Highlander’s Mysterious Lady (Scottish Medieval Highlander Romance) Page 22

  Beatrice smiled and looked at Brodie, who was grinning broadly. The excitement between them could barely be contained. Finally, Beatrice took Helena’s hands and held them.

  “We have some news to tell you. Brodie and I, well, we have decided on betrothal.”

  “Oh, my goodness. I knew the two of you were a match made in heaven. I’m so happy for you, both of you.” Helena felt her eyes fill with tears, and Beatrice chuckled softly.

  “No, Helena, not you too. I just stopped with my own tears.”

  “Beatrice, you have been through so much these last few years, and all I have wanted is for you to find your own powerful love and your own joy. Seeing you and Brodie together, well, I just know he is the one for you. And I know he will care for you as no man has ever cared for you.” Helena looked at Brodie and raised her eyebrow. “Well, he will have to care for you, or I shall come after him!”

  “I plan tae care fer her with every ounce of me being. Dinnae ye worry, Helena.”

  “I have found my greatest joys with Brodie, and I cannot wait to enjoy the rest of my life with him. He is a wonderful man, and I’m lucky to be with him.”

  “Tis I who’s the lucky one,” Brodie added.

  “I’m glad the two of you have found each other. I know you are a great man, Brodie.” Helena reached over and patted Brodie’s hand. “And I cannot wait to tell Marcus, because I told him that the two of you were a great match from the beginning.” Helena clapped again, thrilled at how right she had been all along.

  “Beatrice, does this mean you’ll be moving into the castle more permanently now?” Helena asked, hopeful.

  Beatrice looked at her best friend and at Brodie. The truth was, she had not thoroughly thought about what they would do. Yes, she absolutely loved Scotland, and she did not want to be apart from Brodie, but she didn’t know if she was ready to leave behind her life in England. She needed to adjust slowly, and was grateful that Brodie was kind enough to consider traveling to and from England with her. That was one of the reasons she loved him—his willingness to give so she could be happy, too. Never had she met a man so willing to put aside his wants.

  “I’m not sure yet, Helena. We’ve not worked out all the details. I know if I decide to move here, I will need to sell the castle, but I can’t fathom taking care of all of that so soon. Brodie and I discussed dividing our time between here and there. I think it’s something that will work out. More than anything, I am simply happy to be making this commitment to living life in pursuit of my joys as well. I know we will find a way to work through this. We must.”

  Helena smiled and nodded. “I agree, those are all things that can be worked out, and while I would hate to see you leave, I’ll feel much better about you being in England if I know Brodie is with you. I’m sure you two will work out an ideal plan.”

  Beatrice was thrilled that her friend was supportive of their relationship. Of course, she knew Helena would be. She had helped guide her to be open to the whole thing from the beginning. Without Helena’s advice, she might still be a victim to her own guilt. She could not imagine returning to the way she had been only a few months ago, someone so lost in grief and regret that she could not bear to leave her home.

  Brodie slid off the bed and stood. He stretched out, raising his arms above his head. “Well, I assume the doctar will likely be in any minute, now that news has spread that ye are up and movin’.”

  “Yes, I saw him downstairs. He was getting his bag ready and coming right up,” Helena added.

  Just then, a knock sounded on the open door.

  “Hey there, lassie. I hear ye suffered from a mightae bit o’ shock. I’m Roland, the castle doctar.” A short man with vivid bright orange hair stood by the door, before walking in.

  “Thank ye fer rushin’ here doctar, as ye can see, Beatrice seems tae be doin’ well. She woke up with a big appetite,” Brodie added, laughing.

  “Yes, I am doing very well, Roland, thank you. I was rather hungry, but I’m doing well otherwise. Still a bit tired is all.” Beatrice seemed positively happy. Whatever had occurred the day before was clearly not anything to worry about as she seemed to be doing much better.

  “Well, I am glad tae hear. Lemme have a look at ye, then.” Roland walked over and set his bag on the nearby rocking chair. He took out a stethoscope and proceeded to listen to Beatrice’s heart.

  “Yer heart is beating strongly, lassie. Sounds vary good.” He moved from her chest to her back, and Beatrice took a few deep breaths.

  “Sometimes we worry bout the lungs in cases such as these, but yer lungs sound great. Ye may be a bit warm, but I cannae say tis a fever necessarily, I think yer doin positively fine. Ye seem tae be glowin’ in fact. Very healthy.” He paused for a moment and started putting away his stethoscope.

  “Actually, there is somethin’ else I should ask ye, lassie. Did ye get yer expected time in the last month, eh?” The doctor straightened out and looked to Beatrice as she thought about his question, looking at the doctor with some confusion. Of course she’d had her menses in the last month. I have… she thought in the hope of reassuring herself. But after he asked, she started thinking back to the previous month. The last time she had experienced her cycle was about two weeks before leaving for the trip to this castle. If her cycle came two weeks before she left her home, that would mean that she was well past the time when she should have started, about two weeks after arriving at the castle—well before Samhain even. Suddenly, her heart began racing.

