Resisting the Highlander: A Scottish Romance Page 4

  “You know I love you both and would never want to leave you, but we cannot stay children forever. Grandfather has invited me to live with him at the castle. Would that displease you if I accepted his invitation?”

  “Don’t be silly,” Aileen exclaimed as Bethia launched forward and wrapped her tiny arms around Bridget’s neck.

  “Of course it is all right with us,” Bethia said.

  Aileen added. “We knew we couldn’t keep you much longer. At least now you won’t be going far.”

  Bridget’s heart swelled with love for her sisters. Neither seemed jealous or upset. It eased her mind to know that she couldn’t be abandoning them.

  “Thank you,” she said. She gestured for them to get up so that she could start getting ready. She needed to visit Miss Wallace as soon as her chores were done. The girls hounded her with questions about the castle and what it would mean for her to live there. They talked about when they were older and would ladies of their own homes. Bridget listened as intently as she could, grateful that they seemed to have forgotten Aidan, but unable to forget him herself.

  Bridget didn’t return to the castle for more than a week. It was not that she was avoiding Aidan, but because Miss Wallace encouraged her to devote more time to practicing if she were to be ready for the upcoming pianoforte examination. She wasn’t sure how she would be able to go, but decided to worry about that later. Her parents had given her an opportunity to better herself by sacrificing what little extra they had to pay for her lessons. She did not want to fail them by refusing to try, which meant she needed every moment of practice she could get.

  Robert showed up at her home one day rather annoyed she hadn’t been to see him. “Bridget, lass,” he began, “you haven’t changed your mind have you? I’m counting on you now you know, and the doctor says I’m perfectly fit after the little spell I had the other night.”

  She looked at him and smiled. “No, Grandfather, I haven’t changed my mind but have had lots of work to do with my music. I knew you were all right and feeling better because Mum told us. She was quite concerned when I told her what had happened that night. I knew she had been to see you most every day, so I didn’t worry about you.”

  Putting her arm through his, she drew him into the house. They went and sat in the modest parlor, or what was known as the best room, used only for entertaining when they had special guests.

  “So, you are almost through with your musical studies then?” he questioned.

  “Yes, and I’m sure Aunt Maggie will be glad to be rid of me and my infernal pounding. Lucky for her, she doesn’t hear too well.”

  Robert, stroking his beard, looked thoughtful for a moment, then said, “Why don’t you come to the castle and use your own piano? It would save you lots of time running back and forth to your aunt’s house every day.”

  “No, I don’t think so Robert. Aunt Maggie has been such a brick about letting me use her piano all these years. As you know, we just have the old pump organ, and since my parents couldn’t afford to get me another instrument, my aunt solved the problem by letting me use hers. I wouldn’t want to hurt her feelings by stopping going to her house before I am completely finished. Besides, Besse and Aidan would probably resent it. I think they both dislike the idea of me moving in with you already. They are used to a quiet house.”

  “Ach, lassie, I should have got you your own piano a long time ago. Don’t know why I didn’t think of it before. As for Aidan, I know he is very fond of you, and don’t pay attention to Besse. She looks terribly gruff at times, but she’s really not a bad sort. In fact, I think she will like having someone young like you in the house to brighten things up a bit.”

  Bridget didn’t pay attention to what he said about Besse, all she heard was that Aidan liked her. She thought he had a funny way of showing it. Perhaps that’s how they court women in the Highlands, she thought, by picking fights and then taking liberties. There was something alluring about something that aroused her emotions whenever he was near. Not that it mattered. She had made up her mind not to like him.

  The pleading look on Robert’s face made her smile. “Grandfather, you are a charmer. I have decided to move in with you and give it a try.” His eyes shone with happiness at her words. She asked him, “Which room shall I have?”

  Smiling broadly he answered, “The one at the top of the stairs where you tried on the dress. Would you like that?”

