Page 40 of One Bed for the Bluestocking
As they carried their provisions up from the beach, Kate surveyed the shieling in which they would spend the night.It was a small, rectangular structure consisting of dry-stone walls and a thatched roof.Shelves and a tiny hearth were built into the walls, as well as low stone platforms that could function as tables or desks.It was exceedingly spare but adequate for their purposes.
Kate could not help but notice that after allowing a little room for their baggage, the area left for sleeping was about the same size as the bed they had shared at the inn in Stornoway.So, she was out of that particular frying pan, straight into this new fire.She imagined that they would lie down in separate bedrolls, so, although they would be close in terms of distance, surely they would not awake entwined as they had fallen into the habit of doing.Kate was not entirely successful in convincing herself that the emotion this thought elicited was relief, rather than disappointment.Sharing a bed with Nathaniel had been embarrassing and terrifying, as she was in constant fear of discovery.But she could not deny that it was also thrilling.And this would surely be her only chance to be close to the man she adored more with each passing day.If she had met Nathaniel another time, in another way, as Kenneth Weatherby’s daughter, he might have courted her.The possibility was remote, but it wouldn’t have been nonexistent.
Little had she realized that by achieving her ambitions as an illustrator, she would be sabotaging her romantic hopes.Although there were a range of reactions that Nathaniel might have to discovering that she was a woman, few of them could be described as good.And had she truly realized her professional aspirations?She would have to go back to being Kate at some point, and for the rest of her career, she would have to avoid Nathaniel, lest he recognize her.The scientific world was small enough that it was difficult to imagine that their paths would not cross at one time or another.Unless she was willing to give up her work, discovery seemed inevitable.
The more she considered it, the more it seemed that revealing her true identity was her only course.But it was imperative that she did not do so until they returned to Edinburgh and her work with Nathaniel was complete.He had shown himself to be a man of the utmost honor, and she was convinced that if there was the slightest chance of damage to her reputation, he would insist upon marrying her.Although Kate did want to marry Nathaniel, she didn’t want him to propose out of a sense of obligation.He was so gracious, he probably wouldn’t utter a word of complaint.But the fact that he had not been free to make his own choice would always cast a pall over their marriage.
Yes, she would let him know, but not until their current project was complete.And then, she would have to pray that he would keep her secret.
Although they had lain down on opposite sides of the small shelter, Kate awoke to find herself wrapped in Nathaniel’s arms, as usual.Her first mortifying thought was that she had invaded his bedroll in her sleep, but a quick glance around the shieling revealed that they had met one another in the middle.Which was odd.Kate had accepted that she was hopelessly drawn to Nathaniel, as the tides yearned after the moon.But it seemed improbable that he would have similar feelings for “Kit Witherspoon,” who possessed all the attractions of a scrawny fourteen-year-old boy.
As usual, upon waking, Nathaniel released Kate and muttered an apology as he hurried outside.When she emerged from the shieling, he was splashing himself in the stream that emptied into the ocean.
After breaking their fast on bowls of porridge, they began the hike to Loch Raonasgail.This was the part of their assignment that made Kate particularly nervous.She was confident that her artistic abilities were up to the task.But, although she prided herself on being a vigorous sort of girl, she had never been in a situation that would test her in the ways she would be tested in the next few weeks.She would be hiking long distances while carrying heavy loads.Then, for the next four weeks, she would be scrambling up cliff faces and working outdoors all day in whatever weather the Hebrides could throw at her.In the weeks before her departure, she’d spent hours trooping up and down Arthur’s Seat with Roderick in an attempt to build up her stamina.Now came the moment to discover if her preparations had been sufficient.
She was determined to prove herself, so she loaded her pack until she could barely heft it onto her back.They set out, following the stream through the treeless landscape that was particular to the Hebrides.The hike wasn’t overly long—only about three miles to the base of the loch—nor was it steep, although the ground was boggy in places.Kate didn’t utter a word of complaint, but she sensed Nathaniel watching her at times.He was always the one to suggest that they stop and rest.
They had to make three circuits in order to bring in all their supplies.By the end of the day, Kate couldn’t decide which hurt more, her feet or her back.But she also felt exhilaration mixed in with the exhaustion.At least she had managed the first step.
