by Barbara Bard
“I wonder if it would be possible for me to write a letter to my father, just to let him know that I arrived safely. He does fret so, and I would like to put his mind at ease.”
“Of course! I shall have some writing materials sent up to your chambers. Later on, we should take a walk around the gardens. I will have to show you all around the palace and have lunch later.”
“But I should let you rest for now. It has been a long day, and you must be tired. I am glad we had this conversation though, and I look forward to spending much more time with you,” Catherine said as she rose from her chair and approached Sarah.
Sarah rose too and found herself being embraced tightly. Catherine kissed her on the cheek and clasped her hands together, smiling warmly. Then, she looked down, a little taken aback by the rough skin on Sarah's hands.
“I say, I have only ever seen hands like these on handmaidens and servants,” Catherine exclaimed. Sarah's heart lurched in her chest, fearing she had been found out. Sarah pulled her hands away quickly, hiding them behind her back.
“It is nothing to be ashamed of,” Catherine said, a look of horror on her face, “and I did not mean to offend.”
“It was a difficult life without Mother. We had some servants, but many of them left after Mother died and Father simply did not have the will to replace them. I ended up doing some of the work, trying to keep the house in good condition.”
“How awful. At least you do not have to worry about that any longer. While living here you do not have to worry about a thing, I promise you that. Your life will be relaxing and your troubles are over.”
With that, Catherine exited the room. When the door closed behind her, Sarah breathed a sigh of relief and sank to the floor. Lying so much was draining, and she did not know how she was going to keep up with this.
She almost had to laugh at the irony of Catherine's statement. Her troubles were only just beginning. Once Lord Flynn found out that she was not who she said she was, Sarah would be in so much trouble.
Somewhere out there Rosemary was alive, perhaps she had found freedom and happiness. Before she left, Rosemary had expressed doubts about marrying a man she had never met. Sarah had thought her foolish for thinking such a thing, but although Sarah dreamed of marrying a noble she did not want it to happen like this.
Not when she had to take on the guise of another person.
She was about drifting away again when she heard another knock on the door. Catharine had sent a handmaiden with a pot of ink, a pen, and some papers.
Sarah took them from the handmaiden and thanked her. The handmaiden was taken aback by this gesture and showed her surprise. Sarah immediately realized that she is a lady now or at least she was pretending to be one, and it was not in her place to thank handmaidens and servants.
She immediately composed herself and dismissed the servant. She needed to be more careful if she didn’t want to be caught by Lord Flynn.
She placed the writing materials on the table, pulled out the chair to sit on and proceeded to write the letter to Lord Brambly - Rosemary’s father.
“Dearest Lord Brambly,
It is with great regret that I write to you. You may be told that this letter is from your loving daughter, but actually, it is Sarah who is writing this.
There has been a terrible misunderstanding. While we were traveling through the forest we encountered a wagon filled with prisoners.
Rosemary wanted to investigate, fearing that something strange was occurring. I tried to dissuade her, but she was set on her course of action and she disappeared into the night.
I do not know what happened to her. I have only heard a rumor that she was seen with a Highlander, being carried away to the north, and I fear for her safety.
But to protect us from the soldiers who were guarding the prisoners George told them that I was Rosemary. We were escorted here and since then I have had to remain true to the lie.
I wish that I could speak the truth to Lord Flynn, but I am afraid that he will not take too kindly to this subterfuge, even though it was not a conscious decision on my part.
I feel ashamed, guilty, and scared. I do not think there is anyone to whom I can turn aside from you.
Please help me, Lord Brambly, you are my only hope.
Yours faithfully,
Sarah”
Reading the letter over and over again, Sarah wondered if she should write more, but what more could she say in a letter?
Before anyone came in she blew on the ink to help it dry more quickly, then folded it up and sealed it in an envelope. As she carried it downstairs her heart trembled. If anyone should read this letter it would be the end for her and her lies.
She walked so quickly that she stumbled. The letter slipped from her hand and slid out of her reach. Her hands slammed against the carpeted floor, as did her knees.
She gasped and reached out for the letter immediately. As she tilted her head up, she found out that she had been beaten to it by Lord Flynn. He was holding the letter in between his fingers and looking down at her.
“Ah, a letter, how intriguing,” he said, turning it over in his hands. Sarah's breath caught in her throat. “What secrets does it hold; I wonder? Did I get a mention? I hope you are not writing to your father in hopes of calling off the wedding,” he said.
Sarah couldn't decide if he was joking or not.
“I would never do that. I am so excited for our impending wedding,” she replied.
Lord Flynn looked down at her as he ran his fingertip along the edge of the envelope. He tapped it, and for a moment Sarah was sure that he was going to tear open the paper and find out all she has been hiding.
