Molly in the Middle

by Stobie Piel

  "You're in now."

  The black man turned his eyes to Miren. A slow, wily grin spread across his face. Miren shifted her weight nervously. He was a handsome man, with regal, chiseled features and bright, knowing eyes. "How do you do?"

  "Not as well as Nathaniel."

  Miren stiffened, then wrapped her tartan tighter around her shoulders. Nathan wasn't wearing a shirt, but he didn't seem embarrassed. "Daniel, this is Miss Lindsay. Miren, Daniel Hayes, my first mate."

  "Oh." Miren relaxed, and her curiosity soared. "I'm pleased to meet you, Mr. Hayes."

  "Daniel."

  Nathan rolled his eyes. "What are you doing here? Did anyone see you?"

  "I asked up at the house. Man in a uniform said you were spending your nights down here. On 'guard duty.' Some duty, man."

  "Miss Lindsay is in danger."

  "I see that . . . from you."

  "Not from me."

  Miren braced. "A man almost made off with me a few days ago. Nathaniel is here in a protective capacity."

  "With his shirt off." Daniel scanned Nathan's disheveled appearance. "And no shoes."

  Nathan cleared his throat. "I assume you're here for a reason other than to check on my personal life."

  "Which is better by a long stretch than we were thinking."

  Daniel turned to Miren. "Left us on the Half-breed with nothing to do, orders to stay put. And look what he's up to"

  "Daniel"

  "Get yourself dressed, Captain. You've got company." Daniel nodded toward the door, grinning.

  "What's 'company'?"

  "We had a little trouble on the ship. Nothing for sure. I'll let her tell you about it."

  Nathan pulled on his white shirt, but he only buttoned it once. "Her?"

  Daniel went to the door and whistled. Miren heard footsteps. Another man came to the door, stood back, and allowed a woman to enter. A small child clung to the woman's hand, holding a worn cloth rabbit in his other hand.

  The woman pulled back her hood, and Miren's breath caught. She was older than Irene MacCallu, but she was far more beautiful. Black hair framed a delicate, lovely face, with clear blue eyes that glittered with intelligence. Chills coursed through Miren, as if she'd seen a ghost arise from the mists. The ghost of her own mother.

  Nathan exhaled a breath of annoyance. "Mother, I told you to stay on the ship." His harsh tone surprised Miren. No greeting, no embrace. Instead, a tight frown curved his lips. The woman looked at him in silence, then sighed.

  "Nathaniel . . . It couldn't be helped." She was Scottish, but her accent was mild, muted with another language. Miren guessed it was the Iroquois tongue.

  The little boy peered up at Nathan as if facing a king. A king who might soon have him beheaded. Miren smiled gently. "How do you do, sir?"

  He peeked at her, then Nathan again. "I'm good, miss."

  Miren's smile widened. "So am I."

  Nathan's mother turned to Miren, and one brow arched. Miren endured an excruciating wave of embarrassment. "Do tell?"

  Nathan sighed. "Mother, this is Miren Lindsay." He hesitated. "She is posing as my fiancée."

  His mother smiled. "And doing a fine interpretation." She held out her hand to Miren. Miren had no idea what to do with it. Men shook hands. Miren shrugged, then took the woman's hand. She shook. Miren fought the impulse to giggle. "Miren Lindsay? Not"

  "I am Cora Malcolm's daughter."

  Glenna gazed long into Miren's eyes, then smiled. "Then our switch wasn't in vain." She glanced at Nathan. "And comes, it seems, full circle."

  Nathan looked uncomfortable. "Miren is on her way to America, to join her uncle."

  Glenna's face fell. "We shall see." She didn't wait for Nathan's response. She turned to the little boy and bent down to him. "Nat, this is Miren. Her mother and I were the best of friends when I was your age. So you and she are as good as cousins."

  Nat looked hopeful. "I didn't think I had a cousin."

  "Not until Nathan marries and makes some for you. Until then, Miren will suffice."

  Nathan drew an impatient breath. "What are you doing here? If Lady MacCallum learns"

  "She won't. She doesn't know me, Nathan. I was thinking . . ."

  Nathan groaned, but Glenna seated herself at Miren's table, looking at ease and as if she planned to stay. Miren decided she liked Nathan's mother. She thought for herself, and seemed sure of her own decisions. Which Nathan didn't seem to appreciate.