  “Oh, Robert, yes I would, it’s a beautiful room, thank you so very much.” Her green eyes shone with pleasure as she continued, “You are a dear man, Robert, and now will you stay and have supper with us?”

  “No, lass, not this time. Besse will have everything ready, and besides I want to get home and tell her and Aidan the good news,” he chuckled.

  Bridget reached up and kissed him. “Robert, you are much too good to me, but I will try very hard to be worthy of your generosity. I hope this new arrangement will make you happy.”

  “It will, lass, it will.” Then he called out to his daughter, “I’m going now, Alice, Bridget will see me out.”

  Bridget’s mother popped her head out of the kitchen, where she had been discreetly eavesdropping, and smiled at Robert. “All right, Father, but plan to stay for a meal with us next time you come. We don’t see that much of you and you could eat with us once in a while.”

  “All right, my dear, I’ll plan on it, goodnight now.” Then he hesitated, and said,“Alice, I would like you and James to come to the supper I am giving next week. Will you do it?”

  Bridget smiled. Her angry feelings toward her grandfather had softened from the kindness he’d shone her, but the effort he was making to reach out to her parents meant more to her than anything, especially seeing how her mother’s eyes shone.

  “We’ll be glad to, Father, and thank you, that will be grand.”

  Bridget walked out with Robert, bade him goodnight. She watched him as he walked down the street away from her. She thought she detected a new spring in his step.

  Now approaching the age of seventy, Robert MacDonald was still a fine figure of a man. Of medium height, his once red hair now a steel gray as was his closely cropped beard and mustache. His icy blue eyes had a permanent squint, a trait prevalent in men of the sea. He still had most of his own teeth, though some were yellowed by the tobacco he smoked.

  His left foot dragged slightly due to an injury sustained in his seafaring days. His father had been the master of a sailing ship when young Robert had been taken aboard as cabin boy. They had sailed the seas of the world in search of the rare and unusual, often returning home laden with rich freightage of silks, sandalwood, spices, and casks of rare wines.

  In due time, Robert became master of his own vessel and found it more profitable to link in with a maritime company headquartered at Leith, port of Edinburgh, and shrewdly investing much of his earnings back into it, making him a rich man by the time he retired to his castle by the sea. Having spent most of his adult life sailing, Robert has seen but little of his own daughter growing up, and his short stays at home were not enough for a close comradeship to grow between them. When Alice was of age, she married the man of her choice though he was a Campbell and didn’t stand in much favor with her father.

  His life had been a happy one until his wife died during an influenza epidemic. Robert had been inconsolable for a long time and thought he couldn’t go on without her, shutting everyone out and feeling the old anger flare up about his daughter disobeying him by marrying a Campbell. In time, he was able to create a good enough life with Besse Stewart and Aidan MacLeod, two loyal servants whose job it was to be agreeable.

  Now in his later years, with his health failing, he felt the need of his own family near him as old wounds seemed to finally have healed. Having young Bridget agree to come and live with him gave him back a measure of the happiness he’d felt before his wife’s passing.

  It was not long after his visit that Bridget moved most of her belongings into the castle with the help of her fat
her. Aidan had offered his assistance, but she’d refused, saying she had only a few possessions anyway. The Burns celebration supper was only a few days away, so she decided to move in for good when she came to dress for the party. A bit reluctant to leave her parents and sisters, she had decided to wait until the last possible moment. This way, she would see her parents again that same night at the supper and although they wouldn’t be living so very far apart, she knew this was the end of something precious and dear to her.

  A new phase in her life was beginning; it was time to relinquish the old.

  FOUR

  In the early afternoon of a cold January day, Bridget entered Ty-Runach, where she was to face a new challenge. She carried a light portmanteau as she walked in and surveyed the goings on. The house looked as if it had seen a lot of activity during the past few days. Furniture was moved, rugs rolled back, and two long tables taken down from the storage garret sat empty, waiting for guests to arrive.

