My Laird's Castle

by Bess McBride

  Chapter Eight

  A month did pass, and although I often dreamed of warm things, I settled into life at the castle. I read a lot while Colin tended to estate matters. When he was free, we walked through the woods and fields beyond, and he showed me much of his land. A few Highland cows grazed in small fields. I saw stone cottages where tenants had once lived, empty now as the farmers had emigrated. Colin spoke of increasing the sheep herd.

  “Mind ye, I dinna dislike the wee beasties. We have always had a small flock, but not the great numbers I will need to run the estate and pay taxes if I can nae longer find men to farm the land.”

  “I haven’t seen any yet.” I couldn’t tell Colin, but I loved the little black-faced sheep I had seen in modern-day Scotland.

  “The sheepherder grazes them on the hills in the summer.” He pointed to the hills behind the castle. “They’ll be down soon enough, as winter approaches.”

  It was only the end of August, but I guessed fall and winter might be one long season in the Highlands.

  I shivered and pulled my shawl more tightly about me. In the intervening month, Colin had sent to Glasgow for some footwear for me, per Mrs. Agnew’s specifications, as well as some additional dresses, which had not yet arrived. I would have preferred some nice trousers, but Mrs. Agnew pooh-poohed the idea. I was still clueless about clothing. It was amazing, but in the absence of television or magazines, I had no idea what other women, besides the servants, were wearing.

  Colin and I shared meals together, and in the evenings, we either read or played card and board games, which he taught me. While he made free to kiss my hand when he chose, he never attempted to embrace me or kiss my lips. I realized that he saw me as a companion, albeit one he regarded with affection.

  Me? I fell more in love with him everyday. I loved his feistiness, his generosity, his intelligence, his kindness, his smile and his utter Scottishness, including his dour moments of darkness as he tried to cope with the changing nature of life in the Highlands.

  We returned to the house just as horses trotted into the now dry courtyard, carrying a woman and several men.

  “Noooo,” Colin said. I thought he was displeased, but the opposite seemed to be true.

  “Welcome, welcome!” he said as he moved toward the woman to help her down. Dressed in an exquisite velvet riding habit in shades of royal blue and black, with a matching perky hat, the tall, slender brunette slid down into his arms, her head coming level with his chin. She reached in and gave Colin a peck on the cheek.

  Two of the men slid off their horses, and one took charge of the woman’s horse. Like Colin, they wore their hair to their shoulders. The third man, a large fellow sporting a short silver ponytail, descended from his horse with a bit of awkwardness and a groan. Dressed in subdued browns, he wore trousers, boots and a jacket over a white shirt. Two other men, gathering the reins of his horse, dressed similarly, though their drab clothing appeared to be much less expensive than his. I wondered if they were servants of some sort.

  “Colin, my boy, how are ye?” the older man said, distracting Colin from listening to the quiet tones of the woman. I moved toward the steps leading to the front door and waited beside them. George stood in the open doorway at the top of the steps. My first instinct had been to hide, for we would have to go through the “cousin” story again, and I couldn’t remember what we’d said before. If these folks were only visiting for the day, then I could make myself scarce.

  But Colin hadn’t had any visitors in the month that I’d been there, and I thought his place was relatively remote. From the packs on the men’s horses, I assumed they had traveled some distance, and I suspected they were at least staying the night.

  “Verra well, Uncle,” Colin said. He moved out of the woman’s embrace and into that of the big man. “And how are ye? I didna know ye were coming to visit.”

  “We should have sent word, but Elinor thought we would arrive before a message telling ye we’d come to visit. Canna say I agreed with her, but ye know Elinor. Hope we havena put ye out.”

  “Nay,” Colin said. “Ye are verra welcome. I am glad of some company.”

  I stiffened. What? And what was I?

  At that moment, Elinor turned to look at me. I knew she’d seen me, but perhaps she assumed I was some sort of employee.

  “And who is this, Colin?” she said, cocking her head and eyeing me with a faint smile.

  Colin whirled around, and the dismayed expression on his face made me catch my breath. My heart dropped to my stomach.

  “Och!” he said as if stalling for time. I wrapped my arms behind my back and laced my fingers together so tightly they hurt.

