by J. L. Jarvis
“What is it, Sally?”
“Oh, it’s probably nothin’. Only I overheard one of the Highlanders sayin’ somethin’.”
With diminishing patience, Mari sternly said, “Sally.”
“Loudon Hill,” she blurted out. “That’s all I ken.”
“Loudon Hill?”
“Aye. There’s to be a big conventicle there.”
Mari mulled it over. It made sense. Other than looting some area homes, the Highlanders had accomplished very little since arriving. They would want to report some sort of progress. What easier target than a large gathering of families with their eyes closed in worship?
Sally continued, “And wi’ our soldiers—well, not our soldiers, mind, but the ones who were biding here, ken—goin’ off all a sudden… ”
Mari nodded and said, as though trying to convince herself most of all, “Aye, well, it’s hard to say for certain, is it not?” With a warm smile she said, “If you hear from Hughie, please tell me.”
“Aye, Miss.” Sally returned to her dusting, but cast a glance toward Mari as she walked away. “She’s lanely for her ain soldier,” she whispered to herself, shaking her head. “He’s a braw man. I cannae blame her. An’ I miss Hughie.” The sound of footsteps drew her from her reverie and back to her vigorous dusting. “Och, weel, what cannae be helped must be put up with.” Wiping her hands on her apron, she said, “Och, weel, I’d best go fetch some water before cook gets after me.”
She was on her way to the well when she spied a rider coming over the hill. The grey horse and plaid marked him as a Highlander. He drew close. Sally stopped to watch, daring not hope. As she grew more certain it was Hughie, she dropped her pail and ran to him. Flinging himself from his horse, he took her into his arms and kissed her.
With cheeks flushed, Sally said, “Och, someone will see me.”
“Aye, but I cannae let go,” Hughie said, with a broad grin on his face. He kissed her, and kissed her again, until she backed away, blushing.
He stepped back, having come to his senses, but his smile would not fade. “Sally.”
“Hugh.” She smiled back. With a conspiratorial glance about, she said, “Put your horse in the byre. I’ll meet you there, in the loft.”
Without a word, he walked away smiling, while Sally went back to retrieve her water pail.
* * *
Minutes later, Sally climbed up to the loft and looked about. As footsteps approached, she climbed up into the loft and hid, wondering what had happened to Hughie. As the footsteps drew nearer, an arm appeared from the hay and hooked her about the waist. As she gasped, a hand clamped over her mouth as the other arm pulled her loose.
“Shh,” he whispered in her ear.
He let her turn enough to see who it was. Her eyes softened to see it was Hughie. He held her close while a worker took far too long at his duties in the byre. Hughie made use of the time with his hands, taking stock of her figure, which was rounded and soft in the places he wanted it to be.
“I was lonely for you,” he said into her ear, when the farm hand had gone. “You havnae forgotten me, have you?”
She turned round eyes to meet his. “Aye, I have. I’m afraid you will have to remind me.”
He answered her coy look with a broad, knowing grin. “Will I?”
She nodded and laughed as he rolled onto her.
Sometime later, they stood outside the kitchen doorway. Taking care not to touch, but forgetting their glowing expressions.
“I must go, but I’ll come back when I’m able.” He touched her chin, and she lifted it toward him.
“Och, lassie, dinnae tempt me.” He looked about to make sure no one saw them, and then he kissed her one last time. “Now back to work with you.” With a soft laugh, he moved closer and leaned on the doorframe, concealing his hand as he slipped it down and gave her backside a squeeze.
She put her palm to his chest and gently pushed back. “There’s no work to be done with you here.”
He feigned offense. “Oh, so you’d rather have me gone.”
“I didn’t say that,” she said, pointing her finger.
He took it and touched it to his lips, and then kissed it. Sally went limp against him and breathed in the scent from his chest.
A noise startled them. They both turned, but saw nothing. With caution still in their eyes, they said their farewells.
Hughie started to leave, but turned back. “Och, I nearly forgot! Please give this to Mistress Mari.”
