Laird of the Mist (15 page)

―We‘re glad yer back in one piece .‖ Hamish clasped Carrick heartily on the shoulder. ―No too bad a trip, I trust? Mary Anderson and Dougal arrived a few days back. Molly gave them one of the cottages yonder, and put Mary to work in the kitchen. A fine cook, she is. And young Dougal has a way with the cattle. Geordie saw to him.‖ Hamish shook his head as he updated Carrick on the family. ―Nasty business, that,‖ he said in disgust.

―Aye, Hamish,‖ Carrick replied .―Thank ye for yer kind help in it. We‘ll be seeing to what we can do about the husband, aye?‖
―Aye,‖ Hamish agreed as the two went off into the parlor to discuss what must be done.
―I‘m off to find Olivia,‖ Cat said from behind them as she hurried toward the garden, leaving the men to talk of the business.
―‘Twas good of ye to take the familyin,‖Hamish commented, sittingin the chair hehad come to think of as his.
―Ye wouldha done the same, Hamish. Ye canna leave them to suffer so,‖ he answered. ―I did what I could for the list ye gave me. The goods areto be delivered by end of the week next.‖ Carrick was debating how to bring up the subject of Fiona. ―I do have a thing to say to ye, Hamish…‖
―Carrick!‘ Cat exclaimed as she entered the parlor, clearly agitated. ―Ye are no going to believe what the wee sprite has done now. Ye too, grandda.‖
Olivia stood behind her sister looking shamed and nervous. Ian appeared puzzled at all the fuss, and made his way to the sofa where he sat and laid the crutches on the floor beside him.
―Well, what have ye done, elf?‖ Hamish asked Olivia gently, not wishing to condemn her before hearing it out.
Olivia stood silently, her gaze fixed on the floor. Guilt poured from her and filled the room.
―Since Olivia won‘t deign to tell ye, I will,‖ Cat began. ―I was in the kitchen where Ian was sitting, and overhead him humming a verra familiar tune. Ye do ken
I Want to Hold Yer Hand
, the Beatles song, do ye no?‖
―Aye…‖ Hamish answered cautiously..
―Wheredo ye think Ian heard that tune, grandda?‖ Cat put her hands on her hi ps in distinct displeasure. ―Our Olivia brought her iPod with her! Can ye believe it? Did ye no ban the bringing of modern items?‖
Hamish nodded, carefully thinking it over. ―I did,‖ he said at last. ―Olivia,‖ he rose and began to pace the room. ―What have ye done, lass? I told ye the reasons for it, and ye did it despite me. What were ye thinking?‖
Slowly,Olivia raised her head to meet her grandda‘s disappointed eyes. ―I wasna thinking, grandda. I suppose I onlywanted to have my music with me. I‘m so sorry. But it did no harm, really,‖ she argued. ―Ian promised not to tell anyone about it. And he so enjoyed it, didn‘t ye, Ian?‖
Ian shifted uncomfortably in his seat. ―Oh, aye, indeed,‖ he agreed readily. ―I did swear not to tell, Hamish. I won‘t tell—ever. The music is unlike anything I ever heard and—‖
―There‘s a reasonit‘s unlike anything ye ever head, brother,‖ Carrick broke in firmly. ―‘Tis no from our time, ye ken? If anyone kent about this, Olivia could be accused of magic. Ye do realize it, do ye no?‖
―No!‖ Ian protested, realization dawning. ―I didna think of it. Truly, Carrick, I willna say a word to a soul!‖
―And ye, elf?‖ Hamish asked Olivia, who was now standing next to Ian in a sort of unified front. ―Ye ken the history here.‖
―Oh, aye, grandda.‖ She nodded vigorously. ―I ken it. No to anyone, I swear.‖
―Do ye have anything else we should ken, Olivia?‖ Cat asked, waiting apprehensively for the answer.
―No!‖ Olivia said staunchly. ―Only what ye ken about. The lighters and the flashlight. That‘s all. I swear!‖
―What are those?‖ Ian asked, interested in what other gadgets she had brought from the future. ―May I see them?‖
Hamish sighed in resignation. ―Aye, ye may.
