Whence Came a Prince (40 page)

“Agreed.” Rose exchanged glances with Leana. “On both counts.” Jamie’s speech was rather formal, as if he’d prepared what he was going to say. Did her sister know where this was leading? Did
she
?

Jamie did not pace back and forth, as he often did, but stood his ground, his voice as firm as his stance. “Despite my efforts, Lachlan McBride has done nothing but deceive me, swicking me out of my wages.”

“And your lambs,” Rose prompted him, though the bleating flocks behind him were reminder enough.

Jamie acknowledged her with a nod. “Ever since Lachlan returned from Moffat threatening to disown Leana unless I remained at Auchengray, I have begged God for an answer. Last night I heard from him. In a dream.”

Her mouth fell open. “When I woke you …”

“That was the start of it.” Jamie eyed them both before he continued. “Then I heard my name. Whether ’twas an angel or the Almighty, I cannot say. He told me, as clearly as I am speaking to you, that I am to leave Auchengray and return to my father’s land. With my family.”

“Jamie, that is wonderful news!” Rose threw herself into his arms, nearly knocking him over in her exuberance. “I shall finally see Glentrool!”

She pressed a kiss to his neck, stemming her tears. Did he realize what must be done, as she did? Would he understand, or would his anger burn against her? Rose stepped out of his embrace to grasp her
sister’s hand, pulling Leana to her feet. There would be no better time than this to present her case.

“I have not heard the voice of an angel, but I know in my heart what is right.” Rose looked at each of them, more certain than ever of her decision. “We cannot go without my sister. She bears your child, as I do, and needs a proper roof over her head. Leana must come with us to Glentrool.”

“Rose!”
They said her name as one, disbelief on both their faces.

“I cannot bear to see you humiliated by our father, Leana. Not for one more hour, let alone for all your days.” She turned to her husband, desperately hoping he would not be angry with her. “I believe ’tis the fair and right thing to do, Jamie. I pray I have not overstepped my bounds.”

He surprised her with a broad smile. “Indeed you have not.”

O
verwhelmed, Leana stepped backward, nearly tumbling over the stone fence behind her. “Rose, you have … saved my life.” She sank onto the dyke, covering her face with her hands. “I was afraid that I … that my child … that we would live … and that Ian …” She rocked back and forth, trying to swallow, trying to speak.

Rose was beside her in an instant, her arms circled round her shoulders. “After all you did for me, Leana … all you sacrificed … how could I leave without you?”

They held each other tight, cheeks pressed together, until Leana could finally take a full breath. Jamie produced a handkerchief, then offered fresh sips of water. Leana clasped the silver flask, gazing up at Jamie as she drank. Was he in agreement or simply humoring his headstrong wife? She was certain of Rose’s sentiments. Might he truly feel the same?

“Jamie …” Leana handed back the empty flask, not letting go until she had his complete attention. “If you would rather I stayed …”

“Nae, lass. I would rather you came.” The sincerity of his words, the honesty in his gaze, dispelled any doubt. “My generous wife speaks for us both.”

“Come, come. I am as selfish as ever.” Rose winked and pulled her closer. “Now I shan’t have to suffer through my confinement alone. You will be there to care for me.”

Leana smiled through her tears.
Always, Rose.

“It is settled, then.” Rose stood, stretching as if she’d been hunched over carding wool all morning. “And we must take Eliza, for she is the only dowry Father provided for Leana when … ah, when she married.”

Leana watched for a change in his expression. “Jamie, I do not mean to burden you further.” Was it too much to ask to bring her lady’s maid? “I must confess, Eliza is very dear to me.”

“Then the lass will join us. She can keep Annabel company and help care for Ian.”

“Bless you.” Leana lowered her gaze, not letting herself look at Jamie any longer than necessary. She knew what this decision would cost him. And what it would require of her.
My beloved Jamie.
They must never be together, just the two of them. Never speak of the past, never touch in any way, never let their gazes linger.

Her sister had given her everything her heart desired: freedom from their father, the chance to be with Ian, a future and a hope. Leana vowed she would not demean that priceless gift for one moment nor dishonor the One whose grace made it possible.

Rose released an airy sigh. “When do we tell Father?”

