Through the Fire

by Elizabeth Johns

  “No offence taken. I appreciate whisky, even if my father and brother handled the making of it.”

  “We are all pleased to be here to repay your kindness to us and are happy to have work,” Holdsworth remarked.

  “I think we shall deal rather nicely. Mrs. Ennis, have we accommodations prepared for everyone?”

  “Aye, m’lord. Cottages are ready for each of them. However, if Billings and Scott need to be housed together, we can arrange it.”

  “That would be appreciated, Mrs. Ennis.” Lieutenant Holdsworth answered for the men.

  As the group were beginning to take their leave to find their cottages, Margaux came down to greet everyone. Catriona and Maili accompanied her and made their curtsies to the newcomers.

  “Mr. and Mrs. Potts and Miss Potts, gentleman; may I present to you my wife, Lady Craig, and my wards, Miss Douglas and Miss Maili Douglas.”

  “Welcome to Scotland, I hope you will feel welcome here,” Margaux rasped out, touching her throat self-consciously.

  Gavin had to hold back a laugh as the soldiers beheld his wife for the first time. They were enchanted. Holdsworth was able to harness his admiration, but the other three stared openly with appreciation. Scott blushed as she greeted him.

  Gavin noticed Margaux had taken the bandage from her face for the first time. Her skin held but a faint reminder of the burn, with new pink skin, but it would be enough for comment and disgust in a London ballroom. So would the crippled soldiers, he reminded himself. It was just that his wife belonged in high society. She was the one more out of place than these soldiers. He prayed that Lady Ashbury would hold her tongue.

  “Everyone was about to retreat to their prospective homes, but I do hope you will all join us here for dinner?” he suggested.

  Gavin saw a look of panic on at least three of the soldiers’ faces. Margaux grabbed his arm and whispered to him.

  “My lovely wife informs me that you will be too kind to refuse, even though you are weary from your journey. We will have Mrs. Ennis send over some dinner, and perhaps we may all picnic by the loch tomorrow?”

  “I think that sounds wonderful, my lord,” Holdsworth replied.

  The new arrivals had just begun taking their leave once more, when something flew through the window, shattering glass across the room.

  Everyone had taken refuge on the floor and made not a sound. Gavin looked up when it appeared that the worst was over.

  “Is anyone hurt?”

  “No, my lord.” He heard several replies. He stood and looked at each person to reassure himself.

  “Whatever happened? There weren’t any children playing out on the lawn, were there?” Lord Ashbury asked.

  “No.” Gavin looked around for the object responsible for shattering the thick, mullioned window. “I would gather it was done on purpose, and the person responsible is the very man we are looking for.”

  “Vicar Mulligan?” Lady Ashbury asked with surprise.

  “At least we know they are in the immediate area,” Lord Ashbury said thoughtfully.

  Gavin found the good-sized rock and picked it up. It bore the words, An eye for an eye. The whore must die.

  He controlled his anger with difficulty. He most certainly did not want his wife to see the words. What had been done to warrant an eye for an eye?

  “Are we in any danger that we should know about?” Mr. Potts spoke up.

  “I doona ken. There was a fire at Breconrae, and we suspect the recent vicar and his wife of starting the mischief. There has been nothing more since then.”

  “We have set the Runners on their trail. Now that we know they are in the area, we should have an easier time tracking them down.” Lord Ashbury tried to reassure the new arrivals.

  “I will set up a watch. No one is to go anywhere alone.” Gavin looked at his wife pointedly. She nodded her head and he noticed her face heating.

  “We will help,” Holdsworth offered, and the other men nodded.

  “Let us retire to the study to discuss this,’’ Lord Ashbury suggested. Of course, Gavin reflected, the ladies were present.

  The men assembled in Gavin’s study and he shut the door. He indicated for them to take a seat and he paced the room, still holding the rock.