Surely a man as intelligent and wise as Lord Flynn had seen through her lie. It wasn't as though she was a mastermind. Before this, she had never told a lie before in her life!
To her relief Lord Flynn leaned down and offered her a hand, helping her back to her feet. He handed the letter to her and caressed her cheek gently.
“As you should be,” he said. “Are you sure you are not injured, my Lady?” he asked, looking her up and down.
“I believe so. I merely lost track of my thoughts,” she said, offering him an apologetic smile.
“You are just like my sister, always rushing around as though you are running out of time.”
“We are quite a pair,” Sarah agreed.
“Just be careful. I would not want to see anything harm your appearance. I want everyone that comes to our wedding to see how beautiful you are.”
Sarah bowed her head.
“Now, are you not going to ask me about my hunt?”
“Of course, I apologize. The fall shook my wits from me. How was your hunt, My Lord?”
“It was successful, thank you for asking. At this instance, I am going to freshen up. I am looking forward to dinner tonight. I shall regale you with the tale of the great hunt.”
“I look forward to it, my Lord.”
A smile tugged at the corners of Lord Flynn's mouth. He nodded, then spun on his heels and walked away. Sarah breathed a sigh of relief, pressing the letter into her bosom.
She had to escape soon. The longer she remained in the palace the more likely it was that the truth would be revealed. If she ever got to the wedding she just might faint with anxiety.
Sarah walked more carefully for fear of tripping up again. The sooner the letter was on its way the better. She went to the traveling merchant and handed her letter over to him. He was a young man, with a yellow beard, and he looked at Sarah in a strange way. He gave her a toothy smile, but did not say anything, and slipped the letter into his cloak.
The letter was out of her hands now. She merely hoped that Lord Brambly would read it and come to her rescue.
With only a few hours until dinner remaining, Sarah tried to read but found it most difficult to keep her mind focused on the words in front of her. She kept thinking about the traveling merchant and if he would reach Lord Brambly safely, and then if Lord Charl
es would actually be willing to come to her aid.
Most of all she dreaded dinner. Every time she was around Lord Flynn she was afraid that she would say something that would betray her own secret. The more time she spent with him the more she was sure he would realize something was strange about her, but there was nothing she could do to avoid dinner.
If she said she was ill he would most likely dote on her, or be frustrated that she was weak and frail.
Chapter 2
Drew was brooding on the moors. His home, his castle, loomed against the misty backdrop of the Highlands. The weather was a little chilly, he was wrapped in a thick fur. His black hair fell down to his shoulders, and his beard scratched his face.
As he looked at the castle he found it difficult to imagine that so many things had changed in such a short period of time.
The castle was sturdy, its foundation had been built many years ago, and it had stayed strong and withstood numerous wars over the years. To Drew, it had been a symbol of the strength of his clan, and the Highlanders in general.
The wild clans of the Scottish Highlanders had always been threatened by the forces of nature, wild animals, and the devious English.
It had never been an easy life for any of them, and that did not seem as though it was going to change any time soon.
Drew sighed as he stared, wishing that things had been different. All his life he had tried to live up to the ideals shown to him and his brother by their father. Aife had been a worthy leader, proving himself in battle with the English, then proving himself as a firm ruler in peacetime. The legacy he wanted to leave his children had been one of peace, but that covenant had been broken, not the least by Blair.
Drew's brother often infuriated him. Blair had the makings of a great leader but he always seemed to be going in his own way. For many years now Blair had been brooding, preferring to spend time alone rather than take his rightful place as Laird of the clan.
There were times when Drew even thought that Blair might run away for good and leave the clan in Drew's hands. It brought him shame to think this way, but sometimes Drew thought that the clan might be in better hands if he got to rule, especially given the recent events.
When Blair left the last time, Drew had honestly thought he would never see his brother again. But Blair had returned, and he wasn't alone, as he had brought back with him an English rose. A dainty young woman who he had quickly made his wife.
Such a brazen show of defiance was typical for Blair, but Drew couldn't believe that his father had also blessed the union before he passed away.
Now, this Rosemary had one of the most privileged positions in the clan, and Drew was worried. Blair had tried to placate him of course, and Rosemary had shown great wisdom and passion in how she had tempered Blair's temper, but it still gave him misgivings, especially when war with the English seemed as though it was going to rear its ugly head again.
“Ye look pensive, my lad.” Drew came out of his thought and turned to face his mother.
She wore a black cloak, its hood pulled over her head, leaving her face cast in shadow, as was the customary mourning rite. Wisps of white hair blew out of the hood, and as he looked closer Drew could see his mother's sunken eyes. Aife's death had taken its toll on her.
