Page 20 of Captured By the Highland Devil
Some of these orphans came from the war too.
“Thank ye,” Ruben said. “She will be the caretaker for ye all here. Now, ye will nae have to wait for me to return from a long journey or be forced to relay yer needs to those who have nay authority to give ye what ye need—” he looked to Paige.
“Now, she’ll be the one ye come to,” he said. “Send her a message any time ye need and I assure ye, she will help.”
Forcing herself to put the rift with Ruben to the back of her mind, Paige focused on the children. They were not a part of this though and her heart bled for these innocent children. The war had caused this.
A young girl, clad in a rough-woven dress, came to her and tugged at her dress. Crouching, Paige asked, “Can I help ye, sweetheart?”
“Ah like yer dress,” the girl whispered. “The color’s pretty.”
“Yellow is pretty,” Paige agreed. “It reminds me of sunshine and flowers. Do ye like flowers, pretty girl?”
She nodded, “Aye.”
“All right, all right,” One of the housemothers came and lifted the girl. “I am sorry about Nera’s interruption, me lady.”
“T’is all right,” Paige got to her feet. “I daenae mind.”
“Why daenae I give ye a tour of the orphanage so ye can ken the house?” Ruben said. “Go back yer lessons, children. We’ll return soon.”
“May I come with ye, me laird and lady?” Sarah asked. “I can give ye a tour of the orphanage so you can see the sorts of needs we have? I am nae needed here.”
Paige did not feel as if she had the power to tell the young woman to come or to refrain. Ruben nodded curtly, “Aye, ye can show us around.”
The young housemother showed her everywhere - from the place the children washed their clothed to their vegetable garden the little ones took turns to plant and weed. She saw a chicken coop and the lone milk cow.
Paige leaned forward and rested her hand on the sill. “Ye grow yer own food too?”
“Aye,” Sarah replied. “Carrots, potatoes, onions and beets. We use some and sell the surplus for coin in the market. We have to teach the children to be self-sufficient from an early age so they will have skills to use when they do leave us.”
Paige nodded. “That’s smart. They do need to have somethin’ to take with them into the world. Ye’re teachin’ them to protect themselves and to have a skill to survive.”
“One of our girls is interested in becomin’ a healer. She once met Lady Cassandra and was assured a place in the healing hall when she leaves here. She’ll gain all the skills she needs to help others.”
Thinking about healers and the wonderful work they did with the sick and the infirm, Paige felt bereft and inadequate. These girls would go on to be helpful members of the clan with skills that were in demand. Ladies were only good for looking regal and pretty.
What can I do here that is meaningful? What legacy can I possibly put in place?
They retreated to the schoolrooms where a series of letter were marked on the large slate on the wall. The children had their heads down, carefully tracing the letters on their slates.
“Maither Etna,” Paige called her over. When she came to their side, Paige looked around. Her eyes landed on the small girl from before. “Is there anythin’ ye need? Foodstuff? Clothin’?”
“We have food stored for months,” Etna said. “But we did take in two more orphans last week. We would appreciate some bolts of cloth to make their everyday clothes and those for celebrations.”
“Ye’ll have it,” Paige promised her. “Within the next week. May I ask, though—who started this practice? It is uncommon to teach orphans to read.”
“T’is one of the rule his lairdship made for us to follow.” Etna said. “It’s another skill they must have to function in the world beyond these halls. Being able to read and write, with basic arithmetic, they have the basic tools to nae be tricked by scrupulous men out there.”
Pivoting to look at Ruben, Paige felt her emotions sway. Why would a man as he was, a warmonger, do such a kind thing?
“The orphanage is home to ten bairns between the ages of three and eleven and eight more children between twelve and seventeen.” Etna said while fixing her cap. “It’s quite a task to keep them all fed, clothed, and educated. We do our best, though.”
The sound of singing came from the other classroom and Paige titled her head to the harmony. She left for down the hall and stood at the door of the room. Five girls were at the front of the room, with songbooks in hands.
“The girls are participatin’ in next week’s May Day celebration in the township. They rehearse as much as they can as there are prizes to be won there, baskets of food, books and silver coins.” Etna said proudly. “I am sure they will win.”
Paige looked to the young girl who was focused on her slate with her tongue poking out her lips, “What is the name of that little lass again?”
