Highland Belle (25 page)

Only a dead man would have failed to recognize her anguish. Black Jack was silent for a long moment. No, lassie, he admitted finally. I amna goin to recover.

Brigette swallowed painfully, fighting back her tears. Why didnt Iain tell me? Her voice was a hurt, bewildered whisper.

It was by my order he held his peace, Black Jack told her. I didna want anyone, especially Glenda and ye, mournin before I was gone.

Ive come to love you like a father. Her voice cracked with emotion. Whatever will I do without you?

The one who passes on travels the high road, Black Jack said, but the ones remainin behind must walk in this vale of tears called life. . . . And Ive come to love ye like the daughter I never had. Do ye recall yer first day at Dunridge? I asked Iain if ye were simple.

Brigette smiled wryly. And I called you a blustering old man. The dying earl and the future countess chuckled at the memory.

The door opened silently. Iain entered, but stood back in the shadows, reluctant to intrude on their camaraderie.

My only regret, Black Jack confessed, isna bein here when my grandson arrives.

But hes already arrived. Brigette shrugged off her robe and untied the nightshifts ribbons from beneath her bosom to below her great mound of a belly. Parting the sides, she revealed her distended stomach.

Your grandson is here, she said, guiding the earls hands there.

At first Black Jack felt nothing. Then came a fluttering, a gentle shifting from within. Suddenly, the babe kicked savagely.

Oh, Brigette gasped.

An expression of sublime happiness appeared on Black Jacks face. The lads active. Closing his eyes, he concentrated on the wild thudding inside his daughter-in-laws stomach.

A hand touched Brigettes shoulder. Startled, she looked up into Iains face.

I love ye, he whispered.

Black Jack opened his eyes at the sound of his sons voice. Im meetin my grandson, he said, and Iain smiled sadly. Its definitely a lad. I can tell by his movements. Wi ye to guide him, hell grow into a fine mon and warrior.

My son is not going to be a warrior, Brigette insisted. Iain and Black Jack smiled at her.

Get some rest, Brie, Black Jack suggested. Tomorrow well kill a few hours debatin that verra point.

Brigette grinned, then drew the sides of her nightshirt together and rose from the bed. Iain helped her into her robe. Leaning down, she kissed the earls forehead and whispered, Sleep well.

Iain sat on the edge of the bed and studied his father. The earls face had sagged with Brigettes departure.

Shes a braw lassie, Black Jack remarked, even if she is a Sassenach.

Im grateful ye insisted on the marriage, Iain replied.

Shell breed up strong sons.

Yes.

Heed me, son, Black Jack bade. The day will come when yell send Antonia back to the MacKinnons. Keep Glenda at Dunridge. Shes yer brother Malcolms only child. And dinna fail to send Percy back to Edinburgh. When the time is ripe, hell get to Sheena Menzies. Shes the only chink in the bastards armor. Be faithful to the queen, but yer first loyalty must be to our clan. The Stewarts arena always faithful to those who serve them best.

I hear ye.

When I was yer age, the earl reminisced, I didna believe Id live to be an old mon and die in bed. Raw emotion formed a painful lump in Iains throat. Hopeless, consuming grief coiled around his heart, making it difficult for him to breathe.

I willna be wi ye in the mornin, Black Jack rasped. Hold my hand.

Iains heart broke. He longed to throw himself into his fathers arms like a child and wail his misery. Instead, Iain took his fathers hand in his, easing his passage from this life to the next. The earls eyes closed wearily. He slipped away, gone forever.

Iain sighed raggedly, then kissed his fathers hand. Resting his cheek against it, he wept bitter tears. Finally, Iain stood, kissed his fathers cheek, and whispered brokenly, Godspeed.

It was well after midnight when Iain walked into his own chamber. The bed was empty. Wrapped in a blanket, Brigette sat, staring vacantly at the hearths smoldering embers.

Are ye ill? he asked anxiously, crossing the chamber in quick strides to kneel in front of her.

I couldnt sleep. Iain?

Yes — Iains voice cracked — hes gone.

Brigette opened her arms and gathered him close. Cradling his dark head against the mound of her stomach, Brigette and Iain shared their tears. It would be one of those rare times in a long, long life together when she would see her husband weep.

The chapel bells tolled for John Andrew MacArthur, the fallen Earl of Dunridge. The earls body lay in state in the great hall, his plain wooden coffin resting on trestles.

