Her Rebellious Heart: A Scottish Historical Romance (9 page)

             
Walking across the lawn to the gate in the low stone wall, she spied Aidan walking two handsome Clydesdales and stopped for a moment to admire them.

             
“What beautiful animals, Aidan,” she said, “How strong and healthy they look. Are you taking them some place?”

             
“Yes, I'm taking them over to the town square,” he answered, barely looking at her. “There is a horse show today and I might be able to sell them.  They should bring a good price.”

             
“I don't think I would like your job, Aidan.”

             
“No? And why not, might I ask?”

             
She smiled, “I'm afraid I would get so attached to the animals I raised, I wouldn't be able to part with them.” She came closer as she spoke and reached out to caress the thick neck of one of the horses.

             
Aidan laughed. “It's just a job to me, lassie, but I think I know what you mean. I feel that way more about some of the riding horses I raise.”

             
With a final pat to the animal she was admiring, she remarked, “Well, I must be going. Got to order some things in towns. My cousin is coming to spend a few days with me.”

             
He looked quizzically at her. “Yes, I heard about the doings you are having for her.” Then, much to her surprise, he asked, “Am I invited?”

             
“Why, Aidan, I had no idea you would want to come to a birthday party? It won't be much you know, just a simple supper, probably meat pies, and a few other things to go along with them, and no strong drinks. A few games and music, that's all. Do you think you would like that? I didn't think to ask you.”

             
He narrowed his eyes as he questioned, “Is young Kevin coming?”

             
She laughed. “Och aye, I couldn't leave him out. I need him to help me with the music.”

             
“Then I would like to come also.”

             
Bridget cocked her head to one side and smiled. At the moment, he looked so much like a hurt little boy, she had an impulse to reach up and kiss his handsome face, but restraining herself she said, “All right Aidan, I'm doing it on my own and maybe you can be of some help to me if the occasion arises.”

             
He reached toward her, and kissed her gently on the cheek, causing her heart to race. “Anything at all I can do, lassie, just let me know,” and off he went whistling, leading his two horses.

             
She gazed at him with mixed emotions as he walked away from her. Sometimes lately he acted as if she weren't around, and when he did talk to her, it was more like a brother addressing a sister. She wondered now, if he and Elsie had decided to marry, and for some reason this though hurt her. Or maybe he had found another love. Dashing and handsome as he was, she felt quite sure he would have no difficulty getting almost any girl he wanted. She herself had discouraged his advances and now felt almost sure that what she had heard about him was true. She would have been another one to add to his list. It was with a sort of empty feeling she started down Castle Brae to go into town.

             
Many women were already out scrubbing the pavements in front of their houses along the way.  Some polishing brass door knobs, name plates and knockers. Those with windows at street level, busily shining the glass panes.

             
This was the first order of the day in town, to get the front entrance clean and shining. Bridget waved and called out greetings to many she knew along the way, and at the moment felt that life was very good. A brisk spring breeze was blowing as she stepped along and soon the exercise and fresh air brought a rosy glow to her face.

             
When she came to the old Parish Kirk on the Broad Gate, she stepped inside to sit for a moment in one of the back pews. Other people were there also, but peace and quiet reigned through out. 

             
As always, her attention was drawn to the beautiful stained glass window that adorned the chancel of the Kirk. The thought of being organist for a while in this hallowed sanctuary, filled her with pride, but also humility.

             
As she sat in quiet contemplation, she could almost hear the music of the recessional and see the black robed members of the choir walking in the aisle. A few moments later, renewed and refreshed, she quietly left the Kirk and went about the tasks at hand.

             
The birthday party was now coming to an end. Bridget thought that it had been a big success.  Margaret was looking almost pretty dressed as she was in a full skirted, soft blue dress of Bridget's, her hair tied back with a matching blue ribbon. The few guests had been most gracious and generous to her, each presenting her with some small gift.

             
Now as she bade them goodnight, her cheeks were flushed with pleasure, especially when Sandy, one of the young stable boys, held her hand a little longer than was necessary. Starry eyed she came towards her cousin, saying, “Bridget, I'm so happy tonight. Never have I had such a nice time.   You are so good to me.”

             
“Not at all, Margaret, everyone should have a party once in a while, and I was happy to do it for you. Now you go by the fire and talk with Robert. Aidan and I will do the cleaning up. This has been your big day, and I don't want you to do any work. Robert will entertain you with some of his stories.”

             
Aidan accompanied her to the kitchen. Besse was nowhere in sight. She had seemed displeased about the party, but there was nothing she could do to stop it and had apparently gone to her bedroom just off the kitchen.

             
Soon Bridget and Aidan had the dishes washed, parlor tidied up, and everything in ship shape order again. Bridget smiled as she watched him fold the dish towel he had been using.

             
“Have you ever dried dishes before Aidan? Looks funny to see you working in the kitchen.”

             
He smiled good-naturedly. “I don't do too much of it, but can when I have to. The foster family I lived with after I was orphaned gave me good training in survival. Fighting, riding, fishing, and hunting. Even house work at times. It was getting increasingly harder though to make a decent living, and one time when your Robert came to visit the people whose home I lived in, he offered to bring me down here and give me a chance to better myself, and also relieve them of the responsibility.” His face showed a fair off expression. “That seems so long ago now, but I am thankful I came, and will never forget what Mr. MacDonald did for me.”