Loch Raonasgail was long and narrow, with mountains ringing its far end.Kate watched an eagle circle three times against the cloudy sky, then disappear in the cliffs above.
Nathaniel came up beside her.“First thing tomorrow, that’s where we’ll be going.”
Kate shivered with anticipation.For how many years had she dreamed of an opportunity just like this?It was finally here, and she didn’t mean to squander it.
There was another shieling on the banks of the loch similar to the one they had sheltered in the previous night.It only took fifteen minutes to unpack their scant belongings.They feasted on smoked mackerel and baked potatoes.The dinner might have been simple, but hunger truly was the best sauce, and after a day spent packing in their supplies, Kate ate eagerly.
As the sun began to dip below the mountain peaks, they crawled into their bedrolls.Kate fell asleep, both anxious and eager for the day ahead.
Chapter19
They set out at dawn the following morning.
The previous afternoon, Nathaniel had observed two pairs of golden eagles circling overhead.One appeared to have a nest on the western edge of the loch, and the other to the southeast.He and Kit had noted the approximate location of the nests.Today, their mission would be to locate them and identify a vantage point for closer observation.
Nat made a point to glance over his shoulder periodically to see how Kit was faring.Although he hadn’t uttered a word of complaint yesterday, he sensed that the series of hikes from the ocean to the loch had pushed the young man to his limits.Nathaniel was fortunate in that he had grown up with three brothers.Even though he was bookish by nature, the hours he had spent at a desk had been balanced by plenty of rough and tumble adventures.It seemed that Kit’s upbringing had been more sedentary, which wasn’t uncommon for scholars.But it did mean that the coming weeks would be a challenge.Kit seemed determined to rise to the occasion.Nat hoped he would succeed.
They picked their way up the face of the westward mountain.The terrain grew rockier as they ascended until it was naught but a cliff.They were able to identify the location of the nest easily enough.What proved more elusive was a vantage point from which to observe it.The eagles had chosen a spot high on the cliff face.Nathaniel and Kit spent the better part of the morning circling around the back side of the mountain to see if they could find a spot that overlooked the nest.Unfortunately, their view was blocked by an outcropping of rock.Perhaps an experienced alpinist could have lowered himself down for a quick peek, but Nathaniel didn’t fancy his chances in the gusting winds of Lewis.Besides, their goal was to find an unobtrusive spot from which they might watch the eagles for weeks.It wasn’t as if they could make sustained observations while dangling from a rope.
They descended, ate a quick lunch, and then set out for the southeastern peak.Again, the eagles had built their nest into the cliff face.But this time, they had a bit of luck.The cliff was curved into a C-shape, and the nest was positioned at one end.By skirting around the back, they could access a point from the facing side of the cliff from which it was possible to look down into the nest!
Nathaniel pulled the spyglasses from his pack and handed one to Kit.The female was not only in the nest but remained rooted in its center.It was too soon to be sure, but her territorial behavior suggested the possibility of eggs.
The male swooped in, landing gracefully beside his mate.He passed her a small fish he had taken from the loch, then turned his hazel-eyed gaze toward the pair of humans disturbing his repose.Nathaniel held his breath, wondering if their presence would be tolerated.
After a beat, the male hopped toward the edge of the nest, then launched himself into the air, gliding toward the loch below.
Nat exhaled.He glanced at Kit and found that his sketchpad was already open.He was alternating between peering through his spyglass and sketching frantically, even as the edges of his paper were pulled this way and that by the unrelenting Hebridean wind.Nat suddenly became conscious that they were sitting near a precipitous drop with the wind gusting in their faces.
He leaned close to Kit’s ear.“Is this all right?”
Kit blinked, looking startled.“All right?We have a perfect view right into a pair of golden eagles’ nest!And, based on the female’s behavior, it seems likely that there are eggs.”He grinned, his blue eyes shining with excitement.“Things are a far sight better thanall right!”
Nat grinned back.“You don’t mind sitting so close to the cliff face, then?”
Kit glanced down and shuddered.His smile turned rueful.“If this is where we can see into the nest, then this is where we’re sitting.I’m sure I’ll grow used to it.”
Nathaniel clapped him on the shoulder.“Good man.”
