| |
H
oly Rusephus, what is all that noise about?" Caitlin had dressed, tied a ribbon around her unruly hair, and decided to come downstairs. Her stomach felt better now so maybe she would have a bite of breakfast. As she started down the stairs she heard the voices of Jack, Millie, Hector, and Daniel, all talking at once. Whatever was going on?
"Millie, we need more oatmeal. This bowl's already gone and they're asking for more."
"What? Well, give them some toast and jam. It'll take a few minutes to make more oatmeal."
"Can we have some milk, Lady? Our mam always made us drink it every morning. And Miss Dorothea told us we had to drink it, too."
Hector stood in the doorway trying his darndest to figure out how the children had managed to hide themselves in his cart without him seeing them. And to think they had spent the night outside in the cold. Everyone in the lodge was running about trying to sort out what to do with them. Millie was dishing out oatmeal, Da was helping the wee girl drink her milk, and Jack was holding little Midge and spreading jam on toast.
"What's going on?" Caitlin walked over and stood next to Hector. She watched as Da, Jack and Millie scurried about. "Who are these children? Where did they come from?"
Hector shook his head. "Stowaways was the word Jack used. It appears I brought them with me and they spent the night outside in the cold."
"But where did they come from? Where are their folks?"
"They're the children I found hiding in a bedroom at Cameron Castle. Millie met them on her trip there and arranged for Dorothea to take care of them. Their Da died at Culloden, and just shortly after that their Mam passed away from an illness. They were homeless and found their way into the castle."
"But why did they leave Dorothea? She seemed like a perfect nanny to care for them."
"Seems they took a fancy to Millie so here they are."
"So I see. Well then, I believe you and I had better turn to and give the others a little break. So now we have four children to care for. That will take as many hands as we can get."
Caitlin looked at the scene. Total chaos. Everyone talking at once, the children squealing when Tess, the MacKinnon’s old Border collie, came waltzing through and Jack calling for more oatmeal. But she knew this lodge could handle those children just as well as it had handled the MacKinnon lads. For a moment, she wondered if Da hadn't had second sight when he started adding more rooms way back then. She smiled and walked through the doorway, tying an apron around her waist as she did. For a loner, it was surprising how much she was enjoying this.
Well, isn't this what you've wanted? A large family? Looks like you've got it, so how are you going to deal with that fact?
~ * ~
THE TRIP INTO THE VILLAGE was a short one. Deirdre had not spoken, which was fine with Alex. He had nothing to say to her. Or nothing she would have wanted to hear. He helped her dismount and she looked about as if just realizing he had not taken her to her home.
"I thought you were taking me home. What about me mam?"
"The constable will help you now, Deirdre. He'll know the best place to take you. Come on now. Let's get inside."
He put his hand at her back, directing her to the office door. Just touching her was enough to make him cringe with anger. He pulled his hand away for fear that he may give in to his craving to bury his dirk in her back — and then twist it.
Constable Stewart rose from his desk as they entered. "Alex, come in. Weren't expecting any callers today. 'Bout to go home. Been a hectic week. Old Cromartie's been here already, complaining about somebody stealing his cattle . . . again."
"Well, I hadn't planned on making a call, as ye say. But Deirdre here is having a bit of a problem, ye ken? She's not able to take care of herself just now. And Constable, her mam passed away a few days ago and the lass can't seem to get that into her head. Well, she didn't exactly pass away — someone strangled her, so ye might need to check that out. Deirdre's unable to make much sense just now, but she's the one responsible for kidnapping Caitlin. Ye do remember that incident don't ye? And just yesterday she tried to kill both Caitlin and me. It's yer place to find her a home — away from here. I don't even want to know where ye take her, but ye need to do it now. If she comes anywhere near my home, or close to Caitlin, my soul will be damned for I'll kill her for sure."
With that, Alex walked out, leaving the door standing open and a cold wind blowing through.
~ * ~
"ALL RIGHT, ALL OF YOU. March yourselves upstairs. Follow me now. A bath would make you all a bit more loveable."
Caitlin had never been around children, but she was convincing these bairns that she knew what she was doing. She sounded like a commanding officer ordering his troops. Millie smiled and was glad to have Caitlin take charge of the three children for a while. She'd gotten them warmed and fed them, but three was a lot to handle. Midge was still just a babe that had to stay put when you placed her in a crib. But these three were running about the lodge, the oldest lad trying to ride old Tess, and the wee girl seemed to be leading the smaller lad around by his hand. They were close in age, but the lad was just slightly taller, and apparently very shy.
