by Hunt, Brenda
He came across a young lad at the river’s edge fishing. No, attempting to fish was a better description. He watched as he climbed over the rocks and came dangerously close to the edge. He held his breath once when the boy came much too close and his foot slipped slightly, but the young lad caught his balance easily. Worth knew the waters to be frigid and should the boy fall, it would mean disaster.
Quietly, he dismounted and slowly approached the boy. He did not wish to startle him. He was much too close to the water’s edge. He was afraid, if he called out to him, he would turn and lose his balance. He waited till the boy took several steps away from the edge.
“Hello, there,” stated Worth, in a normal voice, as not to frighten the young boy. He was young, perhaps seven or eight, light golden brown hair. Blue-gray eyes stared up to him. “Are you having any luck, lad?”
The boy shook his head.
Worth smiled. “Maybe I can be of help then. Me dad showed me a trick to make the fish come to the hook,” he said as he dismounted his horse.
The boy looked at him with skepticism.
Worth held out his hand to him. “I be Colin Wells. Just passing through and saw you fishing. Thought, maybe, I could be of some help to ye.”
The young boy took the offered hand and gave it a good shake. He was still suspicious of the stranger but if he could help him catch some fish to bring home, it would be glorious.
“I am Aiden McGowan, laird of Glendenning.”
Worth raised his eyebrow in question. “Well then, my lord, if you will allow me to show the trick I know, we shall catch some fish.” He wondered what the young laird was doing here at the river’s edge with no one to accompany him.
“Yes, please. I’m tired of eating mutton. We have had mutton everything,” explained Aiden.
“Well I can understand how that can be very tiresome. Fresh fish would indeed be a pleasant change.” Worth took the line from the boy’s hands and carefully began to ply the fly upon the water. No sooner had it hit the water it was struck by a trout. Worth brought it in.
Aiden did a little jig on the rocks much to Worth’s discomfort. “Ye got one.”
“Yes, I did,” as he unhooked the fish and placed in the basket near the boy’s feet.
“Here, let me show you how,” said Worth as he put the rod in the boy’s hands and showed him how to dance the fly upon the water. It was struck just as soon as Worth’s one had. “Careful boy as you bring him in,” instructed Worth. “Do you live near here?”
“Aye, at Glendenning keep up the road,” answered Aiden as he brought in another fish. “with Elspeth and Rab and my sisters, Lili and Ali. Alysa is my twin.”
“Elsbeth and Rab?”
“Elsbeth is Elsbeth. She takes care of us. Rab is her son. He talks to the horses.”
Worth nodded. “And Lili, your sister?”
Aiden frowned. “Lili tells us all what to do.”
Worth smiled. “Lili is older, I take it.”
“Yes, she’s old. Elsbeth says she should be married by now, but Papa didn’t want her to and now Papa has died. Uncle Edward came last summer and made Lili cry. I don’t like him.”
Worth nodded as he helped him bring in another fish. It seemed the McGowans’ had hit on hard times. This Uncle Edward, the young lad spoke of, had not helped them any.
“Where did this Uncle Edward come from?” asked Worth.
“I think London. Far away. He said he would be comin’ back, but I’m not gonna to let him make Lili cry when he comes back,” stated Aiden with a frown.
Worth looked at the young lad with compassion. He wanted to protect his sister. He understood those feelings. How he had so wanted to protect Caroline but in the end, he felt like he had failed her. Perhaps, he could help young Aiden protect his.
“Maybe he won’t return.”
“The basket’s full Mr. Wells.”
“So it is.”
“Will ye come, sir, with me to the keep and share the fish we’ve caught? Lili will not scold me, if ye’re with me. Elsbeth is a good cook,” stated Aiden as he grabbed the basket. “This way, follow me.”
Now, the truth came out. He was not supposed to be fishing at the river. Worth grabbed the reins of his horse and walked along side of the young boy.
“It will be so good to have fish. Everybody’s going to be so happy not to be eating mutton again. Thank ye for showing me yer dad’s trick. I wasn’t catchin’ any till ye come along.”
Worth nodded.
