Highland Belle

by Patricia H. Grasso

  13

  The garden at Dunridge Castle was lush with summer. Amid the vibrant colors and greenery, two blond heads were close together. Lady Antonia and her brother, Finlay, were speaking in hushed tones.

  “So Iain wed the Sassenach,” Antonia was complaining. “I tried comin’ between them, but it didna’ work. When she ran away, he went after her. They're together now in Edinburgh."

  “Ill luck, to be sure,” her brother sympathized. Finlay MacKinnon was weak, both inside and out. Smaller than his sister, he was almost delicate looking. He had inherited the same blond hair and blue eyes, but his skin was bloodlessly white. Ambitious, sneaky, and cruel, Finlay was devoted to his older sister.

  “I was to be the countess,” Antonia burst out. “What can we do aboot it?"

  “Give me a moment to think."

  Out for his daily stroll with Glenda and Sly, Black Jack walked into the garden. “Finlay MacKinnon,” he called. “It's been a verra long time. When did ye arrive?"

  “This mornin'.” Finlay shook Black Jack's hand. “Yer lookin’ hale and hearty, my lord."

  “I feel good too,” Black Jack replied. “For an old mon, that is.” He looked at Glenda and said, “Greet yer Uncle Finlay, lass."

  Studying her mother's brother, Glenda decided she didn't like him, and stayed close by her grandfather's side. “Good day to ye, Uncle Finlay."

  “Yer as bonnie as yer mother.” Finlay smiled at the image of his beloved sister as a child, then held out his hand to her. “Would ye care to walk aboot and become reacquainted?"

  Glenda stared at the hand, then up at him. “No."

  Antonia gasped at her daughter's rudeness, and Finlay lost his smile. Black Jack chuckled, pleased to be loved above all.

  “She's a bit shy,” he explained.

  “Well, I suppose shyness is appropriate in a female,” Finlay remarked. “What's this wild beastie doin’ here?"

  “Sly isna’ a wild beast,” Glenda corrected tartly.

  “He's Lady Brigette's pet,” Antonia added in a disapproving voice.

  “A messenger arrived earlier,” Black Jack told them. “Iain and Brie will be home before the week's gone."

  “What wonderful news!” Antonia exclaimed.

  “That isna’ the best part. Lady Brigette is wi’ child.” Black Jack turned to Finlay. “How long will ye be stayin'?"

  “Only for the night."

  “It's grand seein’ ye again.” With Glenda and Sly in tow, Black Jack walked away.

  “Curse and rot her,” Antonia spat. “I'll never become the countess now."

  “That isna’ necessarily true,” Finlay disagreed.

  “What do ye mean?"

  He smiled coldly. “If a terrible fate befell the Sassenach, yer path to Iain would be clear."

  “And if she drops a lad,” Antonia said, returning her brother's smile, “I willna’ be obligated to fatten wi’ child. What are ye plannin'?"

  “I believe,” Finlay replied, “the Sassenach has a fateful appointment wi’ the Lady's Rock."

  “Lady's Rock?"

  “Remember the old tale of what the MacLean did to his Campbell wife when he tired of her?"

  “No, I dinna recall the story."

  “Located in the Sound of Mull is a large rock that becomes submerged when the tide is high."

  “Verra creative and efficient of ye,” Antonia grinned. “There willna’ be a body to bury."

  Finlay preened at his sister's praise. “Of course,” he added, his expression clouding, “the Campbell wench had a happy endin'. A couple of passin’ fishermen rescued her, and the Campbells revenged themselves by killin’ MacLean. Do ye think such fantastic luck could happen twice?"

  “Why tempt the fates?” Antonia returned. “Grow a beard and wear the Menzies plaid. If Brie's somehow saved, the blame will fall on them."

  Finlay nodded. “Send word to me after she's whelped the brat. Now, tell me what she looks like."

  “Well..."

  “Speak honestly, sister. I dinna want to snatch the wrong woman."

  “Brie's much shorter than I,” Antonia told him. “She has red hair and green eyes—"

  “Green eyes!” Finlay made the sign of the cross. “It's surely the mark of a witch."

  “Dinna be absurd. There's nae such thin’ as witches."

  “There are,” he insisted. “Ye'd have me snatch a witch? What's to prevent her from dispatchin’ me before I dispatch her?"