  "You've placed yourself in danger, Mother."

  Glenna's brow arched. "I've placed myself in danger? Who is here masquerading as a laird?" She glanced at Miren. "I'm assuming Miss Lindsay knows the circumstances of your arrival."

  "I do. And I quite agree. Nathan has placed himself inextreme danger, and to go fussing on about what those of us choose to do . . ."

  Nathan sank into a chair and bowed his head. "I had you hidden, Mother. You were to stay on my ship until I called for you."

  "Waiting grew tedious."

  Nathan just groaned. Nat bit his lip and buried his head in Glenna's arms. Miren realized the little boy was afraid of his uncle. And no wonder. Nathan hadn't greeted him, he'd barely looked at him. And he wasn't restraining either impatience or his temper.

  "Tedious? Tedious!" He started to rise, but Miren seized his arm.

  "Nathan, behave. You're alarming Nat."

  Nathan nodded, controlling himself with effort. "Tedious. That doesn't seem reason to disobey my instructions."

  "Perhaps not." Good, Glenna sounded chipper. Miren sat back, relishing the encounter. "But it was necessary. For one thingother than the fact that it's unreasonable to expect a small boy to exist on a small ship for an unlimited period of timesomeone has made inquiries about your situation."

  Nathan looked to Daniel. "Is this true?"

  Glenna's expression turned fierce. "I just said it, didn't I?"

  Daniel hesitated, then shrugged. "Near as I can figure, some Englishman was in Oban poking around, asking for 'Nathan MacCallum.' The troubling part is, this fellow seemed to know you left a ship in the harbor. Had a good idea when we arrived, too."

  "Did anyone see him?"

  "None of our crew, no. Heard it on the docks. All we learned was he's a light-haired Englishman."

  Miren drummed her fingers on the tabletop. "Could Brent have gone to Oban when he was supposedly off hunting?"

  Nathan nodded. "It's possible."

  Glenna straightened, victorious. "There. As I said, we hadto inform you. Also, this is the last place they'd look for little Nat."

  Nathan cast a dark look his mother's way. "Why do you say that? It seems obvious to me."

  "Nonsense. I have the situation well thought out. I haven't been in Scotland in thirty-one years. No one will recognize me here, so there's no reason"

  The door burst open and Simon charged in, gasping. "Nathaniel, saw someone . . . lurking." His gaze fixed on Glenna, and his voice caught. Miren looked between them, remembering Nathan's claim that the old Scotsman had loved her always. From the utter devotion in his eyes, Miren knew it was true.

  Simon's crumpled hat came off, and he held it to his heart. "Your Ladyship."

  Glenna rose and embraced Simon fondly. She kissed his cheek, smiling as if meeting a long-lost friend. "Simon. How good it is to see you!"

  "What brings you from the ship, Lady?" Simon's gruff voice altered in Glenna's presence. It softened so much that Miren could imagine him as a young man. Awkward, gentlehis heart in his eyes.

  "Please don't be angry with me, Simon. I know you and Nathaniel meant to handle this on your own. But a situation arose that warranted action on my part."

  "Lass, you know I could ne'er be angry with you."

  Glenna cast a pertinent glance Nathan's way. "If only we all felt that way. Some of us aren't quite so reasonable as yourself, Simon."

  "Lad giving you trouble, is he?"

  Glenna sighed. "And not for the first time."

  Miren chuckled and peeked over at
Nathan. He glowered, refusing to meet her eyes. "He is a troublesome individual at times. I think it's his penchant for bossiness that makes him difficult."

  His gaze shifted to her. His frown deepened. Mirenbeamed. "How do you expect to keep hidden, Mother? Or do you expect me to explain your presence to Irene MacCallum?"

  "Neither. Hiding seems . . . surreptitious. So it's necessary that my presence here seem natural."

  Nathan groaned. "Mother, you're supposed to be dead. For convenience's sake."

  "Of course, if I'm alive, Irene MacCallum's marriage could be proven invalid. But you're right. It is a nest I don't wish to stir."

  Miren looked eagerly between them. "Are you going to stay in Scotland, Mrs . . ." She paused. "Lady . . ."

  "Glenna. Your mother and I were friends, Miren. Let us be friends, also."

  "I would like that." Obviously, Nathan inherited his stubbornness, coldness, and penchant for bossiness from his father. Glenna was a sensible, pleasant woman.