  “Aye, this is Mistress Elizabeth Pratt. May I introduce my cousin, Lady Elinor Anderson, and my uncle, Laird Andrew Anderson? My uncle and cousin reside in Edinburgh.”

  Oh! His cousin! I relaxed, thinking that was all right then. I was to find out that little distinction really didn’t matter.

  “Good to meet ye,” Lord Anderson said. “Are ye visiting or...”

  He looked to Colin, since I seemed to be mute.

  “Aye, Mistress Pratt is staying here for some time,” Colin said hastily. “She met with an accident on her journey through Scotland and is resting here.”

  “Oh dear,” Elinor said, finally nodding at me. “I trust ye are recovered, Mistress Pratt?”

  I nodded and tried to smile, but failed. I tried to remind myself that Colin was surprised by the visit and that he could not introduce me as his cousin...to his cousin or uncle. But for the first time, I felt unwelcome. I couldn’t tell whether I got that impression from Colin or whether I imagined it.

  “Come inside,” Colin urged. Lord Anderson’s men moved away with the horses, seeming to know their way to the stables.

  I turned and trotted up the stairs and was halfway up the staircase leading to the second floor, seeking the shelter of my room, when I heard someone call behind me.

  “Mistress Pratt, will ye nae take tea with us?” Elinor’s voice stopped me, and I turned. Colin looked up at me, his face revealing nothing.

  “Come on down, girl,” Lord Anderson said with a beckoning gesture. “Let us get acquainted.”

  Mrs. Agnew rushed into the foyer.

  “Mrs. Agnew, some rooms for our guests, please.”

  “Yes, yer lairdship. It is good to see ye again, Lady Elinor, Laird Anderson.”

  “And ye as well,” Elinor said with a wide smile toward the housekeeper.

  Awkwardly, I retraced my steps and descended the stairs.

  “George, some drink and food, please,” Colin said as he led Elinor and her uncle toward the great room. I followed quietly, waiting to see who sat where. I wished Colin had come up with a way for me to hide out in my room while his relatives visited, because neither one of us had a story to explain who I was or why I was there, and I didn’t know what to say that wouldn’t get me into trouble. All we needed now was the arrival of Captain Jones to confuse the issue.

  Colin seated his uncle to his right, and George, after a moment’s hesitation, pulled a chair out for Elinor to Colin’s left. I silently slipped into the seat next to Lord Anderson, wishing I could be seated far away at the other end of the long table.

  “What brings ye here then, Uncle?”

  “It is as I said, boy. Elinor was keen to visit ye and wished to do so afore winter sets in. Here we are.”

  Colin blinked at this response, but he smiled graciously.

  “A special trip to visit me? I am flattered.”

  “Ye have not come to see us in a long time, Colin, so I thought we must come to ye. But ye have had company, so I see ye have been kept busy.”

  She eyed me again with dark-blue eyes that matched her riding habit.

  I squirmed. What did she mean, “been kept busy”?

  “Nay, Mistress Pratt has been here but a month. I havena had the heart to travel away from the estate, ye ken.”

  “Why is that, Colin?” Elinor asked.<
br />
  George returned with Sarah, both bearing coffee, tea and cakes. Colin waited until he had left to respond.

  “I have been much occupied with the estate. Things are unsettled since Culloden. I havena had time for visits.”

  Lord Anderson tsked. “It is as I told her, Colin. All of the landowners are fair busy trying to hold on to their properties with nae time for visiting and such. I am fair swamped myself, but she insisted on a visit.”

  Colin smiled. “I am happy to see ye, Uncle. Will ye stay awhile?”

  “Nay, boy. We can only stay a few days, and then I must return. I left my steward in charge, and there’s nae telling what he will muck up afore my return. Dinna tell me ye still have no man to run yer land?”

  Colin shook his head. “Nay, it is only I, Uncle. I prefer it that way.”

  I was aware of Elinor’s scrutiny, and I kept my cup of coffee near my face and my eyes on the men as they talked.

  “Tell us more, Mistress Pratt, of the incident which befell ye. Do ye travel with family? Do they stay here as well?” She looked around as if to find more people.

