Resisting the Highlander: A Scottish Romance (12 page)

“Well, lassie, all I know of it is, that it was built some time in the 1500s, the same time as the first castle was built on this site. The bottom part of the tower was used for wine and food storage, the upper floor was a sort of prison for any of the soldiers of the garrison who got into trouble. The story goes that the daughter of the laird of the castle fell in love with a common soldier, who was promptly put in the prison house. One night, she went there, snuck past the guard, and got in to see her lover.  Knowing the dire consequences there would be when it was discovered, they took their own lives by jumping from the window onto the rocks below. To this day our town sees to it that the rocks they were supposed to have fallen on are kept blood red by painting them. Makes a good attraction for visitors in town.”

Bridget leaned against the wall that separated Robert’s property from the location of the tower and looked at the twenty foot square building, mostly covered by moss. Smilingly, she said, “Makes a good story, but that window I see is much too small for anyone to jump out of. Would it be safe to climb those crumbling stone steps and see if we can look inside?”

Robert spoke vehemently, “No, lassie, that’s one thing we shall leave strictly alone. It would be too dangerous and don’t you ever try it. No one ever goes near the place as far as I know. It’s just a legend now but makes a good landmark for passing ships.”

Taking her arm, he said, “Let’s get down off the rocks and go back by the sand, I like that better.”

“All right, Grandfather, then I shall go barefoot.”

When they finished their walk and started back up the hill towards the castle, the bracing sea air had revived Bridget’s spirits and the events of the previous night were all but obliterated.

As they neared home, she spied Margaret all alone, and said to Robert, “Maybe I shouldn’t have, but I promised Margaret we could go up in the lighthouse tower before she goes home, and since this is her last day, do you think we could it this afternoon? I don’t intend asking her back again in too big a hurry, but thought I could keep my promise to her about the lighthouse. I feel sorry for her, she has always been more or less rejected by most people, and I just want to bring her a little happiness occasionally.”

“I understand, lass, and I think it will be all right to go up in the tower today, but I won’t let you go alone. You can only go if you let Aidan go along with you. Sandy will be up there also doing some cleaning of the lights and reflectors. Will that be all right?”

“I suppose so, but I wish I could feel more friendly towards him. He has a way of irritating me, and then I can’t control my temper. I say things I hadn’t intended to.”

Robert looked fondly at her, saying, “He thinks an awful lot of you, and it would make me very happy to see the two of you on better terms. He’s a good lad.”

“I’ll try, Grandfather, really I will. Goodness where did the time go? Besse will be waiting for us. Let me dry off my feet a bit and I’ll catch up with you.”

Robert walked away as Bridget came upon Margaret.  

“Hello, Margaret. Since you have to go home soon, Robert says we can go up in the lighthouse tower today and see the view, but he won’t let us go by ourselves. He insists Aidan goes with us, and Sandy will be there also doing some work. You’ll like that, won’t you?”

Margaret’s eyes looked somber. 

Bridget examined her cousin. “What’s the matter? You don’t seem to be too happy about it.”

Margaret said, “I just wish I didn’t have to go home. You don’t know how lucky you are, Bridget.”

“Yes, I suppose I am lucky, but now let’s get back to the house before they come looking for us, shall we?”

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B
ridget couldn’t get enough of the view of the ocean and surrounding territory. She gazed at Rattray Head lighthouse across the bay and the rounded stretch of yellow sand beach reaching to the village four miles away and the huge rocks far below them with waves continually dashing against them, thinking that the sight nearly took her breath away. It was well worth the climb up the winding stairway that led to the chamber where the light was housed.

She breathed deeply and turned toward Aidan, a big smile on her face. “I had no idea we could see so much from up here. I am so glad I came. My parents never allowed my sisters and me to come up here, said it was too dangerous.

“Aye, Bridget,” answered Aidan as if in awe, “here you see nature in all its glory. But beautiful as it is, there are times it can also be cruel and destructive.”

Taking her arm, he turned her around to face the north where lay two more villages just outside of town. She smiled delightedly, “I could watch this all day.”