  Glenna glanced down at Nat and stroked his soft brown hair from his forehead. "I'll stay, because Nat needs me. Nathan intends to return to his ship . . ." Her voice trailed, indicating she thought another course wiser for her son. "It's not for me to say."

  Miren hesitated, but curiosity overcame her sense of propriety. "Where is Nathan's father? Did he come to Scotland, too?"

  Glenna looked quickly at Nathan, then sighed. "Taregan remained in America. There is much unsaid between my husband and son."

  Nathan frowned. "Too much said."

  "Which should be unsaid, by both of you."

  Nathan didn't respond, but his jaw set in a stubborn posture. Miren and Glenna sighed at the same time.

  "You asked how I intend to conceal myself. Simple." Glenna paused, allowing Nathan's anticipationor dreadto build. "I shall disguise myself as a housemaid. You will inform Lady MacCallum you've hired a new housekeeper,

  which will both explain my presence at the manor and allow me to fish out any information"

  "No." Nathan rose from the table and turned in a circle. "No, no. You are not posing as a housekeeper. Madness."

  Simon nodded. "I'm forced to agree, Lady. Placing yourself in danger, you are."

  Glenna drew a patient breath, while Miren waited intently to see how the older and wiser woman would handle a man's difficulty.

  "The matter is settled. Tomorrow I will appear as Nathan's new servant."

  Very good. Miren committed Glenna's response to memory. "The matter is settled." She wished she had used that remark sooner and more often with Nathan herself. "The matter is settled." She hadn't meant to speak aloud, but Nathan caught her whisper. His eyes narrowed to slits.

  "You're teaching my fiancée bad habits."

  Glenna turned in her seat and assessed her son beneath a penetrating gaze. "I thought she was only 'posing' as your fiancée."

  Nathan's face colored. Miren stared in astonishment. He blushed. Even on his dark skin, it was obvious. Glenna noticed, too. "Well, well."

  Nat crawled into his grandmother's lap and yawned. "Does she belong to Uncle, Gran'mama?"

  "A woman doesn't belong to a man, my dear. Two people choose to spend their lives together because it makes their lives fuller and happier than they would have been alone. . . . Or with another person."

  Miren sighed, and her eyes misted with tears. "I don't belong to anyone." Her throat tightened. "And no one belongs to me."

  She felt Nathan's gaze as he watched her. She wondered what he was thinking. Molly sat at her feet, looking pert. "Molly belongs to me."

  Nat's attention diverted to the dog. "Dogs bite."

  Miren shook her head vigorously. ''Not Molly. She's very good. Like you."

  Simon patted the little boy on the head. More of a friendly thump than a pat. Nat winced and hid his face against Glenna. "Help."

  Simon didn't seem to notice the boy's fear. "You're safe with this one, lad. Flip won't notice you, but you can pat him if you want. But stay clear of that hairy fiend up at the manor. Take your legs off, it will."

  Nat's eyes widened, he glanced at Miren for reassurance. "Hairy fiend?"

  Miren hesitated. "Well, I don't think Muffin would take legs . . . at least, not yours. She did go after Blossom's . . ." Miren stopped and collected herself for the child's benefit. "I'd stay clear of her. She's a Pomeranian. Small." Miren held up her hands to approximate Muffin's size. Nat laughed and waved his cloth toy.

  "Like my rabbit, scruffy!"

  "But meaner. We won't worry about Muffin. She stays on Lady MacCallum's lap most of the time."

  Simon chuckled. "'Cept when she's going after my shins . . . or your pup . . . or that fat ewe."

  Glenna looked wistful. "I had a Pomeranian once. Dear little thing, he was. My grandmother gave him to me when I went to marry Kenneth. He died on the ship to America."

  A chill of understanding coursed through Miren. She saw Glenna, terrified and abused, clinging to her tiny dog as her only comfort. To lose the dog . . . Miren's eyes puddled with tears. "I would be so lost without Molly."

  Glenna reached across the table and patted Miren's hand. "For the love and friendship they give, we must endure their loss when the time comes."

  Miren scratched Molly's ears. "That is true. Our time together has been good." She looked up at Nathan. He was watching her, a strange expression on his face. As if he'd just realized something, and it gave him both strength and sorrow.

  As if he was thinking of the time when she would leave him . . .

  He looked away, too casual, but Miren knew with a woman's certainty that she had seen into his heart. If he felt that, if he truly cared, why would he send her away? If for safety's sake, why not promise her a life together when the danger passed?