They turned the corner past a small grove of trees and the keep came into view. It was rather small, square three stories high, with a square tower at one corner. The stone wall about the place was missing in several places. The closer they got to the keep, the more Worth could see the signs of neglect and disrepair.
At the door to the barn, Aiden turned, “You can put your horse up in the barn.”
Worth nodded and led his horse into the barn and put him in the closest stall. He looked over the three other horses in the barn. A big roan colored work horse. No doubt used to pull the wagon outside the door. Another dark gray horse stood in the next stall. But the one that caught his attention was in the last stall. The last stall was occupied by a black hessian.
He may not have gotten a good look at this highwaywoman, but he had gotten a good look at her horse and this was her horse. He smiled. He had found his highwaywoman. This was going to be interesting.
Aiden was waiting for him at the door.
“I’ll see to my horse and my things later,” explained Worth.
Aiden nodded. “Follow me, Mr. Wells.”
“I think Colin will do. After all we have fished together.”
Aiden smiled. He liked Mr. Wells, no Colin. He was not like his Uncle Edward. Maybe, he could help Lili. He knew she was trying her best but he also knew she was just a girl. There were things she could not do.
Aiden walked into the kitchen and placed the basket of fish on the table. Elsbeth turned and saw the basket of fish and shook her head but smiled slightly. She looked up to the man at his side and hoped he had caught the fish but she knew Aiden had been involved in some way.
“Master Aiden have ye been by the river fishin’ when your sister forbade you?” asked Elsbeth.
“No, he was with me. He came across me fishing at the river and has offered me a place to stay in exchange for the fish. I am on my way to Edinburgh,” explained Worth, hoping Aiden would support his story. The elderly woman who stood before him, reminded him of Mrs. Warren, his housekeeper at Stoneybrook. He had never been able to pull one over on her and he was certain Elsbeth was the same.
Aiden’s eyes widened for a moment then he shook his head in agreement. “Yes and he showed me how to catch fish, too. He’s gonna to stay with us. I’ve invited him. ”
Elsbeth looked from this stranger to Aiden and knew there was more to this story, but she was not about to question it further. The basket of fresh fish on the table was too good a deal to pass up. It would be a pleasant change for their table.
“I am Colin Wells. You must be Elsbeth,” introduced Worth. He knew if he was to stay and learn the secrets here, he was going to have to have Elsbeth on his side. He could see her eyeing him and reserving her judgement.
“Thank ye Mr. Wells, for the fish and takin’ care of Master Aiden here. Lady Lilias would be very upset with him, if she found out he had been fishin’ on the river all alone after she told him not to.”
A large burly man walked in from a door to the back of the kitchen. He eyed the stranger who stood with his mother and Aiden.
Worth looked him over quickly. Yes, this was probably the other highwayman that night. He didn’t want to be recognized as the titled lord they had robbed several nights ago. He was certain he would not. He was dressed in ordinary clothes. The stubble of a beard covered his face. His disguise had gotten him through better scrutiny than this.
“Mr. Wells, this be my son, Rab. Rab, we have a guest, Master Aiden has brought home.”
Rab nodded and held out his hand.
Worth shook his hand. Big strong hands. From the look on Rab’s face, he knew he was safe from discovery. “Good to meet you, Rab.”
“Rab, Mr. Wells left his horse in the born,” stated Aiden.
“Don’t bother, Rab. I will see to my horse myself later.”
“Aiden James William McGowan what is going here?” a feminine voice asked from the doorway.
Worth turned and found himself staring into clear light blue eyes. He watched as the young woman walked into the kitchen with a female replica of Aiden at her side. She was taller than most women he knew, tall, thin, willowy, a riot of hair the color of a dark sunset. Hair of red, he heard Dulcey’s voice in his head. Damn, he thought. Dulcey, had not told him she would be so young and in so much trouble.
“Lili, this is Mr. Colin Wells. I met him at the river fishing. He caught some fish for us. I told him he could stay with us. He’s going to Edinburgh,” explained Aiden in a rush. He knew he was in trouble ‘cause Lili never used all of his names.
