A Maxwell Maligned (Laird of Lochandee) Read Online Free

calls her Granny Ferguson. If you will go with her I will follow in a few minutes.’ She looked around the nearly deserted living room and her thin face crumpled. She swallowed convulsively, striving for control. ‘I just have to make sure everything is tidy, then pay Mr Steele for the use of the hearse before I leave. I shall not keep you waiting long.’
    Ross nodded. ‘Take your time,’ he said gruffly, a little overawed by her youthful dignity and competence.
    ‘My box is packed. It’s at Granny’s cottage.’
    ‘You come with us now, lassie,’ Minnie Ferguson hissed softly through the gaps in her teeth. She tugged at Rachel’s sleeve. ‘You can leave Jake Steele to me. Rumour has it he owed your father more than you’re ever likely to owe him.’
    ‘Granny Ferguson’s right, lass.’ Another woman, who was flicking away imaginary specks, paused beside them. ‘I’ll see that everything’s tidy here for Mistress Black – not that the besom deserves it!’ she muttered angrily. She looked at Ross curiously, then explained. ‘Her man took over the smiddy last year, but the Laird promised Connor that he and Miss Rachel could keep the house for as long as they needed it. Master Black and his wife could scarcely wait for the poor man to draw his last breath before they were on the doorstep asking how soon this wee lass would be out. I ken, because I live next door, and there’s not much I miss.’ Again Ross found himself nodding but a gentle tug on his arm prompted him.
    ‘I must go. I’m sure Miss O’Brian is grateful for your help.’
    ‘Aye, I ken fine she is. Just you see your folks take good care o’ her. She’s needing a kindly body to care after all she’s been through.’ The woman gave Rachel an unexpected hug. ‘Ye were always a good-natured wee lassie,’ she added huskily. Ross watched helplessly as tears filled Rachel’s eyes. Minnie Ferguson saw too and ushered her firmly towards the door.
    ‘Come on now, lassie. My old legs will not hold me up much longer this day.’ She glanced back at the empty living room and shook her white head wonderingly. ‘I don’t know where all the food went.’
    It was true, Ross reflected. The table had been laden with bannocks and oatcakes, scones, butter and jam, a cheese, as well as gingerbread and apple pies.
    ‘Everyone has been kind,’ Rachel murmured wearily. ‘Almost every woman in the village brought something.’
    ‘It was no more than you deserved, lassie – you and your father. There’ll be many a one wishes they could do more to help now.’ The old woman sighed. ‘If only I could have …’
    ‘I know, Granny, I know.’ Rachel squeezed the old woman’s arm as she helped her hobble with painful slowness across the village street to her own tiny one-roomed cottage.
    The early darkness of the February day was almost upon them as Ross and Rachel set out on the journey back to Windlebrae. Unknown to her mother, Meg had stowed a blanket beneath the seat of the trap. Ross remembered her instructions and tucked it round Rachel as if she was the child he remembered. He buttoned up his cape collar and pulled his father’s hat more closely onto his head against the rising wind. Soon he would stop to light the two lanterns which would guide them homeward, but for the time being he was intent on making the best speed the pony could manage in the remaining light.
    It was dark and bitterly cold by the time Ross drove the trap up the final stretch. They had talked little on the journey. He had sensed the deepening sadness settling over his young companion now that the day’s events were past, but eventually exhaustion claimed her. After several jerky attempts to stay awake fatigue overcame her. When her head fell against his shoulder Ross leaned closer so that she might rest more comfortably.
    A single lamp burned in the kitchen at Windlebrae, and even it was turned low. Ross frowned. Surely they had not all gone to bed? His parents slept in