ROCKED BY THE WAVES (17 page)

She paused and took a deep breath.

«In the past year, the girl had got few letters. Love letters from someone she didn’t know. They were very explicit... she didn’t tell his fiancé, but he found out and broke off the engagement. She swore she hadn’t done anything wrong... but he didn’t change his mind. Well, she has... she has committed suicide. Over the cliffs...»

Sam and I looked at each other. Elizabeth Gray.

«Was the girl a nice good-looking one? Was she dark-haired and blue-eyed?» Sam asked.

«Yes! Did you know her?»

«No but we... heard of her», he said.

«She was kind and beautiful...»

That had the name of Elizabeth Gray written all over it.

«What a bitch! This Elizabeth...», said Renny.

«She was making us fight, Renny... she was tricking Claire and me as well».

«Thank God you trust each other».

THE CEILIDHS

In spite of that, our day went on as busy as usual. When it was dinnertime, we sat at the table and spoke about everyday topics.

I didn’t want Renny and Robert to leave, but the date of their departure was approaching. I had something in mind, though, so I waited for the right moment and then said: «Mi’kmaqs used to call this island Epekwitk, which means rocked by the waves».

They all stared at me.

«We should go on a trip. Together. This is a wonderful island and I think you’ll all be under its spell afterwards... Moon told me where we should go and I would love to take you all there».

We left two days later. We went North and headed to Prince Edward National Park. We wanted to visit Cabot Beach as well.

Life was steady and peaceful there. The villages were small and the sea was very relaxing. People sat on the sand and looked at their children playing. A wide range of birds tweeted over our heads. There was music, so few people were dancing. We stopped in many villages and slept in some lighthouses. We used to have our meals on the sand. At dinnertime, we ate as we watched the sundown.  The sight was amazing and I loved the shades. They shifted from orange to silver. It was a perfect balance between peace and freedom.

We all enjoyed the trip. We all fell for the places we visited.

I didn’t know that by then, of course, but Renny and Robert would be back every year and spend some time with us. I was sad about their departure.

Moon and I decided to arrange a new garden. Plants could be useful for so many things and we had so many fields around the house. Moon said some of the herbs were so precious that the people who tried to take them were condemned to death in her clan.

Herbal knowledge was an ancient science. Women were the keepers of those secrets and they were able to cure illnesses. They could take care of the plants and they knew how to use them, once they had grown enough. We asked Robert to help us build a very small shack to keep the herbs that needed to dry. We wanted to make oils, teas and medecines.

We had our own laboratory and we boiled the flowers. We kept the liniments in jars and we were sure we would be able to face wintry colds and fevers much better than before.

1900 was approaching and fashion was constantly changing. People were happier. Women dressed in a much simpler way and feminism was in the air. Young women still wanted to be beautiful, but they also wanted to feel comfortable in their clothes.

Even in Nova Scotia the atmosphere was changing. It was because of that, that Moon and I decided to sell our products. We could become Businesswomen. Moon’s cousin was supposed to help us: she would travel all over the country and sell the products. We both knew, Moon and I, that our business was less more than a hobby, but it was great fun. Furthermore, our products were good and useful.

AS THE INK FADES AWAY

Prince Edward Island, May 1903

Sam and I had been living in Nova Scotia for ten years. The island was as charming as usual and the sand was so golden that you couldn’t help, but fall in love with every inch of it. It was warm, 22 degrees.

I was twentyeight and we had four children: Edward was nine, Marcus was eight, Jasmine was seven and Jodie was five.

Sam was thirtyone and he was still beautiful. He was the only one for me. We had worked hard and he was less jealous by then. We had found sort of a peace. He knew that I truly loved him. Alex was just a memory that I had left in the foggy London.

Renny and Robert used to come and visit us. They stayed throughout the month of July and we always had fun together.

Robert had helped us make many improvements on our house. The rooms were warmer, thanks to few stoves we had bought. The dépendance had a brand new veranda, which was really charming. Robert used to sit there and look at the river.

We had built a new rooom and a small studio, which were destined to my dad. He had retired and he had moved to Halifax. It was eight years now. He was still friends with John Price and they both came to visit us very often.

Renny was a great businessman and he had a new associate. It was all very fine.

Moon was my best friend and she had three kids. She lived with her family and few relatives in a big house.