She took a small, folded note from him and slipped it inside the cuff of her sleeve.
“Goodbye lassie.” He touched her hand with the tips of his fingers.
She squeezed his hand, and then turned and went inside to the kitchen.
When, moments later, the door opened, Sally looked up with a smile, but it dissolved in an instant.
“Sally.” Thomas sauntered in, taking the room in with quick glances. “It has been a long time, has it not?”
“Aye, sir, excuse me.” She rubbed her hands on her apron and turned to leave, but Thomas rushed over and clamped his hand on her arm. “Please, sir.” She cast a helpless look at his hand.
With a twist, he pulled her wrist close and probed inside her cuff with his finger. “What’s this?”
“’Tis nothing , sir. Please let me go.”
He released her so suddenly that she took a step to regain her balance. By the time she did so, he had slipped the note into his pocket.
“Please, sir. I was told to deliver that.” She lowered her eyes.
With a smile, Thomas said, “I’ll deliver it for you.”
Before she could move away, he took a stride toward her and hooked his arm about her waist and pulled her against him, his face inches away. With his free hand, he grasped her face. “You’ll say nothing of this, understand?”
Sally nervously nodded. “Aye, sir. Nothing.”
“There’s a good girl. You wouldnae want me to report you to the kirk elders for consorting with enemy highlanders.”
“No, sir.”
“You ken what would happen to a girl in that situation?”
Sally nodded slowly. “Please let me go, sir. I have work to do, and my mistress will wonder—“
“If you were to tell anyone, I would be forced to tell how you not only seduced several highland dragoons, but you’d brazenly tried to seduce me.”
Her eyes flashed as she spoke in a hush. “Say what you will, sir. We both ken that’s not true.”
“But who will they believe?” he asked, grinning slyly.
Blood drained from her face. Seeing this, a look of pleasure crept into Thomas’s face. “You’d be cast out. From town to town you would wander. With no reference from your kirk, no one would employ you. And then what would you do, pretty Sally? You’d be forced to go to the workhouse—or worse.” He stroked her cheek and then forced a firm kiss on her mouth, muting her small moan of protest. “’Tis been a long time, has it not?”
He released her. Sally turned and reflexively touched her mouth to wipe of the feel of his lips touching hers.
“Not a word, ken?”
Sally nodded.
The cook called out, and came to the kitchen doorway. With a bold look, Thomas took a step back and met her questioning look with confident silence before walking away. Sally lowered her eyes and, still trembling, brushed past the cook and rushed into the kitchen.
* * *
On a gray afternoon, the cows rested under a tree as clouds rolled in and darkened the moor. With a sigh, Mari turned from the window and walked out of her room, where she bumped into Sally.
Mari dismissed the girl’s apologies. “Not at all. It was my fault. She took a few steps before turning. “Sally.”
Sally turned back. “Aye, Miss?”
“Have you had word from Hugh?”
Sally’s eyes widened, but Mari reassured her. “I’ll not tell anyone.” She stepped closer. “You see, I’ve a similar secret. Och, now I’ve made you uneasy.”
Mari’s face lost its poised look, and she faltered as she said, “If you heard anything of them, I would want you to feel free to tell me.”
“Yes, Miss.”
Sally glanced down at her armful of linens. Seeing this, Mari said, “Yes, well, thank you, Sally.”
Mari continued on her way, pausing only to don and fasten her arisaid with a brooch.
She walked briskly, imagining reasons why Callum had not sent word to her in weeks. She was troubled by it more so than she cared to admit.
Before her, a horseman came over the hill and approached her. Her heart quickened, but she soon saw it was not Callum. The thrill changed to dread as the rider drew nearer. He tethered his horse to a tree branch.
“Thomas,” she said, eyeing the minister’s son with mistrust.
His admiring eyes drank her in. “Marion.”
“Congratulations on your wedding,” she said tersely as she went on her way.
“Marion, I ken that you’re angry.”
“Oh, you ken that, do you?” She turned away and shut her eyes for a moment. Losing her temper would just make things worse. She took a deep breath and calmed herself.
