Part 2 (2/2)

”Good day to you too, master James,” chuckled Dougan, ”you seem to be in a jolly mood. Go, take him away. I'll manage alone. I think you may be in luck, the la.s.s-”

Andrew went hot and cold and interrupted him, almost shouting: ”You fellows just go ahead. I'll join you after helping Mr. Graham to close up.”

The latter seemed startled by Andrew's rude interruption, so atypical of his usually polite manners. Then he seemed to notice the young man's pleading gaze and the quick, almost imperceptible shaking of his head, and he finished his sentence with: ”-must surely be at the fair by now.”

”You know who it is, Mr. Graham,” questioned Francis eagerly.

”No, I don't, but I seem to remember that master Andrew mentioned a la.s.s a few months ago.”

”Just go. I'll join you shortly,” urged Andrew again, suppressing a sigh of relief.

”Don't let us wait too long ... Good day, Mr. Graham,” exclaimed James, and the other two nodded as they turned their horses toward the inn.

When they were out of hearing, Andrew murmured: ”Thank you, Mr. Graham, for not giving me away. They're just intent on mischief, and we don't want any trouble with the Campbells. Please, forgive me for interrupting you so rudely.”

Dougan Graham looked at him for a while, pensive, before saying: ”You really fancy that la.s.s, don't you? ... But I am glad you stopped me in time, lad.”

Andrew blushed. He did not answer, breathing deeply to still his pounding heart.

As Helen walked away from the factor's booth, she felt the young man's eyes burning on her back. She couldn't help but quickly turn and take another look. Yes, his gaze hadn't moved from her.

If she had given him any thought last summer, it was mainly out of curiosity of having seen the illegitimate son of a duke that her own mother had known and possibly fancied as a la.s.s her own age. His warm smile though had stayed with her. But he was a Campbell of Argyle and a b.a.s.t.a.r.d to boot, to be despised or at least dismissed. So, meeting the searching intensity in his eyes felt almost like an a.s.sault. It still sat in her stomach. They had held each other's gaze for just a short moment, but it seemed like an eternity. She had wanted to look away, but couldn't. It was as if he were willing her to lock eyes with him, and she felt powerless to resist. What did he want of her? A b.a.s.t.a.r.d-how did he even dare to look her in the eye? And why did she care? She was confused, a state of mind she wasn't used to, a state of mind she didn't like. Her mother's questioning look told her that it showed. She made an effort to admire the silver brooches displayed at the nearest stall.

Some time later, sitting at the edge of the green and watching various clans display their dancing skills, she caught herself several times searching the crowd for his face. Each time, she chided herself for it. She finally spotted him walking along the green in the company of three young men, all in gentlemen's clothing. He too seemed to scan the people searchingly. The four young men stuck around a while, only a few feet from her table. He continued searching the crowd with an almost exaggerated eagerness, but never looked directly at her. Then she heard him say in English: ”I can't see her. She isn't here... Let's go to the Bear.”

”Yes, I need a brandy too. My throat is parched dry,” replied one of them, and they ambled over to the inn.

He was looking for another girl. She became aware of a vague feeling of disappointment which quickly turned into annoyance. Why should she care? She willed her attention to a group of McNabbs performing a Highland fling. But in the back of her mind, that vague feeling of disappointment lingered. Only when the crowd cheered as the pipers and fiddlers got ready for the dance, and her limbs began to twitch imperceptibly in antic.i.p.ation, was it ousted from her mind.

When the call came, Helen was the first to enter the green with a cousin. She expected him to be her initial partner for the Highland reel, and then stood suddenly face to face with Andrew. For a short moment she was disconcerted. He bowed to her and smiled, and before she knew it, she smiled back. The musicians struck up the tune. Nimbly they stepped around each other in figure eights and then moved on to their next partners. Somehow, he managed to get back to her repeatedly out of turn. Each time he briefly locked eyes with her, and she didn't resist him. No word pa.s.sed between them. When she returned to her table, her eyes were sparkling.

”Was that the factor's apprentice who partnered you several times out of turn?” her mother whispered.

”Yes. I don't know how he did it. It was fun.”

”He shouldn't do that. It upsets the others.”

Helen shrugged. What could she do about it? If other men got annoyed, they'd tell him.

They met again over the next few dances. She found herself looking forward to being his partner. He danced well. His movements were light and flowing, perfectly timed and in harmony with hers. She didn't have to make an effort to remain in step with him. They just were. The touch of his hand felt soft and smooth. Whenever they came face to face, he greeted her with a contagious smile, and she responded. At one point he sang her name, and she laughed.

