Thankfully, a cup of ale was provided instead of the bitter tea. Tilly was no great fan of ale, but it was far more appealing than the unpleasant tea. She nibbled on a cold ham sandwich and surveyed the tray of food. The selection was small. At this rate, she would easily drop ten pounds in a week. Apparently, ladies in this era were not expected to have appetites.
Sarah worked silently beside the fireplace while she made the necessary adjustments to the gown. After about an hour, she managed to produce a garment deemed worthy of wear. She helped Tilly into the dress. Placing the black shawl around her mistress’ shoulders, she proclaimed her ready.
That evening’s dinner proved to be much livelier than the previous one. When Tilly walked toward the entrance to the dining room, she saw Benjamin speaking with a brawny man. He was the personification of the stereotypical Scotsman. He stood head to head with Benjamin, who was a tall man himself. His thick, red, wavy hair fell unchecked to shoulders. He had obviously attempted – and failed - to tame the wild beard sprouting from his face. In further efforts at domestication, he managed to squeeze into a navy jacket that no doubt belonged to his liege. His simple tan trousers were clean and reached to his simple brown shoes. They were not the elegant knee britches that Benjamin wore. He looked very uncomfortable in the attire.
When they saw Tilly approach, both men stopped talking. Benjamin turned to his friend and said, “Mrs. Munro, please allow me to introduce you to my factor, Mr. Iain MacIver.”
Tilly attempted a clumsy curtsey. He offered an equally awkward bow. The social graces observed, the party walked into the dining room.
Benjamin helped Tilly with her chair. He looked startled when Iain took a seat to her left. He sighed and took a chair beside the factor.
Mr. Murphy seemed most put out by the change in seating arrangements. The butler scurried to the opposite end of the table. Along with the three footmen, he quickly gathered the china and silverware. He apologized profusely for inconveniencing Mr. Campbell. Benjamin waved a hand in dismissal.
“Mr. Campbell tells me you were beset by great troubles during your travels,” Iain said, placing the linen napkin in his lap. “I am surprised to find you so far from Edinburgh. Most people do not venture this way without a purpose.”
She decided to stick to the story upon which they had agreed. “We were in Glasgow, not Edinburgh,” she said. “My husband wanted to see the countryside. I fear our guide took us farther than we intended.”
“Oh, you have a husband?” Iain said, feigning surprise. “Of course, you do! Where is my mind? Mr. Campbell addressed you as ‘Mrs. Munro,’ after all.”
“I had a husband,” she said, looking him in the eye. “He is dead.”
Iain murmured condolences. She nodded her head and glanced sideways at the servants. She could tell Mr. Murphy was very interested in the conversation. Apparently, only Mrs. Keith was aware of her story until that moment.
“I fear everyone in your party met an untimely end,” Benjamin interjected. “Robbery seemed to be the motive. The evidence would suggest it.”
She pretended to be upset by the news. “I wish I stayed behind with them when the attack occurred,” she murmured. For dramatic effect, she placed a trembling hand upon her chest and said, “It vexes me greatly to think about how they must have suffered.”
She swallowed hard, remembering the car crash that killed her family. She often prayed her family had not suffered. Suddenly, the little ruse did not seem like a fun game anymore. Lowering her head, she whispered, “Can we please change the subject?”
Iain glanced at Benjamin, cocking an eyebrow. Tilly noticed a subtle shake of his friend’s head quelled a comment that had obviously formed on the factor’s lips. Did he intend to press the matter?
“Your accent is strange, if I may be so bold to say,” Iain remarked. “You cannot be from Scotland.”
“No. I am from America – the Colonies?” she said. Did he know where she meant?
“Ahh, I have a cousin who fought against the English in their little war over there,” Iain said. “I believe he lives in Philadelphia now.”
She was thankful that Mr. Murphy and the footmen interrupted them. As the food and wine were served, she was spared from further conversation. Iain was a man of hearty appetite. His attention turned away from her and toward the feast that spread before them over many courses. She marveled at the quantity of food the man ate. It was as if his stomach was a bottomless pit.