In private
,‖ he emphasized. ―Then hide them away, Olivia. Ye put yerself and us all in danger should they be found.‖
Uh—well—there is one last little thing.‖ Olivia went pink again. ―My ghillies.‖
Hamish took a long, patientbreath, and exhaled it slowly. ―Yer ghillies, Olivia? Whyin heaven would ye bring yer dancing shoes? Ye ken ladies dinna Highland dance here.‖
―Aye, grandda, I ken.‖ Olivia lifted her chin to defend herself. ―But ye ken how I love to dance, and I plan to compete when we go home...‖
―Go home?‖Cat asked incredulously. ―Are ye mad? Can ye no see where ye are? ‗Tis noa holidaywe are on. How do ye think we will go home?‖
―I just thought that maybe we would find a way…somehow,‖ Olivia sputtered with the realization that their situation could be permanent. ―I thought perhaps Morag could…‖
―Morag told ye herself she has no the power any longer,‖ Hamish reminded her. ―Nay, lass. This is home now. Ye must get used to it, aye?‖
Olivia‘s eyes began to mist as she tried to smile at Hamish. ―Aye, grandda. Okay.‖
―
Okay
?‖ Ian repeated in question. ―What does
okay
mean?‖
―I‘ll tell ye later,‖ Olivia murmured to him, recovering her emotions.
―Hide it all away, sprite. Please,‖ Hamish implored her a final time.
Cat sighed at Hamish‘s verdict. ―Grandda, ye ken how she is ,‖ she protested. ―Ye ken she willna be able to help herself…‖
―Nay, Caitriona,‖ Hamish answered,takingher hand and leadingher to the door. ―We will trust her to keep herword this once.‖ He motioned to Olivia to join them. ―Come along, sprite. Let‘s find a safe place for yer things and appease yer sister, aye?‖
―Aye,grandda.‖ Olivia gave Ian a shrug and followed them out of the parlor.
―Right,then,‖ Carrick said to his brother. ―With all of this, Ihadna chance to sayhow good it is to see ye walking about.‖
―Did ye really travel through time to the future?‖ he asked Carrick, ignoring the remark on his health. ―What was it like?‖
―Verra interesting,‖ Carrick said thoughtfully. ―They have machines ye fly in, and things called automobiles which ye ride in and move on their own power. No horses or carriages. And boxes called televisions where ye can watch moving pictures that talk and…well, I can tell ye all of it later. Mind ye, dinna tell mother, aye?‖
Ian put his hand over his mouth indicating his silence on the matter. ―She‘ll nay hear it from me, I assure ye, Carrick.‖ Ian‘s eyes were wide at the thought of what his brother had described.
―So then, if ye are fit enough, I will need yer help with some things, Ian. Come into the study with me, aye?‖
―Aye,‖ Ian beamed and reached for his crutches in order to follow Carrick, who was nearly to the door. ―Anything I can do to help, Carrick,‖ he said, and begun humming the Beatles tune again in perfect pitch.

―Aye, Nessa?‖ Carrick acknowledged the housekeep er standing in the door of his study. He had spent the last three hours going over estate business with Ian. ―What is it?‖
―Well, Laird,‖ Nessa answered tentatively. ―There is someone here to see ye-
―I don‘t need an introduction to myown family,‖ Fiona interrupted and charged past her into the room. ―You can go now,‖ she spat at Nessa and waved her away. ―The laird knows who I am.‖
Fiona abruptly sat herself down in a leather chair and glared at Ian. ―You‘re grown since last I saw you. You
are
the brother, aren‘t you?‖
Ian, who could not recall the woman, stared back in silence and awe. He had never seen such a flamboyant woman before. He merely nodded in assent.
―What are ye doing here, Fiona?‖ Carrick began to rise from behind the desk. ―I thought ye were lodgingat the Inn.‖
―Iwas.‖ She sighed with a pout. ―But Ichanged my mind. Iwas anxious to see mydear da and the rest of you. It‘s been so very long.‖
―I‘m quite certain ye were,‖ Carrick replied sarcastically. ―That‘s why ye st ayed away—what is it, Fiona? Nigh fifteen years? What makes ye think ye‘re welcome here?‖
―Fetch me a brandy, boy,‖ she ordered Ian. ―And be quick. I‘m parched. This Highland climate is most unnerving. And tell my da and your mother I have arrived while you‘re at it.‖
Ian grabbed his crutches and quickly left the room. He didn‘t know who the woman was, but the malicious tone she used all but chased him out. He was happy to get as far away from her as he could.
―What‘s wrong with him? Is he a cripple?‖ Fiona turned back on Carrick. ―Bad breeding, I suppose. You Highlanders, always marrying your cousins…‖
―Enough, Fiona,‖ bellowed Carrick, leaning over the desk at her. ―I‘ll have none of yer vitriol under my roof. Ian was injured defending yer own daughter against the Sasunnach ye love so bloody much. Now shut yer vilegob. Ye have no right to be here. State yer business and get out. Now.‖
―No need to be so rude, Carrick,‖ Fiona scolded with a smile. ―I‘m sure your mother would not approve of your treating a guest so. Where is Molly?I‘d like to pay my respects. We are old friends, you know.‖
―Ye ended that friendship when ye left Laird William.‖ Carrick was seething and trying to gain control of his temper. He would not let this woman undo him. ―I doubt my mother would want to see ye. Now, I say again, state yer business.‖
Fiona settled more deeply into her chair. ―I already did,‖ she stated flatly. ―I came to see my family. Won‘t your brother get them,or do I have to go and find them myself?‖
―No need.‖ A furious Cat entered and stood squarely in front of Fiona. ―I thought we were well rid of ye, Fiona. I wantye out of my house this minute.‖
―Now, Caitriona.‖ Fiona slowly rose to face her. ―You wouldn‘t throw your own mother out? I have nowhere to go, my dear. Surely you aren‘t that cruel?‖
―As cruel as ye, ye mean?‖ Cat stiffened in righteous anger. ―As cruel as when ye abandoned yer family for a French Vicomte? Oh aye, I am. ‗Tis in my genes. Just watch me...‖
―In your what?‖ Fiona asked, confused by the word
genes
.
