New Governess at Ballindalloch Castle

[cumnchat]

Try as he might, Hamish could not keep watch without dozing, several times Mary woke him by crying out in her sleep, he heard her cry out as she tossed and turned.

"No don't hit me,"

Making him wonder who could have been so cruel as to beat a defenceless young girl, he responded by bathing her hot brow with the cold compress and murmuring, even though she couldn't hear him,

"Shush sweet little one, nae one is ginnae hurt ye ever agen."

Another time she was talking in her sleep as if dreaming, it made his heart almost burst with pride and love as he
heard,

"Yes, my sweet Hamish,"

He settled down again until morning dreaming of Mary and himself running and la
d down again until morning dreaming of Mary and himself running and laughing together and running into each others' arms and kissing fervently. It all came to an abrupt end when Mary stirred, looking no better, beads of perspiration on her forehead.

"Did you sleep at all? I need water I'm so parched." She croaked looking rather pitiful.

"Of course mae dear, wet ye lips first then ah'll help thee drink."

Hamish moistened her lips with the cloth and poured a glass of water. Mary was shaking so much that she almost dropped the glass of water so Hamish gave a little chuckle and quipped,

"This is the only time ah'll be in bed wi' thee without being invited."

He sat himself on the bed covers and put one arm around her shoulders so she could sit propped up by a pillow at her back and he held the glass to her lips while she drank.

"Ah will be back shortly my love," The endearment coming naturally, "Ah will get one o' the lads to fetch the doctor, ye stay reet where ye are."

Then he was gone lest Mary see the concerned look on his face

 

[Perplexia]

Mary trembled and nodded signaling to Hamish she understood. She didn’t feel as if she could walk anyway. Her hands absently mindedly began to follow her brain's command to scratch. Everything itched, her head was throbbing, and her gut was turning. Grabbing the bowl that Hamish had used to pat her brow she dumped the water on the floor and expelled her previous night's dinner, her body wretching in agony.

Her hand was burning and when she looked at it, it had a large rash on her palm. Marys mind twirled as she tried to put her symptoms together. When the doctor arrived she flipped over hand. “Plant poisonous.” she mumbled as she struggled to stay coherent. The doctor asked where she had been, Mary choked out “pond”. The doctor asked if anyone had been with her. Mary choked out “Elizabeth, hamish don’t scare her”.

It was Marys way of telling him not to let her know of her illness, but to have her show him and the doctor where they had been. The Doctor in return asked Hamish to have Elizabeth show them, so he could determine which plant she had touched, and asked to have someone stay with her and keep her hydrated until he could come back.

Mrs. Fitzherbert came to nurse while the men and Elizabeth took a trip down to the pond. The doctor looked around as Elizabeth told him to the best of her recollection where Mary had been while she released the specimens they had gathered. “I remember that she had talked of a plant looking similar to that of a lily.” The doctor quickly found the source ..It was Monkshood. Sending Elizabeth back to the castle, the doctor pointed out the plant to Hamish, advising it was rare to see it this far north, normally it was found in wooded areas. “Ye know anyone that may wish ya harm lad?” he asked Hamish. Looking he found a few other poisonous bushes and plants. “These don’t normally grow together, they’re found in different regions to be exact. It would be fair to say someone wishes to inflict some pain on ya, like what that lass be going through.”

When they reached Mary once again the doctor went about mixing some antidotes. “Now she aint wanna eat, but she has to.” the doctor instructed. “She need lots and lots of liquid. Keep a bowl near by she’ll get worse before she gets better. This he gave Mrs. Fitzherbit a bottle, will help ease the pain she be havin in her gut. Mix in her drink, This will help with the nausea, a different drink and a half hour before food. This put on her skin anywhere she is scratchin. If yea got some socks put them on her hands, she’s going to try to peel her skin off.”

Mary gave an almost immediate reaction as she began to scratch violently at her skin. “Burns, itches” Mary mumbled. The doctor handed another bottle to Mrs. Fitzherbert “this will help calm the delirium that will come.” and then he turned to Hamish. “This is the antidote, and yea are going to have to help me hold her. I have to put a tube in her throat and pour it in so it gits in her system quicker, or she’ll die. As she’s just started the major symptoms she has a good chance of recovering. She saved me the trouble of a diagnosis, which honestly wouldn’t have been the first thing i would have thought of.”
With the help of Hamish, Mrs. Fitzherbert, and another of Hamish’s male servants. They held Mary while the doctor put the tube down her throat. Mary choked and gaged and with whatever might she had tried to fight them. Once it was done the doctor pulled the tube out. “It be slow actin, so follow mi instructions. If ye don’t she’ll die. I can’t begin to tell ya the agony the poor lass is in.”