  He took a deep breath and held the rock out. Lord Ashbury was the first to step forward and take it from Gavin. He sucked in a deep breath.

  “God above, this is intended for Margaux!”

  “I’m afraid so.”

  “She has done nothing to warrant this treatment. She was staying at Breconrae with a chaperone. Even if the Mulligans disapproved of our choice to house abused girls who were impregnated through no fault of their own, why single her out instead of me?”

  “I’ve no idea the working of the mind of zealots. I’ve yet to find them rational.”

  “Either way, we have to deal with them before they hurt her more than they already have.”

  “Agreed.”

  “I will send for the Runners and inform them to narrow their search. I think everyone should stay here so we can concentrate our efforts and guard Margaux.”

  “I canna believe this. I wish we had a drawbridge to shut ourselves in.” Gavin shook his head.

  “I do think we should go out and investigate, to see if they left any evidence and how we can best guard against any future attacks.”

  Lord Ashbury walked to the desk and began to write a message to the Runners.

  Gavin looked toward the newly arrived soldiers. “I am sorry. You thought you were coming to Scotland to have a quiet life, and all I’ve given you is another battle to fight.”

  “Nay, m’lord. A purpose.”

  Chapter 16

  How had her life come to this? She had come here to escape society and its vipers, and now she was being persecuted in rural Scotland. Gavin had not said the rock through the window was intended for her, but it surely wasn’t an accident. This had become a nightmare. She had married a man who did not love her, she was disfigured, and would never be welcomed in polite circles again without whispers or disdain. Her mind went to the poor soldiers who had just arrived. How dare she indulge in self-pity!

  Perhaps she should set Gavin free, she considered. She had certainly been no bargain thus far; more like a burden. He was too honourable to be anything other than kind to her, but she had seen his hesitation earlier when he wouldn’t kiss her. Could she bear a marriage with a husband who could feel no more than kindness for her? Many were not so fortunate as to have that. She did not want to be the object of pity. She did not think her parents would object now if she asked to leave.

  There was a soft knock on the door. She had retreated to her room after the rock had shattered the window. That, coupled with the storm and rescue, had unsettled her. She had calmed herself to greet the newcomers, but she had still been trembling inside. Then the rock had almost shattered her nerves completely.

  She rose and answered the door.

  “I wanted to see how you were before I go out for a while.” Her husband carried in a tray of tea and biscuits. She looked at him questioningly.

  “Where are you going in the mud?”

  He hesitated to answer. Had her question been impertinent?

  “We are going to look about and see if we find any sign of the Mulligans, or whoever is determined to harm you.”

  She turned away and sucked in her breath. It had been intended for her.

  Gavin placed his arms on her shoulders.

  “I willna let them harm you.”

  “Why are they doing this? What have I done?” she asked as she hugged herself with her arms.

  “Nothing, lass. Nothing. There is a special corner of hell for hypocrites and people who misrepresent the holy word. Until they are found, I doona want you to go anywhere alone.”

  She thought in silence before speaking quietly. It still pained her to talk.

  “I think I should go to the convent, after all.”

  “You are not going anywhere,�
� he said with surprising conviction.

  “If I am gone, then you won’t be in danger here.”

  “It isn’t safe.”

  “Do you wish for an annulment?” she asked bluntly, though it hurt her more than she thought it would to voice the question aloud and she was afraid of his answer.

  “Why would you think that, lass? Have I been a poor husband?” He dropped his arms from her shoulders. “Doona answer that. I ken I have.”

  She spun around. “No.”

  She had hurt his feelings. She could see it in his face.

  “Promise you willna leave. We can discuss everything else once the Mulligans are caught.”

  He turned and closed the door without looking her in the eye. What had she done? She thought it would be a relief to him. She had been nothing but a burden. Had she just ruined her chance for happiness?