“As I should be. These are times that weigh heavily on our souls.”
“On mine more than most. It is sad that it took your father's death tae show Blair his rightful place in this clan.”
“Do ye think he is really best-suited tae lead the clan?”
“It is his birthright.”
“A birthright he hae always sought tae run from, and now he hae brought that English lass tae us.”
“Ye know she's nae all bad. In fact, I think she's quite good fer him.”
“Perhaps fer him, but what about us?”
Fianna sighed, placing a hand on his shoulder.
“Drew, ye are never satisfied. Ye hae always been the more thoughtful one out of ye and Blair, but dinnae lose yourself in despair. Blair can lead this clan. He just needed a little bit of a push. As fer Rosemary, she's made it clear that there is nothing waiting fer her back in England. We dinnae have anything tae worry about from her.”
“And what if an opportunity fer her tae return does present itself? Can we truly be sure she will never want tae return?”
Fianna's mouth curled up at the sides. Ever since Aife died the sight of a smile from her had been rare.
“She loves him, Drew.”
Drew stared at her blankly, as though her words explained nothing. Fianna shook her head.
“There is still much ye must learn about life, my lad. Sometimes the lines between us and the English are nae so distinct. We are all still human, after all. We all have hearts.”
“My heart could never be taken by an English girl,” Drew spat. “Not after all the English hae done tae us, and especially nae since we learned what happened tae Gall.”
“That was a tragedy. I do hope there is nae another war.”
“If there is we shall crush them,” Drew said, clenching his fist.
“Ye hae more in common with yer brother than ye think.”
“Nonsense. Blair acts on his feelings. He never thinks about his actions, he's always so quick tae anger.”
“So are ye, when it comes tae the English. I dinnae blame ye either, especially nae after all we hae been through. I know that ye are still hurting from your father's death. In truth, I see so much of him in ye and Blair. Sometimes I catch a glimpse of one of ye and I think I am seeing him when he was younger, in the prime of his life.”
Drew's mood was tempered. Aife and Fianna had waited longer than usual to have children, so Drew had no memories of his parents as young people.
Often it was easy to forget that the two of them had lives before Blair and Drew were born, but their lives had indeed been long, filled with adventure and romance, until they finally settled down after the war and started a family.
“I'm pleased that he still lives on in us. I hope that we can make him proud.”
“I am sure ye will. He used to brood a lot too.”
“He did? Even when he was younger?”
“Oh yes, especially in the war. The responsibility of killing weighed heavily on him. There were times when he often wondered why there is so much anger inside all of us.”
“But he was one of the fiercest warriors the clans hae ever known. His prowess in battle is legendary.”
“Yer father fought because he had tae. He was always going tae do his duty tae the best of his ability, but that did not mean he took pleasure out of it. Remember, your grandfather was killed in battle at a young age, and yer father was always afraid the same was going to happen tae him. That is why we waited until the war was over tae have a family.”
“Really?”
“Yes. We spoke about it many times before the war, but yer father could sense something brewing. Then war broke out and he made it clear that he didnae want to risk leaving sons behind without a father. Once the war was over and it became clear that we could live in peace, we had a family. Sometimes I wish ye and Blair could have seen the war fer yerself. It might make ye feel differently, as it would the rest of yer generation.”
“We are nae leading the Highlands intae war. The English hae made the first move, as they always do. This Flynn, whoever he is, killed Gall, and that slight cannae be left unpunished. We are McCalls, and we dinnae let these things happen without consequence.”
“I wouldnae treat him so lightly. I remember a Flynn from the old war. It must hae been this one's father. He was a formidable warrior, and if his son has inherited his strength he will nae be an easy foe. The English are able tae amass a great number of troops. I wouldnae be so eager tae go tae war.”
“If they attack us we will crush them, we will wash the field with their blood and they will never come back again. We must teach them that this treatment of our people will nae and cannae be tolerated,” Drew said, his words gro
wing harsh. He could feel passionate blood stirring within him.
“I ken, my lad, I ken, but old people like me who have already seen what war does tae people can wish for things tae be different. Ye and Blair are the right people tae lead our clan in this war.”
“Me and Blair? That man won't listen tae me.”
“Drew, ye must both listen tae each other. Ye are two halves of the same coin. I know Blair has often been difficult, but he has taken his place as Laird, and he will do his duty. I have already spoken tae him about this, but he cannae do it by himself. Ye must be there for him tae offer him counsel. Ye are an intelligent man and a strong warrior in your own right. If the two of ye fight together nobody will be able tae stand in yer way.”