Before the funeral guests arrived, Iain brought Brigette and Glenda to view the earls body. The great hall was deserted except for Jamie and Dugie, who guarded the coffin.

Iains gaze met Brigettes. He lifted the coffins lid, and she stepped forward to bid the earl a final farewell.

Clad in his black and green dress plaid, the earl appeared to be sleeping. Black Jack had peacefully crossed between two worlds, and his expression was placid, unmarked by his fatal injury.

Brigette touched his cheek, then leaned over to kiss it. Straightening, she glanced at her husband, who was struggling to maintain his rigid composure.

Next came Glenda. Iain lifted her into his arms and held her beside the coffin.

Is he sleepin? she whispered loudly.

Iains lips quirked. Yes, but he willna awaken til the Judgment Day.

Imitating Brigette, Glenda leaned down and kissed her grandfathers cheek. Farewell, she said solemnly. Ill miss ye, then, til the Judgment Day. And dinna forget to wait for me so we can go walkin aboot Gods garden.

The four in the hall gulped back stricken tears. Iain set her on the floor, then closed the lid of the coffin. Take Glenda upstairs, he instructed Brigette. I want ye to rest before the Campbells arrive.

Brigette nodded and led Glenda away, but the childs words drifted back to the three men. Brie? When is the Judgment Day? After Christmas . . .?

The Duke of Argyll and his entourage, including Magnus and his bride, Avril, arrived at Dunridge as afternoons shadows were lengthening toward dusk. Iain, Percy, and Antonia stood in the courtyard to greet them.

The duke dismounted and shook Iains hand, then Percys. Hed been badly shaken by the untimely death of his most steadfast friend, whom hed relied upon hundreds of times throughout the years. The duke felt somewhat responsible for Black Jacks death. After all, he thought guiltily, the feud with Menzies would never have begun if . . . Bah! That particular folly of his had occurred so long ago.

This is a sorry business that brings us together, the duke remarked. Who wouldve thought? So many of my dearest cronies are passin on. Its surely a harbinger of my own fate. Old, painful memories rose up to torment the duke. Before passin over, did yer father speak of — ?

Yes, Iain cut him off, but its the recent past Im concerned wi. Takin my fathers life will cost Menzies his own.

Iain. Percy. Magnus shook their hands, then gently drew his bride forward. This is my wife, Avril, Huntlys chit — I mean, daughter.

Avril curtsyed. My lords. Countess.

My lady, Antonia corrected, smiling, pleased with the mistaken title. The countess will be wi us shortly.

This is Lady Antonia, Iain introduced the two women, my brother Malcolms widow.

He led the group into the great hall, where the funeral supper would be served. Several moments later, Brigette appeared in the entrance, and beneath the amused eyes of all, Iain rushed to her side and escorted her to the high table.

In friendly exuberance, Magnus hugged her. Yeve grown since the last I saw ye.

Yes. Brigettes face reddened. Forgive me for failing to curtsy, she said, turning to greet the duke. As you can see, Im incapable of such movements.

Ye look bonnie, the duke complimented, long years of experience having taught him that breeding women required the gentlest of handling. Theres nae finer sight to a mon than a woman heavy wi child. He glanced at Iain. Especially when the woman is the mons wife. Im hopin, he added, it willna be too long before our Avril looks exactly like ye.

Avril gulped nervously. Her blue eyes were large with horrified fascination as she stared at Brigettes enormous stomach.

Brie, Magnus introduced, this is my wife, Avril.

My best wishes on your marriage, Brigette said, smiling. Im sorry we were unable to attend the ceremony, but my size does not allow travel. Avril nodded and returned the smile, but her eyes never left Brigettes stomach.

Dear Brie has grown so outrageously large, Antonia piped in, her voice dripping sugar. One wonders if she might have miscalculated the time of conception. The significance of the remark went unnoted by all but Iain and Brigette, who chose to ignore it.

For obvious reasons, supper was a subdued affair. Salmon, mutton, sweetmeats, and bread were served.

What are ye plannin for yer revenge? the duke asked.

Iain opened his mouth to reply, but felt Brigettes hand on his arm. Dark eyes met green, and he was unable to resist her silent plea. Its formin in my mind, he answered the duke. Id like yer advice on it after the funeral.

The duke nodded, his gaze drifting to Brigette. Does that beastie of yers still abide hereaboots?