 

[cumnchat]

Before Hamish left Mary began to scratch at her skin, mumbling almost incoherently, then she emptied the bowl of water on the floor and wretched violently into it. Hamish dashed frantically downstairs calling for Mrs Fitzherbert,

"FITZ, SEND SOMEONE FOR THE DOCTOR, HURRY NOW, IT'S URGENT."

Thankfully the doctor was only a short distance away and arrived quickly. Mary held out her hand to him, palm up, Hamish saw a large red rash on the palm of her hand and she mumbled, barely audible,

'Plant poisonous,'

The doctor asked where she had been lately, to which she replied with difficulty, almost choking,

'Pond'

"Was anyone with you ?"

'Elizabeth, Hamish don't scare her.' Her voice was getting weaker.

The doctor asked Hamish to get Elizabeth to go to the pond with them and show them whereabouts they had been.

They collected Elizabeth and after the doctor had given instructions that someone was to stay with Mary and keep her drinking lots of water.

Elizabeth pointed out the places they had been to and suddenly remembered,

"I remember that she had talked of a plant looking similar to that of a lily.”

The doctor looked around and quickly identified the plant, MONKSHOOD. He sent Elizabeth back to the castle, then
looking grave he told Hamish some disturbing news.

" It is rare to see it this far north, normally it is found in wooded areas. D'ye know anyone that may wish ya harm lad?”He asked Hamish.

Looking around he found a few other poisonous bushes and plants.

“These don’t normally grow together, they’re found in different regions to be exact. It would be fair to say someone wishes to inflict some pain on ya, like what that lass be going through.”

Hamish couldn't think of a suitable reply so he kept silent and tight-lipped.

The doctor went about mixing some antidotes, as soon as they reached the castle and went to Mary's room

“Now she ain't going tae wanna eat, but she has to. She needs lots and lots of liquid. Keep a bowl close by she’ll get worse before she gets better."

This," He gave Mrs Fitzherbert a bottle, "Will help ease the pain she is having in her gut. Mix in her drink, This will help with nausea, a different drink and a half hour before food. This put on her skin anywhere she is scratching. If yea got some socks put them on her hands, she’s going to try to peel her skin off.”

Almost immediately she began to scratch violently at her skin.

“Burns, itches” Mary mumbled.

The doctor handed another bottle to Mrs Fitzherbert “This will help calm the delirium that will come.” and then he turned to Hamish. “This is the antidote, and yea are going to have to help me hold her. I have to put a tube in her throat and pour it in so it gets in her system quicker, or she’ll die. As she’s just started the major symptoms she has a good chance of recovering. She saved me the trouble of a diagnosis, which honestly wouldn’t have been the first thing i would have thought of.”

With the help of Hamish, Mrs Fitzherbert, and another of Hamish’s male servants. They held Mary while the doctor put the tube down her throat. Mary choked and gagged and with whatever might she had tried to fight them. Once it was done the doctor pulled the tube out. “It be slow acting, so follow mae instructions. If ye don’t she’ll die. I can’t begin to tell ya the agony the poor lass is in.

"Is there nae mair ye can do for her, doctor?" Hamish stood wringing his hands, afraid to ask the question that was at the forefront of his mind, then he took the bull by the horns,

"Will she be alreet, will she recover." Afraid to know the answer.

"Och, that is a question is it no? I cannae say with any certainty but she is young, strong
and otherwise healthy and ah do believe from what ah ha' seen that she has something here that she dearly wishes tae live for, so Hamish, follow my instructions and ah will call agen tomorrow.

Hamish looked at Mary who thankfully was fast asleep.

"Ah trust ye willnae begrudge me this, love."

During the rest of the day when he wasn't calling in to see if there was any improvement in Mary's condition, he sat thinking about how the poisonous plants came to be near the pond, not just the one type but several different poisonous plants, not all of which were deadly but would cause painful illness. The first thought that came to mind of who would want to harm him or his family was a business rival whom he had gotten the better of in a lucrative business deal but that fellow was in America now so it was most unlikely. Then his thoughts turned to Mary, did she have someone who wished to harm her? That, he could not answer for he did not know enough about her. One task that needed to be done before anything else was to dispose of all the dangerous plants scattered around the pond, which would require the services of an expert in poisonous plants but where was he to find such a person?

