PART EIGHT

While William was at Seasaidh's house, Eliza headed back to Alistair to try to talk to the man. It's akin to talking to a wall… Or to William when he won't listen! She giggled, seeing similarities between the two men. Despite William mostly taking after his father, his eyes were the same as Mary's. The same as Alistair's.

Eliza found Alistair still seated in the drawing room on the settee, where they had left him. "Oh, it's you again." He said. "Where did he go?" Alistair asked her. She sat down next to him, "To Seasaidh." She told him. "Ah. She's a good lass. Lonely girl." He replied.

"Alis, do you know where Catriona is? Do you have any idea at all?" Eliza asked. He didn't answer her right away, Eliza thought he had chosen to ignore her, then he spoke softly, "No, no I do not. I've had no word." He had hardened his countenance, but then to her surprise, she saw a tear trickle down his face, "I do miss her so." He roughly wiped at his face, as if embarrassed to be seen with any emotion other than anger.

There was so much Eliza wanted to ask him, who his wife had been; why was he cruel to William, even now, after all these years; how did he plan on managing on his own? Before she could figure out which subject to broach first, he unsteadily rose from the settee. "I need a nap now, I'm an old man." He said firmly, to end the discussion.

Eliza decided to let him be for now. "Would you like me to walk with you to your room?" She asked him. He shook his head, "No. I've been sleeping on the ground floor." He took a few steps then stopped, but didn't turn around. "Thank ye for offering anyway." Alistair continued slowly out of the room, leaving Eliza to her thoughts.

Eliza headed back to the kitchen, there was still some food in the pantry, probably enough to last one more day, they would have to go to the market tomorrow. She pulled out everything that looked edible and lined it up on the table.

I can't risk cooking it, if I ruin it we'll all be hungry, but I feel terrible relying on William for something that I should be able to do. Besides being boring, I had thought cooking would keep me chained to a kitchen, but now, even though I actually want to, I can't even make something for the man I love. She suddenly felt sad, I wonder what kind of wife I'll be…

Eliza! Snap out of it, it's just vegetables and some cured meat! If I can identify different poisons by scent I can most certainly figure this out! She spotted an apron and tied it around her waist, making her feel more official. She took a deep breath, Here goes nothing!


"Lizzie?" William asked astounded as he saw her by the stove. "Are you actually cooking?" He asked shocked, and prayed that she hadn't destroyed the last of their food. She turned to look at him with a huge grin, her face was red from being so close to the steam of the pot, her hair had frizzed around her face, and she had the oddest colored stains on her clothes. Miraculously her apron had stayed clean.

"Yes! Try some! I think it's edible." She held out a spoon to him. Tentatively he tasted it. It's edible alright, but I don't think I've ever tasted anything this bland in my life! Did she boil all of the flavor out of it? He wondered in awe how someone could manage that. Then he looked at her face, shining with pride.

William placed his palm against her cheek, "It's wonderful Lizzie." He inadvertently sniffed. "I'm so proud of you." He froze, realizing that he had let down his guard and his very obvious tell had chosen the worst time to come out.

Instead of being angry though, she burst out laughing, "I'm truly glad you are marrying me to be your companion and not a housewife!" He chuckled, "I wasn't lying about being proud of you though. I am." She nodded, "I know. Will, is there a way to fix it? Should I add some salt?" She asked picking up the salt dish, preparing to upturn the whole thing into the pot. "NO! Oi, Lizzie, wait, just a little, it doesn't need too much." William said, stopping her just in time.

Eliza watched as William added a pinch, then he tried it again, "It's not bad actually." He said passing her the spoon. Her face lit up, "We can eat this! I cooked! I did it for you!" She said giddily. William felt his heart melt at her words, She loves me so much that she did something she loathes just to make me happy.

Eliza realized that William had gone quiet, she looked up at him wondering what had happened. He was looking at her so warmly and tenderly. "Come here." He said holding open his arms. She stepped into his embrace and he held her tightly. He was tense at first, then slowly his body loosened up and she felt him relax. She could tell that whatever Seasaidh had told him had agitated him. She ran her hand up and down his back, doing her best to soothe him.