Caitlin had both tubs filled with water, waiting to receive the dirty little bodies. How they had gotten so filthy was still unclear to her. Dorothea would have insisted on a daily bath for sure. But who knows what they had gotten into before sneaking into Hector's cart.
Caitlin had insisted on giving each of them a bath herself. If these children were going to be here for any amount of time, she would check them out from head to toe. Did they have any open wounds or sores? Any lice? Any bites that needed treating? She found herself smiling — maybe they were her first patients. She had heard from Hector that there were more like these children, homeless, and without any family at all.
The older lad talked constantly and asked more questions than Caitlin could possibly answer. The smaller lad smiled, but didn't follow instructions very well. Or maybe he just chose to ignore them. She'd have to talk with him about that.
"Now, tell me your names again."
"He's Charlie and I'm Dugald," the oldest lad said.
"And what's your sister's name?"
"She's Bridget, Miss."
"I see. And my name's Caitlin and you may call me that."
"Why are ye looking in me ears? I know they be clean. Miss Dorothea made sure we washed every night."
"I'm sure she did. So why did you hide away in the cart? Didn't Dorothea take good care of you?"
"Yes, mum, she did. But the Lady is like our mam. She has that long, black hair just like our mam. And she smells like her too."
"Yes, well, let's get you two bathed and then I'll see about Bridget."
Caitlin called out loudly. "Daniel, can you find something for the lads to sleep in?"
"Aye. There's bound to be sleeping shirts in some of the old trunks upstairs. Give me a minute. Ye go now and see about the wee lass. I've not had any experience with the lasses, ye ken. She's got an imagination, that much I can tell ye. She's been talking me ears off and wanting me to read another story."
Da had found a new burst of energy the moment the children had appeared at the back door. Caitlin had noticed, and now, thinking a little more on it, was sure he was as at home with these children as he had been with his own four boys. He hadn't even questioned why they were here, but turned to making sure they were being cared for.
Caitlin bathed the young girl and a quick look told her the lass was thin, too thin. She'd have to watch her closely and see if she just didn't eat properly or was there more going on. She was, as Da had indicated, very talkative and obviously liking being pampered by Caitlin. The child was very different from her brothers, who were both dark eyed and dark haired. The lass was fair, with hair that was almost white and the bluest eyes ever. She was so small she could lie down completely in the tub and did so. She squealed with delight and Caitlin was totally drenched herself before the bath was finished.
She found a soft sleepshirt of Alex's and held it out to the lass.
"Here, Bridget. Slip this over your head. It'll keep you warm for sure."
The shirt came to the floor and the lass squealed with delight. "It's a beautiful gown that I can wear to the dance." She spun around, giggling as she did.
Yes, a very vivid imagination.
Finally, having gotten all three of them bathed and ready for bed, she decided to put them all in the same room. In the same bed, actually. They would certainly feel more secure than if she separated them. But where? Which room?
"Daniel, which room do you think I should put them in?"
The old man scratched his head then nodded. "Oh, I believe Jamie would be kind enough to share his room, don't ye?"
The bed in this room was one of the larger ones and it would work well for three small bairns. Caitlin smiled at the old man. "Aye, Daniel, I rather think he'd be pleased to share that room. And Da, do you think you could read them just 'one more story?' Maybe then they'll go to sleep. I'm done for."
"Would be my pleasure. Can't tell ye the number of stories I've read over the years. Alice always thought that was a special time for me to visit with me lads. I believe I can still manage to do that."
H gathered a couple of books under his arm and climbed the stairs, just as he had so many times before.
~ * ~
IAN AND WABI ARRIVED just after sunset, with Alex close on their heels.
He came in the door and let out a very loud sigh. "Oh, what a relief. Just to come into this place of peace and quiet. This has been one heck of a day."
The laughter that followed that statement had Alex looking at the others as if they had all lost their good sense.
"Ah, just so, then. Peace and quiet. This is the place for that," Hector smiled.
Then he, Millie, Caitlin and Da were bursting with even more laughter. Ian and Wabi were just as dumbfounded as Alex.
"What's got into all of ye? Ye been having a few wee drams?" Alex wanted nothing more than a bath and a wee dram himself.
Da finally came to his rescue. "Nae, lad. We're just a bit tuckered out our own selves, ye ken? No doubt you, Ian, and Wabi had a trying day. But things were a bit hectic here at the lodge, too. So if we seem just a tad too giddy, it's just that we're all tired and not sure what to make of the happenings around here today."