“You’ve no right to look down your nose at me, Marion McEwan.”
“If you’d leave, Thomas Blackwell, I wouldnae have to look at you at all.”
The chilling look darkened his eyes. “You drive men away with that temper of yours.”
“Good. Then as angry as I am, you’ll be on your way now.”
He stepped closer. “I came to do you a favor, if you’d let me.”
“I dinnae need favors from you.”
“You need this one.”
She looked at him with scorn, but he met it, undaunted, with a bold look of his own. “You’re with child,” he said bluntly.
Her eyes opened wide, but she turned her back to him to conceal any further reaction. “That’s a lie. Go away. I’ll not hear any more.”
He lunged for her from behind and circled his arms about her waist. Even as she fought to be free, his hands felt their way over the front of her body before settling on the mound that proved his claim true. She jabbed her elbow back into his side and pulled free of him.
Thomas held his palms up as he tried to look harmless. “Grizzal told me. I wanted to see for myself. I’ll not touch you again.” He took a step backward.
Mari spied a piece of broken branch on the ground. She picked it up and gripped it in her hand, ready to thrust it at him. “See that you dinnae! Now go away. ‘Tis no business of yours.”
Thomas spoke in soothing tones. “Marion, listen. I’m trying to help you. The elders ken. Grizzal told them.”
Mari started to ask how she knew, but then closed her eyes and let out a mournful sigh. Grizzal. When she was sick with a fever, Grizzal tended her. Tears filled her eyes. “No.” The word caught in her throat. Soon they would bring her before the kirk to answer for her actions. She had thought she would have two or three months to plan what she would do. Now, all of a sudden, that day was before her.
“Marion, listen to me.”
She shut her eyes, too mired in distress to contain her contempt.
He said, “I came here to help you.”
“You’ve helped me enough, Thomas Blackwell. You can best help me now by just leaving me be.” Mari started to leave, but he grasped her arm.
“Listen, Marion. When they call you before the kirk, they will want to ken who the father is.”
Mari inwardly groaned in disgust. So that was it. He was afraid she would name him as the father.
“I’ve a new wife.”
“So I’ve heard. Good for you.”
“Marion, my father insisted. It was a superior match.”
“Being the superior sort, then, I’m sure she willnae mind.” She smiled to herself and tried to pull her arm free and go on her way.
“Dinnae jest.”
“Oh, I promise you, I take all of this seriously.”
“Listen to me. I’ve worked it all out. If there isnae a bairn, they cannae punish you.”
“Brilliant plan, Thomas.” Mari started to walk.
“It is. If they cannae prove there’s a bairn, they will have to assume that Grizzal was mistaken—or lying.”
Mari stopped short to regard him. “Are you daft? First of all, there is a bairn and they can prove it. And why would Grizzal lie?”
Thomas looked down. “Because she… seems to think that she and I—”
“Och! Have you nothing to fasten your breeches?” Mari strode off, but soon stopped as a wave of nausea came over her.
Thomas pulled out a vial. “I’ve brought something to help you.”
“The only thing that will help me at present would be for you to leave me.” Mari studied Thomas’s face. He seemed almost wounded.
His eyes darted away. “Do you think I stopped caring for you?”
Mari looked at him coldly. “Aye. That particular thought came to mind on the day of your wedding.”
“Mari. It was our parents who wanted the marriage. I couldnae go against my father.”
“No. Only a man could do that.”
“Aye, and no man keeps his manhood for long, around you.” Thomas glared at her.
“Leave me alone.”
“But I cannae.” Still grasping her arm, he pulled her close and said in her ear, “I miss the feel of you.”
She stepped out of reach. “You have your wife now for that.”
His breathing grew heavy. “Her bed is a cold one. I need more.”
“No.” Mari put her hand up to stop him. She glanced about. Only cows looked back. She would have to fetch them later. She would make some excuse. With a sigh of exasperation, Mari left.
He ran after her and caught her by the arm. “Feelings like ours dinnae just end.”