 

[Perplexia]

The darkness surrounded her as she dreamt of sitting in a field basking in the sun. It enclosed around her like the night in a moment. Shadows lurked and twisted leaving her the feeling of the solitude she had felt as a child. It was almost if the shadows beckoned her to go further into their embrace. Mary struggled with what to do. She stay frozen on her blanket until she saw a light in the distance. 'Home', she told herself. 'Mary come home' she heard in her dreams. 'Hamish' she recognized his voice, "Hamish" she cried out in her sleep. The tone of her voice frightened, as her arms reached in her sleep grasping at the air.

Mrs. Fitzherbert had put socks over her hands as she had fallen asleep. She clawed at her face unable to get the itch and burn to go away. Mrs. Fitzherbert applied the salve to the areas she scratched at in her sleep to try an ease her pain. When Hamish would come to check on her. Mrs. Fitzherbert told him of her crying out for him. "I ain't never heard the likes of that torment in a lass before" she told him. "it chilled me to the bone. Ye best sit with her for a bit."

It wasn't more than ten minutes later when Mary cried out his name again, this time more desperate and anguished. Her arm raised reaching out for him. When Hamish touched her outreached hand, Mary calmed. In her dream she held it tightly slowly finding herself moving away from the shadows and home. Home to Hamish, and home to the life she hoped to have with him. Sweat beaded down her forehead as her fever broke. Still sleeping she clung fiercely to his hand. As if his touch itself was the only thing holding her toward life.

 

[cumnchat]

On around his third or fourth visit to see Mary, Mrs Fitzherbert told him how Mary had been crying out for him,

'I ain't never heard the likes of that torment in a lass before, it chilled me to the bone. Ye best sit with her for a bit."

"If she is in such pain and torment, Fitz, how could ah leave her? You go and rest, ye may be needed to watch over her later, meanwhile ah will stay wi' her and gi' her what comfort ah can."

Hamish pulled up a chair to sit at Mary's bedside so he could apply a cold compress to her brow, and then she called out his name again, sounding like a wounded animal. Instinctively he reached out his hand and Mary grasped it, holding so tightly he winced., Her brow was beaded in sweat and it trickled down into her eyes,

"Come on Mary, mae love," he implored her, his voice breaking with emotion, "Ye cannae leave me now ah've found ye."

He stood up and leaned over her and pressed his lips to hers as if he were Prince Charming waking Sleeping Beauty. It crossed his mind that if Mary could hear him and if she loved him as he knew he loved her then it might be enough to get her through this, so he kissed her again.

Hamish felt Mary's iron grip on his hand loosen and then squeeze his hand as if she was saying that she had heard him although still asleep.

"Ah'm here Mary, ah'll always be here for ye."

He left her for a moment and went to the door shouting,

"SOMEONE, FETCH THE DOCTOR, AH THINK SHE'S OVER THE WORST"

 

[Perplexia]

The doctor came and examined Mary as she still slept. "Her fevers broke, didn't expect it so early. She's fighting for something. When she wakes, get her hydrated, medicated, fed, if she wretches it up, an she probably will, just hydrate her again. Repeat, and keep her calm and resting. She's on the edge of bein on the mend, failing in any of the things I mentioned could send her back." It wasn't long after the doctor left that Mary started to come to. Everything was blurry, and her mind foggy. "Hamish?" She questioned with slight distress and rasp, but calmed quickly when she felt him. "Elizabeth okay? not sick?" she asked with worry. If anything happened to that girl because of her she'd never forgive herself.

"Water" she requested as her fogginess began to clear.

"You look worried and tired." she reached out without thinking, and with her socked hand stroked his face. "Some choice i made as an employee" she let out a light laugh with a couple coughs trying to ease the tension. "I berate you a couple times then try to die on you. I guess I'll have to be nice to you for a week to make up for it." she let out another laugh followed by coughs. "Don't be worried Hamish, I'll do as the doctor instructed without much trouble till I'm better." Mary tried disarming his worry again with humor.

"Hamish" she said a bit softer and more tenderly "I heard you, show me." by that she was referring to his comment about always being there for her.