"What happenings? What are ye talking about?"
Alex poured himself a small mug of Hector's cider and sat on the old sofa, next to Caitlin. He kissed her quickly on the forehead and she leaned into him, relieved to see him home and safe.
Jack took center stage and started pacing, trying his best to relay to Alex the events of the day. But when he had finished, Alex was more confused than ever.
"Three? Three children? Who are their folks? And where are they now?" Alex looked from one to the other and no one answered him.
Eventually, Hector, the negotiator, took the floor and began to connect a few details for Alex.
"But whatever are we going to do with three children?" Alex noticed that no one really jumped at answering that question either.
Da sat his cider down, stood, and looked directly at Alex. "I expect we'll find room for them somewhere, don't ye think? These rooms have had children in them for many years, what's a few more, huh?"
Da had spoken, and there would be no more discussion.
~ * ~
HECTOR BROUGHT OUT his papers from the estate. He'd gone over them several times to make sure his figures were correct before he'd discuss them with Millie. She was very sharp herself when it came to numbers. But that was not surprising thought Hector, she'd had tutors from her earliest years.
"Millie, I've gone over these figures and I think you can trust they're correct. Clint and Dorothea and I have drawn up several sets of drawings — for your approval, of course — that lay out how we think the place should be arranged. Ethel has agreed to run the kitchen, and she'll find the girls that used to work at the estate, your grandmother's lasses, to help with cleaning and keeping the place in order. Clint and Winston will take care of making sure the buildings are in shape and the animals are cared for. And Dorothea would like nothing better than to help these children with no homes, and the mothers without husbands. The estate can accommodate quite a few if we lay it out right. The only thing left is to find a couple of women to help manage the children with no mams, as there are a few of them, too, such as the three we know about. Surely we can find ladies in the village to help with that. It also occurs to me that we need at least one experienced woman who can run the place once I'm finished with my part. As yet, no one has come to mind. On the next trip I'll work on that problem."
Hector was just now realizing how he had enjoyed working on this project. It was even better than cooking. His life was most definitely taking off in a new direction.
"There will be a great deal of expense involved in order to make some of these changes. We'll have to pay the cleaning girls, and those who help with the children. And if we are able to find a manager, then she'll expect a salary also."
"Don't worry about the expenses. When I left Warwick's castle I took only two things — one of his prize horses and the jewels that Father had given to my mother and me over the years. Those jewels that my father draped my mother and me in will provide funds that will help make this school here, and the sanctuary at the estate, a reality. I'll never wear them and this is a good way for them to bring happiness to others. They never brought my mother or me any."
"Then we can make this a fine sanctuary. Yer grandmother would be pleased with yer plans and ye'd be following in her footsteps, caring for those needy ones, the locals in the village."
Then Millie spoke up. "Oh, just one bit of clarification, Hector. Eventually, after you have had a chance to get things in proper order, Dorothea will be coming here to live. She's agreed to help us with Midge, just as she cared for me. What with the other three children here now, her skills will be most welcome."
"Aye, she's quite good with the children."
No one voiced the words, but it was apparent the three homeless bairns would be staying at the lodge. The Lady never even considered sending them back. Jack wouldn't have let her if she had. Change was becoming a little easier for him, apparently.
~ * ~
DANIEL KNEW WHERE HE would find them, Ian and Wabi—in the library, of course. The two of them were inseparable. He didn't even have to guess what they were doing, he already understood. He walked the empty hallway and entered the library, breathing in that unique scent that only comes from very old books. In Daniel's case, an intoxicating scent.
"That's the smell of knowledge," Alice would say.
"Thought I'd find you two huddled in here, combing through these old tomes. I always thought I would get around to reading all of them, but I'm still a ways from that." He laughed and pulled up a stool next to Ian. "Ian, my lad. If you grow any more ye'll be taller than Jack, and he may not take kindly to that idea. He's always been the big brother, even though Alex is the oldest. But ye may just do that. Ye've still a few years growth coming, so we'll see."
"Da, I don't think I'll ever be as big as Jack, and never as smart as Alex."
"Ye underestimate yerself, lad. I also know it's time for ye to find yer own way in this life, yer place, just as we all must. With ye and yer brothers I've been able to teach ye all about sheep farming and living in the Highlands. Being a MacKinnon ye've learned those lessons well and would make a fine sheep farmer. And that nose of yours can find things none of us ever can. But it's clear ye need special training for ye to find yer true place. Alice always knew ye would walk a different path. Now I understand what she could see early on. And if we can talk Wabi into it, perhaps he might take ye on as an apprentice. Do ye think that would work?"
