[A/N: Azucar, your wish is my command! Here's a new part! And good news, I did finish writing the whole story, it's fairly long (for my stories, at around 50 pages). I might post it in parts for a bit as I proofread it again, and then maybe post the last half at one shot.
Just a note, I think it takes a while for a new chapter to load. Tk, thanks for letting me know, I had checked Part Two on my iPad and phone and it had uploaded for me. I don't know why it delays so long for others. When I post I do get a message saying it could take 30 minutes to show up. I try to refresh on my end but I'm not sure if that actually does anything…
Also thanks to pureoaknut, on noting that William had no reason to smell so strongly of whisky. I updated Part Two to have a glass spill on his sleeve.]
PART THREE
When they stepped off of the train at the station, William had felt an odd sense of deja vu come over him. Though he was staring at the sign that said Dùn Èideann, his eyes weren't focusing on it. Eliza had noticed that his body had stiffened, so she wordlessly slid her hand into his and gave it a light squeeze. He opened his hand and interlocked his fingers with hers and together they walked out of the station and into the sunny day.
William was silent in the carriage to his uncle's estate. He looked lost in thought for most of the ride and Eliza hadn't wanted to disturb him. They held hands during the trip, and Eliza enjoyed the view of the rolling countryside, she didn't often leave the gray streets of London, seeing so much greenery was a novelty to her.
A short while later the carriage turned, and a castle came into view, getting closer and closer. At first, it looked like a regal estate, but upon further inspection the true shape it was in became apparent. The stone bricks were stained, there was moss and ivy growing all over the walls, and part of the crenellations had fallen down. The carriage pulled to a stop. William disembarked and then helped Eliza step down. They stood side-by-side looking up at the front of the castle. William let out a low whistle, "Oi, he really let this place fall apart. I don't think I've ever seen it look this bad."
The carriage driver left their bags at their feet, tipped his hat, and left. "Here we go." William said. He took a deep breath to steady himself, then he tried the heavy wooden door and it creaked open.
William looked inside before taking a step. A thick layer of dust coated every surface, the paintings hung crooked, dead flowers lay in vases. Eliza peered around William and then sneezed. "My goodness, it looks like it's been this way for quite some time." She remarked. William shrugged and absently handed Eliza his handkerchief. "My uncle was old when I was young, he must have let it deteriorate over the years."
William left their bags in the entryway and wandered slowly down the hall. Eliza followed behind him, then passed him, entranced by the paintings on the wall. She stopped in front of one hanging towards the end of the hallway. A beautiful auburn-haired woman was sitting in a chair, and what seemed to be a strapping man standing at her side, but his face had been partially scratched out. Eliza gasped, from what she could tell, he looked almost exactly like William.
Eliza recalled the photograph William had shown her of his parents, but the small sepia toned image couldn't come close to the larger, painted portrait.
William had heard Eliza gasp and walked over to her to see what had stopped her. He looked up at the painting too. "My parents." He said wistfully. "Your mother was beautiful. And from what I can tell, you look just like your father…" Eliza was annoyed the the painting had been defaced, she had wanted to see more of the similarities between the two men.
"Aye, spitting image." He looked sad, "I wish I could've known them." Eliza was just about to wrap her arms around him to comfort him, when they heard a loud noise, and a voice shout out, "Who goes there! Aye, don't make me come out there!" William's brow furrowed and he withdrew his gun. It can't be… That voice… William thought with a shudder.
William gestured for Eliza to stay behind him. Slowly he took a few steps forwards, and when he turned the corner, he pointed his gun into the dark corridor, "FREEZE!" He bellowed, despite not seeing anyone there.
"Why are ye shoutin' at me? How dare ye, you trespass here and... Willie?" A voice called out from the dark. "Uncle?" William asked, looking stunned, "You're supposed to be dead! Are you a ghost?" William asked him, baffled. "Dead! I'm right here, in the flesh, you daft boy." His uncle stepped forward eyed him up and down, "Hardly a boy anymore eh? Ah, who's this bonny lass? You found a feeble-minded lady who would agree to marry you? Or did you have to buy her? You missing some cogs lassie?" He asked, addressing Eliza.
"I most certainly am not." Eliza bristled, "Ah, you got some spirit!" His uncle walked up to Eliza and looked her up and down leering, "A mite on the skinny side, but she could probably pop out a couple of babes." William's hands clenched into fists at his uncle's comment, "Don't let him get to you, just ignore him Eliza." He said to her. William thought she was going to get angry and shout at his uncle, but to his, and his uncle's surprise, she burst out laughing instead.
"I've been at the mercy of men for most of my life and my chosen profession, whatever you care to say about, or to me, has already been said, and I have most assuredly heard worse. Think what you like, but I am not 'feeble-minded' and William most certainly did not have to 'buy me'." She said this firmly and crossed her arms over her chest.