―I inherited it from ye, Fiona.‖ Cat leaned closerto Fiona‘s face, itching to smack her. ―Get out of my house!‖ Cat raised her arm as if to hit her.
―Caitriona!‖ Hamish stood in the doorway. ―None of that, lass. Ye must no strike yer mother, regardless of what she has done in the past.‖
Hamish had beeninformed of Fiona‘s presence and quickly recalled the story Carrick had told him. He instructed Ian to fetch Molly and Olivia to the parlor, and went on to meet the notorious woman alone.
―Let‘s go into the parlor,‖ Hamish commanded in his gentle way.
Cat lowered her hand and pushed past Hamish without comment. Fiona quickly did the same, not daring to look at Hamish.
―Ye cleared the room, Hamish,‖ Carrick said, joining him as they followed a ways behind the women. ―Well done.‖
―We shall see, Carrick,‖ replied Hamish with a shake of his head.
Cat was seated on the sofa, arms folded over her chest, glaring pointedly at Fiona. Fiona had settled herself into an opposite chair and assumed a casual air.
―Well, da,‖ Fiona greeted Hamishwith a careless tone. ―You‘re looking fit for your age. I thought you‘d be long dead by now.‖
―Ye dinna need to jab at me, Fiona,‖ Hamish answered as he moved to stand near the mantle.
Carrick joined Cat on the sofa and listened intently.
―I wasn‘t jabbing, da…‖ Fiona began.
―Aye, ye were,‖ Hamish cut her short. ―And I demand ye be respectful to all in this house while ye‘re present. D‘ye hear me, lass?‖
Fiona lowered her eyes to the floor, not in shame, but in defiance. ―If you wish it,‖ she muttered.
―What is yer business here at this time, Fiona?‖ Hamish questioned. He stood firmly by the fireplace, a stern look on him.
―She wants my inheritance,‖ Cat broke in. ―She means to take us to court for Laird William‘s estate and turn Carrick into the Sasunnach.‖
―I merely wished to see my family…‖
―Bollocks!‖ Cat interrupted with vehemence. ―That‘s not what ye said at the Inn. Ye threatened Carrick.‖
―Is it true, Fiona?‖ Hamish watched Fiona for signs of discomfort to prove her lie. As he did, a vague image came into his mind of a fire-haired child in his arms. A willful, spoilt child who did as she pleased, and was often disciplined to no avail.
The memory was vivid and odd—he had never had a daughter in 2010. He shook off the image and began again. ―Is that yer intent?‖
―I only want what is rightfully mine,‖ Fiona answered insolently. ―I am Laird William‘s rightful widow. Everyoneknows it.‖
―Nay, Fiona. Ye surrendered that right when ye left him and yer bairns.‖ Hamish‘s vision was flooding with images of this woman at various times of her life. Child, adolescent, and the mother abandoning her daughters and husband.
Had he truly lived that life as her father? Was he really the reincarnation of Hamish MacAllan as Carrick suggested? If not, then what? He had never considered himself psychic. He‘d never had a supernatural experience outside of the travel to 1746, although he did believe in the unexplainable. Could it be true? Was this truly his daughter in a past life?
The possible truth of it nearly unnerved him. Composing his thoughts backinto logic, he said. ―So now ye come to the family ye hated and left to ask hospitality, do ye? I am most ashamed of ye, daughter.‖
Where did that come from? Daughter?
The word hung in the air between them, and Cat stared at Hamish in astonishment. What is going on here? she wondered. Odd that Hamish would play the part so well. He was never a good actor or liar. Either someone had coached him very thoroughly, or…could it be true?
―I have a wee propositionfor ye, Fiona,‖ Carrick interjected.―With yer permission, Caitriona,‖ he said, seeking her approval before continuing. Cat merely shrugged, too numb to verbalize a response.