Unlike Iain, her stomach was confined by a corset and layers of clothes. Tilly took a lesson from last night’s meal and choose to nibble the wide array of dishes. She had no desire to experience another evening of gastrointestinal agony.
She also had no desire for Iain to resume his interrogation. When the dessert wine was served, she decided to excuse herself and retreat to her rooms. The conversation may have been for the servants’ benefit, but she worried that they tread on dangerous ground. She did not want to contradict anything Benjamin told Iain or anyone else, for that matter. And, she definitely did not want to give Iain any reason to be suspicious of her. She was completely innocent. However, something about the way he looked at her revealed that he was very protective of Benjamin and his family. She would do well to remain in his good graces.
“Oh what a twisted, tangled web we weave,” she muttered to herself.
Sixteen
Benjamin and Iain retired to the gentlemen’s drawing room. The servants already prepared a warm blaze for them. They took chairs near the fireplace and sipped whisky in silence, each lost in his own thoughts.
“That was an interesting evening,” Iain remarked, shattering the quiet. “She is a peculiar woman. I am not convinced she speaks the truth about traveling through time, though.”
“It is beyond all comprehension. And yet…” He paused. While he found her remarks about touring the castle and seeing his father’s bed to be most alarming, Benjamin knew one could not feign the deep grief he saw in her eyes. Whatever she was, she definitely was a widow and an anguished mother. He knew the look well, for he saw it in his own face every time he gazed into the looking glass.
“Surely, you do not find yourself believing her?” Iain asked, incredulous. “It is madness!”
Benjamin ran a tired hand through his hair. “I do not know what to believe,” he replied. He was exhausted from thinking about the matter. “She speaks in a strange accent. Her manners are not those of someone raised in society, yet she is not displeasing. She is…unusual.”
He rose from his chair to refill his glass. He decided to change the subject. “Thank you for the little performance,” he said. “I know it was for Mr. Murphy’s benefit, but I appreciate it nonetheless.”
“That old geezer would have nosed around ‘til he learned the story,” Iain said, with a shrug. “Better to give him our version.”
Benjamin returned to his chair and stared at the liquid in his glass. He sighed, “Pray he does not contact my father.”
“He will – eventually,” Iain said. “The man is wily. Before he alerts the true master of the castle, he will make sure he has just cause. He would not risk incurring your father’s ire for someone who will not be here long.”
Benjamin said nothing so Iain asked in disbelief, “Do you intend to let the woman stay? You must send her away as soon as can be. You have no idea of her intentions. For all you know, she could be working with Richard MacDonald.”
“I do not think she is a spy for the MacDonald,” Benjamin said. He held up his hand to stop Iain’s protest. “But, I am not convinced she is innocent. She may work for my father. You saw the letter. Could he have sent her to watch me? The man means for me to marry – what was it he said – the right prospect. He would not want me to run away with the governess.”
“If Mrs. Donnelly had her way that is exactly what would have happened!” Iain laughed heartily
“Aye, it would serve the man right,” Benjamin said, grinning broadly. “After all, it was his idea to employ
her. He would be shocked about what happened.”
Turning serious again, Benjamin leaned forward and said, “While Mrs. Donnelly made her desires very clear, I do not know what Mrs. Munro’s intentions are. She could be innocent. Her mind could have created a bizarre tale so she can deal with the loss of her family. You saw how disturbed she became when we talked about her husband’s death. I do not believe you can pretend to have that kind of pain.”
Looking down, he added, “She told me she lost her children as well. I know how a mother looks whenever she speaks of her children. I see it in Mrs. Munro’s eyes. She could be attempting to escape some extraordinary loss, not a task assigned to her by my father or Richard MacDonald.”