  Nat reached his small hand to Molly's head, then withdrew it. Miren forced her attention from Nathan. "If you scratch here, behind her ears, she will be your friend forever."

  Nat slid off Glenna's lap and approached Molly. Molly seemed to understand the child's hesitation and sat quietly. He touched her with one finger. "She's soft."

  "I brush her coat daily, and she has many baths."

  Nat tried a firm pat, which Molly accepted stoically. He scratched behind her ears, and she closed her eyes. Miren sniffed. "She likes children. She hasn't seen many, but I knew she would. Good dog."

  Nathan looked impatient. "Daniel, I want you to take my mother and nephew back to Oban. Now, while it's still dark. I'll explain your presence somehow. I'm assuming you offered a reasonable explanation when you inquired at the manor?"

  Daniel nodded. "Told 'em I was your brother."

  Nathan slumped, but Glenna chuckled. "Daniel was wise in his actions, Nathaniel. He said he was a sailor on a transport ship, here for the purpose of delivering some of 'Laird MacCallum's' possessions from America."

  "What 'possessions'?"

  "Myself and my grandson, of course. Your housekeeper from America."

  Nathan glared. "They know MacCallum's son was a farmer, Mother."

  "He might have been a well-to-do farmer. Since we're supposed to be American, Nat's accent won't be a problem. As I said, we thought it out carefully. The matter is settled."

  "Nothing is settled, Mother. Brent Edgington, or another man, is questioning my story. What if he learns that Kenneth's real son was David, and that he died? What if he learns David had a son of his own? Wouldn't it be convenient to learn the rightful heir is already in the manor, posing as the housekeeper's grandson?"

  Miren winced at Nathan's blunt assessment. Nat peered up at Nathan with wide eyes. "Will he burn me, too?"

  "No!" Miren took the boy's small hand. "Your uncle is . . . a worrywart. You should see what he's put me through. Afraid I'll be struck by lightning, fall into a pit, get lost in the forest. I don't know how he ever survived a war."

  Nathan's mouth dropped, but Nat eyed her doubtfully. "Uncle won the war, cousin. He is brave. My father gave me his name so that I would be a hero, too."

/>   Miren's eyes puddled with sudden tears. "Yes, I know. But all heroes and brave men are worrywarts. That is how they win wars."

  Nat fell silent, considering Miren's interpretation of heroism. After a moment, he nodded. "I will be a worrywart, too."

  Glenna met Miren's eyes and smiled gently. "All men are, my dear."

  Simon set his hat to the table. "I'll keep a watch on them, Nathaniel. Put them in the servants' quarters next to mine." He paused and nodded respectfully to Glenna. "With your permission, of course, Lady."

  Glenna took Simon's hand. "That sounds good, Simon. With you near, we will be safe. You've never let me down before, and I know you never will."

  "Upon my life, Lady."

  Nathan appeared both disgruntled and stubborn. "It won't work."

  Miren and Glenna sighed at the same time. Miren adopted the other woman's assured manner. "It will. You may have forgotten, Nathan, but we're all traveling to the HighlandGames in a few days. Lady MacCallum is going with the duke, and Brent will meet us there. Your ship is in Oban. The Games are in Oban, too."

  Nathan looked as if he wanted to argue, but instead saw benefit in her words. "It could work, maybe. I'll put you on the ship . . . Daniel will take my mother and the boy to a port in England. Bristol, perhaps. Then escort Miss Lindsay to America."

  Daniel folded his arms over his chest. "America? Do I drop her just anywhere, or did you have a specific port in mind?"

  Miren kept her expression clear, but her heart flooded with unhappiness. He still meant to send her away. Why had she thought he could change his mind? "I am going to my uncle in Maine."

  Daniel nodded. "We'll take her to Portland, then."

  Nathan avoided Miren's eyes. "Go back to Oban and prepare the ship. I want it ready to leave at a moment's notice, but don't let anyone know you're about to set sail. In fact, make it look like you're doing repairs and can't set off for a few more weeks. Pass the word around Oban. I don't want Edgington a step ahead this time."

  Nat rested his small elbow on Miren's knee. He liked her. Miren's heart warmed with a feeling she'd never known. I want children, I want to be a mother. She felt motherly, knowing that the little boy needed her, and that her instincts were strong.