William thought his uncle was going to yell back at Eliza but instead he chuckled, "I like you. If you decide to leave Willie I'll marry you instead. Come lass, sit with me and tell me why you thought I had passed on to the great beyond." He gestured for her to follow him to a large drawing room and to sit by the fire with him.
William's uncle settled into an armchair and Eliza sat in the one across from him. A fine coating of dust rose into the air and resettled as she sat down. William was about to approach, "Willie, be a good lad, you can take your bags to your room." His uncle waved his hand to dismiss him. William grumbled but left, he knew Eliza could handle herself with him and he wanted to get a look at the rest of the place on his own.
"So tell me lassie, why did you think I was dead?" His uncle asked curiously. "William received a letter a few days ago saying that you had passed and that he should come to finalize the estate. Was it sent in jest?" Eliza asked him curiously. His uncle shook his head, "Nay, just prematurely, I was ill, in a coma, they thought I was as good as dead, but I decided to hang around a little longer, I have more people to annoy in this life!" He chuckled, "Have you two been married long? I know nothing of Willie since he had left." Eliza shook her head, "We're not married yet, we are engaged though." "Hmph... that's not very interesting then. But you two seem 'friendly'" he said slyly with a wink.
Eliza sighed, "That sir, is none of your business." "Fine, fine, then. You can call me Alistair, by the way. Or Alis." He hesitated then asked, "What became of Willie after he had left here?"
Eliza was frank, "My father took William in. He was living on the streets of London, he had fallen ill, almost died, and had nowhere to go. We grew up together." His uncle looked uncomfortable, "Looked like it all worked out, 'twas better he left. Couldn't, nay, can't, stand the lad." He glared at Eliza. Despite her curiosity, she decided not to press the matter further.
William stood in his old bedroom looking around. He shuddered, as random memories began to assault his mind, crying in the corner, feeling pangs of hunger, trying to argue back, but being too small. What he also found incredibly eerie was that the room hadn't been touched in all of his years of absence. His things lay exactly where he had left them, as if he had just stepped out for an hour, not 15 years.
His melancholy was deepening and his mood was turning more sour by the minute. Before he could sink any lower he felt a soft touch at his back. "William?" Eliza said softly, "Are you alright?" He turned around slowly, her hand was still raised from having been on his back. He took it and held it over his heart and bowed his head. "I'm okay, just reminiscing." He whispered.
Eliza hesitated, then gently put her free hand on the nape of William's neck and stroked it. He let out a deep sigh and she pulled his head down lower until his forehead was resting lightly against hers. His free hand encircled her waist.
They stood like that for a while, the bad memories slowly fading from his mind. "Thank you." William whispered. "For what?" Eliza asked, "Everything, absolutely everything." William kissed her on the forehead and let her go. "We should sort out some dinner and find a room for you to sleep in." Eliza nodded. "Will, you're not going to stay in this room are you?" He shook his head, "No," he gave a mirthless chuckle, "I wouldn't be able to sleep a wink."
Eliza was watching William. He was standing by the stove, stirring something that smelled quite delicious. Alistair had told her that a neighbor would come by daily with provisions for him. William and Eliza would have to go to town tomorrow, but for now, the scanty vegetables and small piece of meat would suffice.
"Why are you just standing there lass? Don't ye even know how to cook? What are you good for then?" His uncle came up behind her, wondering why she wasn't cooking. Eliza sighed, "Not every woman is an innate cook." She explained.
"I am marrying her to be my companion, not my housekeeper!" William snapped at his uncle from the stove. His uncle pretended he hadn't heard the comment, "Tsk, I see why you haven't wed yet. Such a grouch. And he likes his food." He said gesturing with his head at William, "Expensive boy to feed."
Eliza decided to ignore him and went over to the stove to investigate the pot bubbling away, "It smells delicious!" William raised an eyebrow, "It's just a stew. Here try some." He scooped some up on a spoon and blew on it to cool it down before holding it to her lips. She tried it and her eyes widened in surprise, "You're very good at this!"
William chuckled. "I had to be," he glanced at his uncle, "Most evenings I had to find food for myself, he wouldn't always let me eat with the others." His uncle heard this, "You didn't deserve to be at that table." "Whatever you say Uncle. Eliza, if you don't mind, there are some bowls in that cabinet, could you set the table?" William asked her. "Of course." Eliza replied, then rummaged around and also found some glasses and spoons. By the time she had finished setting the table the stew was ready.
Eliza and William sat down. "Are you not joining us Uncle?" William asked, simply to be polite, it was his food they were eating after all. He gestured at the third place setting. His uncle hesitated, then sat muttering under his breath. William didn't quite catch what he had said but decided to ignore him.
They ate in silence for a while then his uncle spoke, "Did you find a room to share?" Eliza looked at him, "I told you, we're not married yet." Even though Eliza and William had shared a bed before, it had been while they were away from home. The times when they had fallen asleep on the uncomfortable settee together they had been fully clothed. Eliza had assumed they would share a room that evening, but she hadn't anticipated anyone else being in the house. Now it felt awkward to her.