  As she started up the stairs, she heard the sound of chattering voices coming from the direction of the kitchen where Besse and her helpers were busy with preparations for the dinner. When she heard her own name mentioned, she stopped for a moment to listen.

  Mary Burnett’s voice was the loudest. “I think it’s a shame, Besse, bringing that girl here. What is he thinking of after all you have done for him?”

  Besse’s answer was inaudible, but Elizabeth MacPherson laughed. “He’s taking an awful chance having the lassie here with that Aidan MacLeod in the same house. Everybody knows his reputation with the ladies. The old man is making it very easy for him.”

  More muffled laughter and talk ensued, causing Bridget’s cheeks to burn. Then Mary’s voice came again, “If I were you, I’d see to it she doesn’t stay here too long. There are ways you know.”

  “Oh, maybe it will not be so bad,” said Besse. “She seems a nice enough lassie.”

  “Well, suit yourself Besse, but here’s what I would do.”

  There was more low talking and much giggling. Angry at what they had said about her grandfather, Bridget ran upstairs, stamping her feet louder than was necessary to let them know they were not alone in the house.

  The talking stopped suddenly; it was replaced with dead silence and consternation on three faces. Elizabeth MacPherson’s eyes popped wide and she clapped her hand over her mouth.

  Besse whispered, “The lassie has come to get ready for the party. I wonder if she heard what we were saying?” She also wondered what Robert would say or do if Bridget should repeat anything to him she might have overheard. Robert MacDonald was a fair man but not one to tolerate talk like that about his favorite granddaughter or his right hand man.

  Up in her room, Bridget burned with indignation, and now worried that she may have made a mistake in deciding to move in with Robert.

  “Silly old party,” she said to herself. “I wish now he had not asked me to be his hostess.”

  Then, she heard Robert call to her from the foot of the stairs, “Are ye here, lass?”

  The happy tone in his voice filled Bridget with a different kind of warmth. She knew right then she would do anything within her power to make him happy. All her had to was ask.

  She went to open her bedroom door and stood in the doorway as she yelled back, “Yes, Robert, I’m here. I came early so I can be ready in time to greet your guests with you.”

  She could hear his grin in his tone as he said, “That’s fine, lassie. “I’ll see you in a little while then,” and off he went to his bedroom, through the hallway from the dining area, humming happily to himself.

  Bridget heard Besse’s voice giving orders to her helpers. The ensuing rattle of dishes as they set the long tables came to her ears as she started to unpack.

  “What angels they are when the man of the house is around,” she murmured to herself.

  Opening her portmanteau, she began putting most of her belongings into the long storage drawer under the mirror on the wardrobe. Finishing quickly, she closed and bolted the bedroom door, disrobed completely, and then poured the tepid water from the pitcher on the chiffonier into the deep basin. She bathed and dried herself. Donning her warm dressing gown, she lay down across the bed to relax a while before starting to dress.

  The glow and warmth from the fire burning in the room made everything feel cozy and snug. Soon, Bridget felt all tension and bitterness leave her. This was Robert’s big night, and she must not let anything spoil it for him.

  Walking downstairs some time later, dressed in the lovely gown Robert had asked her to wear, taffeta skirts rustling and swaying with the movement of her body, she was aware how attractive she looked. It gave her a feeling of power she had never felt before, though she felt nervous too. Robert and Aidan looked around as she came towards them, admiration and pleasure showing on their faces.

  Both men were dressed in kilts, complete with sporrans and velvet jackets; Robert wore the red MacDonald tartan while Aidan was clad in a dark green and purple blend with narrow light blue stripes throughout. Black buckled shoes and knee high argyle socks completed their outfits.

  “Robert,” cried Bridget coming towards them, “how handsome you look in your clan dress. I have never seen you in a kilt before.” Her eyes shone in admiration.

  Robert’s face beamed at her praise. “I only wear them for special occasions, lassie, but they do make things look more festive, don’t you think?”