  Gavin wanted to scream. Gentle, kind, mild Gavin wanted to break something. He had been given the simple task of providing for and protecting his wife and he had failed. She had lost faith in him already and wished to annul their marriage. He had not thought the Mulligans would attempt further violence after they had murdered Mrs. Bailey, but now they had been bold enough to attack on his own land. He would never forgive himself if anything else happened to Margaux. He could not blame her for wishing to leave him, but he had fallen in love with her and he was going to prove himself to her. She might never return his love, but he would do his best to make her happy. With determination, he entered the room where the men had gathered to go and search for the Mulligans.

  The room was nearly full of all of those they could gather from the nearby estate and farms. The Runner who had been searching the local area was present and took charge. Gavin was grateful. He was too angry to think clearly. It would take all of his effort not to strangle the Mulligans when they were found. Hippocrates must be turning in his grave.

  “We need to make a thorough search out from the castle. Each of us will be responsible for an area from the house to the fence. Take note of anything at all—footprints, a scrap of fabric—anything that may seem inconsequential to you could mean something later. Understand?”

  “Aye.” The men all assented.

  “Holdsworth will be in the study. Report back to him when you are finished. I’ve called the other Runners in, and will have them start further out and move toward us. I need to know about any abandoned cottages, caves or anywhere nearby where they could be taking shelter. Holdsworth will be interviewing the servants, in case someone saw anything, or knows of anyone who could be hiding them in the village.”

  “I will offer a reward for anyone who can help us,” Lord Ashbury announced. “No one is safe until they are found.” They had not told everyone the threats were directed at Margaux.

  “I will double the reward for whoever captures them,” Gavin added.

  The men murmured amongst themselves and set out with determination. Gavin and Lord Ashbury took the area starting from the broken window, along with a Runner. There were heavily sunken boot prints outside the drawing room window, as if someone had stood and watched for some time. Gavin shivered at the thought. The attacker had been watching them. Thank God they hadn’t found Margaux on her own this morning before he had.

  “You can see where he stood, and then where he stepped back to hurl the rock,” the Runner pointed out.

  “How did he manage the force to propel the rock through the window?” Gavin wondered aloud.

  “There are the footprints from where he ran away, but they are lost in the grass. They head toward the trees,” Lord Ashbury remarked.

  “I suggest we follow in that direction. Perhaps we may pick up a trail again if the rain hasn’t washed it away,” the Runner suggested.

  “Do you think they willna realize they left prints?” Gavin asked as they headed toward the trees, searching the area around them as they walked.

  “Who knows what people do in these situations,” the Runner explained. “These were not hardened criminals, according to the village gossip. I think he or she snapped when Lord Craig dismissed them. Begging your pardon, m’lord.”

  “Nay. I know I acted out of haste,” Gavin said meekly. “I will carry the blame for Mrs. Bailey’s death and my wife’s burns to the grave.”

  “You did the right thing, Craig. Do not question or blame yourself. I know Margaux does not. You cannot know what evil people hide behind. Especially a man of the cloth,” Lord Ashbury said with conviction.

  Gavin was not as certain his wife did not blame him.

  “We have to find them,” Gavin whispered. He was beginning to feel desperate. It was more real now that they had attacked his house, too. Before, he’d had no proof it had been a deliberate act.

  “We are headed toward Breconrae,” Lord Ashbury noticed as they reached the rock fence between the properties.

  “Have you seen any more prints?” Gavin asked.

  The Runner shook his head. “I was hoping to pick up the trail again. We will need to expand the search, but let us see if any of the others have found anything. M’lord, have you any hounds? They might be able to pick up a scent.”

  “Aye. Iain kept a pack. I am sure they would be of help.”

  The hounds had been unable to pick up the scent. They had tried for the rest of the day. Either the rain had washed it away, or the rock did not hold enough odour for them to track in the first place. Gavin directed the Runner to the vicarage to see if anything could be found to assist their quest.