“Never.” Jamie surprised them both. “We will tell no one. Not the other servants nor our neighbors. No one must ken.”

A look of concern crossed Rose’s features. “Is there something we’ve not been told?”

“ ’Tis best if you do not ken the whole of it.” He shifted his gaze from one sister to the other as if gauging their response. “Duncan has some … arrangements to make on my behalf. Even I am not aware of the final details.” His earnest expression made it clear he was not being deceptive, merely cautious. “Your father will stop at nothing to prevent our departure. Our free labor suits his purse. And he delights in making us dance to his tune.”

Rose plucked a sprig of purple heather from the ground, twirling it between her fingers. “Father gave you two choices, did he not? Stay with Leana or leave with me.” The corners of her mouth twitched. “Leaving with Leana
and
with me was not one of them.”

“Indeed it was not.” He rested his hands on his hips, nodding to himself, as though making some further decision. “You must pack your clothes and goods when no one is looking. Do not take a single thing that is not rightfully yours, lest Lachlan devise some charge to bring against us.”

“I will take only my gowns and hair ribbons,” Rose promised.

Jamie’s gaze shifted from one sister to the other. “You’ll not regret leaving without your father’s blessing, knowing we can never return?”

Leana turned slowly about, drinking in the pastoral view for the last time. “There is nothing left for us here, Jamie. Neither the land nor the flocks nor the gold in my father’s thrifite belongs to us.” She gazed in the direction of Dalbeaty, miles beyond Lowtis Hill. “The sons of Edingham are Lachlan McBride’s heirs now. Rose and I are little more than strangers.”

“Never mind Father’s blessing.” Rose shook her braid off her shoulder, a defiant spark in her eye. “Whatever God told you in your dream, Jamie, do it with
our
blessing.”

“Let us away to the mains, then. I’ve moved some of the lambs, according to your father’s wishes. Now I shall attend to my own business.
Our
business.” Jamie offered them each an arm as they started back.

Rose slipped her hand round the crook of his elbow.

Leana did not, praying he might understand.

They struck out across the pastures, Jamie’s lengthy stride leading them home more quickly than they’d come. When Leana stumbled over an uneven patch of ground, he reached out to steady her, apologizing for his haste.

“Now I’ll confess why we met on a distant hilltop and not in the garden.” Jamie tried not to look guilty and failed. “I had to ken whether or not the McBride sisters could handle a good bit of walking.”

“Jamie!” Rose swatted him with her braid. “You might have simply asked us.”

“Nae, I had to see for myself.” His stern expression confirmed his words. “The Galloway roads are badly rutted from wheeled traffic. Even with a horse-drawn wagon, you’ll prefer to walk now and again rather than be jostled about.” He paused, studying each of them closely. “If you could not manage a trip to the far pasture and back again, you’d not have lasted long on our journey west.”

Rose struck a haughty pose. “As you can see, we are both in good health and could walk every mile to Glentrool if necessary.”

“Every mile, eh?” Jamie snorted. “I have made that trek, lass, and
you’ve no idea what hardships I encountered. I slept on the floors of bothies and barns, trudged through peat bogs—”

“So we’ve heard.” She started off without him. “But did you face a
bogle
in the woodlands or fight off a kelpie while crossing the Dee?”

“I did not.” Jamie caught up with her in two strides. “The only
frichtsome
apparition we need to worry about is the minister of Monnigaff.” He angled his head. “Leana, do you still have your testimonial letter from Reverend Gordon?”

“I do.” She pictured it folded and hidden in her trunk, stored in a corner of the nursery. The minister’s kind words had opened the door to Twyneholm parish. Might they do so again for Monnigaff? “The letter lacks only a seal, which I’ll attend to the moment we arrive home.”

“See that you do. As heir to Glentrool, I’ll be received in my home parish without dispute. But your reception is less certain, Leana. Since you are unmarried yet clearly with child, Reverend Erskine will insist upon reading your testimonial. Even so, tongues will wag.” He looked at her as they walked, compassion mirrored in his eyes. “I fear you’ll find more gossip than gospel in Monnigaff.”