  “Finlay!” Antonia exclaimed, exasperated. Her voice softened. “Do ye actually believe I'd send ye to yer death?"

  “No."

  “There's nothin’ magical aboot the Sassenach,” she assured him. “Trust me."

  * * * *

  The guards who patrolled Dunridge's walls cheered and waved as the MacArthur entourage approached the castle's outer curtain. The troop passed through the outer gate and proceeded to the inner courtyard. Family and retainers waited there to greet them.

  In their enthusiasm, Glenda and Sly rushed forward, heedless of being trampled by the horses. Black Jack grabbed his squealing granddaughter while Spring restrained the excited fox.

  Iain dismounted and turned to assist Brigette, who made his task difficult by waving and calling out to Glenda and Sly. Deeming the courtyard safe, Black Jack and Spring released their struggling captives.

  With a whoop of joy, Glenda leaped into Brigette's open arms. All eyes in the courtyard riveted on the heart-tugging picture of the woman and the child clinging to each other while the pampered pet gamboled around and around, whining to be included. Kneeling in the dirt to accommodate her two favorites, Brigette held them close; the girl and the fox nuzzled her neck. Brigette's eyes filled with tears and an unexpected sob caught in her throat.

  “Ye left me,” Glenda accused, “and I missed ye terribly."

  “And I missed you.” Brigette gulped back her throbbing emotion. “I've brought you a special gift. Will you forgive me?"

  “Do ye promise never to leave me again?"

  “I promise."

  Glenda's gaze drifted to the fox. “Sly's been feelin’ puirly too."

  Brigette's lips twitched. “I've also brought Sly a gift. Do you think he'll forgive me?"

  “I believe so."

  Brigette laughed and gave her a resounding kiss on each cheek. Sly whined for his share of attention. Astonishing everyone but Glenda, Brigette planted a smacking kiss on the wet tip of the fox's muzzle.

  Brigette rose finally and greeted Spring, whose face was damp with tears of relief. The cousins hugged and kissed.

  “I was beside myself with worry,” Spring admitted.

  “I'm sorry for that,” Brigette apologized, glancing sidelong at Antonia, who was just walking into the courtyard. “It was a horrible misunderstanding. Will you forgive me?"

  “I haven't decided,” Spring teased. “Did you bring me a bribe?"

  “That I have,” Brigette said, laughing. “I purchased fabrics in Edinburgh and thought we could share them."

  “I forgive you, then."

  Turning away, Brigette approached Black Jack, who was speaking with Iain. “I'm sorry,” she offered hesitantly, uncertain of her father-in-law's welcome.

  “We'll have none of that,” Black Jack chided gently, then drew her close and kissed her cheek. “The babe yer carryin’ more than adequately makes up for yer foolishness.” He patted her hand, then scanned the crowded courtyard. “I dinna see Percy. Where is he?"

  “Percy remained in Edinburgh,” Iain told his father.

  “Why?” Black Jack asked. “My spies tell me Menzies returned to Weem Castle."

  “He's in love,” Brigette blurted out.

  “In love?” Black Jack threw back his head and shouted with laughter. “Who's the puir lady?"

  “Sheena Menzies,” Iain mumbled, hoping his father wouldn't catch the surname. “She serves the queen."

  “Sheena Menzies?” Black Jack echoed.

  “She's a sweet girl,” Brigette add
ed. “You'll be proud to call her your daughter."

  “Charmin’ though he may be, Percy's a numbskull who never travels the high road.” Black Jack shrugged fatalistically, knowing some things were beyond his control.

  “Hinny,” Iain said to Brigette, “will ye do me a favor?"

  “Anything."

  “Wash out yer mouth before I kiss ye. I dinna relish the taste of fox."

  “Refreshment is waitin’ in the hall,” Antonia called cheerfully, determined to behave as if she weren't the reason her sister-in-law had fled Dunridge.

  Brigette went into the great hall with the others. Glenda refused to relinquish her hand, and Sly insisted on brushing himself against her legs as a cat would. Brigette could hardly walk, but neither child nor fox was willing to chance losing her again.

  Everyone sat at the high table, except Spring, who preferred to sit with Jamie. As soon as Brigette sat down, Glenda scrambled onto her lap.

  “Get down,” Iain snapped at his niece. Bewildered and hurt, Glenda's bottom lip trembled.

