Beyond Reason (15 page)

‘He often let me help the little ones to learn their letters. We – we had to leave all his books behind. I longed to be able to read them, but there was no time at Braeheights, even if I had had them. I would have liked to teach the boys to read, but their father considered education a waste of time. He-he said they must learn to work, and so must I.’ She shuddered and colour flooded her pale cheeks as she remembered Mr Foster had made time for his own pleasures with Lily Bloddret. Josiah saw the remembered horror in her eyes and he wondered exactly what the man Foster had done to make her flee from his house on a winter’s night.

Within the week, Mr Cole arrived in person to deliver three dresses for Janet and, as Josiah had suggested, he told her that her mother had helped to make them for her.

‘You will recognize her stitching on the bodice and sleeves,’ he said. He was shocked at the sight of her pale face and thin figure. He had known her since she was a child with a merry smile and chestnut curls bouncing around her rosy cheeks. Her smoky-blue eyes, so like her father and her brother, seemed too large for her thin face now. Two of the dresses were in russet wool for everyday wear but to Janet, who had only ever worn clothes cut down from her mother’s dresses, or loaned from Mrs Foster or Molly, they were truly beautiful and she could have hugged the elderly tailor.

‘The other is for church when you are well enough to attend again,’ Mr Cole told her. Janet unwrapped the third dress and gasped in delight at the emerald-green woollen gown with a matching cloak and a muff, warmly lined with rabbit fur.

‘I have never had such beautiful clothes in my life,’ she breathed. A look of anxiety clouded her gaze. ‘Could my mother afford to send these for me?’ she asked doubtfully.’

‘You will recognize her stitching on the bodice of the green
dress,’ Mr Cole said, catching Josiah’s warning shake of the head, and tactfully avoiding a direct answer to her question, for he was an elder of the kirk and he never lied.

‘Then I must strive to get well soon so that I might thank my mother in person.’

‘Mr Cole is dining with me today, Janet. Perhaps you would like to write a letter to your mother? I understand she is not well enough to leave the house or to attend the kirk.’

‘A letter would please her,’ the old tailor said with his kindly smile.

When they were alone together Mr Cole turned to Josiah. ‘It is true Mary added stitches to the cuffs of Janet’s dresses but even that took all her strength. She seems barely aware she has a daughter. Each day I wonder if she will have the strength to rise from her bed and I wonder what I shall do when that day comes.’

‘That is why I hoped you would deliver the dresses in person. I intend to keep Janet here at Crillion Keep. I know she can read and write. I can find plenty of light work for her but she has a proud and independent spirit. We must tread carefully. I have plenty of empty rooms so I intend to persuade her to bring her mother here where she can care for her, with help from Peggy Baird when she needs it. I believe Peggy and Mary were friends when they attended the dominie’s school as young girls.’

‘You would do that, Josiah? You would take Mary in too?’ Mr Cole stared at him incredulously, then with dawning relief. ‘The expense and trouble of caring for another….’

‘Is as nothing to me. I have no family and the dominie was a good friend to me.’

‘Aye, and to me, and many another,’ Mr Cole nodded. ‘But your sister? Everyone in the area has heard of her fury because you are caring for Janet here.’

‘I no longer consider Eliza a member of my family. We share no blood ties. Her mother was good to me as a child, but my father provided well for both of them. My fortune is not large but if I can spread a little happiness then it will be well spent.’

Two weeks later, the Ross coach came up the long drive once more. This time, both Eliza and her son alighted almost before the coachman could open the door and let down the step. Mrs McLauchlan and Mrs Mossy saw them through the kitchen window and it was clear from Mrs Ross’s demeanour that her arrival spelled trouble. They could never have dreamt of the far-reaching consequences her arrogance and greed would precipitate.

Maggie McLauchlan straightened her cap and smoothed down her white apron. Both were spotless as usual. She hurried to open the door but almost before she could step back Eliza swept past her, her expression haughty and her beady eyes glittering. Her son followed in her wake and from his expression, Maggie guessed he was anticipating a quarrel with as much glee as other men derived from a cockfight or bouts in the boxing rings.

