonely long enough, and I cannot imagine anyone better able to make you happy."
"I have something to ask you, Sir," Logan said to Hugh, "may we leave the ladies for a moment?"
* * *
Hugh stood up, smiling, and they walked outside. Logan looked Hugh directly in the eyes.
"May I have Rosina's hand in marriage?" he asked, bowing slightly. He was blushing and looked as if he wished the floor would open up and swallow him.
Hugh sighed.
"I thought you were never going to ask!" he laughed, "of course you may!" He clapped his future son-in-law on the shoulder and they went back to where Rosina and Monique were sitting silently, waiting, both suppressing smiles.
"We too are to be wed," he announced, "and hopefully very soon, for I cannot wait to give this lovely lady my name!"
Monique jumped up to congratulate them then put a finger in the air. She had thought of something.
"Why do we not have a double wedding?"
Hugh smiled at her indulgently.
"Whatever my Monique wants, my Monique gets," he said happily.
"Is this my father speaking?" Rosina laughed, "no, it must be a different man!"
"Indeed it is, my daughter - indeed it is!" he smiled at Monique, "you see before you the happiest man alive!"
"There is one other favor I have to ask, Laird Hugh," Logan said carefully, and his face grew serious, "maybe we should wait till we have sorted out the matter of Alasdair's murder. I cannot live my life this way any longer, and I cannot expect Rosina to either. Will you help us?"
Hugh nodded, then thought for a moment, gazing at Logan thoughtfully.
"Logan," Hugh said gravely, " I will. If we join forces we can find out between us. I have many men who spied for me when the English occupied these parts and many others who owe me favors. Why do you not stay here? This castle has been the refuge of many a wanted man before. I think you always knew you could not do this alone."
* * *
Logan stood up and drew Rosina with him.
"I still can't believe anyone thinks you killed Alasdair," she lamented.
"I am going to find whoever is spreading these rumors," he said grimly, "and then I am going to deal with him - or them - with Hugh's help. Thank you, Sir. I accept your kind offer."
* * *
Hugh stepped forward.
"Good man," he said warmly, "now, let me show you where I am going to keep you. It is not the best accommodation and it may be a trifle draughty but it is very secure, for you are not the first fugitive who has stayed in it. If they can find you there I am the Man in the Moon!"
Then he looked at both the women he loved more than his life.
"Lovely ladies," he said gravely, "this is a big castle, and I will put Logan safely in a place where no-one can find h
im. I don't want either of you to know where it is. Suffice to say that you are all now under my protection."
Rosina wrapped her arms around him.
"You are the best father in the world!" she said fervently.
Hugh led Logan along innumerable passages, slowly going up and up till they arrived in a long room at the level of the topmost battlements. From here they could see over the whole river, to Langbank on the other shore, then Port Glasgow, disappearing at Greenock as mist and distance swallowed it.
"I have never seen the river like this before," he said incredulously, "it is wondrous!"
Hugh laughed.
"Neither has Rosina," he informed him, "no-one has been here for years.When it is dark we will bring your belongings up," Hugh said, extending his arm so that Logan could follow him.
"Malcolm can help me," Logan said, "I would trust him with my life."
"Better that no-one knows but we two," Hugh answered, "then we will have a dram of the good stuff to celebrate our partnership. Oh, but I forgot that you don't care for it."
"No, it is not that," Logan put his hand on Hugh's arm. "I am a dipsomaniac, my Laird. I cannot allow myself to drink. Am I still fit to marry Rosie?" he asked anxiously.
"You have been honest," Hugh patted him on the shoulder, "just treat my Rosie right and I will be happy."
"Do you truly love my father?" Rosina asked Monique as they sat finishing their wine. Monique looked at Rosina, and when she smiled, her eyes were full of love.
* * *
"Rosie, he is the finest man I ever knew," she said fervently, "he is considerate, kind, generous and he loves my nephews. And now I know that he is brave too. He is perfect!"