Ian was speechless. He'd been dreading this discussion with Da. He'd just figured Da would expect him to stay on the farm and work with the sheep. He wasn't opposed to that particularly, but lately, especially after the last few days, he knew there was more he was called to do.
"Holy sheep shite, Da! Ye mean it? I could go with Uncle Wabi and learn from him?"
"Watch yer tongue, lad. Yer mam wouldn't tolerate that language and neither will I. But if going with Wabi is what the two of ye think is the right thing, then so be it. I don't pretend to understand this calling, but Alice would never have stopped ye and so I'll not either. The older I get the more I realize there's still much for us all to learn."
Wabi nodded to Daniel. "Being a called one doesn't mean he doesn't have a choice, Daniel. He does. It will always be his decision to answer the calling or not. But I can instruct him in ways that will help him come to his own decisions and know what will be expected of him. We are all responsible for our choices, the called as well as all others. But he has been given extraordinary gifts, Daniel. The Creator doesn't usually make mistakes about whom he bestows them on."
~ * ~
THE THREE BAIRNS BELONGED to everyone apparently. Millie had no trouble finding a place in her life for them, and neither did anyone else. And life on the sheep farm had been kicked up a notch for sure. Dugald, the oldest lad who was about seven or eight, had attached himself to Jack's back pocket. The big man now had a small shadow and learned to be careful before stepping backward.
"If yer going to follow me, ye gotta be careful. I'm not used to having anyone so close behind me, ye ken?"
But it was evident this boy and Jack would do well together. Recently Jack had put the lad on one of the older, gentler horses. The lad had gone to sleep that night still talking about "my" horse.
But Millie and Caitlin were struggling with Charlie, the younger lad. He didn't listen to either of them and they were both getting tired of repeating themselves all day. He was very shy, they all agreed on that. Bridget stayed pretty close to him and, being more verbal, answered a lot of questions for him.
"So far, he's only grunted more or less, but he'll never talk more if she continues to do his talking for him," Millie said.
"Charlie, you've got to start talking to us now. Bridget can't always answer for you. Speak now, lad." But the boy remained close-mouthed as he smiled at her. Millie could see this little one would need more attention than the others.
Today, however, even Caitlin had lost patience with the lad. She'd spent the morning gathering berries and herbs for making medicines and had told the bairns they were not to eat these. But, now, coming back into the room just a few minutes later, she found Charlie with his cheeks bulging out, having stuffed himself with a handful of her berries.
Standing right in front of him, she began repeating the same thing she'd just told him moments ago.
"Charlie, those berries are not for eating. I told you that. They're to be used for making medicines. Now, you need to pay attention when I'm talking." The lad nodded and she walked away, went out to the porch, and then came in a few minutes later only to find him eating the berries again.
"What? I just told you not to eat those, Charlie." She was becoming exasperated with this situation. He nodded again and continued to eat as if she had not spoken to him.
Suddenly, as if struck by a bolt of lightning, she had a thought. She walked around behind the boy and called his name — loudly. "Charlie! Charlie!"
He never moved. Never turned around. She clapped her hands loudly. Nothing.
Of course. Why didn't I think of that before?
Millie came through carrying an armload of laundry. Laundry was a chore that had to be done everyday
"Move, Charlie, I don't want to step on you."
The lad stood right in her way, never moving an inch.
"Charlie!"
"Millie, don't. He can't hear you. He's deaf."
"What? Charlie? He's deaf? Are you sure?"
"Yes. I'm sure. That's why he never does what we ask him. He never hears us. And that's also why Bridget stays close to him. She knows he's deaf whether anyone else does or not. There's only a year or so between their ages. I'm sure of it. She's been his ears since he was a baby, and when she's not around, he's lost."
"Oh, Caitlin. What do we do?"
"Well, nothing that I know about can restore his hearing. But Uncle Wabi may have knowledge I don't. He's seen a lot. But for now, let's help the lad by trying to show him what we want rather than just saying it to him.
Surely there must be a way to make his life easier. I'll give this problem careful thought.
Later that same evening, the wee lass, Bridget, found her way into Alex's lap and as usual, fell asleep there. Alex, certainly quieter than the other brothers, was more surprised at this than anyone. He hoped he and Caitlin would have bairns of their own, but this little lass was worming her way into his heart already.