Wedgewick Woman (22 page)
“’Tis not we would dislike you, the older man said firmly, “’tis that the young Scots in the Campbell Clan so close to us are talking of an uprising. There is likely to be trouble if I know my people.” He finished shaking his head.
She nodded, but knew very little about the Scot temperament except Laird Carmichael’s and he seemed to be a mostly fair man…a very fair man…she amended.
“Aye, t’would not be good for a young English lass such as yourself to be seen around here.” His white bushy eyebrows frowned at her.
“Thank you, for the warning.” She nodded slightly “Now I am tired. Might we get a night’s rest before we continue?”
“Aye. We have a cot here by the fire. Now you take this one and your driver can sleep in the byre with us.”
“In the byre? Must you? Have you no other room?” she twisted her hands.
“Aye, the byre is on the other side of that room, there through the open door and the hearth heats both rooms well enough. And…” the older woman laughed, we are quite fortunate to have the entire cottage to ourselves for most times two families live in a space as fine as this.”
Annabel had wondered at the smell when she walked in; but had never visited a crofter’s cottage. They slept with their animals housed inside their cottage, she realized.
“Our bed rests on the other side of that wall. Do not concern yourself. We will put an extra cot in there for your driver. Her driver rose and joined them and she was left to herself with a small cot between the small marred wood table and the hearth. Instantly she fell asleep.
The morning was dark and overcast. “Coming up a bit of wind over the hills.” The crofter’s wife predicted as she stirred oats over the fire in a large black pot. There’d be toasted bread and we have a bit of butter.”
“It sounds very good. Cork are you coming?” Annabel called to him through the doorway.
“Aye…I have been about feeding the animals.” He said pleased with himself.
“You have done your duty well.” She smiled and bowed slightly, remembering not to tousle his hair in the presence of others for she understood that he wanted to be seen as a man.
After the morning meal, Annabel, Cork and the driver all had a spot of tea before they began their journey once again.
“It has been very kind of you to take us in.” she took the old woman’s hand. “And I shall not forget it.” They turned to leave.
Annabel had noticed the driver seemed to hang back and Cork with him and she found herself in the carriage alone waiting. In a few moments they joined her.
“Why so solemn?” she leaned over to talk to Cork.
“Oh ‘tis nothing.” He put a smile on his face and looked out the windows. “It’s a dark day.” He said quietly.
“That it is…but the wind and cold have held back.”
“Aye.” He said and the driver turned the carriage toward London.
Chapter
33
By the time the carriage reached London, Cork and Annabel had tired of the continual rocking motion not to mention the cold, rainy weather. Most times they stayed at an Inn or some wayside country house but Annabel was most anxious to be home.
When they finally pulled up in front of the London house, she looked right away for signs of her mother or Meredith. If they were about she and Cork would leave for the cottage immediately.
Banging the heavy door knocker, for she left her key with the butler, she waited patiently in the early morning dawn for the door to open. Cork, sleepy eyed whispered “This is London….”
“London. It is home to both of us for a time. I shall show you all I know.” She promised and the door opened.
“Miss Wedgewick, how good to see you.” McAllister’s coat tail was stuck in his back pocket. He would be horrified if he knew it. Annabel smiled.
“Cork, McAllister, our butler.” The young boy threw out his hand and the butler took it rather gently and Cork gave it a good shake.
“Very good to meet you, Sir.” His young Scot brogue clear. Annabel knew he wanted to make certain McAllister knew he was a Scot.
“And good it is to meet you young sir.” McAllister returned promptly.
“Shall I get you tea, Miss, or will you retire to your rooms?”
“Tea sounds delightful, McAllister, but I insist on making it myself. Cork and I will see to it. You must return to your bed.”
McAllister’s face nearly fell to the floor. `He was unused to being ordered away. It was his duty to serve his master.
“Please do not be upset. I am not unhappy with you, McAllister. It’s just that…..well…I must learn to think of others and not just myself.” She finished.
“She’s quite independent.” Cork used the big word.
“Is that so?” The butler looked down at the boy. “As you wish Miss Wedgewick…but if you need anything…”
“Thank you kindly, McAllister. I will call you immediately.” She tapped his shoulder and he looked surprised. An employer rarely touched the help in a friendly way.
Annabel saw a slight smile on the proper man’s face and enjoyed it.
After tea and some of Ivy’s excellent scones, Annabel no longer felt sleepy nor tired. “I am renewed just having my feet on the ground in my own home.” She said lightly. “Shall we start early? For we have only a few days and I must return you to the Laird.” She thought a minute. “Cork will be quite lost without your services…” she let her voice trail off and saw Cork’s shoulders straighten just a little.
“Aye…let’s be about it than. I’m game. Can’t work me too hard.” He grabbed his hat and plopped it on his dark head.
Annabel took him out the door. It was already daylight and the bustle of the city shocked Cork’s eyes.
“I’ve never seen so many carriages, nor people in one place.” He whispered, his brown eyes darting this way and that taking in everything.
For three days Cork walked with her until blisters had formed on her English feet, so intense was his desire to learn.
“You should be a teacher.” He told her on the last day. “For you have taught me much. I have decided that I want to come to University. Not here in London but at Edinburgh.” He stated proudly.
“Truly you have grown up these last days, Cork.” She said tears beginning to form. “And you shall make an excellent student.”
She saw the boy look away, but not before she saw shininess in his eyes.