 

[cumnchat]

The doctor came and examined Mary and told Hamish that Mary was on the road to recovery but still required careful nursing to prevent any relapse,

"Mary has begun to recover far sooner than ah expected, ah think that she has something ,,,,,,,,,, or someone,,,,,,, to fight for."

The doctor was barely out of the door when Mary's eyelids began to flutter open, Her eyes were unfocused as she looked around but she managed to rasp,

'Hamish? '

Hamish quickly reassured her that he was there and held her ice-cold hand, She enquired after Elizabeth, worried that she too might be sick.

Hamish gave a little chuckle and replied,

"Elizabeth is fine, she didnae handle the flowers, she is far more interested in slimy, wriggly things like tadpoles and frogs."

"Water" she requested and Hamish held her up while she sipped from the glass.

'You look worried and tired.' she reached out and stroked his face.

'Some choice I made as an employee,' She coughed trying to ease the tension.

'I berate you a couple of times then try to die on you. I guess I'll have to be nice to you for a week to make up for it.' followed by another bout of coughing.

'Don't be worried Hamish, I'll do as the doctor instructed without much trouble till I'm better.'

"Hamish," she said a bit softly and tenderly "I heard you, show me."

"A'll nae be leavin' thy side until ye get some colour back in ye cheeks my girl, if ye want tae make it up tae mae ye'll be up and about before ah need tae call the doctor agen, by the by Ah believe there is a certain young lady wishes to visit ye, can ye manage it or shall ah tell her tae come back tomorrow?

There was a smile on his face as he spoke then he called out,

"Ye can come in now Elizabeth, but no jumping on the bed and if Mary asks for water can ye give her some,?"

Elizabeth dashed in and threw her arms around Mary's neck and sobbed,

"Ah'm sorry Mary, it's all mae fault, ah let that man plant those flowers, he said they were special flowers."

 

[Perplexia]

He didn't wait for her to answer, for her answer would have been tomorrow. She felt too weak, and if she was indeed without color she didn't want to scare Elizabeth. Elizabeth bound in and wrapped her arms around Mary's neck sobbing. Pushing against her, the girl finally let go sobbing. "Ah'm sorry Mary, it's all mae fault, ah let that man plant those flowers, he said they were special flowers.".

"You need to tell your uncle just what you told me, tell him what the man looked like, and if you've ever seen him before. Don't worry Elizabeth, he won't be mad."

Elizabeth sniffled and wiped her tears and told Hamish everything she could remember.


"Go ahead" she motioned to the door for Hamish, knowing he probably wanted to get inquires up and going.

"Are you going to be my nurse maid so Uncle Hamish can get some work and rest?" she asked Elizabeth who nodded enthusiastically.

"Ok first you will need to get me some water, be careful it's heavy." Very carefully Elizabeth poured her some water and carefully handed it to her. "Good Job" Mary encouraged weakly drinking it as slow as she could manage, even though she wanted to scarf it down.

"Now you need to ask Mrs. Fitzherbert very politely to have the kitchen send up some broth and bread for me please." Before Mary could say anything else Elizabeth was out the door like a cat on a mission. She chuckled lightly. Soon she was back and a servant brought in a tray and set it down. "thank you" Mary said softly giving Elizabeth a look to use her manners. "Thank you very much for being so prompt" she said politely with a smile.

 

[cumnchat]

From the description of the mysterious man who Elizabeth had told him had planted the Monkshood and other poisonous plants, Hamish had no doubt as to who the man was but why he had done such a thing was a mystery, a mystery that Hamish was determined to uncover. Hence, he rode post-haste to the fine residence of Ballindalloch's only lawyer and demanded to see Mr Ruskin. The servant told him Mr Ruskin was not at home but his wife would see him.

"Hello Charlotte," he greeted her as she came into the parlour where the maid had provided some fresh
orange juice, " You are looking well but It is not you ah have come to see but your husband to demand an explanation why he has been sneaking around mae property and planting poisonous plants that have almost killed mae governess."

Charlotte Rukin was a fine-looking woman, some might say she was beautiful with her slim waist, firm round breasts and rosy countenance but there was always a look in her eye that betrayed her voracious sexual appetite.

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/39/68/19/396819c32b69ce1913949236e288a195.jpg
"Why Hamish you do disappoint me, am I not worthy of at least a kiss? Marriage to Edward is such a drag, none of the excitement of your lusty thrusts. I am desperate."