Lili narrowed her eyes as she looked from Aiden to this Mr. Wells of his. There was more to this, of that, she was certain.
“Welcome to Glendenning, Mr. Wells. Aiden, you and I will speak later,” stated Lili. Glendenning had never turned away a traveler but this would put an additional strain on their larder. She looked to Elsbeth and knew she was thinking the same thing. Well at least, he had come bearing gifts. A basket of fresh fish was a welcome change.
“You’re in trouble Aiden,” stated Alysa.
“No, I’m not,” argued Aiden.
“Quiet, you two,” admonished Lili. She gazed at their new guest. Why did she think of a lion when she saw him. She had seen one years ago at a fair she had attended with her father in Edinburgh. Was it the golden streaks in his hair or was it the brown eyes with gold flecks that reminded her. Whatever, she felt this man was strong both physically and mentally. There was an air of authority about him, even though his clothes were plain. She would need to tread carefully around him.
“Again, welcome, Mr. Wells. We don’t usually get many visitors about here. We are off the regular road to Edinburgh,” stated Lili. She was curious.
“Thank you, Lady MacGowan. I am not familiar to the area and took the wrong road sometime yesterday and ended up here. Young Aiden here, has invited me to spend the night, but if that is inconvenient for you, I will certainly understand and I can be on my way,” explained Worth, as he watched her reaction closely. He saw the slight blush to her cheeks.
“Lili, I invited him. You can’t turn him away. He taught me how to fish. I am the laird and I say he stays.” Aiden looked at her through narrow eyes.
Lili looked at Aiden and saw how serious he was. For this stranger to have taken the time to teach Aiden to fish was a plus in his favor. “No, Mr. Wells. You are most welcome here. You come bringing a gift, a basket of fish. As you see, I have a mutiny on my hands should I refuse and I heartily do not.”
Aiden nodded at his sister.
Lili smiled at her little brother, trying to be the laird. She was not usually so suspicious of people, but since Edward’s visit last summer, she was wary of strangers.
Worth watched the smile she gave her younger brother transform her face to the young girl she should be. It was fleeting, only to be replaced again by the serious face of the lady of the keep.
“Thank you, again, my lady. I shall be more than willing to help with any of the chores here.”
“Well, let’s see about cleaning all these wonderful fish first. Let us make a grand meal of it. It is a special treat,” replied Lili. She thought they all needed a change.
“Yes, Rab and Master Aiden you can help me clean them. Can you, Lady MacGowan and Mistress Elsbeth and you,-------” Worth bent down in front of feminine twin version of Aiden.
“Alysa. I am Alysa,” she stated.
Worth smiled. She reminded him of his niece Abby. “Very nice to meet you, Miss Alysa MacGowan.” He held out his hand to her.
Alysa took his hand and nodded. “Very nice to meet you, Mr. Wells.”
Lili smiled a little. This Mr. Wells appeared to be charmer. Again, Lili thought, she needed to be wary of this man. Already, he was taking charge of things. She watched as Rab and Aiden followed Mr. Wells out the door with the basket of fish.
Lili immediately turned to Elsbeth. “What do you think of our guest?”
Elsbeth sighed. She did not know what to tell Lili. He appeared to be someone who was used to getting his way. He was not a lost traveler. Of that, she was fairly certain. Just who he was, she did not know. For the time being, she would keep a close eye on him.
“Donnae know, m’lady. Master Aiden has taken to him. He’s lookin’ for someone to look up to. A man. Mr. Wells has been kind to him.”
Lili closed her eyes. She knew Elsbeth was right. But there was no way that could happen.
“I like him, too, Lili,” said Alysa. “He’s nice.”
Lili sighed. Well, she had honored Aiden invitation to the wayward traveler. He was their guest for the night.
“Let’s make the best of this. Fresh fish will be a pleasant change. What do we have in the cellar? Do we have any dried fruit left? Maybe we could make some pudding,” suggested Lili. She had been able to get some supplies yesterday.
“I think we have some dried apples.” It would be good to have some sort of celebration. The house had been so melancholy for so long, more so, after the visit of that Edward. She prayed he did not return like he promised he would.