When the hour came for the Laird’s driver to leave with Cork. Annabel thought her heart would break. For her loss and for his. They had bonded in a special way. He had sometimes allowed her to hold his hand as they walked along and talked.
“I think me mother is happy I have you.” Cork called down to Annabel from the high seat.” And glanced a sideways look at the driver, who stared straight ahead.
“Truly I am honored Cork.” She felt her voice weaken. “And ‘tis soon I shall come to look out for the Mulhannon’s where you will come to visit me?”
“Aye.” He tipped his hat and they were off, Annabel waving furiously until they’d turned the corner and disappeared.
* * *
Missing Cork and Phoebe and Eleanor…the cold months passed slowly. To spend time wisely, Annabel sat down and made a plan for the Mulhannon lands that she now owned. She would live among them and help. Treat them like the Laird did. Perhaps even see Eleanor and Cork and Phoebe every now and again. She had no reason to stay in London and live alone, the world seemed to close in around her even with all the rush about the busy streets of London.
She made her visit to Dr. Kane’s office to give him word of Eleanor’s progress and to apologize for her lack of manners at refusing his offer of employment. He forgave her immediately and Annabel met his very capable attendant. Once or twice he collected her during luncheon and they talked.
When the days seemed to pass too slowly she would think about Eleanor. Was she walking? Had Phoebe married Fergus? And then knew she must have for they could hardly be apart a minute, which made her smile and if the Laird was married. And if Eleanor had a mother.
Many nights were spent wondering about her real father. Who he was, if he was still alive. Did he have other family.
Most of all she wondered why she hadn’t been smart enough to notice the difference between her and her two beautiful sisters.
Those were lonely days and nights.
Chapter
34
1811
At the first signs of spring in London, Annabel made plans to return to Scotland. Her mother heard that she returned to the townhouse and sent two short letters, mostly instructing her regarding household matters. Twice she sent much needed funds and with her frugal juggling Annabel managed to save some for her own needs.
Meredith wrote not a word.
During the long months inside, Annabel sewed several plain dresses of durable fabric. Living alongside the cottars in the longhouses would require a wardrobe that suited her surroundings and she did not want to appear overly English to the Scots who were a proud people.
Satisfied with her work, she packed a large trunk, hired a driver and interviewed several companions. She chose one older lady who, quite low in her purses, had seemed honest enough and needed an income.
The trip back to Scotland was much more pleasant. With someone to converse with and the colorful profusion of spring flowers to entertain her eyes, she identified buttercups, daisies, foxglove and clover. As they rode along Annabel closed her eyes and pulled into her nostrils the fresh fragrance of the newly ripened earth. She felt the first spring of hope arise in her heart.
She asked the driver to take her to the older couple’s home they had stayed at before. They appeared nice enough, but not as happy to see her as before, she noted sadly. Nevertheless they allowed her, her companion and driver to stay with them.
“It will be just for a few days, until I can find a place of my own.” She said and the two looked at each other, but said nothing.
While the driver was yet carrying her trunk inside the elderly gentleman sent a missive to Laird Carmichael.
When Cork and the Laird’s driver returned to Dunbeernton those months ago they told their master of Annabel’s desire to the Mulhannon lands. The Laird had at first looked angry and then determined. Both young man and older knew it bode no good. Something was amiss and they had their instructions that should they hear of Miss Wedgewick’s return to the Mulhannon’s; he was to know immediately.
The missive arrived when the Laird was in Edinburgh. When he returned he was met first by Cork.
“She is back, Sir.”
“Who?” he said as he stepped down from Knight.
“Miss Wedgewick. She has returned to the cottar’s house.” He could hardly contain himself, worried that she might get hurt…or worse. Her being English and a lass and all.
“Aye…’tis this day I have dreaded.” He patted his horse and let the stable boy take his mount to the stables for proper care. Cork looked at the Laird’s expression.
“She is not in danger is she?” Cork asked handing the Laird a clean pair of boots for the spring rains had muddied his other ones.
Lee looked down into the anxious face and saw that the boy loved the woman. He would not lie. “She is at that.” He said. “But you are not to repeat what I have told you. I am about to ride over to see to her after I’ve had some refreshment and let Knight rest for a while. Ready yourself.” he added quickly and saw the brown eyes light up. “Polish my boots. I would have a clean pair when I return.” He ordered.
Cork was off knowing the Laird was just spouting, for every day since he’d first made the error of misplacing the Laird’s boots he had fulfilled his duty to perfection.
Lee had had plenty of time to think what he was going to say to Annabel. She knew nothing of the Scot’s ways and was about to put herself in danger, not to mention the Mulhannons. He hated to tell her what he knew would break her heart… again. But it had to be done.
He ran above stairs to see his daughter first. “Aye, ye have grown lass and me being gone barely eight days.” He picked her up then set her down when she wiggled out of his embrace.
Her limp was strong yet and her legs wobbly. Flinging her arms in wide circles as she steadied herself, she made the short trip and fell into his arms.
“A strong lass ye are.” He laughed heartily, set her on her feet, and promptly asked her to do it again. She complied and he sat down to read to her like Annabel had done.
“Phoebe.” He called to her governess. “Please see that she has a walk about the grounds today. It is a fine day. I shall be leaving this eve and return on the morrow.”
“Aye.” Phoebe answered.
He noticed how the English woman had picked up the Scot ways. She and Fergus were waiting until Spring to be married. She wanted to carry fresh daisies and walk the hills, green and lush, on their wedding day. Nothing less would do for Phoebe and the Laird knew she would have her way.