Yes. Brigette relaxed, thankful she need not listen to her husbands plans for war and death.

Beastie? Avril asked, puzzled.

Sly is my pet fox, Brigette told her. He adopted me in the forest when I ran away from Iain.

Ye ran away? Avrils eyes sparkled, and she glanced sidelong at her own husband. Theres a solution I never considered.

Yeve never needed solutions, hinny, Magnus scoffed, because ye never had any problems. Huntly spoiled ye rotten.

Anger flared in Avrils eyes, but Magnus only chuckled and kissed her cheek. Dinna whip yer temper into a frenzy, he admonished, close to her ear. Remember why were here and behave yerself. Avril kept her mouth shut, and Magnus turned to Percy. Will ye return to Edinburgh, cuz?

Ill be leavin in a few days.

Yer welcome to stay at Campbell Mansion, the duke interjected.

And Ill be there sometime after Hogmanay, Magnus added.

Glancing at Avril, Brigette smothered a chuckle. High rage reddened the young womans cheeks. Obviously, Lady Avril would be remaining at Inverary while her husband danced to the queens tune.

Just be certain Avril has a bairn in her belly before ye get yerself killed on the queens behalf, the duke warned.

I canna promise anythin, Magnus returned pleasantly, but Ill give it my best effort.

After supper, the pipers played a mourning lament. The MacArthur warriors, paying homage to their fallen leader, swirled around the hall in the traditional funeral dance. At its end, they drifted away, but the family remained for the death watch, guarding the earls corpse until interment the following morning.

Why dinna ye take Avril to her chamber and then go to bed, Iain said to Brigette. Its unnecessary for ye to keep the watch.

Im staying.

Ill show Lady Avril to her chamber, Antonia offered, unwilling to lose sleep for a dead man and eager to befriend the future Duchess of Argyll.

The family sat on a hard, wooden bench that had been placed beside the bier. An hour passed in silence. During the second hour, Brigette fidgeted uncomfortably. The baby was active, shifting her belly from side to side.

Yer uncomfortable, Iain whispered. Go to bed.

Im staying, she insisted. The baby will keep me awake upstairs too.

Iain shook his head, then stood and left the hall. He returned a few minutes later and handed her a dram of whiskey. This will calm the babes restlessness.

Brigette pinched her nostrils together and gulped the whiskey, then grimaced and shuddered delicately. A short time later the baby quieted, and Brigette also drooped. Her eyes closed drowsily.

Im takin ye upstairs, Iain whispered, putting his arm around her, and dinna argue wi me. Brigette was too weary to protest. Her eyes opened at the sound of his voice, then closed again. He lifted her into his arms and carried her out of the hall.

At dawn the great hall filled to capacity for the funeral procession. Eight MacArthur warriors, including Dugie and Jamie, served as the earls pallbearers and led the way. Behind them was Father Kaplan, followed by the earls family and invited guests. The pipers, clansmen, and retainers were followed by the crofters whod come to pay their respects to their laird, a man whod treated them fairly.

The somber procession wended its way to the chapel, where Father Kaplan celebrated the solemn high mass of the dead. When the pallbearers lifted the earls coffin to slide it into its vault, Brigette clasped both Iains and Percys hands. Entwining her fingers with theirs, she shared what meager strength she possessed.

Instead of feeling relieved that the ceremonies were over, Brigette was restless. Leaving the others in the great hall, she headed for the garden, where Sly was wandering about.

Sly rushed to her side with an offering. Brigette patted his head and accepted the stick, then threw it across the garden. Sly raced off to retrieve it.

Life at Dunridge without Black Jack will be strange, she thought. His death has left a vacuum to which each must adjust.

Is that the fox? Lady Avrils voice sounded behind her.

Yes. Wearing a smile of greeting, Brigette turned toward the voice. Her smile froze and then vanished when she saw harsh condemnation stamped across the other womans face.

Ill speak to the point, Avril announced curtly. Are ye carryin my husbands bastard?

Brigette was flabbergasted.

I said, are ye — ?

You stupid chit, Brigette snapped, her eyes green slits of displeasure.

Stupid!

Youve been listening to Antonias spiteful tales, Brigette accused.

Shes been honorable enough to mention the possibility, Avril admitted.

If you heed her wild tales, Brigette warned, Antonia will ruin your marriage, as shes tried to ruin mine.