Resisting the Highlander: A Scottish Romance Page 9
Margaret gave her a dull look. “Why didn’t I hear you, Bridget? Must have been quite a bump when you landed on the floor. Or are you just making that up?”
Bridget was mortified now. She snapped, “Oh, let’s forget the whole thing. I did roll out of bed but there wasn’t any bump and I wasn’t hurt. We ate too much before going to bed, and it upset my stomach, that’s all. I don’t usually do that and wasn’t used to it.”
She looked across the table at Aidan who seemed highly amused, and thought she had better go along with their joking, so they wouldn’t make too much fun of her. Grinning she said, “Anyone want some more tea or toast? I’ll go get the teapot.”
Her grandfather answered with, “You eat something yourself, Bridget, you’ve hardly touched your breakfast.” She thought he sounded concerned.
“I’m really not hungry.”
Aidan had finished by this time and gotten up from the table to go to work. As he passed her chair he ruffled her hair with his hand, laughing with amusement.
Making a valiant effort not to show how infuriated she was, she called after him, “Aidan, can Margaret and I come see your animals today before she goes home?” She hoped this would placate her cousin and improve her mood.
“Of course, Bridget, I told you anytime. Think you can get there without falling down?”
She quickly knotted her serviette and threw it at him, missing him completely as he hurried away laughing heartily.
Almost in tears, she cried out, “Oh, that man, I’d like to try choking him sometime.”
“Now, now, Bridget, that’s no way to talk, Aidan is only joking with you,” Robert said.
“Well, I don’t like it and I don’t have to listen to it.” Jumping up from the table, she ran upstairs to her room, banging the door shut. She fell on the bed crying violently, not caring how childish her outburst was. She was tired of always being polite and proper.
Besse came in from the kitchen upon hearing the loud voices, and asked, “What’s the matter wi’ the lassie, sir? She doesn’t seem to be herself today.”
“I don’t know, Besse, but this may be more serious than I thought. Margaret, you stay down here, I must have a talk with Bridget. Help Besse with the cleaning up,” he said authoritatively, his eyes a cold steely blue.
Going upstairs, he knocked on Bridget’s bedroom door before cautiously opening it. She was lying across the bed sobbing softly. She looked up as he entered and sat on the bed beside her.
“Oh, it’s you, Grandfather, I thought it was Margaret,” she said, wiping her eyes with the backs of her hands. She sat up then, legs dangling over the side of the bed, her eyes red from weeping. He put his arm around her shoulders.
“Tell me now, lassie, what really happened last night? I can see it was a lot more serious than any of us realized.”
“Oh, Robert, I’m so ashamed I acted the way I did just now, but in the night it really did feel like someone was trying to suffocate me. If I hadn’t awakened when I did, I might have died. I didn’t sleep all night afterward and was so out of sorts this morning I couldn’t help being nasty when Aidan made fun of me. I’m so terribly sorry. Do you think he or Besse dislike me enough to try something like that?”
“Now, now, lassie, that’s utterly ridiculous. They have both grown to like you very much in the few months you have been here. You are overwrought because we were laughing about it, and I’m sure it was just a bad dream.”
“I hope so, Grandfather, but it was very frightening and seemed so real. I hope it never happens again.”
“All right now, lass, let’s see a smile on your bonny face. Come down when you are ready and we’ll go for a stroll in the fresh air. It’s a beautiful day and we should take advantage of it. We don’t get too many of them, as you well know.”
“Robert, you are a dear man and always know the right thing to say. I love you so much.”
“I love you, too, my child but hurry now. Wash your face and get dressed before the day is half done.”
Bridget laughed happily, much consoled now and decided it had been just a nightmarish experience she had in the night. Robert went down the stairs slowly, a worried look on his face. He thought to himself that certain people around the castle would bear close watching. He had never expected anything like this and didn’t think Bridget would have made so much of it if it were only a bad dream. He knew jealousy was a terrible thing and people had been driven to commit murder because of it. He must protect Bridget at all costs without her being aware of it.
Going to the kitchen door, he said, “Besse, I’m going to the stables. Tell Bridget to meet me there when she comes down.” Turning to Margaret, he asked, “Would you like to walk with your cousin and me?”
“Oh, sir, if you don’t mind I’d rather go to the stables and see the work they do with the horses.” She smiled shyly. “I also want to talk to Sandy before I go home.”
“You may not find him with the animals, lass, I think he is due to take care of the machinery up in the lighthouse but suit yourself. I would like your time with us to be as happy as possible.”
“Thank you, Mr. MacDonald, and I especially thank you for having me here.”
“It was your cousin’s idea, my dear, she thinks an awful lot of you.”
“Yes, I know. She has always been very kind to me and I love her for it. She is so talented and beautiful, I wish I were more like her.”
“Much of Bridget’s beauty comes from within, Margaret. She has a good heart and is a fine person.”
Margaret headed to the bedroom to dress as Robert went in the opposite direction.
EIGHT
Bridget was ready to go meet her grandfather. As she went to the door to go downstairs, her cousin laid a restraining hand on her arm. “What was that talk all about it?” Margaret asked.