Alistair interrupted her thoughts, "You don't have to be married to sleep together, or not sleep." He winked, "If I was younger..." William slammed his hand on the table, he had had enough.
"You will not speak to Eliza that way! You can insult me all you like, I no longer care, but you will not insult my fiancé!" He growled. "Boy, you have no sense of humor, I was merely joking. Calm down, I'm not going to harm your lady friend, couldn't do much even if I had wanted to!" Alistair said with a chuckle. William was breathing deeply, still enraged. "William, it's fine, sit down, finish your dinner." Eliza said. He threw his napkin down instead and took his bowl over to the basin. "I've lost my appetite. I'll be outside taking a walk if you need me."
Eliza sighed and cleared the table. "You do rile him so." Eliza said disapprovingly. He chuckled, "It's so easy to get a rise out of him! Always ready to fight back. He should know when to stay down, would've helped him in his youth, such a disobedient boy. Such a disappointment." His uncle shook his head.
Eliza sat down again, across from him, "What did he do?" Eliza asked curiously, she knew bits and pieces of William's past. "It's his fault!" The uncle said pointing a shaking finger at her. "It's his fault Mary died." Eliza was stunned, his uncle got up and left before she could ask anything else. She knew Mary was William's mother, but she didn't know how William was to blame for her death. He was only 5 years old when she had died in a carriage accident with his father, Walter. They had been rushing home to William, he had been ill. Surely he can't blame William for being a sick little boy…? Eliza thought sadly.
After cleaning up the kitchen, Eliza decided to go find William. He hadn't yet returned from his walk. It was still light out, but would turn dark soon, and she would feel better knowing where he was. She was hoping he had calmed down a bit.
Eliza walked aimlessly for a while, she began by exiting from the front of the castle, and made her way around, towards the back. There was a garden full of weeds, a barn with the roof half missing, and further in the distance she could make out another estate. That must be the neighbor that has been bringing Alistair food. Eliza thought, then she squinted and saw a tall figure just ahead of her.
She was about to call out William's name, when to her complete and utter shock she saw a woman running towards him and throw her arms around his neck. He had grabbed her around the waist and twirled her around.
Eliza hurried to them as quickly as she could, when she reached them, she was completely out of breath and still in disbelief. William had not let the woman go, his hands were still on her waist, and hers on his shoulders.
"Ah, Lizzie! This is Seasaidh!" William said with a huge grin. She turned to Eliza, removing her hands from William and he let her go. She took both of Eliza's hands in hers, "Hello Lizzie! It's so nice to meet you!" Eliza, still speechless looked at the woman in front of her.
She was absolutely stunning, tall and regal, with beautiful fiery red-colored ringlets framing a delicate face, with a slightly upturned nose covered with a smattering of freckles. She had full pouty lips, but it was her eyes, bright as emeralds, that were truly captivating.
"Eliza, Jes was my childhood friend! I think I had told you about her!" William said, his eyes still shining. Eliza nodded slowly, William had mentioned her, that night when he had shown her his box of precious items. She recalled him saying that she was the neighbor's daughter, and they would hide in her barn. She suddenly wondered what exactly had they been doing in the barn. She shook her head, annoyed with herself.
"Hello Seasaidh. It's a pleasure to meet you too." Eliza said, forcing a smile. She was still irked that Seasaidh had called her Lizzie, and that William hadn't introduced her properly. If Seasaidh had noticed Eliza's initial hesitation, she didn't react to it. Then again, if she had noticed anything other than William, Eliza would have been surprised.
Seasaidh had turned back to William, batting her eyelashes at him, "Willie, do you remember that time we had hid in the barn loft and jumped down into the hay…" "…and the mice came running out! Aye, they gave me such a fright!" William said with a chuckle. "You thought it was a ghost!" Seasaidh said. They both burst out laughing. Eliza smiled politely, not that either of them had noticed her, lost as they were in reminiscing.
It started to get dark, "William, we should get back, it's getting late." Eliza said, wrapping her arm around his. He jumped, startled at her touch, and looked down at her. "Aye, of course." William said to her, then turned his attention back to Seasaidh, "Jes, I'll see you tomorrow. Bha e uamhasach math d 'fhaicinn a-rithist." Seasaidh nodded with a bright smile, "Bha, bha!" She replied as she took William's free hand and squeezed it. Then she waved and turned to head back towards her house.
William waited till Seasaidh had walked over a hill and was lost from their sight. He grinned and shook his head ruefully, "What a lass, she was a good friend. I cannae believe how much time has gone by, she's just as I remember her. Lizzie? Are you alright? Did my uncle say something to upset you while I was out?" William asked, finally noticing that Eliza had been rather silent.
"No, no, of course not. I am merely tired from everything that has transpired today." Eliza replied. "Aye, of course, come, it's late." William said. Eliza went to move the hand she was holding onto William's arm with around his waist, but in the short moment she had released him, he had already taken a long stride and was ahead of her. Confused, she hurried after him and followed him inside.
To be continued…
