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Elizabeth had slept badly, plagued by bad dreams, and as soon as she awoke, she splashed cold water on her face and dressed as hurriedly as she could. She did not want to risk coming across Liam as she made her way to Fort William. She decided that it would be best to stay there, at least for a few days. That way, she would not have to think about how to act or what to say to Liam after both he and she had acted so abominably the night before.
They had ruined their intimate moment entirely, and she had awoken to feel a great, heavy loss. She crept down the stairs, pulling coins from her small bag to pay the innkeeper as quickly as possible. Once she found her way into the cozy main room, she looked around. Relieved that no one was about, she hurried to the oak bar. The innkeeper was not there, but she could leave the money for him.
Suddenly, as if summoned, the man appeared from the side door, a grin on his face. “A pleasant morning tae ye, me Lady.” The title sounded odd in his mouth, as if he was unsure if he was to use it or not. She couldn’t blame him. Her behavior last evening of asking for directions to the house of ill-repute and dragging a man up to her bed most likely had confused the man. Was she a well-behaved young woman of title and status, or was she a wanton woman, eager to take customers to her boudoir?
She wasn’t sure anymore. Who was she really? Who had she been last night? In the light of day, it all seemed a little foolish. “Good morning to you, Sir. Here is my pay for the room.” The innkeeper’s eyes widened at the sight of so much coin.
“I know it is more than you ask for, but I do hope you will be able to have some…discretion?” He slid the coins into his fist.
“Of course, madam. I will have the utmost discretion. Ye can depend upon me. Also, watch yer step on the way out. Two drunkards are lying about. Couldnae get rid of them last night tae send them up tae their rooms.”
Curious, Elizabeth turned around to face the room. She hadn’t seen anyone on her way down, but now, she spotted them, each curled up on their own chair and bench. And then, with a sinking dread, she realized she recognized them. Fergus and Liam were sound asleep, and Fergus, as if realizing he was being watched, suddenly began to send up enough snores to wake the dead from their coffins.
“Ah, I see. Well, I shall be off then. Thank you, Sir.” She clasped her cape in hand and rushed from the room, not wanting to spend a moment longer, looking at Liam and wondering what had gone wrong. She wouldn’t know what to say to him if he suddenly woke up and saw her. So, she would be as fast as she could. As soon as she left the inn, she kept walking speedily. He could awake at any moment.
Elizabeth closed her eyes as she felt the heat of the sun on her face and smelled the sweetness of the breeze in her nose. Scotland was truly mesmerizing with its shores, its mountains, and its lush trees. The sight of nature around her boosted her mood slightly. It felt strange, though, that the world had continued to tick on in its normal way while her whole life had changed. Last night, she had crossed over into who she was today, a new woman.
She had experienced something with Liam that while the aftermath gave her pain, the experience of it was still hotly embedded in her mind. Her skin tingled anew, remembering the feel of his body on top of her, the way his lips had moved with abandon, and the way he had filled her fully, to her very core.
Even though it was a one-time occurrence, she would never forget what had transpired. And she found herself wondering, could she possibly have the same experience with a different man, or was it just Liam who had set her blood on fire and her muscles singing with release?
Her mind would not let her rest as she pondered these questions and more, walking towards Fort William. It was a bracing walk, and she was grateful for the exercise before she was to meet with General Andrews. The Fort was looming in her eyesight, and she began to dream of a warm cup of tea and a hearty breakfast with a smiling man who she wished to be like an uncle to her.
She hoped he would not question her arrival. He had offered her to visit after all, and she could simply say that Charlotte had no need of her for the moment, and so she was free to come across the water. Rehearsing the speech in her mind, she approached the main door to the Fort, and an English soldier greeted her warmly.
“Greetings, Lady Darling. I wonder if you remember me? I am Lieutenant Stevens.” Elizabeth took in the pleasant young-man with brown hair and kind eyes. She did remember him, but to her annoyance, the only thing on her mind at that moment was how young and boyish he looked in comparison to a rough, manly Highlander.
“Ah, yes, Lieutenant. How lovely to see you again. I hope it is not too much trouble, but I have come to visit General Andrews. He extended me an invitation, and so I have taken him up on it.”
The young man smiled. “Of course, my Lady. I shall escort you there directly.” Elizabeth watched the other soldiers guarding the large entryway to the old Fort and noted their stoic expressions. Even their glances remained forward as she passed.
She was always amazed at the strength of English forts, even though she had spent much time in them throughout her life since her mother’s death. Fort William was very impressive and overwhelming in its size. It seemed to dominate the countryside. She assumed that was the entire purpose of the English army. To overpower and control as much as they could.
They entered the main hall, and Stevens left her standing alone for a moment while he fetched General Andrews. She clasped her hands and looked around, trying desperately not to think of what had occurred only a month or so before in that very room. It was to no avail. Once she set foot inside of Fort William again, the image of Archibald Campbell lying in his own blood while her father’s eyes were bright with fury and madness came to her mind. It nearly had her choking for breath as she tried to command herself.
Oh, if only she could be as stoic as the soldiers! Then she could not let her actions be determined by fits of fear or even passion. Her face flushed with the memory of Liam again. To her relief, her mind was soon focused elsewhere as General Andrews came into the hall, his footsteps echoing across the flagstones. “Why, Lady Darling! How pleasant of you to come! I did not realize you would come so soon!”
He approached her warmly and bowed before her. She curtsied and said, “General, I hope you do not find me impertinent to have come without letting you know. If you are too busy, you must only say so, and I shall return to Duart directly.”
She prayed he would not say that he was busy. She was rewarded. “Of course not! Why you are an honored guest, and I have far too many men about here, that it is a pleasant distraction to have a lovely young woman as my guest. Please, I shall have the cook prepare you something. It is still early enough for breakfast.”
Elizabeth almost kissed the man. “Yes, that would be lovely, thank you, Sir.”
General Andrews smiled and called for a servant who whisked away hurriedly. It seemed only a matter of minutes before a steaming pot of tea was set before them. The lovely white porcelain made Elizabeth forget for just a moment that she was in Scotland and not bustling, elegant London.
As General Andrews poured her tea, he said, “Now, you must tell me all of your news. And do not think that I pry. Tell me whatever you wish, my dear. I am happy to hear it all. Now that I am a lonely old man without my daughter, so at hand, I need all the news I can get.”
Elizabeth smiled and clutched her cup of tea gratefully. She began to tell him of her time with her aunt in Carlisle and how she had been spending her time in the last few weeks, but she knew that eventually, she would need to broach the subject of her father.
“Father is ill, I am afraid, back in prison. I am certain you know that he was not sentenced to death, for the King was in good humor, but I feel he may die in prison anyway.”
General Andrews frowned. “I am sorry to hear that, my dear, for your sake. To lose a parent is a very difficult thing indeed at any age.”
Elizabeth nodded. She felt a pang of guilt, knowing in her core that it would not be as difficult as it might be for a daughter who had a great, enduring love for her father. She had only had fear and submission.
He continued. “What will you do next, Elizabeth? If I may call you so.”
She smiled. “Of course. Well—“ she began hesitantly, knowing she could not reveal her true future plans but trying to think of a better way to put it.
