Page 32 of Unchaining the Heart of the Marquess
“Evans?”
“Aye, yer maither brought her with her from Chescrown tae aid in the birthin’, poor wee lamb.”
Frederick’s mouth went dry.The Evans brothers blame my mother for their sister’s death.
“Did she have a husband or family?” Frederick asked, wondering if any of them could be responsible for the threats against his mother. The Evans brothers had denied any involvement, and Frederick had been inclined to believe them, but now he was not so sure.
“I dinnae ken. If she did, I ne’er spoke with them. So sad. Yer dear maither insisted she be buried in the kirkyard even though the bairn was nae baptized. ‘Twas nae allowed in the auld faith ye see, when a maither and bairn die in such a way, but yer maither would nae hear o’ anythin’ tae the contrary. A gracious noble lady if e’er there was one.”
“Do you remember anything else of note that might have occurred during that time?”
“The Duchess wept often durin’ that time. She missed yer faither greatly, though she was verra angry with His Grace. She swore she would ne’er return tae Chescrown, but when yer faither came after ye were born a beggin’ for her tae return, she went with him. Do ye mind me askin’ Yer Lairdship, why ye are askin’ such questions?”
“Forgive me for my curiosity, Mr. MacDonald. I only recently discovered that I was born in Scotland.”
“Yer grandfaither ne’er told ye?”
“No, he did not.”
“He was so proud that ye had been born here at his favorite place in all the world. That and that ye had his eyes.”
Frederick smiled. “My grandfather’s eyes and my father’s hair.”
“Aye, and a braw lad ye are.”
“I have missed you, Mr. MacDonald.”
“And I ye, My Laird. Shall I have ye a bath drawn or do ye wish tae bathe in the loch as yer grandfaither so loved tae do?”
Frederick did not wish to make the man haul buckets of hot water up the stairs. “The loch will do nicely, Mr. MacDonald. Thank you. I will take Lt. Buckworth and show him where to go.”
“Verra well, My Laird. Mrs. MacDonald will have ye a good Scottish meal awaitin’ ye upon yer return.” The caretaker turned to leave then paused. “If I might inquire as tae how long Yer Lairdship intends tae stay with us here at Dun Dubh? I will need tae inform Mrs. MacDonald as tae whether tae hire more staff tae make yer time here more comfortable.”
“Not long at all, I am afraid. Do not go to any fuss on our account, Mr. MacDonald.”
“Verra well. ’Tis sorrowful I am tae hear it, My Laird.”
“For me as well. I will do my best to return at the earliest opportunity for a good long stay, Mr. MacDonald.”
“I will be lookin’ forward tae yer return, My Laird.” The caretaker bowed and left the room.
Frederick grabbed a handful of clean clothes and a drying cloth, then went to knock on Lt. Buckworth’s door. The soldier opened the door. He looked as though he had tried to clean himself up with only a wet cloth. His hair stood on end. “Swim in the loch?” Frederick asked smiling at his disheveled state.
“Yes, please,” Buckworth grinned. He grabbed a few things from his room and joined Frederick in the hall.
The pair of them walked down to the loch and jumped in without bothering to disrobe. They washed their filthy travel clothes as well as their bodies. The water was cold in spite of the summer air, but Frederick did not mind. He soaked in the beautiful sights of the glen and the towering bens that surrounded the loch. Waterfowl floated across the surface in the near distance staring at the two men invading their home.
“I believe that the poachers’ sister died here in childbirth and they blame my mother for bringing her here so far from home to die alone without her family. The baby died as well.” Frederick broke the silence after they climbed back out of the water, laid their wet clothes on the rocks, and donned clean, dry attire.
“That would explain their comment about your mother, but I questioned them thoroughly about the threats to her life and saw no sign of falsehood in their eyes when they denied any involvement.”
“I agree.” Frederick frowned. He was not quite sure what to do next.
“Did you discover anything else of note?”
“No. Mr. MacDonald did not remember anything else amiss during the time she was here. I will speak with Mrs. MacDonald after we have eaten to see if she remembers anything that her husband does not.” Frederick did not feel right about inquiring into his mother’s past in such a fashion, but she had left him with little recourse. His guilt and worry cast a shadow over his time at Dun Dubh. “I would also like to visit the grave of the young maid that died before we depart.”
Buckworth nodded his head. “I am sure that the Evans family would appreciate the thought.”