“I am worried about you,” Iain said. “You are lonely since Mary’s passing.” Before his friend could disagree, he said, “I understand. It was sudden and devastating. Please do not settle your affections on Mrs. Munro merely because she fills a void. If she is working for your father, you must be on your guard. You have accomplished so much since the man left. You do not want it to be undone.”
“I am reminded on a daily basis of all the work I have done, and that is yet to be done,” Benjamin said indignantly. “Do you have any idea the damage my father did? Do you understand the task lay before me?”
“Aye, more than others.”
“How is your father, Iain?”
“He is doing better now that we have found a little farm for him to tend. He missed the life so much. It does him well to be outside, watching over a few cattle and tending a wee garden.”
“My father did not have the right to do what he did.”
“Many men in his position think they do,” Iain replied thoughtfully. He rose from his chair and placed his glass upon the table between them. “Right is right. You will prevail in the end.”
He made his way toward the door. His hand on the doorknob, he turned abruptly, “Remember the past and think of the future, Benjamin. You cannot trust the lass.”
The silence that followed Iain’s exit was deafening.
∞
The candles burned to the halfway point before Tilly heard two faint knocks on the door. Since Sarah already helped her prepare for bed, she knew it must be Benjamin. When she opened the door, he quickly slipped inside the room without comment.
He sat in the same chair as his previous visit. She took a seat opposite him.
“Did you enjoy the meal this evening?” he asked.
“Are you referring to the food or the interrogation from Mr. MacIver?” Tilly asked, tilting her head to the side.
“Both, although I suppose the food was more pleasant than the company.”
“Iain’s inquisition was troubling. Did he do that for the servants’ benefit or his own?”
“Again, both. We grew up together. He is my best friend. He always has my best interests at heart.”
“Judging from the look on Mr. Murphy’s face, the servants were likely gossiping about me ever since my unusual arrival,” Tilly said. “Our evening performance may have been meant to quell the rumors. That is unlikely. People have a habit of forming opinions long before the truth is known.”
Benjamin nodded. “Aye, it is much more interesting to believe a juicy lie than the boring truth,” he said. “Still, I wanted to lessen the gossip if we could.”
Deciding a change of subject was in order, she said, “Thank you for sending Sarah to assist me.”
“She is a nice girl. I had hoped she might be helpful to you.
Tilly was puzzled by his response. Wouldn’t it be Mrs. Keith’s responsibility to assign servants? Why would Benjamin be bothered with such trivial matters? “Does she have other chores besides tending to me?” she asked carefully.
“Yes, of course,” he said. “She was a housemaid before your arrival. Mrs. Keith carved out time in her day for the additional duties of attending you. We have need for every servant who is here. I am sure she is very busy with all the work she must do.”
His answer bothered her, not only because it meant extra work for Sarah but because he made her feel like another chore. “I don’t want to create trouble,” she said. “I can take care of my own needs.”
“It is no trouble at all, madam.”
“But, you just said she has regular chores to do as well as help me. That hardly seems fair.”
“It is not a bother. Sarah is capable of handling the work.”
Tilly stared at Benjamin. “How would you know?” she asked. “Do you speak with Sarah about her workload?”
“Sarah is a servant,” he replied testily. “It is her job to do whatever her employer asks. I assure you she was most happy to have the extra work. She has been fairly compensated for any inconvenience you may cause her.”
“If I am such a problem for you, then why the hell did you bring me here?” she asked, bristling at his tone. “Why didn’t you just leave me in that damn pasture?”
“What is bothering you? I do not believe you are greatly vexed by a girl taking on extra chores.”
She reflected upon his question. She was genuinely upset about Sarah’s added work. However, if she was honest with herself, something far greater had been gnawing at her. Finally, she dared to ask, “Do you trust me, Benjamin?”
He slowly rose from his seat and crossed the short distance between them. He placed his hands on the arms of her chair and leaned forward, his breath tickling her face. “My children are the most important people in the world to me,” he said. “You are a stranger. You say you are from another time. Iain thinks you are a spy. I question whether or not you are suffering from some mental ailment caused by your family’s loss.”