Her cousin showed little interest in the view and surroundings, being more content to talk with young Sandy inside the light chamber.

“Let’s go inside now and see the workings of this whole thing,” said Aidan, still holding her arm and guiding her along.

Full of information on the history of the lighthouse, he seemed eager to pass it on to the girls.  An avid reader, he didn’t lack for material in Robert’s well-stocked library.

Bridget listened intently as he related that back in olden days, the lamps with circular wicks had burnt only fish oil, graduating later to vegetable oil, and then mineral oil, as was being used now. “Along with metallic reflectors, the light is greatly magnified and can be seen for many miles in clear weather, but unfortunately in heavy fog they are scarcely discernible, and then the eerie sounding foghorn goes into action,” he said.

Young Sandy was busily polishing everything, but looked up occasionally and smiled shyly.

“Well, girls,” said Aidan, “I think that’s about all I can show you up here. If you have had enough of the view, we had better start down again. Watch your step on the stairs though, it’s a long way down.” Then coming closer he said, “Here, let me hold your arms.”

Bridget looked at him with genuine admiration in her eyes as she remarked, “Thank you, Aidan.  The visit to the lighthouse has been lovely and your commentary made it more enjoyable.”

He smiled and squeezed her arm.

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T
hey had got about a third of the way down the winding stairway and were near a window overlooking the wine tower and ocean beyond when Aidan stopped abruptly and said, “Wait for me here girls, there’s something I forgot to tell Sandy. Don’t go down without me,” he cautioned. “I’ll be back in a second.”

He sprang up the steps they had just descended. Bridget watched him, thinking how very easy it would be to let go and really love him. Every time she thought of him now, a warm feeling rose within her. She watched him until he disappeared round a bend in the stairs. But then Margaret coughed and Bridget remembered how little time she had for music with her cousin around. She used to have more time to play when she was living with her parents, before Robert began leaning on her to help run the household. If she were to marry, she would have even less time than she did now. Maybe someday that would be all right, but she had too much to do with her teaching and her church responsibilities.

Turning back to the deeply recessed window in the thick wall and leaning over to see out, she said to her cousin, “Look at the old wine tower, Margaret, it looks so small from away up here. Remember when we used to play there when we were children? Can’t you just see the two lovers leaping from there to their death?”

There was no answer. Bridget felt an arm come around her throat and Margaret’s voice, harsh with the cunning of a depraved mind, hissed in her ear, “You won’t escape me this time, Bridget. You are through having everything your way while I have nothing.”

Bridget couldn’t cry out because Margaret’s arm was so tight around her neck; she seemed to have the strength of a man. Struggling furiously on the narrow step, she managed to drag the arm away for a second and screamed, Aidan!”

The arm tightened across her neck again. As she began losing consciousness, Bridget thought she heard footsteps running down the stairs.

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A
idan was already on his way down to the ladies when Bridget screamed. He flew down the staircase and found Margaret yelling like a mad woman. Aidan grabbed her arms and pulled her away from Bridget. Margaret raised her knee and thrust it into Bridget’s back causing her to lose balance and fall headfirst. She hit her head on a stone step as she fell and rolled to the bottom of the long stair way where she lay still.

Aidan’s face darkened with anger. He yelled, “Sandy come and hold this mad woman, I’ve got to see what’s happened to Bridget!” Sandy must have heard the commotion because he was suddenly right behind him. As soon as he put his hands on Margaret, she quietened down and smiled.

Aidan took two steps at a time as he rushed to the bottom of the stairs. A feeling of fear and panic engulfed him when he saw the still form stretched out on the cold stone floor.

He whispered, “My God, Bridget.” Kneeling quickly beside her, he put his ear to her breast, listening for a heartbeat. He heard it, normal and steady. He breathed a sigh of relief and then passed his hands over her body, feeling for possible broken bones. He sighed and thanked God that nothing appeared broken, but was worried she could have a concussion.

“Sandy,” he yelled, “bring that woman down here and lock her in the storeroom. We’ve got to find out what happened to her. She must have gone insane. Can you manage her?”