  “What's wrong?” Brigette asked Iain, her arm encircling the little girl.

  “She'll hurt the babe."

  Black Jack, seated beside his daughter-in-law, chuckled at his son's zealous concern. He recalled an earlier time when he had faced impending fatherhood, and knew his son's anxiety would intensify with the advancing months.

  “Glenda is fine where she is,” Brigette assured her husband. “I'm not as delicate as you believe, and neither is the baby."

  “What baby?” Glenda asked.

  Brigette guided Glenda's hand to her gently swelling stomach. “I've a baby—your new cousin—growing inside me.” The little girl's expression was sheer delight. “Soon he'll be strong enough to live outside my belly, and all of us will play in the garden—you, Sly, the baby, and me. Do you think you'll enjoy that?"

  “Yes, but where was he before?"

  “With the angels in heaven."

  Glenda frowned. “How did he get from heaven into yer belly?” Black Jack and Iain chortled loudly.

  “It was Uncle Iain's doing,” Brigette answered, blushing. She smiled at him, adding, “Tell her, Uncle Iain, how your son got inside my belly."

  Iain frowned. “It happened, Glenda, when I showed her my love."

  “I ken,” Glenda said. Iain smiled smugly, but nearly toppled off his chair at his niece's next words. “I've got nae babe in my belly,” she said loudly. “Dinna ye love me, Uncle Iain?"

  Brigette giggled, then explained, “It's a different kind of love, angel, that an uncle has for his niece."

  “Oh.” That seemed to satisfy Glenda, but then she peered curiously at Brigette. “But how will the baby get out of yer belly?"

  “Iain, I think we should present our gifts now,” Brigette suggested, ignoring the question.

  “I agree wi’ ye.” Iain bestowed the gifts they'd brought from Edinburgh. Glenda shrieked with joy over her new doll, promptly named Lady Autumn. When questioned about the unusual name, Glenda explained that Brigette had come to Dunridge in the autumn, and she wanted to forever remember that happy day. No one noticed Antonia's lips curl in a silent snarl.

  Spring admired the beautiful fabrics. When she left the hall a few minutes later to order Brigette's bath, she carried them away almost reverently.

  Iain lifted Sly onto the table and removed the old yellow collar, then fastened the new one around the fox's neck. “There now,” he said. “What do ye—?"

  Sly's tongue darted out and landed in his open mouth. “Yuck!” Iain wiped his mouth on his shirt-sleeve and took a swig of ale, then set Sly on the floor.

  “Dinna forget to wash out yer mouth, lovey,” Brigette mimicked her husband's burr. “I dinna relish the taste of fox."

  The family gathering soon dispersed. Glenda went reluctantly to her lessons with Father Kaplan, and Brigette went upstairs to bathe and rest. When Black Jack retired to his study, Iain took a draft of ale and sat in front of the hearth. Relaxing, he stretched his legs out, then closed his eyes and fantasized about the son that he was certain Brigette carried.

  “Yer wife is a whore.” A voice sneered.

  Iain's eyes flew open and focused on Antonia, who stood before him. “Dinna speak such vile lies to me or anyone else hereaboots,” Iain warned. “If ye do, ye'll regret it."

  “Regret speakin’ the truth?” Antonia countered.

  “No, meddlin’ in my life,” Iain said, his voice deceptively calm. “Ye've caused enough problems between my wife and me. If it happens again, I'll have ye returned to the MacKinnons."

  “And lose Malcolm's daughter?"

  “Glenda is a MacArthur and remains at Dunridge."

  “Ye bastard!"

  “I can assure ye, dear sister-in-law,” Iain said, “Black Jack and my mother were well and truly married."

  “Can ye also vouch for the brat yer wife is carryin'?” Antonia asked, ignoring the murderous expression on his face. “Brie's traveled the road, and I warrant a few men traveled hers."

  “Shut yer mouth,” Iain snapped. “Brie was well protected by Magnus Campbell."

  Antonia arched a brow at him. “Was she now? And who, might I ask, protected her from Magnus Campbell?” With that, she walked away.

  Shocked, Iain sagged in his chair. What had Brigette's accommodations been along the road to London? he thought for the thousandth time. Would he ever be certain his firstborn was really his?