Pushing away from the chair, he towered above her. “Until I know who you are, I will take whatever measures I deem necessary to protect my children,” he said. He stared deeply into her eyes. “Would you have done anything less for your family?”
Tilly exhaled, not realizing she had been holding her breath. “No.”
Benjamin bowed slightly and left the room without bidding her goodnight. She shivered, despite the warm fire.
Seventeen
Benjamin’s comments still stung the next morning. While Tilly could understand his protectiveness, it hurt that he did not believe her. Of course, would she have believed anyone who claimed to have travelled from another time? Unlikely.
It also bothered Tilly that she might be creating more work for Sarah. She endeavored to be of little trouble to her maid and Benjamin. To that end, she confined herself to either her room or the library for the next several days. She had her meals delivered to her room, where she dined in solitude. She allowed Sarah to help her dress in the morning and did not discard her gown until bedtime, a small thing that she hoped would lessen the maid’s chores.
In the library, she desperately searched for any clue that might tell her how to return to her own time. She began her search in the science books. Finding nothing there, she moved on to fairytales and legends. It gave her a deeper understanding of wee folk and witches, yet provided no fresh ideas for escaping 1801.
On the fifth day of her quest, Sarah found her pouring over a beautifully illustrated book about alchemy from the 15th century. The drawings inside were magnificent and completely useless to Tilly. It was a welcome distraction from her situation, though, so she chose to study them. After all, if she did find a way home, she would never have an opportunity to examine a book like that.
“Milady, why are you here?” Sarah asked, her hands on her hips. She shook her head in disapproval.
Tilly’s jumped at the question. “Pardon?”
“You should be outside,” Sarah said, pulling her from the chair and wrapping a black shawl around her shoulders. She offered a bonnet, but Tilly waved it away. “You need fresh air.”
“But, I am reading!” Tilly protested.
“Enough!” Sarah said, raising her voice. Blushing slightly, she apologized, “Milady, I am sorry for my boldness, but what you are doing is not healt
hy. You need fresh air and exercise.”
Sighing, Tilly glanced out the window. It did look like a nice day outside. It might be helpful to clear her mind for a bit. “Alright, but please leave these books where they lie. I want to finish reading them later.”
“As you wish, milady.”
∞
Tilly slowly walked down the stairs for the first time since she entered the castle. She made sure none of the servants could see her as she slipped out the front door. Once outside, she was not sure where she should go.
She knew the gardens were behind the castle. She wanted to avoid Benjamin and the servants. Would she bump into any of them there? Perhaps. Beth and she did not explore the rest of the grounds, so what else should she see?
Hearing voices behind her, she decided that she should not linger at the door. She descended the stone steps and turned to the left. When she reached the corner of the castle, she noticed a little trail leading into the forest and decided to follow it.
It appeared to be a path through the trees. It was just large enough for people, not horses. It was not the trail on which she rode with Benjamin. Judging from the smoothness of the dirt, people frequently travelled it, so it must have been a favorite.
She inhaled deeply and smelled fresh pine. The birds sang happily in the trees above, making it impossible to feel gloomy. A light breeze rustled the leaves that lay upon the forest floor. She felt herself relax. For a moment, she forgot about the when and relished the where. It seemed like ages since she felt at ease.
To her surprise, she discovered a small, white building a few feet ahead. Didn’t Beth say there was an old chapel somewhere on the property? Of course, in this time, it might be in use.
The building looked fairly new with its white paint and sturdy roof. She pushed hard on the heavy oak door and cringed at the metallic creaking of the hinges. Inside, she saw four rows of wooden pews leading to a primitive pulpit. Beams of soft light filtered through the multi-colored glass in the arched windows. Save the shuffle of her slippers on the flagstones, no other sound disturbed the peace of the little chapel.
Through the Mist: Restoration Page 12