"Lizzie, there's a lot I have to tell you, let's sit down." He said, releasing her. She nodded. "Oh, we should move the pot before it turns to mush, we can eat a bit later." He added looking around for a towel to hold it by. Eliza had already picked up her apron and dragged the pot to the cooler end of the stove. "There, now come, tell me everything." She said.

They sat down, William took a deep breath and told her everything he had learned from Seasaidh. He ended by pulling out the last letter Seasaidh had received from Catriona. Eliza took it from him and read it quickly aloud.

Dearest Jes,

I hope this letter finds you well. Andy and I are quite happy, he's such a big boy now! And so curious to learn and explore, every day is quite an adventure. I certainly have my work cut out for me, between the two lads, but Torence is a sweet boy and thankfully they get along.

I am so grateful for the kindness of the Kerr's, they are truly understanding of my situation and I have been doing my best to teach Torence, he is such a clever boy!

I have heard nothing of Callum, good riddance, I am a bit sad that Andy won't have a male role model to grow up with, but I will continue to do all that I can so he becomes a good man, that is all I want for him.

I must end this letter now, the boys are supposed to be in bed, yet I hear giggling coming from Andy's room, sometimes Torence sneaks down to play with him.

My deepest regards,

Cat

When she finished reading it, she handed it back to William. "What do you plan on doing?" She asked him. He let out a sigh and rested his head on his hands. "I dunno, I feel I should go find her…" Before William could finish his thought, they heard a noise and turned around.

Alistair had been standing there silently, listening to them, but when he had heard the news about Catriona he had let out a strangled cry, "I have a grandson?" He turned white as a sheet. William rose quickly from his chair to support Alistair, who looked as though he was going to pass out. He was in such a shock that he let William help him over to the table with no arguments.

"William, please, I know you have no reason to, I know you despise me for the way I've treated you, but please, could you find Cat and her boy and bring them home? I beg of you from the bottom of my heart." Alistair said this so earnestly that William could do nothing but stand there, completely dumbfounded.

It was the first time his uncle had called him by his full name, and not Willie, which William had hated. The only person he didn't mind calling him Willie was Seasaidh. It was also the first time his uncle had ever said please to him.

Eliza reached a hand out to take William's, she was worried about how still he had gone. When he felt her touch he looked down at her and smiled. "I'm alright." He turned to his uncle, "Yes, Uncle I will go. But I can't promise that she'll want to return with me." He told him. Alistair nodded, "I understand. Can I give you a letter to give to her?" He asked. William nodded, "Of course." His uncle stood, a new determination had set in and he looked stronger.

He approached William and to his utter surprise Alistair took his hand, "I've wronged you boy, nay, William, in so many ways. I will never be able to change that. I am just very glad that you did not take after me and you are helping me, even though I have given you no reason to." He looked William in the eyes, "You are just like your mother. Mary would be incredibly proud of you." He pat William's hand then dropped it and passed by him to leave the room.

"Uncle." William called out, not turning around. "Aye?" Alistair said. "Call me Willie." William said with a faint smile on his lips. Alistair let out a loud guffaw and headed off to write his letter. William sat back down at the table, Eliza smiling at him.

"It's odd hearing my name from his lips, so much so that I actually prefer to be called Willie." He chuckled, "Not that he apologized, but I don't think I'd be able to forgive him anyway. I'm glad he didn't try to. I won't be spiteful, I'll do my best to bring Cat back home, but he and I will never be close." Eliza nodded.

"Lizzie, I know you won't be happy about this, but he can't be left alone. I know it's a lot to ask of you but…" William took a deep breath, but Eliza spoke up, interrupting him, "I'll stay with him Will, you go get Catriona back." William looked at her, "You truly don't mind?" He said, feeling a weight lift off of her shoulders. "No." She said, shaking her head. "Ach Lizzie, thank you." William slid to his knees in front of her and held her hands in her lap.

"William!" She said laughing, "You'll hurt your knees, get up!" "No, not until you kiss me." He replied with a grin. "You crazy man." She said in return. She pulled her hands free of his and held his face in her hands. She leaned forward and kissed him. "I love you, now come, lets eat." He nodded and let her help him to his feet.