  * * * *

  After she'd bathed and napped, Brigette dressed for supper. For the first time since leaving Edinburgh, she felt clean and pretty, but her gown was uncomfortably snug across her bosom and waist. None of her garments fit properly, and Brigette made a mental note to start letting out the seams.

  Hoping to speak privately with the earl, Brigette went directly to the great hall, but Black Jack was nowhere in sight. Next she tried the study. Relaxing in his chair in front of the hearth, Black Jack seemed to be expecting her.

  “I've been daydreamin’ of seein’ my first grandson,” he told her. “How are ye feelin'?"

  “Well enough, now the sickness has passed. You won't be upset if I deliver a girl, will you?"

  “No, but I dinna think Iain will let ye give birth to a lassie first."

  Brigette smiled. “You're probably correct,” she agreed, then stammered, “I—I'm sorry for leaving Dunridge. I realize—"

  “There's nae need,” Black Jack insisted, waving her apology aside. “Will ye tell me why ye ran away? Had ye quarreled wi’ Iain?"

  “No, I—I ... Antonia—"

  “Dinna go on,” Black Jack interrupted. “That one word says it all. Perhaps I should return her to the MacKinnons."

  “No!” Brigette cried, surprising the earl, who knew his daughters-in-law could never be friends. “I'd be unhappy without Glenda."

  “Glenda's a MacArthur and would remain at Dunridge."

  “You cannot separate a mother from her child,” Brigette said, her hands wandering instinctively to her stomach.

  “Yer more of a mother to Glenda than her own has been."

  “Antonia would not see it that way. She'd claim we stole her daughter, and there'd be hostilities between the clans."

  Black Jack nodded. “Yer wise for one so young."

  “I'm a peahead,” Brigette confessed. “Why else would I have run away?"

  “If ye recognize yer folly, then yer nae longer a peahead,” Black Jack disagreed. “Magnus Campbell escorted ye to London?"

  “Yes, he's a good friend and an honorable man."

  “The lad takes after his father.” The two sat in companionable silence for a time. “I'm an old mon who's seen a lot of things, some good and some bad.” Black Jack broke the silence finally. “My advice is to concentrate on deliverin’ a healthy heir for Iain. Frettin’ aboot what's past willna’ help the future. Do ye recall the day ye arrived at Dunridge?” Black Jack chuckled at the memory. “Lookin’ worse than a beggar, ye marched into this study and ordered me to keep my
nasty hounds penned, lest yer precious pet be terrorized."

  Brigette blushed.

  “Be patient wi’ him,” Black Jack counseled. “Like me, Iain isna’ easy to live wi', but he'll mellow wi’ age. Shall we see aboot supper?"

  Brigette smiled. “Yes."

  Black Jack escorted Brigette into the great hall and past Antonia, who was seated at the end of the high table. As Dunridge's ranking lady, Brigette's place was between the earl and her husband. Iain was nowhere in sight.

  Glenda, invited to eat with the adults for this one night, scampered into the hall. “Sit next to me,” Brigette bade her. “Uncle Iain will sit on your other side. Won't that be fun?"

  Wearing a dour expression, Iain strode into the hall, and Brigette wondered if there was a problem. Her gaze drifted to Antonia, whose expression was placid. She's angered him, Brigette concluded. The witch is only happy when someone else is suffering.

  When Iain sat down and ignored her, Brigette forced a pleasant smile on her face and turned to Glenda. “I don't see Lady Autumn among us,” she said. “Where is she?"

  “Lady Autumn is suppin’ wi’ Lord Sly,” Glenda told her. “She's taken a fancy to him."

  Brigette's smile was genuine. “Is that so?"

  “Yes. Dinna tell grandfather this,” the little girl added, “but Lord Sly has taken shockin’ liberty wi’ Lady Autumn."

  “The knave,” Brigette exclaimed, trying hard not to laugh. “What has that furry scoundrel done?"

  “He's been so bold as to hold her hand."

  “No! Surely he hasn't held her hand?” Brigette's tone was suitably dismayed, but her lips twitched.

  “In his mouth."

  Brigette and Black Jack burst out laughing. Even Iain cracked a smile.

  “This is a happy group,” Moireach commented, arriving with their supper. After serving the family, the housekeeper lingered at the high table to help Glenda. She beamed proudly when Brigette praised her haggis.

  “Mmmm ... delicious,” Brigette complimented. “Of what does it consist? I've forgotten."