All of a sudden, his smile fled. Following his gaze, she saw the three young men from the castle approach the green, and when she turned back to him, he had switched to another partner. Why? she wondered. Did the others find his la.s.s? No, she would be dancing here. Helen could not imagine any girl willingly stay away from the dance. And then things suddenly fell into place. He didn't want his friends to know about her.

For a moment, she was left in limbo until another young man partnered her again. Annoyed at feeling disappointed, she tried in vain to plunge fully back into the dancing, but the playful spirit of before had abandoned her.

Back at the MacGregor table, she resumed her ruminations. But why didn't he want them to know? Was he ashamed? The very thought bristled her pride as a MacGregor, but she dismissed it as quickly as it arose. He wouldn't have danced with her for such a long time. Other people had also noticed his clever switching of partners to get back to her and some had even cooperated smilingly. It must be something else, something to do with his friends... Maybe he was afraid they might play a trick on him ... or on her. That thought had a sobering effect. She had heard stories of young lairds spiriting a girl away from a dance or even her father's house and then getting her into trouble.

”You seem preoccupied, Helen. Don't you want to dance anymore?” Her mother's question shook her out of her thoughts. She had not even noticed that couples were forming again on the green.

”Just catching my breath, mother.”

”Yes, you danced quite wildly with this young Campbell lad. I'm glad he left.”

”Has he left?” The question was out before she could check herself. Mary looked at her daughter sharply, and Helen found it prudent to add in a casual tone: ”He danced well though.”

”That is true, but it will only spell trouble if you encourage a gentleman from the castle, particularly a Campbell of Argyle.”

Helen forced out a quick laugh. ”Oh, a little dancing can hardly do any harm, mother.”

”No, a bit of dancing does no harm. But he seems to have more than just a pa.s.sing interest in you, and doesn't even make an effort to hide it. So be forewarned, child.”

”Do you think that he fancies me?” Helen feigned surprise.

Her mother snorted dismissively and said: ”Don't try to fool me, la.s.s.”

”The more there are, the better my choice,” Helen attempted to parry mockingly.

”Just beware that you don't get caught, child, and end up sorry. It can happen before you know it... and he is a Campbell. Just remember that!”

Her mother's voice had taken on a sharp edge, and Helen found it prudent to placate her. ”Don't worry, mother. I won't get caught. Promise.” She couldn't help wondering why her mother would say that. Did it happen to her when she lived at the castle? She dismissed the thought. She was her mother's first born. Maybe it almost happened when she fancied one of the Duke's sons. That's why she was so upset. She wished her mother would confide in her. Wasn't she her best friend?

As she got up to join the dancers, she saw Andrew walk down the path to the old church. Time and again her gaze strayed back in that direction. What could they be doing back there, she asked herself? A while later, she got a brief glimpse of a young woman disappearing behind the church. It took a few seconds for its meaning to sink in, and she felt her ears get hot, disappointment and embarra.s.sment battling inside her. Mother is right!

Andrew finished the dance with the lively second daughter of the inn keeper, hoping to deflect the curiosity of his drinking companions away from Helen. They immediately took him aside.

”We caught you, you liar,” exclaimed Francis. ”Who'd have thought that you fancied Molly Nichols. She's cheap.”

”We all had her.” John grinned foolishly.

For an instant, Andrew was on the verge of denying it, but then he changed his mind. What better way to protect Helen than let them believe that Molly was his girl.

”This is too easy. She'll come willingly. You'll have your lay,” James added with a slight sneer. ”But you must have ravished her already.”

Try as he may, Andrew couldn't suppress blus.h.i.+ng.

”Look at him,” exclaimed James, and turning to Francis, asked: ”Is it really true he has never been with a woman?”

”Not in Edinburgh, I'm sure of that.”

”I'll go get her. Take him behind the cemetery, you know, the usual place.”

Before Andrew could protest, James disappeared in the crowd, and Francis and John linked their arms firmly with his. Taken by surprise he let himself be walked several hundred feet to the cemetery behind the old church, while he listened to the McNabb brothers brag about their exploits with Molly. If she's so willing and eager, as they claim, you might as well do it. You've wanted for a long time! ... But what if she gets with child? I don't want to risk that! ... She hasn't so far, so she might not... But I don't fancy her... All the better. You won't feel obliged to her then... But what about Helen? ... She'll never need to know. Just imagine how they'll laugh at you and tell everybody if you lose your nerve now! So battled the voices in his mind.

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