PART TEN

William…

William felt bad for having barely left enough time to say good bye to Eliza properly. He had fallen asleep in the middle of their talk last night and then had left early that morning. She had acknowledged him leaving, but had fallen asleep shortly thereafter.

His thoughts were all a jumble as he walked over the field to Seasaidh's house. He was worried about Eliza managing alone with Alistair, he hoped she would let Seasaidh help her. He was also wondering how he would manage without her, I'm hardly ever away from her, I've begun to rely on her so much… except for her cooking, he gave a rueful chuckle.

William was broken out of his reverie as he spotted Seasaidh's flaming red hair. She was puttering about in the front of her house, scattering seed for the chickens. He hadn't told her he'd be coming by so early for his uncle's horse, but his instinct that she would be awake, managing the farm, proved to be on point.

She must have heard him, for she looked up and waved. "Oi, there Willie! Come for Alistair's horse have ye?" She called out. "Aye, I don't suppose I could trouble you to help me ready him?" He asked. Seasaidh laughed, "I'm way ahead of ye, he's all saddled up, is ole' Angus." "Ah, mòran taing Jes. I appreciate it." He said, following her to the barn.

Alistair's horse was healthy, Seasaidh had taken good care of him, and William knew he'd be strong enough for the long ride ahead. William just hoped that he would be. He hadn't ridden for any extended amount of time in years. And even when he had, it hadn't been for an almost two day journey. Riding in carriages around London had made him soft.

"Ye sure you'll be alright then Willie?" Seasaidh said, seeing how quiet he had gone as he fed Angus the carrot that she had handed him. He smiled, "Aye, just so many things happening at once, I'll be fine." He hesitated momentarily, "Jes, would you check in on Eliza every so often? Please? I'm worried about her being alone with Alistair. I'm also worried they might end up starving." William laughed wryly at the thought.

Seasaidh looked at him confused, I suppose the lass isn't the best cook… "Aye, Willie, it's no trouble at all. I'd like to get to know her better. Please, dinnae worry, just focus on your journey, eh? I've packed a lunch for ye and this inn is a good stopping point for tonight." She said, handing him a package of food and a paper with directions to the inn.

William placed the lunch in one of the saddle bags and slipped the paper into his pocket. He turned to face Seasaidh, "Jes thank you, truly." He said smiling at her. He took her hand and squeezed it briefly. She nodded and walked with him as he led Angus out of the barn.

William mounted the horse a bit shakily, but soon muscle memory took over, and his confidence returned, "I'll hopefully be back in five days or so. I'll see you then." She nodded, "Best of luck to ye Willie! Give Cat my regards!" She called out as he set Angus into a trot and headed off into the horizon.

Eliza…

William had risen early that morning to head over to Seasaidh's house and collect Alistair's horse. He had kissed Eliza goodbye and promised to return as quickly as he could. Eliza, her mind still cloudy with sleep, had nodded and kissed him back, then had quickly fallen asleep again.

When she awoke, a few hours later, she felt cold, missing the warmth of William's body. This could possibly be the longest we'll have been away from each other, she realized with some surprise. How is it possible that I miss him already? Sighing, she mentally prepared herself for the day and the unfamiliar tasks and chores she would have to handle.

Following her morning ablutions, Eliza took a deep breath and had just opened the back door to walk over to Seasaidh's house. She stopped in surprise. Seasaidh was standing there, her hand raised, ready to knock. A grin lit up her beautiful face, "Great minds!" She said laughing. Eliza couldn't help but laugh too, her joy was infectious.

"Please, do come in Seasaidh." Eliza said stepping back. "Thank you, please, call me Jes. Do you prefer Eliza or Lizzie?" She asked her. "Eliza please, only William and Ivy call me Lizzie." Eliza replied. "Sure. Is Ivy a friend then?" Seasaidh asked curiously as she placed a basket she had brought with her on the kitchen table. "My housekeeper, but she raised me." Eliza replied.

"Ah." Seasaidh said, I might have misjudged her, I thought she seemed a bit posh and society-like, but mayhap I was wrong. Perhaps she had a sad childhood and she and Willie had bonded over that. I dinnae think Willie could love someone uppity anyway.