  “Well, doctor, I, I’m starting to realize that I have not had it in well over a month. In fact, I should have had it nearly a month ago. I didn’t give it much thought. I’ve been under so much stress, really, that I didn’t even think to miss it.”

  The doctor’s eyes grew wide, and he started looking between Brodie and Beatrice. “And exactly when was yer last time, Beatrice?”

  Beatrice thought to herself, as she double-checked her memories to be sure of the information she provided the doctor. “Well, about two weeks before I arrived here, doctor.”

  He nodded seriously. “Well, I dinnae want tae make any assumptions, lassie, but if ye had any kind of activity around the time of yer arrival, well, yer very likely tae be celebrating more along with yer newfound engagement.” He pointed his head towards the door, “I overheard yer bit o’ good news as I was walkin’ up tae the door.” He closed his bag and picked it up, proud of having figured out exactly what was happening with Beatrice.

  “Wait, Doctor, are you trying to tell me I’m with child?” Beatrice did not know whether to be shocked, excited, or afraid. She had faced so many issues with trying to conceive, and then later suffering miscarriages, that this news was all rather shocking. Further, as she looked over at Brodie’s kind face, she could see his mouth had dropped open. He seemed to be about as shocked as she was.

  “Yer with child, Beatrice, with our baby?” He smiled so widely that Beatrice was sure his face would remain in a permanent fixed grin.

  “Well, lassie, I think that just might be the case. Of course, only time will tell, but I would say tis about time we start gettin’ ye all the nutrients ye need. I have a slew of teas I give the women with child. I bet Helena has told ye all about how much energy and strength she has, in part because of my treatments.” He nodded towards Helena, who also looked in shock. She knew about all of the troubles conceiving and the difficulties bearing the pregnancy to full term.

  “I reckon tis why ye felt so faint after the attack—well, aside from it bein’ rathar shockin’. Yer body is likely still adjustin’ tae growin’ a wee one. I’d say it be best tae rest a couple more days, and tae start increasing yer intake of food. Ye want tae make sure yer eating well fer the both of ye.” He chuckled as everyone around him remained in shock and mild silence though smiling like giddy school children.

  “Thank ye, Doctor, thank ye vary much.” Brodie shook the man’s hand before he turned and left them to it.

  Helena turned suddenly towards B
eatrice. “You didn’t tell me you hadn’t had the curse! My goodness, Beatrice! You’re pregnant! I cannot believe it. How are you, how does all of this feel?” She sat on the bed with Beatrice and pulled her hands in towards her. Beatrice looked at Helena’s round belly. She could barely imagine herself pregnant. Many of her previous pregnancies had ended so early on that she was still nervous t about it.

  “I, I don’t know how to feel. I’m thrilled. I can’t believe I didn’t realize it had been so long. But I think I need to be honest, and say I am also a little bit afraid. I don’t want to be so hopeful just yet,” Beatrice added rather glumly.

  Brodie looked between the two of them. “Why lassie, what has ye so worried? I think we’ll make fine parents.” Brodie was absolutely thrilled, having wanted to be a father for many years.

  “Well, Brodie, I have much I need to tell you. We’re still learning each other’s histories, but I think it’s best you know.” And Beatrice began recanting her troubles in the early part of her marriage. She talked about how it took many years for her to even conceive. How she and James had tried many times, but had only succeeded twice. And even then, those two babies were lost early on. She told him she felt she was failing as a wife, that she would never provide an heir for her husband.

  Brodie was very understanding. He held her and wiped away her tears as she cried at the memories. They were painful memories, but she felt much better sharing the weight of the pain with Brodie.], as if she no longer had to bear it all alone.

  “But Bea, I think this will be different. You just need to focus on you, and Roland is a wonderful doctor, I do believe his treatments have made my pregnancies much easier.” Helena nodded and gave Beatrice’s hand a gentle squeeze. Beatrice smiled.

  “Yes, I think this time will be different. In part, because I know I will not be as stressed. I will not have as many responsibilities being away from the castle, of course.” Beatrice bit her lip as she said this and glanced Brodie’s way.

  “Wait, lassie, are ye sayin’ what I think yer sayin?”

  “What I’m saying is, we have a wedding to plan. Very soon, mind you, before I grow too big for a dress. And with all the planning, and given that I hear Roland is the best doctor for a woman with a child, I think I’ll be making my stay at the castle permanent. There will be a lot to handle in regards to my estate, but we will manage it steadily. We’ll sell it in time. For now, I want to be here, Brodie. I don’t want to be in England. I’m so much happier in Scotland with you, and I think Helena is right. I can care for myself better here. I want our child to grow up in the peace and ease of these long rolling green hills and with the morning dew of the loch. I want to wake each morning to the fogs rolling in. I want to be here for Samhain each year, and every solstice celebration. I want our child to live a more peaceful life than England can offer.”

  Brodie could not contain himself. He rushed to Beatrice and squeezed her as tightly as he dare. He kissed all over her face ending finally on her lips.