We had picked a teacher for our children, Andrea De Luca. He was Italian. Sam had picked him because he had a background in psychology, antropology and sociology. He was a short and thin man, who always carried his bag with him. He wore glasses. «
The child who educates himself, while the adult gives him the necessary help
», he used to say, «
a good teacher must accompany the interests, enhance the skills of the child, encourage diversification of its activities and to collaborate with its research choices
». That sounded good.

He came to our house twice a week and he always brought much stuff with him.

Keir had been writing to me throughout the years. He considered me as a good friend. I knew he was still in love with me, but Sam was fine with our being friends.

He was still in India, where he had been promoted. He was a lieutenant and he had married a lovely girl. They had a son. I hadn’t received any news from him in more than one year. Maybe he was happy, after all.

It was the end of May. I went for a walk. The kids were sleeping, Rhona was home and Sam was working in the garden. I came to him and saw that he was repairing a door for the dépendance. We were both impatient to meet Robert and Renny.

The three of them had become really good friends and they loved each other dearly.

Sam was so busy working that he didn’t notice me. I hugged him and he jumped.

He turned to kiss me.

«Are you going for a walk?», he asked.

«Yes. I’ll go look for a few herbs I may need».

We hugged for a while.

«The kids are sleeping, but I’ll be back before they wake up».

Sam didn’t really approuve of me walking alone in the woods, especially if Moon and the Mi’kmaq were out of town for a few days. But I felt safe.

«I’ll come look for you in one hour», he said.

«One hour? That’s not fair!»

«Come on, Claire».

I took my basket and hugged him once again. I wanted to seduce him and persuade him that I would be okay.

«Claire...», he whispered.

«Mmh?»

«Okay, one hour and a half».

I smiled and kissed him, then left him. When I was few metres away, I turned to him. He was still looking at me. I smiled and went to the woods.

It smelt so good. I kneeled to see the flowers. Someone came to me, but I didn’t notice. When I lowered my head and saw someone was there, I jumped.

I looked at the man. He was tanned and green-eyed. He was very tall and he was smiling. He helped me stand up.

«Keir! You scared me!»

He was taller than Sam.

«You didn’t change. Not a bit. So pretty and tall...»

He looked at my breasts. Two buttons of my shirt had slipped. I turned red.

«I have four kids now, you know», I said.

«You still are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met».

«What about your wife?»

«She died one year ago. But my son is fine».

I was stuck.

«She was ill. I am very sad that she died, but I didn’t love her. I married her because she was pregnant. I still love you».

I was pale and shocked. He helped me, because I was about to faint.

«I am sorry, Keir».

«I am not. I’m here now. With you. I know you are married, but I love you. You can’t change that».

«I’m sure you don’t love me».

«I’m sure I do».

His green eyes were filled with tears. I caressed his cheek. I was sorry for him.

«Is there anything I can do for you?»

«Yes. Please, look after my son».

I was stuck. He kissed my hand.

«He will have a better life, if he stays here».

Keir had really changed. He was a man, a very handsome one. He looked like an adult and he was one. He had seen the war. He had lived a very difficoult life and I was unsure whether to run away from him or stay.

«You made hard choices, Claire, and I know you can’t tell me everything about that. I don’t know where you are from, but I know you have run away from your home. I think it was because of Sam and I also believe Edward is not his. When I was seventeen, I couldn’t see that. Now I can. I’ve been thinking of you and I know that the two of you must be hiding from someone».

I started crying.

«Sam is not your only option, Claire. I’m here too... should you be in need». I couldn’t breath. He hugged me.

«I don’t want to run away anymore, Claire. I’m moving here, in Nova Scotia. I need to be next to my son. But you must take him. Please».

«How old is he?»

«He’s two».

«How long have you been married?»

«I didn’t love her. I needed to marry her. Do you trust me?».

«Maybe. Now you must talk to Sam. About your son. I’m fine with this, but you will need Sam’s permission as well».

He looked at me.

«He won’t accept».

I smiled.

«You don’t know him. He loves children. He’d do anything for any kid. He’s generous. Tell him you trust him».

«He’ll think that’s an excuse to come and see you».

«He’s not a fool. We both know you, Keir, but Sam knows me as well. He knows I love him».

«All right, then. I’ll come tomorrow afternoon. I’ll be with Anish, my son. I’ll come visit him once a month and give you my address as soon as I have one».

He kissed me passionately and caressed my back.

«I’ll see you tomorrow, Claire», and he left.

I was panicking. My basket was empty and Sam would come to look for me any moment. I decided to go back home.

