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A quiet voice replied, “Yes, dear.”
“All will be well, Mother. I have found a solution to bring father back.”
A weak smile crossed Henrietta’s face, and she turned her face away to fall asleep again. Amelia sighed and laid back in the chair to fall asleep.
Marianne sat up for a little while longer, letting the candle almost melt down to the base. Then, it hit her. She had an idea.
* * *
Jamie took Faolan to the stables before entering the castle door, the light dim. He knew Donald would be here, but he hoped to see his mother first. He entered the main hall, and finding no one there, walked in the direction of his mother’s chamber. When he arrived, he knocked quietly on the door and was greeted with a light, “Come in.”
He opened the door to find his mother at her writing desk with a candle, bent over her task. He walked in and closed the door behind him. “Mother?”
Fiona lifted her head and burst into tears. “Jamie!” She leapt up to bring him into her arms, and she hugged him tightly. “My son, where have you been? My thoughts have constantly been with you.” She pulled away to look at his face, searching for any remaining anger.
“I...I was at the sea house. I needed time tae think.”
She rubbed his arm. “Of course, dear. I thought that is what you were doing. But I want you to know something. We did not know about this change in the birth records. Your father was always known to be the laird. He did not do anything dishonestly, at least not intentionally. Believe in your father, my son. Do not believe in this scoundrel, who used Amelia as a pawn to gain power.”
Jamie nodded, solemnly. “Did she know what he wanted tae do?”
Fiona lifted her chin and looked straight into her eyes. “No, she did not. That woman loves you, Jamie. She would not go against you intentionally. She needed the money. Why don’t we sit?” She moved to her chairs by the fire. Jamie sat, his face full of confusion.
“Amelia is Lady Parker from London, daughter of Lord Jonathan Parker. Recently, he gambled everything away, and Amelia and her mother were destitute. She needed the money, and Donald offered it to her for a service. That is all.”
Jamie exhaled slowly and sat with the information. He ran his hands behind his neck and thought of how to reply. Then, the corners of his mouth turned up.
“I knew she was a lady. Too prim and proper tae not be one.”
Fiona smiled. “That’s what I said to her when she confessed to me.” She is a wonderful woman, and if you hear her explanation, you will forgive her. I promise.”
“And what of the lairdship? What are we tae do now?” Jamie looked questioningly at his mother.
Fiona reached over and put her hand on Jamie’s face. “‘Tis not important. You are what’s important. We shall live with William if we must!” She laughed. “But, William and I have a plan to figure out the truth of Donald’s treachery. I will speak to the parish minister. If my memory serves, the old minister is still alive, living out the rest of his days in a cottage in the woods. He will know who the true laird was, for he penned the documents himself.”
Jamie smiled, hope filling him again at the idea of vanquishing his cousin. But, then the memory of Amelia brought him down again.
Fiona noticed the return of his downcast expression. A smirk crossed her face. “Aye? And what do you plan to do about the lovely Miss Amelia?”
Jamie hesitated, rubbing his neck, avoiding eye contact with his mother. “I donnae know, yet. Perhaps she will not want tae speak with me?”
“Lovers can be stubborn, that is sure. But, you must hear her the words from her own mouth to know the truth. She is your match, Jamie. You will not find another like her.”
Jamie nodded without responding, feeling at a loss as how to handle the situation. “When will ye visit the minister?”
“If the weather is fair, then on the morrow. We have not time to waste. Donald has already moved all his things into the castle, and he has taken the key to the vault. I have tried to play the accommodating aunt, to lengthen my stay and find a way to get out of this mess.” She shook her head. “He was always a queer boy, but I do not understand why. His mother loved him dearly, and his father did too. They were kind and gracious people, not greedy or desperate for power or wealth. Why does he do this? They would have been ashamed of their own son!”
She stood, indignation reddening her face as she thought upon the memory of her brother-in-law and his wife and the son they created.
“Come.” She grabbed Jamie’s hand and bid him to stand. “Go and rest for the night. William has stayed as well. Donald will not know; he has a fortune to use and a castle to occupy.” She rolled her eyes. “Then, be on your way tomorrow to the Parker cottage to explain yourself to Amelia.
Jamie thought for a moment, and then hugged his mother. “Aye,” he said. “Ye are wise.”
He kissed her on the cheek and then left the room to retire to the library, hopeful that a cup of whiskey and a sit in silence would give him the further clarity he needed.
* * *
Marianne waited until Amelia slept soundly in the chair next to her mother’s bed. Henrietta had improved greatly in the space of a few hours. After Amelia revealed the news about her father and his inevitable return, her breathing slowed and cleared, so that the rhythm was regular and healthy. Her skin stopped sweating under her garments, and Marianne had high hopes she would make a full recovery over the next few days. Sophie had been instructed to wake Amelia before midnight, so that she could make her way to the church. Marianne had little time to achieve her goal.