  The other men had found nothing in their search, and Gavin was having difficulty remaining optimistic. The perpetrator had waited long enough between the fire and throwing the rock that he had let down his guard. Would they do the same again? He could not credit the Mulligans with so much sophistication. It was more likely they were becoming short of funds and desperate. The thought gave him chills. He passed a restless night, wondering what else he could do.

  With several men keeping watch, and the Runners searching, Gavin had to proceed with the harvest. The rest of the world did not slow down for his troubles. He did not want to stop living due to fear, but it was not only himself he was concerned with. He had a wife and children he was responsible for. He could not bear the thought of losing Margaux. He prayed the Runners would be more successful, and the men would be able to protect her.

  The ball was only a few days away, and it would be nigh impossible to ensure the safety of his wife with so many people about. He could not lock her in her room, could he? Tempting as it was, that would not go down well with her.

  Wallace was teaching Holdsworth, and Buchanan had been studying the whisky recipes and taking charge of the distilling at the barn. Gavin had yet to make the rounds to meet the tenants and hand deliver the ball invitations as was the custom. He could no longer delay. Normally, the lady of the manor would accompany him on such an errand. Would Margaux be safe with only him to guard her? If he took the closed carriage and stayed on the main path, perhaps. Would she be willing? Would the villagers be offended if he left her behind? Their lack of welcome of her at church made him wonder. But she was Lady Craig now, and she had been grievously injured. He had to remind himself often, for she did her best to hide that fact.

  He entered the breakfast room to find her, but she wasn’t there. She had not been in her room, either.

  “Tallach, would you know where Lady Craig is?”

  “Aye, m’lord. She is with the ladies in the parlour, assembling the tenants’ baskets for the ball.”

  “Verra good, Tallach. Would you please call the carriage?”

  He stood at the door and watched his stunning wife as she worked and oversaw the packing of the goods for the villagers. She and her mother spoke French with Catriona and Maili, who watched her with adoration. He understood the feeling. She was graceful and elegant, even with her bandages. He admired her determination despite her troubles. She certainly had ample reason to hide away and sulk, yet she was working to help him—the husband who kept let
ting her down. Would he ever feel worthy? Ever be worthy? God, he hoped it would be so. He had let his guard down and fallen in love again. No, he was not sure he had ever been in love before. It had not felt like this.

  His wife caught him staring at her and blushed. He would not apologize. She would have to become accustomed to him adoring her. She needed to know how he felt. Perhaps that would make her want to leave even more, or perhaps she thought him indifferent. He was not.

  He walked toward her.

  “I am going to the village to deliver the invitations. Would you care to join me?”

  He saw the look of panic cross her face. He took her arm and led her away from the others.

  “You doona have to if you are not comfortable. It is a tradition, but they will understand if you are not well enough.”

  “No. I will go. Let me fetch my bonnet.”

  She was magnificent. She would have made an excellent soldier. She mastered her fears and faced them as well as anyone he had ever seen. When she had returned, he took her arm and went out of the front door.

  “The carriage has a broken wheel, m’lord,” a footman announced as Gavin and Margaux stepped out and saw the gig instead of the closed carriage.

  “That is strange. It hasna been used since I returned from Alberfoyle.”

  “No, m’lord,” the groom answered.

  Gavin felt a moment’s unease, but did not know what to make of it. Was it a coincidence the carriage’s wheel was broken? Thank heavens it had been noticed before they were riding in it down the slope to the village. Recollection of Iain and his family’s demise in a carriage accident gave him an ill feeling. It must be coincidence, he reasoned. He did not want to take Margaux in the open conveyance, but he had little choice, other than to leave her home. He felt under his cloak to make sure his pistol was secured. He had never been one to carry a weapon, but times were desperate.

  “Thank you for your vigilance,” he said to the footman, who tried not to blush but nodded.

  He helped his wife into the small gig and urged the mare on. It was a beautiful summer’s day. One would never know how dreadful the weather the day before had been, if not for the soft roads.