  Ah! That ole question again. I really did not know what to say. My eyes flew to Colin.

  “Nay, cousin. She wasna traveling with family, but merely touring from America. Her coach overturned during the recent rains, and she was injured. I saw the accident, helped the coachman to right the coach, and away they went, but I brought Mistress Pratt back here for Mrs. Agnew to tend.”

  I tried to keep my face neutral, and I nodded in confirmation.

  “Oh, ye poor dear,” Elinor said.

  I smiled faintly.

  “Still,” Elinor continued, “I canna fathom that ye were traveling alone without family.” She genuinely looked perplexed.

  “Mistress Pratt is from the colonies,” Colin repeated. “She tells me that women often travel alone, of necessity.”

  “Such a shame,” Elinor murmured. “But good luck that ye were able to rescue her. What are yer plans now, Mistress Pratt?”

  “They are as yet unsettled,” Colin said, drawing his brows together in visible annoyance.

  “Colin, do let the lady speak for herself,” Elinor protested.

  Her father paid more attention to his food than the conversation. Thank goodness!

  “I am not certain yet,” I said, echoing Colin’s words.

  “We shall nae press her,” Colin said firmly.

  “Yes, I can see that my questions have put a high color in her cheeks and a dark expression on yer face, Colin. I will ask no further at the moment, but I canna think it is proper for Mistress Pratt to stay with ye, an unmarried man, as yer guest, without a chaperone.”

  “I will admit it is unusual, but Mrs. Agnew serves that purpose.”

  “We canna impose on our servants thus, Colin,” Elinor said in a chiding tone.

  “Aye,” her father offered, in between bites.

  “I will stay here to serve as companion and chaperone to Mistress Pratt until her future is decided,” Elinor stated. She didn’t ask. I barely had time to register that fact as I held back a gasp.

  “What’s that, my dear?” Lord Anderson stopped eating and stared at her. “Stay here? I canna stay indefinitely, my dear. Nay, I canna.”

  I turned to look at Colin, who stared at Elinor. I couldn’t interpret his expression. Was he pleased? Dismayed?

  “I am not asking ye to stay, Father. Ye may leave me behind and fetch someone for me when Mistress Pratt has been safely returned to her family.”

  “But Mistress Pratt has stated she is uncertain of her plans,” her father exclaimed. “Why, she could remain here through the winter.”

  “I am prepared to stay through the winter, if necessary,” Elinor said in the voice of a saint.

  I wanted to tell her she really didn’t need to, but I didn’t know what Colin wanted. He wasn’t talking, only staring at her.

  “Through the winter?” Her father started cackling. “In this cold pile of stone? I dinna wish to insult Colin, but his home is fair chilly. Thank goodness my own father rebuilt his house with an overabundance of fireplaces.”

  His own father? Wasn’t the castle Colin’s grandfather’s home?

  “Your father? Is that Colin’s grandfather?”

  All eyes turned to me. After all, I hadn’t said much, and I was sure my question seemed completely random to them.

  “Nay, lass. My grandfather and Colin’s great-grandfather were cousins. We come from a large clan.”

  “Oh!” I looked at Elinor. That meant she was Colin’s...fourth cousin? A distant relationship, surely, and not one that would prevent her from eyeing him in a possessive light.

  I caught Colin eyeing me with curiosity, and I pressed my lips together. I wondered if he knew that Elinor coveted him. And I wondered how he felt about her.

  “Aye,” Colin said. “As my uncle says, it is a large clan and spread throughout the Highlands. My uncle’s grandfather gave up the harshness of the north and settled in Edinburgh many years ago.”

  “But we remain close,” Elinor added, “which is why I think it my duty to stay and help.”

  “I canna stop ye, Elinor,” Colin said, “but yer father is right. Winter is coming soon. Ye could possibly be trapped here until spring, as the snow will make it difficult to travel.”

  “I am prepared,” Elinor said with a firm smile in my direction. I wondered if she was really that self-sacrificing to protect my virtue, or was she protecting her interests?

  And if she stayed, would that then free me to test the waters of the river?

  Chapter Nine

  Lord Anderson stayed three days before heading out, taking his men with him. Elinor, Colin and I stood on the front step, waving him off.