‘I’ll tell Mr Saunders you’re here, ma’am,’ Maggie said.

‘I don’t know why he can’t employ a butler and a footman to attend to the door.’

‘It’s no trouble ma’am. I will tell—’

‘You needn’t bother. I shall find him in that cramped little room near your kitchens, no doubt. He always did prefer the company of servants,’ she added contemptuously.

Maggie hurried back to her own domain, knowing that for once Mrs Ross would find Mr Saunders’s favourite room empty. It had surprised them all when he had vacated it to give Janet a warmer and more convenient bedroom during her illness and the most
convenient for herself, popping in and out from the main kitchen. He was always considerate.

Three days ago, Janet had moved upstairs to a bedroom of her own and the fires had been lit in the long library. Billy Nairn, the carrier’s son, was always willing to assist indoors or out when required, especially if there was a chance of seeing Lizzy Semple, the young maid. Josiah had instructed him to move two of the big leather chairs and a table nearer the fire at one end of the library. Maggie didn’t know what he intended to do but she knew Janet shared his interest in books and she looked happier than Maggie had seen her since she was a young girl at school.

The only cloud on her horizon at the moment was her mother’s health. Since Mr Cole’s visit, Janet realized her mother must be very ill. Maybe that was the reason she had never contacted her at Braeheights. She confided her anxiety to Maggie.

‘We must have faith, lassie, and the Lord will provide.’ It was the only comfort or advice she had felt able to offer. ‘We are all thankful you have been spared, Janet. Your health and strength are improving every day.’

It was true. Peggy had helped her wash her thick hair and it had sprung back into shining curls. Janet had regained the strength to brush it daily again. Even in the woollen working dress, she looked trim and neat with the snowy white apron she had sewn herself. Mr Saunders had surprised them all when he told her to remove her cap, declaring it was a pity to cover such lovely hair. Instead, Janet had tied her hair back with one of the ribbons Peggy had given her but that only served to emphasize her fine features. It was plain to see she would be a lovely young woman when her health was fully restored and the hollows beneath her delicate cheekbones filled out. There were still faint blue shadows beneath her eyes but they seemed to emphasize her clear gaze.

Josiah Saunders noticed all the improvements and decided the time had come to occupy Janet’s time and thoughts before she grew restless and anxious to find work.

Twice Fingal hired a horse to visit Crillion Keep and both times he had stayed overnight. He also noticed Janet’s return to health.

‘She is almost like the girl I remember from our schooldays,’ he
said to Maggie, ‘but what will become of her, Mother? I wish I was earning enough money to look after her and protect her from men like Foster.’

‘Mr Saunders doesna seem in any hurry for her to leave,’ Maggie reassured him. ‘I think he plans to find her some light work here, at Crillion Keep.’ She had thought Fingal would be pleased at the news but he had scowled and fallen silent.

‘What sort of work?’ he demanded abruptly.

‘I don’t know, laddie. We don’t have many workers for a house this size but all the rooms in the tower are closed up and the furniture is under dust covers. Peggy and me – well, we’re grateful he is willing to keep the lassie here where she is safe and warm and getting some good food inside her. She’s lucky to be alive. You should be thankful for that and pleased that Mr Saunders has a kind heart.’

‘I am grateful for that,’ Fingal said, ‘but it depends what else he has in his heart,’ he muttered to himself; but Maggie heard. She frowned. It was becoming more apparent to her that Fingal’s feelings were no longer schoolboy affection for a fellow pupil. He had always had a tenderness for Janet but she suspected he was falling in love now she was almost a young woman.

‘There’s plenty of time, laddie. She’s but a lassie yet.’

‘She will be sixteen in a few weeks. Mr Saunders may look older but he is only fourteen years older than me.’

‘That makes him about thirty-six then, but what of it, Fingal? He’s an ailing man. Age doesna matter.’

‘Och, I don’t know,’ he said impatiently. ‘Maybe I was imagining things when Janet was so ill. He watched over her with such tenderness….’