Mari heaved a sigh and looked plainly at him. “Yes, they do.”
He appeared outwardly chastened, and yet showed little remorse. “I deserved that.”
“Thomas,” she said, feeling calmer for having spoken her mind. “Go home to your wife.”
He nodded, and pressed the vial into her hand. “Drink this. It’s savin. It will make it go away.”
Mari knew what savin did. Women snickered about babies being born under the savin tree. It made pregnancies end. She had thought about taking it, and she had come close. But as she looked at Thomas, she knew she could not be so desperate as he, so she pushed his hand back.
“No, Thomas. We made a mistake, and since I am to pay for it one way or the other, I’ll be the one to decide how.”
“Marion, think what you’re saying. It will be like it never happened.”
“But it did happen,” said Mari.
Thomas said, “When they bring you before the kirk elders, you’ll just tell them it’s not true, and they’ll have no proof against you.”
The thought did appeal to her. She did wish that it never had happened.
Thomas said softly, “And no father need ever be named.”
Mari’s eyes shot up to his. “Dinnae worry. I wouldnae stoop to give you the credit.”
His eyes flashed with anger. “If you willnae cooperate, I’ll be forced to ruin you, Marion.”
Bitterness darkened her eyes. “Haven’t you done that already?”
He pulled a paper from his pocket. “I’ve a note here from your Highland lover professing his love.”
“Forging a note? Is nothing beneath you?”
Thomas said, “‘Tis real enough.”
“You’re wrong. He has never written to me.”
Thomas smiled. “Oh, but he has. You just never received it.”
Mari reached for it, but he held it out of her reach. “There’s enough here to ruin your life. But I’m not so vindictive. You’re still dear to me, Mari. Let’s take the easier path. I’ve been to the midwife. This savin will put an end to the pregnancy.”
Mari looked squarely at him. “I’ll not do it.”
Grasping her shoulder
s, he said, “Everything could be as it was.”
“I cannae do it. How could you ask that of me?”
“If you don’t, I will have to tell them that he forced himself on you.”
“I’d deny it.”
“He’s a Highlander. The bairn is proof enough. If you deny that he forced you, you’ll bring judgment upon you.”
Mari looked straight into eyes so cold they burned through her, and said, “So be it.”
She turned to leave, but he grabbed her and swung her into his arms. “Mari, don’t you see? I still love you. I cannae watch you go through that.” He kissed her and tightened his arms about her as she struggled. Down to the ground he pulled her until he sat straddling her.
Thinking he meant to force himself on her, she said, “Thomas, no. You cannae want me like this.”
He looked at her, stunned. “Marion, how can you think such a thing?” His eyes swept over her face. He said softly, “Remember the first time? How I loved you! You’re all I ever wanted. It was my father who forced me to marry. But we can still be together like we were before. No one can spoil what we have.”
He looked at her with the warmth she once saw in his eyes, but the sight only proved what a fool she had been. “Thomas, we will never be like that again.”
Her words pained him. “Oh, Marion, I wish you hadnae said that.” Although Mari fought him, he pinned her arms under his knees, and pulled a vial from his pocket. With one hand, he cupped her chin and squeezed tightly, forcing open her jaw. Mari tried to turn her head, but he yanked it back. She bit the hand holding her chin, but he cursed through clenched teeth. Lifting the vial, he pulled the cork out with his teeth and spat it out to the side. He then poured the vial’s contents down her throat. Tossing the vial, he forced her mouth closed and tilted her head back until she choked and involuntarily swallowed. A drop escaped and slipped down her cheek. With his finger, he tenderly smoothed it to her lips, then he bent down and kissed her. “Good lass. Drank it all down.”
With a free arm, Mari felt about the ground frantically and seized hold of a rock. As Thomas got up, Mari struck him in the groin. He cried out, holding himself. In too much pain to control his balance, Mari pushed him over and scrambled free.
Thomas lay on his side, knees bent, moaning and cursing. As she ran away, he cried out, “I’ll make you regret that!”