“I’d rather not talk about it anymore. I just had a bad dream.” She decided it would never do to let Margaret know of her suspicions. If she did, it would be all over town in no time.
Margaret let her go and Bridget headed downstairs to the kitchen to see if there was anything she could do for Besse before going out. She found her in a more jovial mood.
“Ah, Miss Bridget, you are a good lass, but thank you, no. I’m just fine, your cousin helped me with the cleaning up.”
“That’s fine, Besse. I don’t want to give you one bit of extra work on our account. I’m going for a walk with Grandfather now.”
“Wait, lassie,” she said. Going to the table, Besse picked up a small package. She handed it to Bridget, and said, “Here’s a few biscuits to take with you, the sea air might make you hungry since you didn’t eat very much this morning.”
She looked at Bridget’s wan face with an odd expression. “Thank you, Besse,” answered Bridget wondering if this was all part of an act.
Then Margaret called out, “You ready to go, Bridget?”
“Yes, cousin, let’s be on our way. Robert is probably waiting for me.”
The two girls were dressed in ankle length tartan skirts. Margaret’s was topped with a red wool jersey, the color giving a bit of life to her rather colorless face. Bridget’s jersey was white wool with a matching cap. She was in a joyous mood as she said, “I’m going to take off my shoes and stockings, and walk in the water when we get to the cove. What about you?”
“I’m not going with you. I already told your grandfather I’m going to the stables to have a talk with Sandy, and he said it was all right.”
“Well, it’s all right with me too if that’s what you want. This is your last day here, and you may as well enjoy it any way you want.”
“Oh, Bridget, couldn’t I stay longer? I love it here so much.”
“Afraid not, Margaret,” Bridget said, repressing a discourteous remark. “You have had a nice visit and the longer you stay, the harder it will be for you to leave. You know you cannot stay here forever. Besides, I have been neglecting my music studies and must get back to them again.”
Mar
garet’s face was crest fallen, and although Bridget had compassion for her, she also thought that she wouldn’t be quick to invite her back if she were going to act like this.
Robert met them before they reached the stables. As she went off with him, Bridget jokingly admonished her cousin, “Don’t get into mischief, now, and I’ll see you a bit later.”
Margaret said nothing, just looked at the receding figures of Bridget and Robert with a blank stare, and then headed for the stables in search of either Sandy or Aidan.
Before they reached the water, Bridget spied Aidan astride a beautiful stallion and had to admire how well he sat his mount. He was walking the horse in the salty ocean water, and both animal and rider seemed to be enjoying it immensely.
As she and her grandfather came closer, he walked the horse out of the water and came towards them. Bridget exclaimed excitedly, “What a beautiful creature, Aidan! I haven’t seen him before. Did you just get him?”
“No, lass, he was bred and raised here before you came to us. Then, he was sold to some folks out in the country, but has always been a bit wild and gave them lots of trouble. So, he came back to us.”
“I would never sell him if he were mine, Aidan, he is such a bonny beast. May I pet him?”
“He’s a bit skittish, but maybe he will let you. Some people he takes to more than others.”
She approached the animal timidly and laid her hand on his neck, murmuring softly to him.
“I think he likes you, Bridget,” said Robert, “but be careful.”
“Oh, Grandfather, I hope he likes me. I surely like him.”
“Here, Bridget,” said Aidan, holding out his hand, “give him this sugar and you’ve made a friend.”
He smiled down on her as she reached for it, his hand touching hers, bringing a warm feeling where he touched. She looked up into his smiling face momentarily. “How do I give it to him?”
“Just hold it in the palm of your hand, and he’ll pick it up. Keep your hand flat though so he doesn’t get your fingers by mistake.”
She approached the horse again, holding out her hand. His big yellow teeth looked scary to her, but she held her ground, and he gently picked up the sugar lumps with his lips. When he was through crunching it, she put her hand on his neck and patted him.
“Oh, you are a black beauty.”
Robert and Aidan looked pleased and smiled to each other. Aidan spoke, “I have to take him back now, Bridget. enjoy your walk.”
“Thank you, Aidan, we will. Robert, wait up a bit, I want to take off my shoes and stockings.”
“Before you do that, lass, what say ye to taking a different road today, down by the rocks where the old wine tower stands?”
“Let’s do that. I’ve been wanting to ask you about that old building. No one seems to know much about it anymore, or what it was ever used for. Through the years it has become just a legend.”
“Well, lassie, all I know of it is, that it was built some time in the 1500s, the same time as the first castle was built on this site. The bottom part of the tower was used for wine and food storage, the upper floor was a sort of prison for any of the soldiers of the garrison who got into trouble. The story goes that the daughter of the laird of the castle fell in love with a common soldier, who was promptly put in the prison house. One night, she went there, snuck past the guard, and got in to see her lover. Knowing the dire consequences there would be when it was discovered, they took their own lives by jumping from the window onto the rocks below. To this day our town sees to it that the rocks they were supposed to have fallen on are kept blood red by painting them. Makes a good attraction for visitors in town.”