‘That’s because he has a kind heart. We all thought Janet was going to die and he felt he should have offered her help earlier. If he had known how bad things were for her at Braeheights, he would have brought her here. He said so. As it is, we don’t know what lasting harm Wull Foster might have done.’ She frowned, thinking over the discussion she had had with Peggy. There had been no sign of Janet’s monthly courses.

‘What do you mean, Mother?’

‘What if Foster has given her a child?’

‘Janet? No! Surely he didna…?’

‘It is too early to know and it’s not your problem. We must wait and see. Right now she is getting well and Mr Saunders doesn’t want her to take any risks. That’s all.’

‘Dear God, I hope she’s all right. I-I’ll kill Wull Foster if he has harmed Janet!’

‘Don’t talk like that, Fingal!’

‘But – but….’ He sighed. ‘Sometimes I wish I had taken Dominie McWhan’s advice. I would be a dominie by now. It will be years before I become a lawyer and earn enough to keep a house and a wife.’

Maggie met Mrs Ross as she flounced out of the small dining room.

‘Josiah is not in there! Why didn’t you tell me?’

‘I think you’ll find him in the library, ma’am. Shall I …’

‘I know where the library is! Come, Henry, we’ll find our own way. We shall be staying until I have restored some sense into my brother and some order into this house – and that means sending unwanted paupers on their way. Tell Mrs Mossy to prepare two rooms. We shall dine in the dining room from now on. It is time someone took charge and brought some civilization to this place.’

‘Yes, ma’am.’ Maggie McLauchlan’s eyes had widened in surprise, but they narrowed angrily at the veiled criticism. ‘I’m sure Mr Saunders will tell me if he is not pleased with the way I run his household,’ she said coldly and hurried away without waiting for a reply. What sort of trouble would there be before Mrs Ross departed? she wondered. She called for young Lizzy to help her in the kitchen.

‘There will be two extra for meals from now on,’ she said. ‘I shall need you to prepare more vegetables while I devise an extra course for luncheon. Will you ask Mrs Mossy to light the fire and set the table in the main dining room? Ask her to make sure everything is without fault from Mrs Ross’s critical eyes.’

Lizzy rolled her eyes. ‘Oh Lordy, is she staying? That means big trouble, doesn’t it, Mrs Mac?’

‘It seems like it,’ Maggie said grimly, ‘but just remember, lassie, if it’s bad for us it’s worse for Mr Saunders. Only God knows what will happen to Janet, poor lamb. That woman wants her out of here. I’m sure that’s why she’s invited herself to stay without warning.’

Eliza marched into the library, closely followed by a smirking Henry. Janet and Josiah both looked up, startled by the intrusion. They had been examining the spines of several leather-bound volumes and Janet was holding the duster she had been using to wipe each book before replacing it on the shelves in the order Josiah instructed. Before they began, he had selected several books which he recommended for her own reading.

‘Later you can arrange them on one of the lower shelves, Janet. You can come in here whenever you feel like reading and they will be yours. We shall add to them as we sort through my collections.’

‘Oh, Mr Saunders, I-I don’t know how to thank you.’ Janet’s eyes were bright with gratitude and unshed tears.

‘There, there, my dear. I should have been lost without my books, even as a young boy, and I know how much you enjoy reading too. I understand how deprived you have felt during your time at Braeheights. Now we shall make up for that as your grandfather intended. Maybe one day you will be able to share your knowledge by teaching other young girls.’

‘That would be wonderful,’ Janet breathed, overwhelmed by his generosity. Her eyes were alight with joy and Eliza was astonished and angered by the cosy tableau when she stepped into the room. It fuelled her resentment.

‘It would seem I have not come a moment too soon, dear brother!’ Her eyes were venomous slits. ‘The fever could not have been so bad when the chit has made such a remarkable recovery,’ she sneered. ‘I believe it was no more than an excuse to prevent me entering the house, but I’m here now – to stay.’

‘Good morning, Eliza, Henry,’ Josiah said mildly, although he was seething inwardly at Eliza’s unexpected arrival. His dark brows had risen, his mouth tightened, and Eliza knew he was annoyed and not at all pleased to see her.

‘You, girl, you should not be in here. You look perfectly healthy
to me. It is time you were on the road and looking for work….’