“Aye, I’ve got her and can handle her easily. She seems docile enough now.”

The presence of Sandy had a quieting effect on Margaret. She smiled at him as he locked her in the storeroom, seeming to think it was some kind of game.

Aidan said, “Run quickly to the house now, and tell Mr. MacDonald what has happened. Ask him to bring a blanket. We must insulate Bridget against the cold of this floor. Doesn’t seem to be anything broken, but I don’t want to move her until the doctor gets here. After you tell Mr. MacDonald, run down the hill for Dr. Thompson. He is the closest, and for God’s sake tell him to hurry.”

Sandy was off in a flash.

“W
hat do you think, doctor?” Robert asked, face white and drawn with anxiety.

“Well, Robert, just as Aidan said, there doesn’t seem to be anything broken, and that is a miracle in itself after falling that far, but possibly she rolled most of the way down. However, I would like to examine the young lady more thoroughly at the house. Let’s get her back there now. I’ll come here later and see the one responsible for this terrible thing.”

“I’ll carry the lassie, sir, she’s not very heavy,” said Aidan as he bent down and picked Bridget up off the floor. In spite of the seriousness of the situation, his heart pounded furiously as he felt her body against his own, head lolling against his chest like a sleeping baby. 

At the castle, Bridget was placed on Robert’s bed, so she wouldn’t have to be carried upstairs. Besse was called in to undress her so the doctor could perform a more intensive examination.

“Well, doctor?” Robert asked again in a hushed voice when he had finished.

Dr. Thompson rubbed his chin with his hand before answering. “There are no broken bones, just as we thought. There are many bruises all over her body, but that is not serious and will clear up quickly. What I am concerned about is that nasty blow on her forehead. I’m quite sure it is not fatal but could cause temporary amnesia.”

Besse’s hand flew to her mouth. “Amnesia? You mean she might not remember the accident?”

The doctor smiled kindly. “She might not remember anything for a while. This has been a terrific shock to her system, and it may take another shock of some kind to restore her memory, if she has lost it. All we can do is wait until she wakes up and see.”

Taking a small bottle from his case, he unscrewed the stopper and held it under Bridget’s nose. He gently moved it back and forth. In a few moments, she started moving her head from side to side as if trying to get away from the strong odor of the smelling salts.

She started coughing and at last opened her eyes. They had a blank look in them.

“Ah, Bridget, my girl,” said Robert, “you’re awake again.” She looked at him uncomprehendingly and closed her eyes.

The doctor closely watched her movements before saying to Robert, “She is in no immediate danger and has youth on her side. I don’t believe there is any threat of a blood clot, but we will have to watch her closely.” He shifted his attention to Aidan. “I want you to keep putting cold compresses on her forehead. That will help to bring down the swelling.” He stood up. “That’s about all I can do for now but will come back again tonight to see her. Now let’s take a look at the one who is responsible for this near tragedy.”

Robert looked at Aidan, whose face was pale. “Lad, take Dr. Thompson to see Margaret. Then go tell Bridget’s mother what has happened. Her father is away to the Highlands with the fishing fleet now and maybe that’s just as well. He would be out of his mind if he saw his Bridget like this.”

“Right, sir,” answered Aidan, and accompanied the doctor back to the lighthouse.

As Aidan went off to do his bidding, Robert sat down on a chair by the bedside. Resting his elbows upon it wearily, he leaned his head on his hands. He was not a praying man, but now an anguished plea sprang from his heart, “Oh, God, if it be Thy will, spare our lassie.”

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“N
ow, Alice, don’t go into hysterics,” Robert said to his daughter. “Dr. Thompson has assured me that Bridget is in good shape and it will just be a matter of time before she is her usual self again, but it may take a little while for her to get over this.”

“Can I take her home, Father?”

“Oh, lass, I know how you must feel. This is your bairn, but don’t you think she will be better here? She has gotten to love this place, and if she has lost her memory for a while, she might be better with the things she has got to used to in the past few months. You can come and spend some time with her every day, and I’ll get a nurse if it is necessary. Besides, I don’t think the doctor will allow her to be moved at this time.”