Seasaidh turned around to face Eliza. "I wanted to apologize, for yesterday. I hadn't seen Willie in years, I hadn't meant to make things uncomfortable. Could we start over fresh? For Willie's sake?" Eliza's eyes widened in surprise, Seasaidh's frankness was very different from most people, she nodded slowly, "I would like that, and I know William would too." Seasaidh's face lit up, "That's grand! Thanks! I popped on over, when Willie told me he was leaving you for a bit, I thought you might need some help dealing with the old codger."

Alistair of course had chosen that moment to come in, "I am not an old codger you hussy." He said grumbling. "Aye, you are." And then to Eliza's utter astonishment Seasaidh went over to him and hugged him. Seasaidh saw Eliza's jaw drop and chuckled, "Ach, Eliza, things are complicated. I lost my parents a couple of years back, then Cat left, leaving this one alone, we became friends of a sort." She shrugged. Eliza nodded slowly, "William doesn't know does he?" Seasaidh looked guilty and shook her head, "No. I couldn't bear to tell him." She let out a sigh, "I've not gone many friends." She said sadly.

"It's none of Willie's business anyway." Alistair said grumpily. "What did you bring for breakfast lass?" Alistair asked Seasaidh, going over to inspect the basket. "Sorry, Alis, slim pickings this morning, I was going to head to the market and ask Eliza if she'd like to join me." Seasaidh turned towards Eliza waiting for her reply. "Yes, that would be lovely." Eliza said. Seasaidh's beautiful face lit up, "Grand! We can get you a new dress too."

Eliza looked down at her blue gown, "What is wrong with my clothing?" She asked confused. Seasaidh's tinkly laugh echoed through the kitchen, "You cannae tell me you cook all dressed up like that? And clean yer house?" "That's what Ivy is for…" Eliza replied somewhat lamely.

Seasaidh raised an eyebrow at her, "She does everything for ye then?" Eliza nodded slowly. "What do you do all day then?" Seasaidh asked utterly baffled. "I'm a private detective. I work on commission for Scotland Yard, with William."

Seasaidh and Alistair just blinked at her, "I dinnae understand, you solve crimes then? Willie's a police officer?" Seasaidh asked for confirmation. It was Eliza's turn to be stunned, "He didn't tell you anything?" Seasaidh shook her head, "No, he asked about Cat, then left. Today he just took Alis' horse, we hadn't had time to catch up." Eliza let out a long breath, "It's a very long story…" "I'll make us some eggs for breakfast, and you can tell us all about you and Willie. Then we can go to the market." Seasaidh said, grabbing a nearby apron and pulling some eggs out of the basket.

Two hours later…

"… so I missed our wedding." Eliza wrapped up. Seasaidh stared at her agape, Alistair looked as though he hadn't believed half of the story Eliza had just told them. Eliza narrowed her eyes at Alistair, "It is true, all of it." She said fiercely.

"Poor Willie…" Seasaidh said thoughtfully. "I cannae believe he lived on the streets." Alistair grumbled incoherently under his breath, but Eliza thought she had noticed a touch of sadness in his eyes. "And he's a Chief Inspector! That's incredible!" Seasaidh heisted then said, "I am sorry about yer father Eliza, he sounds like he was a wonderful man. It was so kind of him to take in Willie." Eliza nodded, "I can't even imagine my life without William in it." She said softly, twisting her engagement ring on her left hand.

Alistair watched the ring glint in the light on Eliza's finger, then coughed, "I have important business to attend to. Enjoy the market. Get some good meat." And he left before either woman could say anything.

Seasaidh shrugged, "I promise Eliza, I'll tell Willie when he gets back then Alis and I are friendly. I was so lonely, with my parents gone and…" She paused, "I lost a man dear to me only a few years back." Seasaidh's usually sunny demeanor had turned cloudy. Eliza tentatively reached out and placed her hand over hers and squeezed it lightly. "I'm so sorry Jes, if you ever want to talk, I'll listen." Eliza said. "Ah, thank you Eliza." Seasaidh said wiping at her eyes. "We'd best get going now. Come, I have a carriage, we can take Dafty." "Dafty?" Eliza asked with a smile. Seasaidh grinned, "My horse."