Bridget leaned against the wall that separated Robert’s property from the location of the tower and looked at the twenty foot square building, mostly covered by moss. Smilingly, she said, “Makes a good story, but that window I see is much too small for anyone to jump out of. Would it be safe to climb those crumbling stone steps and see if we can look inside?”
Robert spoke vehemently, “No, lassie, that’s one thing we shall leave strictly alone. It would be too dangerous and don’t you ever try it. No one ever goes near the place as far as I know. It’s just a legend now but makes a good landmark for passing ships.”
Taking her arm, he said, “Let’s get down off the rocks and go back by the sand, I like that better.”
“All right, Grandfather, then I shall go barefoot.”
When they finished their walk and started back up the hill towards the castle, the bracing sea air had revived Bridget’s spirits and the events of the previous night were all but obliterated.
As they neared home, she spied Margaret all alone, and said to Robert, “Maybe I shouldn’t have, but I promised Margaret we could go up in the lighthouse tower before she goes home, and since this is her last day, do you think we could it this afternoon? I don’t intend asking her back again in too big a hurry, but thought I could keep my promise to her about the lighthouse. I feel sorry for her, she has always been more or less rejected by most people, and I just want to bring her a little happiness occasionally.”
“I understand, lass, and I think it will be all right to go up in the tower today, but I won’t let you go alone. You can only go if you let Aidan go along with you. Sandy will be up there also doing some cleaning of the lights and reflectors. Will that be all right?”
“I suppose so, but I wish I could feel more friendly towards him. He has a way of irritating me, and then I can’t control my temper. I say things I hadn’t intended to.”
Robert looked fondly at her, saying, “He thinks an awful lot of you, and it would make me very happy to see the two of you on better terms. He’s a good lad.”
“I’ll try, Grandfather, really I will. Goodness where did the time go? Besse will be waiting for us. Let me dry off my feet a bit and I’ll catch up with you.”
Robert walked away as Bridget came upon Margaret.
“Hello, Margaret. Since you have to go home soon, Robert says we can go up in the lighthouse tower today and see the view, but he won’t let us go by ourselves. He insists Aidan goes with us, and Sandy will be there also doing some work. You’ll like that, won’t you?”
Margaret’s eyes looked somber.
Bridget examined her cousin. “What’s the matter? You don’t seem to be too happy about it.”
Margaret said, “I just wish I didn’t have to go home. You don’t know how lucky you are, Bridget.”
“Yes, I suppose I am lucky, but now let’s get back to the house before they come looking for us, shall we?”
Bridget couldn’t get enough of the view of the ocean and surrounding territory. She gazed at Rattray Head lighthouse across the bay and the rounded stretch of yellow sand beach reaching to the village four miles away and the huge rocks far below them with waves continually dashing against them, thinking that the sight nearly took her breath away. It was well worth the climb up the winding stairway that led to the chamber where the light was housed.
She breathed deeply and turned toward Aidan, a big smile on her face. “I had no idea we could see so much from up here. I am so glad I came. My parents never allowed my sisters and me to come up here, said it was too dangerous.
“Aye, Bridget,” answered Aidan as if in awe, “here you see nature in all its glory. But beautiful as it is, there are times it can also be cruel and destructive.”
Taking her arm, he turned her around to face the north where lay two more villages just outside of town. She smiled delightedly, “I could watch this all day.”
Her cousin showed little interest in the view and surroundings, being more content to talk with young Sandy inside the light chamber.
“Let’s go inside now and see the workings of this whole thing,” said Aidan, still holding her arm and guiding her along.
Full of information on the history of the lighthouse, he seemed eager to pass it on to the girls. An avid reader, he didn’t lack for material in Robert’s well-stocked library.
Young Sandy was busily polishing everything, but looked up occasionally and smiled shyly.
“Well, girls,” said Aidan, “I think that’s about all I can show you up here. If you have had enough of the view, we had better start down again. Watch your step on the stairs though, it’s a long way down.” Then coming closer he said, “Here, let me hold your arms.”
Bridget looked at him with genuine admiration in her eyes as she remarked, “Thank you, Aidan. The visit to the lighthouse has been lovely and your commentary made it more enjoyable.”
He smiled and squeezed her arm.
They had got about a third of the way down the winding stairway and were near a window overlooking the wine tower and ocean beyond when Aidan stopped abruptly and said, “Wait for me here girls, there’s something I forgot to tell Sandy. Don’t go down without me,” he cautioned. “I’ll be back in a second.”
He sprang up the steps they had just descended. Bridget watched him, thinking how very easy it would be to let go and really love him. Every time she thought of him now, a warm feeling rose within her. She watched him until he disappeared round a bend in the stairs. But then Margaret coughed and Bridget remembered how little time she had for music with her cousin around. She used to have more time to play when she was living with her parents, before Robert began leaning on her to help run the household. If she were to marry, she would have even less time than she did now. Maybe someday that would be all right, but she had too much to do with her teaching and her church responsibilities.
Turning back to the deeply recessed window in the thick wall and leaning over to see out, she said to her cousin, “Look at the old wine tower, Margaret, it looks so small from away up here. Remember when we used to play there when we were children? Can’t you just see the two lovers leaping from there to their death?”