“I am … accustomed to it.” She clutched her skirts, holding them free of the damp grass. Better to fill her hands with fabric than reach for the arm he kindly offered her. “What of Uncle Alec and Aunt Rowena? Will they … welcome me?”

“You are their niece and the mother of their grandchildren. They will gladly offer you a home.” The words came too quickly; Jamie was as uncertain as she. A brave man, to face his parents with two wives in tow.

They reached the house at noon, both sisters somewhat breathless but no worse for wear. Rose’s face was the color of wild Scottish pink, yet her grin was smug. “Have we proven ourselves worthy?”

“You’ll do,” Jamie said, smoothing the damp hairs off her brow. “Remember, not a word to anyone, not even to your maids. Neda will handle that for us and make certain they keep our secrets.”

When they entered the house, Neda greeted them with an anxious expression. “Haste ye tae yer dressin’ tables, for yer faither awaits his dinner.”

The household hummed with activity as they repaired to their
rooms to dress. Eliza joined Leana in the nursery, making do with a hand mirror as she dressed Leana’s hair, then brushed her yellow gown clean. “Annabel has her hands fu’ this day,” Eliza fretted, “helpin’ her mistress and carin’ for Ian as weel.”

“It takes both of you to keep Rose and me presentable and my son out of trouble.” Leana had to bite her tongue before she gave away their secret. “Enough, Eliza. I hear my father’s bell.”

Leana joined the others in the dining room, the aroma of chicken and leeks rising from their soup plates like a fragrant fog. Her father’s blessing on the meal was brief; he did not care for cold soup. They ate in silence at his request, which well suited their secrecy. The threesome exchanged furtive glances but nothing else.

His pudding finished, Lachlan folded his hands and turned to Jamie. “Surely by now you’ve made a decision, Nephew. Will you leave at Lammas with Rose? Or remain and do your duty by Leana?”

Jamie did not look at either sister. Nor did Leana dare catch Rose’s eye, remembering Jamie’s warning:
No one must ken.

“As usual, you are right, Uncle,” he finally said. “After seeking God’s will, I have made my decision.” Jamie’s voice and gaze remained even, revealing nothing. “I will not leave Leana behind.”

Oh, Jamie.
Did he mean to confess their plan?

“Not leave Leana, you say?” Lachlan’s brows lifted in obvious surprise. “You have chosen to stay then.”

Jamie said nothing, neither confirming nor correcting her father’s statement.

Leana lowered her head to hide her relief.
Jamie, you clever lad.
His conscience would be clear. He had not lied to their father.

Lachlan motioned the servants to clear the table, signaling the end of dinner. “ ’Twill soon be a busy place, Auchengray. Malcolm and his brothers will arrive here Wednesday after the sale of Edingham is complete. Since you and Rose are well settled in your room, the front parlor will become the lads’ bedroom.” He shrugged. “ ’Tis large enough to accommodate them, and we rarely have company.”

Morna tugged at a loose curl near her face, repeatedly wrapping it
round her finger. “What of all the furniture in my parlor?” she asked, in a voice as timid as it was high. “I thought ’twould suit—”

“Nae, ’twould not. Your husband’s feeble attempts at carpentry will keep our kitchen hearth burning this winter.” He patted her hand, barely looking at her when he spoke. “We’ve no need of more tables and chests here. Two beds from Edingham will suffice.”

With that, Lachlan bowed his head, offering a final blessing on their dinner, oblivious to his wife’s misery. Leana detected a teary sniff from Morna beside her and prayed the woman might find some happiness in having her sons near. It seemed Lachlan McBride was determined to break Morna’s heart now that it was his.

Leana could not leave her father’s house soon enough.

Five days remained. They would pack in haste, whisper behind closed doors, and pray Lachlan did not uncover their secret.

R
ose, whatever are you doing in here?” Jamie stood in the doorway to the spence, puzzled to find his wife inspecting Lachlan’s bookshelf. Her father did not welcome visitors to his study unattended.

She looked over her shoulder, the picture of innocence. “ ’Tis a long journey. I thought I might take something to read.”

“Read?”
He crossed the room and gently pulled her away from the shelf, glancing round to be certain no one was lurking in the corridor. “This is not some holiday we’re planning.”