―Aye, then.‖ He leaned forward, hands clasped in front of him. ―There are caretakers living in
Taigh MacHendrie
. Ye may abide there for a wee time, provided ye pay yer daughter, Caitriona, fair rent. Ye‘d be responsible for yer own expenses and board. Perhaps six moths? Or do ye need more time to find a new husband, being a woman of yer age, ye ken?‖
Fiona reddened against the insult. ―Pay my own daughter to lodge in a house I rightfully own? Are you mad, Carrick? And where do you expect me to get the money to pay her at any rate?‖
―I doubt the noble Vicomte left ye as abject as ye claim.‖ Carrick calmly leaned back into the sofa. ―I‘m quite certain he paid ye what yer services were worth to him. Nay, ye shallna have complete charity from yer daughters, I will see to that. ‗Tis charitable enough as I offer it. Do ye no like it, ye may go back to France and see what charity ye may find there—if there is any left for ye, which I doubt, or ye wouldna be troubling us.‖
―And you, Caitriona?‖ Fiona was furious. ―Do you agree with this plan? And you as well, da?‖ She looked from one to the other, seeking support.
―I do,‖ Cat said simply.
―And I, Fiona,‖ Hamish finally managed to say. He was steadily recovering from his visions, and looking stronger by the second. ―It is best for all concerned.‖
Realizing she was in no position to argue the point further, Fiona sighed deeply and put up her hands.
―Fine then,‖ she agreed disparagingly. ―As you wish. When may I move into the house?‖
―There is a stipulation first, Fiona.‖ Carrick was all business. ―Ye willna go to the courts, nor will ye be unkind or bring harm to anyone on these lands. If ye canna agree, ye will leave, never to return. I dinna believe ye can hold to itthough. Ye canna uncurl a sow‘s tail, can ye now?‖
Fiona was sick of his demands, but saw the futility of non-acquiescence. ―I agree,‖ she said curtlyand sat back in her chair to rest her chin on the back of her hand. ―May I have a brandy, now that we have concluded the business portion ofmy visit?‖
―Oh,my God!‖ Olivia exclaimed from the doorway. She was white as a cloud and looked about to faint. ―It‘s you!‖ She pointed at Fiona as she collapsed to the floor.
―Olivia!‖ Cat cried, running to kneel at her sister‘s side.
Hamish and Carrick quickly joined her; Hamish lookedback to Fiona in anguish.‖See what ye‘ve done to her, Fiona! Do ye see what good yer coming has brought?‖ Then to Carrick, ―Can ye take her up to her bed, Carrick? I will tend to her there, away from this madness.‖
―Aye, Hamish,‖ Carrick answered as he lifted the unconscious Olivia into his arms and started for the door.
―Fiona,‖ he addressed her, looking over his shoulder. ―Be gone when I return. Ye may move into
Taigh MacHendrie
in the morning. I will notify the staff to make ready for yer arrival. See to it, Ian,‖ he directed his brother and left.
―Ye‘re a bloody hatefulviper,‖ Cat cursed Fiona as she rose to follow Carrick. ―I wish to never lay eyes on ye again. How dare ye?‖ she said as she left the room. ―How dare ye come back?‖
Fiona sat in stunned silence. She hadn‘t seen Olivia since the girl was six-yearsold and hadn‘t expected her to be such a beauty. ―Was that…?‖ she asked Hamish.
―Aye, Fiona.‖‘ he answered softly. ―Yer changeling child. Olivia is her name. And she grew into a fine woman without ye. Do as Carrick says, Fiona. I warn ye, he will no tolerate yer games and lies. Tread carefully, daughter.‖ Leaving the warning behind for Fiona to contemplate, he went to care for Olivia.
Ian sat frozen. He had never seen such a spectacle in his life and was speechless in its wake. Slowly, deliberately, he began to reach for his crutches so that he could carry out Carrick‘s directives.
―Fiona MacHendrie!‖ Mollyentered the room and planted herself firmlyin front of Fiona. ―I couldn‘t believe it was true. So, now ye come crawling like the snake ye are—back to the verra folk ye betrayed. Ye always did have a nerve, woman.‖
Molly put her hands on her hips indignantly and glared at the woman who had once been her best friend. ―And I am told ye want Caitriona‘s inheritance to boot. Well, ye never did have any shame.‖
Fiona put up her hand to stop the tirade. ―Enough, Molly,‖ she said, tired from the battles. ―I‘m leaving immediately.My business here is concluded.‖ Fiona rose and stepped past Molly, who refused to budge. ―I‘ll not trouble you further,‖ she swore as she walked toward the door. ―Nice to see you, too.‖
Fiona went into the foyer and let herself out. She strode arrogantly to her waiting carriage and was assisted into it by the driver. Molly followed to be certain Fiona was truly going. She stood in the portico and watched the carriage drive down the hill as a flock of ravens flew directly over the departing coach—their shadows cast ominously on its rooftop.