  “Indeed, I do, Grandfather, and looking at you now makes me proud that I too have MacDonald blood in me.”

  Robert flushed saying, “Ah, ye’re a braw lassie, Bridget.”

  Turning to Aidan, she smiled, “Your tartan is very unusual, Aidan, with the blend of colors it has. It is very beautiful too, I must say. MacLeod no doubt?”

  “What else would I wear, Bridget? I am a MacLeod,” he answered quietly.

  Looking from one to the other with genuine admiration, she remarked, “Well, you certainly are a handsome pair tonight, and I hope I can get to dance with both of you later on.”

  Aidan smiled broadly, a smile that completely transfigured his usually harsh countenance. She thought he had a face made for smiles and laughter, and wondered why he spent so much time scowling. Then, turning to Robert she went on with her animated talk, “The tables look so lovely. Besse and her helpers have done a find job, and I am going to tell them so, right now.”

  And leaving the two men to their task of seeing that everything was in order for the festivities, she went swiftly to the kitchen door and peeped in.

  “Oh, Besse, that heavenly smell makes me so hungry, I could sit down and eat this very minute. And the tables, ladies, how nice you have made them look.”

  Flushed and excited at Bridget’s praise, Besse answered, “Thank you, Miss Bridget, but I couldn’t have done it without my two good helpers, you know.”

  The other two women looked a little sheepish as they smiled their thanks.

  “How bonny you look, lassie, just like your grandma in that dress,” said Mary.

  “Did you know her, Mary?”

  “Aye, lass, that I did, and a finer lady never walked the earth. She was a grand person.”

  Before Bridget could answer, Robert called out that the first of the guests were arriving, and with a smile, she hurried away to the front door to be with him.

  As the guests arrived by twos and threes, Robert greeted them cordially, and then introduced them to Bridget, who promptly forgot most of the names she heard. Some of the people she already knew, but many she did not.

  Amongst the later arrivals was a young woman, a few years older than Bridget by the name of Elsie Carlisle. She arrived alone and apologized for her parents, who she said had realized at the last moment that they couldn’t come. They requested she come in their place.

  Bridget could not help but notice that Elsie was very attractive, with brown hair and eyes, and wearing a gown that showed all the curves allowable. She seemed only a couple of years older than Bridget, but made her fee
l like a child in comparison.

  Elsie merely nodded to Bridget as Robert introduced them, and then her eyes swept the room as if in search of someone. As she spied Aidan, she excused herself and hurried over to greet him.

  “Ah, Aidan,” she cooed, “how very nice to see you again. You are looking well, but why haven’t you been to see me?”

  She held out her had to him as she spoke. He smiled and raised it to his lips.

  Bridget couldn’t quite determine if the look of pleasure on his face was genuine or just put on for Elsie’s benefit. Jealousy nagged at her as she turned her eyes away from them. She couldn’t understand why she would have such a feeling for someone she didn’t like and had no claim on.

  Her parents’ voices broke in on her thoughts and she turned to greet them. “How bonny you look, lassie,” breathed her mother, who had never seen her daughter in such a dress. “That dress looks like it was made for you, but be sure and keep that tartan scarf draped across the front. The neckline is terribly low cut.”

  “Dinna worry, Mum, I will.” Turning to her father, she kissed him warmly. He smiled proudly, squeezing her hand.

  Most of the guests had already arrived when in came big James Tosh, a mountain of a man, resplendent in red kilts, florid face beaming with pleasure. When Robert introduced him to Bridget, he said, “Faith, and Robert was right, ye are a bonny lassie,” and without ceremony put both hands around her waist, lifted her up until her face was on a level with his own, and kissed her soundly before setting her back on her feet.

  Bridget, face burning with embarrassment, but not to be out done, answered demurely with a mock curtsy, “Thank you, kind sir.”

  James guffawed loudly, throwing back his head and shock of white hair as he walked away to greet others of his friends.