‘Eliza!’ Josiah pushed himself to his feet to confront her. She ignored him and continued to glare at Janet. ‘Right now there is work for you in the kitchen.’ She jerked her head towards the door. Trembling Janet rose to her feet.

‘Stay where you are, Janet,’ Josiah said quickly and pressed her shoulder, pushing her back onto her chair. Her eyes darted fearfully from one to the other and her heartbeat quickened. What would she do if she was put out now? It was weeks to go before the hiring fairs.

‘I said go!’ Eliza snarled angrily. ‘I wish to speak to my brother in private. I have told the old woman we shall be staying, so you can help prepare two of the best bedrooms. Make sure you light the fires.’ Janet glanced at Josiah Saunder’s white face and saw the pulse beating in his jaw, just below his ear. She could see he was angry and she bit her lip.

‘I don’t want to be the cause of any trouble,’ she said, her voice barely more than a whisper. ‘I will help Mrs McLauchlan in the kitchen.’

‘Very well, my dear,’ Josiah said, struggling to control his anger. ‘You may tell her there will be two extra for luncheon and—’

‘I have already given instructions and told her we shall eat in the dining room.’

‘A moment, Janet.’ He held up his hand, his expression grim. ‘You may order your own staff as you please, Eliza, but you will remember I give the instructions in my own home. Janet please tell Mrs McLauchlan we shall eat in the small dining room and you will dine with us as usual.’

‘Y-yes, sir,’ Janet said nervously, giving a small bob before she scurried towards the door without daring to glance in Mrs Ross’s direction. She was so intent on making her escape she did not notice Henry’s foot shoot out as she was passing. She tripped, but he failed to catch her and pull her close against him, as he had intended. Instead she collided with a side table, knocking one of the lovely, coloured-glass oil lamps crashing to the floor in a thousand pieces.

‘You clumsy idiot,’ Eliza stormed. ‘See what you have done! You
will pay for that from your wages. That is if you ever earn any.’

‘I-I’m s-sorry Sir.’ Janet looked across at Josiah, struggling to hold back her tears. It had been a beautiful lamp and there was a matching one on the table at the other end of the long leather settee.

‘It was not your fault, Janet. Wait a moment.’ He turned a stern face towards Henry. ‘Sticking your foot out is a childish prank. If anyone pays for the lamp it will be you. Now, Janet, please ask Mrs Mossy to come in and clear up the glass and you can also tell her there will be no need for fires in the bedrooms, or for extra beds. Our guests will not be staying overnight.’

Janet heard Mrs Ross gasp indignantly and closed the door hurriedly behind her. She was thankful to escape.

Josiah ignored Eliza’s furious protests and turned to his nephew. ‘I recall you enjoyed playing mean tricks when you were a boy,’ he said with contempt. ‘You were fortunate Janet was not badly cut from the glass. I would have expected you to be more of a man now you are – what age? Twenty-two, if I remember correctly.’ Henry glowered at the floor. His uncle might be an invalid but he had always been sharp-eyed, and sharp-tongued too if he didn’t approve of a fellow. Today he had accompanied his mother because she had ordered him to do so, but he knew she was planning a confrontation with his Uncle Josiah. She was determined to get rid of the girl. He had looked forward to witnessing a scene and seeing his uncle cowed. Few people outfaced his mother. Now here she was, gasping like a stranded fish while his uncle calmly ignored her demands to stay for a week or more to put his house in order.

Eliza revelled in gossip and she had regular sources who kept her informed on all manner of subjects, but particularly anything concerning Crillion Keep and its occupants. She had learned that the dominie’s granddaughter was recovering quickly since their last visit when she was supposedly at death’s door. Today she had come with every intention of making sure the girl packed her bags and got on her way, with or without his uncle’s agreement. News that the old tailor had recently made a visit to the Keep and had stayed to dine with Josiah had agitated her even more. It was
common knowledge Mary Scott was employed by Mr Cole and that she was becoming increasingly frail and in need of nursing herself. She had no place to go and Eliza knew her brother’s philanthropic nature well.