When I got there and saw Edward walking with Sam and Marcus following them, I felt much better. Jasmine and Jodie were in the garden. I laughed. It all seemed so normal and quiet. When Jasmine punched her sister and Jodie started crying, Sam turned to them. I run to Jodie and asked her: «Are you okay? Jasmine! How dare you!»

«Mom, Jodie said uncle Robert is ugly».

«Jodie is too young to know that».

Edward joined us. «Mom’s right, Jasmine».

Sam started laughing. And I did too.

«Come on, Jasmine. Say you’re sorry».

«But...»

«Just do it. You should behave, you know...»

Marcus said: «Dad, shall we play now? The words game?»

«That’s for younger children, Marcus», replied Eddy.

Sam looked at me.

It was crazy. We had four kids and they were always up to something. We would have a fifth soon and I wasn’t sure how we would deal with him.

On the afternoon, as agreed, Keir came to see us. He was holding a two-year-old boy. He was green-eyed and his skin was much darker than his father’s. Keir was nicely dressed, as a lieutenant. There was something magnificent in him. He greeted Sam.

My husband looked at him. He was surprised.

«Hello, Keir. May I help you?»

«My wife is dead and I need you to look after my son».

Sam was even more surprised.

«I haven’t been talking to my parents for a long time and I don’t want my son to grow up as a sauvage anyway. I’m not sending him back to India either».

«Why don’t you keep him?»

«I’m not a good father and my life is far too dangerous. I want him to be with you».

«With us...», Sam whispered to himself.

«I’m moving back to Nova Scotia and will be able to visit him once a month. I want him to know I’m his father».

Sam remained silent for a while. Then he turned to me.

«How do you feel about that?»

«That’s up to you».

Keir looked at me.

«The kid will stay, Keir. But I need to talk to you. Now».

They left. I would have liked to hear their conversation.

They got to the oak and faced one another.

«I know why you are doing this, Keir. You must know, though, that she is free. She takes her own decisions. I never urge her to do anything».

«I know that, Sam».

«But... should anything happen to me, you must promise me that you will take care of Claire and our kids. I know you can. You’re the only one who could do that. Will you accept our deal?»

Keir was stuck.

«I will, but you know...»

«I know you have been in love with her for ten years. I know that. Should she ever be with you, you must respect her and be faithful to her».

«I will».

«Until then, you stay away from my wife».

«Deal».

They shook hands.

«Oh, and Keir... you can talk to her. But not in the woods. You can come and look for her here, in our house».

He smiled and shook his hand. They had an agreement.

«Let’s go back, come on».

Keir was still holding Anish. He was sad, in a way. When they met me, I was playing with the kids. We were laughing.

Sam called for us and we stopped. «Guys... this is Anish, your cousin. He will be staying with us, so make him welcome and behave!»

Keir was looking at Sam, who looked calm. Keir was thinking that he had given his word he would stay away from me.

«Will you have dinner with us, Keir? You should put Anish to bed, tonight».

«Sure».

Eddy looked at me.

«Do we have cousins, mom?»

«No. But Anish will need your affection. So be kind».

I took Keir to Eddy and Marcus’ room.

«I can see why you love him, you know. He is good. He really is... he asked me to take care of you, should... and he told me I should behave».

«He is right».

«He said I should come look for you here, instead of the woods...»

«I think that’s wise».

«Claire, you know what I’d love to do right now?»

«No need for me to know that».

«Let’s go downstairs, then».

It was a nice dinner. Keir told us about India. Sam listened to him and asked him many questions. When we put the kids to bed, Sam asked him if he wanted to sleep at our house. He seemed to be thinking about that, then he accepted.

We all went to our rooms and I undressed. I went to bed, where Sam was waiting for me.

«Why are you doing this?», I asked him.

«I want you to be safe. We got lucky, but who knows how longer we will be. He might find us... he loves you very much and he might find us».

He was talking about Alex. I caressed his cheek.

«I love you».

«I love you too».

«You’re the only one I could ever be in love with».

«You’re mine...»

We kissed and made love.

Keir was our ally, thanks to Sam. He had been wise enough to turn the situation in our favor.

On the morning after, we had breakfast with Anish and Keir.

«What does Anish usually eat, Keir?»

«I’m not sure... but he’ll get used to what you usually have for breakfast».

Sam and I were confused. How could he not know what Anish liked most for breakfast?

When Sam went out, he found Bruce McVey waiting for him. The day has started and many things needed the Laird’s attention.