Her words brought back memories of the time six months ago when he had just finished giving Charlotte an exquisite orgasm in the anonymous, nondescript inn that they had stopped at for the night and she then calmly told him that they would not be doing this so often as she was engaged to Edward Ruskin and they were to be married. She had patted his hand and assured him that she would still be available but not so often. It was then that his honourable nature forced him to inform her that their dalliance was over as he could not be a party to her cheating.

"That is in the past Charlotte and best forgotten."

"If only that were so, Edward discovered about our time together, my fault I'm afraid, one night he was doing his best but getting nowhere when I blurted out, 'Hamish Arnold would have me screaming with passion by now.', as you would expect, he demanded an explanation on the threat of a beating, so Hamish, I'm sorry but I told him everything, he swore he would make you pay."

"Mae charge, Elizabeth, has a governess who is at death's door because of him, if the worst does come to pass ah will be bringing a charge of murder against him, he is forewarned."

Hamish could not leave quick enough, away from the presence of Charlotte, how could he compare her to the innocent beauty of Mary?

 

[Perplexia]

Mary didn't over do it on the broth or bread. She felt it was best to take a lil at a time and be sure she could hold it down. Surprisingly she managed to do so. Elizabeth insisted on taking care of her, and not leave her side till her Uncle returned. Mrs. Fitzherbert administered the medication to ensure she stayed on the mend, and Mary soon fell back asleep again. This time it was a normal sleep. A smile crossed her lips as she dreamt about her and Hamish walking the garden together.

He'd truly been quite the nursemaid given her ordeal. It did help to show her that his admission of feelings were true. Now whether or not he would be able to conduct himself in such a manner, still remained to be seen. Somehow, she had a feeling that he would do whatever it took to prove himself to her.

When she awoke, Hamish was sitting in the chair Elizabeth had been in. "Water please" she said with a rasp. Taking the glass she sipped it gingerly before handing it back to him. "You seem consumed" she said softly. "Something to do with the plants?" she questioned. Scooting over a little on the bed she patted empty space. "Come sit and talk to me" she offered softly.

"

 

[cumnchat]

Mary was asleep when he returned to the castle, she had a peaceful smile on her face and seemed to be resting quietly with the fever gone, her skin no longer clammy with sweat. Hamish held one of her dainty hands in his and raised it to his lips kissing her fingers individually giving thanks for her recovery.

She startled him out of his reverie when she awoke, ' Water please' she rasped.

She sipped the glass before handing it back to him.

"You seem consumed, "Something to do with the plants?" she asked. Making a little room on the bed she patted the empty space. "Come sit and talk to me" she offered softly.

On his ride back to the castle Hamish had decided to tell Mary everything, he did not want her to hear from anyone else that he was the reason she had knocked on the Lord's pearly gates.

"Ah have something to tell thee, Mary, please do not interrupt me it is difficult enough and ah need ta tell thee afore mae courage fails mae.. Long before ah even knew of your existence and before Elizabeth came to stay with mae ah was close to a lady from Ballindalloch, nay, let mae tell thee the unvarnished truth, we were lovers, anytime anyplace would not stop us if we were so inclined. Ah willnae go into details but she was very adventurous and had the morals of an alley cat. Ah discovered this and came to mae senses the day she told me she was to be wed the next week, she had been engaged for three months prior to this and said nary a word ta mae. The description that Elizabeth gave me of the man who planted those poisonous flowers it matched the husband of the 'lady' ah have just told thee abaht, that is where ah have been this morning to have it out with the man but he wasnae home but Charlotte was and she told mae that he has sworn ta mek mae pay. Apparently, she let it slip when she compared his lovemaking ta mine and he came a poor second according ta her. Can thee forgive mae for being the cause of your pain Mary, if ye wish ta leave I cannot blame thee but ah dinnae want thee ta go, ah,,,, ah,,,," He stuttered, embarrassed and red-faced,

"Ah love thee Mary Elliot."

 

[Perplexia]

Mary listened as he spoke. The grief and anguish written upon his face as he asked her for forgiveness. When he finished and declared his love for her. She sat silent for a moment.

“Look at me” she said softly, demanding his gaze to her eyes. “Hamish” she said his name sweetly. We are not responsible for the decisions other people make. You did not know she was engaged. You are not responsible for her cruelty in revealing your affair to her husband. You are not responsible for his jealousy, and cowardly revenge. He should be held accountable for his actions by whatever law. But you,” she ran her hand lightly over his face

“are not to blame. So no more talk of that. Now as for the last declaration. In the past few days you have shown me a great amount of care and dedication to my wellness. If you wish to court me properly, when I am well, then I shall accept that.”