  “Aye, lassie, I think Scotland has become yer home. I cannae see ye goin’ anywhere else. Ye belong here, the loch loves ye, the hills love ye, and I love ye. I am so happy ye’ve decided tae stay here. I think tis the best fer ye. And Roland can care fer ye mightae well.”

  “Yes, and in the meantime, while you are sitting here resting,” Helena began, “we will have much to discuss and plan. We need to get the both of you wed before you start showing, and before I give birth and am unable to sit through the whole Scottish ceremony and all of those dreadful bagpipes.” Helena smiled as she rolled her eyes, thinking about how many bagpipe songs she’d had to hear during her wedding to Marcus.

  “I can’t wait to plan it all with you, Helena.” Beatrice smiled.

  “And Brodie, I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with you and our wee one.” Brodie kissed her, and she looked out to the window just behind him, where she could faintly see the horizon line of the loch. She had never anticipated leaving England for a short journey, only to find herself in a whole new life. But Beatrice was ready for the kind of life she had only ever dreamed of, with a man she couldn’t have imagined existing.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Beatrice followed the doctor’s orders, and rested for at least a week. But she was unable to fully enjoy her engagement. Despite knowing she was with child, she had some unsettled business. Beatrice stood in her old bedroom in the Scottish castle as she fidgeted with her skirts. Brodie was holding her by the shoulders and trying to look into her eyes, but she continued peering down at her hands.

  “Are ye sure ye wannae dae this, lassie?” He reached up and wrapped a curl that had fallen loose around his finger. “Ye dinnae have tae if ye dinnae wannae.”

  Beatrice bit her lip and paused. She took in a deep breath and held it for a moment.

  “I think it is what I should do and what I want to do. So let’s get on with it, shall we?” She nodded firmly, as if secure in her decision. She had been going back and forth, debating on whether she wanted to see Frances again or not, but she knew she needed to. After finding out he was behind the robbery, she assumed he was behind the other as well. Perhaps there was hope that she could regain some of her lost possessions.

  But most importantly, she wanted to know why he did what he did. What had she ever done to him besides shy away from their dinners? She had always been courteous, and the fact that he had resorted to robbery and assault infuriated her.

  “Alright, then we shall!” Brodie announced. It would be some time before they made it to the area where Frances was locked up, just passed the border of Scotland. They would be able to make the trip within the day and return later that evening.

  Beatrice was not looking forward to the long carriage ride, but it was best, given the state of her arm. It was better than her trying to ride a horse like a lady with only one hand.

  So the two of them left the castle, promising to return shortly, and with Helena begging Brodie to look out for Beatrice as best as he could. They waved goodbye as the carriage set off.

  They rode for a while, heading over hills, passing through small roads that cut through lush green fields. The two of them held each other as the winds blew, announcing the near beginning of winter. The air was crisp and chilly, but Beatrice could smell the loch for miles after they watched it vanish behind them.

  By the time they made it to where Frances was prisoner, Beatrice was exhausted, but more than that, she was furious. In her journey to Frances, her anger had retuned, turning into a rage. How dare he do this to her; how dare he put her through this!

  She was going to let him know just how angry she was. Here she was, wounded, still recovering from the loss of her pregnancies, the loss of her husband, and the first theft—but instead, she had to deal with a privileged, entitled man who did not want to grow up, and instead found it necessary to steal from women to continue his frivolous lifestyle. She thought about how Helena had told her some time ago to take after him. In a way, she had agreed that she needed to be more carefree, but she could not deny that the thought of living so freely frightened her. What if she gave up her responsibilities? How would she know she was doing the right thing and not just becoming like Frances?

  A guard greeted them and led them to an office. Inside, a short, plump man stood and rushed to them.

  “Laird Paterson, Duchess Smythe, thank you for making the journey out here. I am tremendously sorry that you have to face all of this. I cannot imagine the stress. We’ll see to it that you get the proper retribution.” He shook both of their hands as he leaned slightly forward.

  “Thank you very much. I appreciate your care with this matter.” Beatrice stood with her back straight. Internally, she prepared herself for the conversation with Frances. She knew he would likely have some unkind words to say, but part of her hoped he would apologize, hoped he would rethink his ways. He was, after all, one of her last connections to James and the life she lived only years ago—the life that now seemed so far away.
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  “Well, if ye dinnae mind, I think the lassie is ready tae see the man,” Brodie said after a moment of silence. The plump man nodded and motioned his hand towards a door at the opposite end of his office. Beatrice turned and followed the man as he walked towards where the prisoners were held.

  The holding area felt damp, and though some natural light filtered in, it looked dark. Beatrice could not believe Frances had found himself here because of his actions. He had led a brilliant life, always had what he wanted, never worked for the things he needed. He was a man of high society, but at that moment, she saw how much he had fallen from grace. The plump man led them to a small cell near the end of the hallway, where Frances lay on a long wooden bench. When they appeared at the door, he barely glanced their way.

  The plump man turned to them. “I’ll let you two have some alone time with the man. I’ll speak to you after.” He nodded and did not wait for an answer before he returned to his office.

  Beatrice approached the cell. She stood looking at Frances, who seemed disinterested in engaging with her. She waited a few moments before speaking.