             
Bridget's heart softened at his words. “I'm glad he brought you here, Aidan,” she said softly,  “but don't you miss the highlands? It must be beautiful there. I've heard my father speak of them. He goes there with the fishing fleet when their season is on. He is there now.”

             
“Aye, lassie, the highlands are very beautiful, wild and beautiful. I do miss the bens and lochs, but you can't eat scenery, you know,” he said with a smile.

             
Hanging up the towel he was holding, he came closer to her and changing the subject, asked her, “Weren't you afraid to let your bonny lad walk another girl home tonight, even if it was your sister?”

             
“Oh, Aidan, I've already told you Kevin is not my lad. He has his eye on my sister Aileen, and when he gets the promotion he spoke of the other night, they plan to become engaged. My only interest in him is the music we share.”

             
“You don't mind a younger sister getting engaged before you, then?”

             
“Not at all, I'm not interested in men at this time. Too many other things to think about.”

             
All smiles now, he quickly came towards her. He turned down the kitchen lamp and they were almost in total darkness. Possessively, he put his arms about her.

             
She trembled at his touch. As if drawn against her will, and definitely against her better judgment, she slipped her arms around him, holding him close as she returned his kisses.

             
He whispered, “Well now, lassie, that's more like it, but is it just out of gratitude because I helped you tonight, or have you maybe grown to like me after all?”

             
“What difference does it make whether I like you or not? You already have a lass.”

             
She tried to pull away from him then, but he held her close, saying, “I've had lots of lassies, but none as sweet as you, love.”

             
“Oh no, what about Elsie?”

             
“I don't know,” he answered, kissing her again, “what about Elsie?”

             
“She told me that you and she plan to be married one of these days, and while she didn't say it in so many words, I'm to keep hands off.”

             
Unperturbed and still holding her tightly, he said, “That's what she likes to think, but it isn't what I think or want. What did you tell her?”

             
“I said I hoped she would be very happy, if and when that day ever comes.”

             
He threw back his head and laughed,              “I would have given anything to see the two of you going at it.” Then more seriously he continued, “Elsie and I have been friends for a long time but only see each other occasionally, and there has been nothing serious as far as I am concerned. She is not my idea of what a wife should be.”

             
“That's your own affair, Aidan,” she said, pulling away from him, “and now let's go back to the parlor before Margaret comes looking for me.”

             
“All right, Bridget,” he whispered in the darkness, “but just one thing more. This may not be the right time or place for what I have to say, but hear me out.” He hesitated, then went on, “I love you Bridget, and want you to be my wife. Will you marry me?”

             
Her heart was pounding as she heard the pleading tone in his voice and realized just how much she really did care for him.
It would be so easy to give in to him
, she thought,
but no, I mustn’t. Not yet, not yet.
She stammered, “I like you well enough as a friend, Aidan, but as I told you before, I have no plans to tie myself down to any man for a while. Maybe a long while. I'm sorry, Aidan, but that's the way it is.”

             
Although she couldn't see him clearly, she felt his body tense in anger. He said tersely, “All right, Bridget, I shall not ask you again or bother you in any way. A man can only take so much, and if you should ever change your mind, you will have to come to me.” Then releasing her so suddenly she almost fell, he turned and left her, going directly toward his own quarters in the back of the house.

             
Bridget straightened her dress and brushed back her hair, but it was with a sinking feeling in her heart, she went and joined her grandfather and cousin by the fire.

             
“Isn't Aidan with you, lass?” he asked

             
“No, Robert, he said he was going directly to bed.”

             
“That's funny, I never even saw him go by.”

             
Yawning, she sat down beside them saying, “I've had about enough for one day too and feel we should all get to our bed, but would you like to finish the birthday cake before we do? There is just a little of it left.”

             
“Oh yes, Bridget,” answered Margaret. “That would be a perfect ending to a perfect day.”

             
“And what about you, Robert?”

             
“No, lassie, I've had enough for tonight.” As he got to his feet and stretched, he added, “It's very late, and you better not eat too much either, it might spoil your rest.”

             
He patted Bridget's head as he passed her saying,“Goodnight, girls, I'll see you in the morning.”

             
Bridget smiled up at him, “Goodnight, Grandfather, I hope you sleep well.”

             
Later in her room, she vigorously brushed her hair in front of the wardrobe mirror as she thought of Aidan and this latest development in their relationship. She wondered what his attitude would be in the morning. She was startled from her reverie when Margaret, already in bed, blurted out, “I want to stay here with you a few days longer than we had planned on, Bridget, so I can get to know young Sandy better. I think he likes me from the way he acted tonight, and I want to see more of him.”

             
Eyes popping in surprise, Bridget answered quickly, “No, Margaret, that is quite impossible. I have to start my new projects for Miss Wallace next week and would not be able to be here with you, and I'm sure Besse wouldn't want you under her feet. She was upset enough about your party tonight.  Hadn't you noticed she didn't even put in an appearance?”