 

[cumnchat]

"Ah love thee Mary Elliot."

There, he had done it, he had opened his heart and put his whole future on the line, he had declared his love for Mary, now everything depended on Mary's reaction to his confession and his declaration.

Softly she looked at him “Look at me, Hamish” she said his name sweetly."We are not responsible for the decisions other people make. You did not know she was engaged. You are not responsible for her cruelty in revealing your affair to her husband. You are not responsible for his jealousy, and cowardly revenge. He should be held accountable for his actions by whatever law. But you,” She stroked his face lightly, “are not to blame. So no more talk of that. Now as for the last declaration. In the past few days, you have shown me a great amount of care and dedication to my wellness. If you wish to court me properly, when I am well, then I shall accept that.

Hamish felt his heart explode, he was forgiven, how, why, he did not know but the last part of what she said sent his heart soaring from the depths of despair when she was at death's door up to the heavens.

"Mary, oh Mary, Ah am the happiest man in Scotland, nay, the whole world. Ah will court thee as ye have never been courted before. Do not expect it to be all sweetness and light for ah am nought but an oaf when it comes ta courting, ah have never had the need, whether it be mae title or mae supposed wealth ah dinnae ken but women threw themselves at me, so you will need ta be patient with mae as ah will be wi' thee. All ah ask is that ye allow me the odd stolen kiss here and there."

Without thinking and in the throes of his excitement he put his arms around her and held her tightly, crushing her to his chest, closer than he had ever held her before, and then he suddenly let her go looking suitably abashed.

"Ah'm sorry Mary, ah shouldnae ha' done that."

He suddenly put his hand to his head and declared,

"Ye are almost recovered, let me see, today is Tuesday, tomorrow ye will be fully recovered, Thursday we, that's ye, Elizabeth and mesel' will go into Ballindalloch and buy some clothes and then we can have a party on Saturday, what do ye say?"

 

[Perplexia]

Mary smiled at Hamish's exuberant response. Then she found herself not able to breath as he hugged her so tightly. She coughed pushing on him lightly till he released her and apologized and continued his thoughts. "I will try to be patient with you Hamish, but you also must remember this is new to me as well. Women at my age with means, have been out in society, courted, and most married. As i spent most my life in the orphanage school, I only know the morality of it. Meaning, a lady does not give her virtue before marriage.

A gentleman does not take leisure with a lady without asking her permission. I may not be a lady of title, but I am of morals. So the odd stolen kiss will need to be a request. But any relationship is based upon the foundation of friendship. I know you are.. experienced with loose moral women. But remember, I'll never be one of those. I don't care for you title or your wealth, i care for the man who walked with me in the garden, as if my thoughts and ideas were of consequence. Also I want you to take thought with yourself, is it my brain that attracts you? Or the fact I said no? .

As for a party, there is no need. Perhaps we wait to ensure I'm recovered, and give the servants the afternoon/evening off, you, Elizabeth and i can have a picnic. and I shall make us a quaint dinner. We can play chess or cards while she plays for us on the piano forte'?

 

[cumnchat]

A part of Hamish agreed with what Mary said about being virtuous and she wanted him to be patient but her request that he only steal a kiss if she asked him irked him and he made no bones about his thoughts on the matter.
"Ah know ye are virtuous and will never move from that, Ah would never attempt to convince you otherwise but if I cannot steal a kiss without obtaining your permission first it can hardly be called a stolen kiss can it now? You ask what attracts me to you, your brain or your virtuousness, ah cannae answer that for ah dinnae ken mesel' all ah know for certain is that ah want to be by your side every hour of every day if that were possible."

Hamish then stood up and squared his shoulders trying to look as impressive as possible.

"One mair thing ah have ta say tae ye, I am the master in this house and what I say will happen is not up for discussion, so if ah say there will be a party on Saturday night then a party there will be. Ye and Elizabeth will accompany me to Ballindalloch on Thursday and purchase some new clothes, a pretty dress for Elizabeth and something suitable for yersel', we cannae have ye dressed like a governess all the time."

He relaxed his posture after his show of authority and bent down to Mary,

"Now, may ah steal a kiss afore ah go riding?"