  As soon as the carriage was out of sight, Elinor spoke.

  “Shall we walk down to the river?” she asked. “I am in need of some vigorous exercise. The weather is fine, but who kens how much longer it will remain so.” She looked up at the cloudless sky.

  Colin looked at me and shook his head. We had not gone down to the river since I had decided to stay.

  “Perhaps another time,” he said. “I canna accompany ye just now. I have some paperwork to attend to.”

  “Sure,” I said. “That sounds lovely. You and I can go, Elinor.”

  “No!” Colin said brusquely. Elinor turned to stare at him, as did I.

  “Nay, ye canna go alone,” he continued. “There is nae telling what dangerous beasties or manner of men ye might encounter. If ye must insist on venturing out, I will accompany ye.”

  “Colin, I am sure we will be quite safe, do ye nae think, Beth?” Elinor had finally started calling me by my first name at my insistence.

  “Yes, I think we’ll be fine. You don’t have to come, Colin.” I almost hoped he wouldn’t. Whether I would test the waters or not, I couldn’t say, but Colin appeared to be in good hands. He didn’t need me. Elinor was more suited to his way of life, to his time, and he seemed very, very fond of her.

  Since her arrival, Colin and Elinor had played cards together, walked the gardens together and traveled the estate together, often at her insistence. I hadn’t exactly been excluded, but Colin hadn’t asked me to join them either, though Elinor had, it seemed more for politeness’ sake than a desire for my company. And so I had hung around the house, chatting with Lord Anderson, making up all sorts of silly stories about my origin and my family.

  I had enjoyed the older man’s jovial company and was sorry to see him go. I suspected that no matter what happened to me, I would never see him again. Although he had confided he was “five and fifty,” he looked a great deal older, and I mourned the loss of modern medical care for him. From his normally red-flushed face, I suspected he suffered from untreated high blood pressure.

  Elinor and I waited for Colin on the front steps. I noted she didn’t wear a hat any longer, and wondered if that was an accessory she found necessary in the city but not in the country.

  Colin
returned shortly, and we set out, walking three abreast. Elinor and Colin talked about the weather, the countryside and other things while I remained silent, never really knowing what to say in mixed company, company that included someone who didn’t know I had traveled through time. I thought the less said, the better.

  Elinor turned matters to a more personal note.

  “Colin, ye saw how father looks, did ye not? He isna well. I told him I wished to visit ye and that he didna have to come, but he insisted. I am so worried.”

  Privately, I thought she was right to be worried.

  “Aye,” Colin said heavily. “My uncle looks much older than he did last year, as if he has aged ten years or more.”

  “But what can I do? I nag at him to heed the physician’s orders to eat less and take some exercise, but he willna do as I bid. He says he is an auld man and can do as he likes.”

  That definitely sounded like Lord Anderson.

  Colin nodded.

  “Aye, I can see Uncle Andrew say those verra words. There is nae ye can do, Elinor, but give comfort where it is needed. Are ye sure ye do not wish me to send ye back? As ye can see, Mistress Pratt does well, and it seems to me it is yer father who has need of ye.”

  Elinor’s cheeks stained rose, and she tucked her hand into Colin’s arm. Colin threw me a sideways look as if I should take his other arm, but I ignored him and looked ahead. Besides, unlike Elinor, I had to watch the hem of my skirts. She seemed to float above hers, never tripping awkwardly on them.

  “Colin! If I didna ken ye held me in affection, I would think ye wish to be rid of me. It isna true, is it? Am I unwelcome?”

  Uh-oh! I pressed my lips together and resisted looking at Colin.

  “Nay, of course not, Elinor. Ye are welcome here anytime. I didna mean to suggest that I didna want ye here.”

  “Good,” she said. “While I worry about Father, there is little I can do to help him. He will probably outlive us all.” She chuckled.

  “Aye, perhaps sooooo,” Colin said, his o’s elongated in that Scottish way.

  We reached the river and crossed the bridge, and Colin slowed.

  “We are here,” he said unnecessarily. I approached the bank where we had stood before and moved forward slowly to take a seat on the boulder. The river could more aptly be called a creek again, the waters having receded.