By the time the men came back in with the fish cleaned, the women had the beginnings of a feast. Everyone helped and the mood in the kitchen lightened.
Worth told them he had been a soldier in the war, which really wasn’t far from the truth. Informed them, he worked for the Duke of Worthingston and was on his way to Edinburgh on business for the Duke. That wasn’t exactly a lie either. He had learned long ago to keep his lies close to the truth. It made them easier to remember. They appeared to accept all he told them.
Aiden was quiet inquisitive about the war. Instead Worth told him some stories of his childhood when he was about Aiden’s age. He had them all laughing when he told them story of him being chased up the tree during a fox hunt, him and the fox.
As they sat at the table to eat, Aiden had seen to it that Worth had sat between him and Lili.
Lili looked out upon the table and smiled to see it bountiful for a change. It had been such a long time since they had been privileged. It was her turn to give the blessing. She bent her head. “Thank you, dear Lord above, for the feast you have so provided us. Thank you for bringing our guest and his most generous supply of fish to us. Keep us safe. Amen.”
All at the table replied, “Amen.”
Lili watched as Aiden tore into his fish with such relish. He had been so tired of mutton. Lili took a bite and let the delicious taste savor in her mouth. She had not realized how truly tired she was of eating mutton, too. She closed her eyes and licked her lips with pleasure. This was so delicious. She couldn’t remember fish ever tasting so good. She looked at the twins, Elsbeth and Rab. They had the look of pure pleasure on their faces. For a moment, she realized how dismal their life had become. No, she would not think of that now. Now, she would just enjoy this special feast that had been given them by their guest.
Worth watched her and when she licked her lips, he felt it deep within him. His manhood responded instantly. No, he must not think along those lines. Remember this was the highwaywoman who had robbed him. But he kept hearing Dulcey’s voice in his head, “Hair of red.”
“Oh, Mr. Wells, thank you. This is so good,” said Alysa with the juice dripping down her chin. She used her fingers to capture the drip and licked her fingers clean.
“It is good, Colin. I’m glad you came to the river,” said Aiden.
“Mr. Wells, Aiden,” corrected Lili. But she could already see Aiden forming an attachment to the stranger. She
knew Aiden needed a male to look up to, to teach him manly things, she nor Rab could teach him. But it would be very hard on Aiden, if he formed an attachment to their guest. He would be gone soon. Another thing to worry about. Just not tonight.
“He said I could call him Colin,” argued Aiden, looking at his sister, as though she did not understand.
“Can I call him Colin, too?” asked Alysa not wanting to be left out. “We call Elsbeth and Rab by their names.”
“We do,” added Aiden to the argument.
“I did tell young Aiden here, he could call me by my Christian name,” offered Worth.
Lili looked to the set of eyes that looked to her, all of them, awaiting her decision. She let out a sigh of surrender. “Very well, then. It seems, I am outnumbered.”
“Good,” replied Elsbeth. “That’s settled. Let’s finish eatin’ our fish cause A made apple dumplings.”
“Yeah!” the twins called out in unison.
Lili smiled. It was good to hear the twins excited again, even if was about apple dumplings. Aiden began telling stories of picking apples and Worth added some of his own that made them laugh.
Worth watched the worry line between Lady Lilias eyebrows disappear. A couple of times he heard her soft laugh. Why did it touch his soul? He blamed Dulcey for making him look at Lady Lilias in a different light. Dulcey and her talk of red hair and a merry chase. No, Lady Lilias was much too young and he much too old, in age and in experience. He would stay for a few days and find out what she needed to keep her and her family safe. He would make certain, she did not roam as a highwayman again. He cringed at the thought of what could happen to her, if she continued on with these escapades of hers.
After everyone had finished eating and the table had been cleared, they all sat in the great room near the fireplace.
“Will you read to us tonight, Lili?” asked Alysa as she climbed into Lili’s lap, as she sat in one of the rockers near the fire.
“Please, Lili,” pleaded Aiden.
Lili looked to Elsbeth and Rab who nodded. They had enjoyed her reading, as well.
“Get the book Aiden,” replied Lili.