Chapter 10 Eilean Bennet Castle
A week and a half after Mr and Mrs Darcy arrived in Edinburgh, James and Euan came with the Landau. In it was a surprise...
Colonel Fitzwilliam had ditched his travelling companions for the convenience of a solitary voyage. He came with bad news though, Mr Collins and his entourage had continued to Gretna Green after it became clear that his runaway bride was not at Pemberley. It was what they had expected but he had made his intentions known of proceeding to Eilean Bennet Castle afterwards. The same destination as the newlyweds had planned to visit. The question became if this insight should upend their journey or if it bore no significance. The suave manners of the Colonel did him no favours in Elizabeth's eyes it rather put her on edge. He was utterly wrong if he thought a parson or a couple of relatives could stop her from telling her mother and father exactly what she thought of their deception. It was nevertheless too late for them to marry her off to Mr Collins. She was married and the marriage had been consummated, multiple times...
Her bravado did not fail her before the stone bridge of Eilean Bennet Castle was in sight. Unwelcome images of her father injuring her husband came unbidden to her mind's eye. It would be unfortunate if her otherwise lackadaisical father turned the devoted father when it was least preferred.
Her mother exited the castle first, full of excitement about the illustrious carriage that had entered her courtyard. She was clapping her hands gleefully, ordering servants back and forth for no apparent reason.
Her exclamations amplified as a dashing man in regimentals alighted first, screeching for Lydia to come as hastily as her legs could carry her.
Mr Darcy's exit rendered the lady of the castle, momentarily mute. The dampener lasted until Elizabeth was handed out by her husband. He wrapped her hand around his arm and strode determined towards his new mother.
"Lady MacBennet, may I introduce you to Colonel Fitzwilliam of his Majesty the King's army," he greeted but ambled past her and up the stone steps to the entrance. The lady curtsied to the Colonel before she turned on her heel and followed the newlyweds.
"Thank you, Mr Darcy, for escorting my contrary daughter home. I can imagine the forbearance you must have endured by your gallantry.
Lizzy! What were you thinking? Sending your fiancé on a wild goose chase while you were gallivanting across England? Have you any idea of how I have suffered? My nerves have fluttered and spasms have attacked my heart. I swear one of these days you are going to send me into an early grave. Mark my words, Lizzy...
It was about time you came home.
Mr Collins has arrived, I have just escorted him inside. The wedding will be held as soon as father Kincaid can be fetched. You have quite exhausted my patience, Miss Lizzy. I will tolerate no more dillydallying on this subject."
Darcy stretched his legs in a futile attempt of outpacing the indignant lady, forcing Elizabeth to break out into a half-run beside him to keep up but the matron of Eilean Bennet Castle was surprisingly fit, contrary to her own lamentations.
His goal was the usual haunt of the MacBennet clan, the great hall.
There, he ripped open the door, mainly to escape the constant nagging from the lady of the castle.
The great hall was packed with MacBennets, MacBingleys, Campbells and the dreaded Mr Collins.
Darcy stopped dead in the middle of the room grabbed his wife's waist and kissed her soundly.
The room quieted down with the exception of the outrageous exclamations from Mr Collins, calling for justice. Preferably the hang man's noose for Mr Darcy who clearly had taken the advantage of a feeble female.
Elizabeth could not let such a ridiculous declaration stand unchallenged. As soon as Darcy let her go, she grabbed her husband's countenance with both hands and pulled him back down for a searing kiss that silenced even Mr Collins.
"Thank you, dear, but I believe the second kiss was a bit redundant..."
"Certainly not... He called me feeble!"
Darcy chuckled while he tucked Elizabeth's hand back around his arm.
"Laird MacBennet, I have come to inform you that your daughter Elizabeth and I have married."
"It cannot be legit, she is underage, Laird MacBennet."
"I am well aware of my daughter's age, Mr Collins."
"We were married at the Toll Booth in Coldstream, father," Elizabeth added. "It is, as you know, on the Scottish side of the border. Even Mr Collins must realise that I am older than twelve..."
"But... but, you were supposed to marry Mr Collins, Lizzy. What can be the meaning of this? Laird MacBennet you have to do something. It is not too late for an annulment, they cannot have been married long. Days at the most."
"Days, hours, it does not matter Fiona. Why should I try to get an annulment? I thought you would be pleased with another daughter married... Is it not what you have always wanted? Marrying off a daughter with very little inconvenience to ourselves?
Oh, you are miffed that you were deprived of arranging the wedding celebrations. That may be redeemed, we can have an impromptu celebration as speedily as it can be arranged."
Lady MacBennet had little answer to respond to her husband. She stood wringing her hands, at a loss for words.
"Why? No screeching for ale and food to be prepared, no flowers to be plucked? Are you feeling well, Fiona? I thought you would be pleased."
The laird of the MacBennet clan looked bewildered at his wife who seemed to, miraculously, have lost her ability to speak.
Darcy thought the laird was either a great loss to Drury Lane or something else was amiss...
"I believe Lady MacBennet is disappointed that it is I that have married Elizabeth as your hopes clearly had taken another direction. I admit to some deceit in securing my bride which I am not proud of but to my defence, she did accept my proposal without coercion and if it matters to you, I love her."
"What nonsense is this?" The laird was getting annoyed. "I am sure I have not any finer prospects for my daughters than yourself, Mr Darcy. There was no need for any deceit on my account. You could have managed the feat through regular means, like proposing and asking her father for her hand. It is not complicated."
"It is when the father has signed consent for his daughter to marry someone else, not of her choosing. A fact that cannot be denied since most of us were present when she declined, vehemently."
Laird MacBennet rose from his armchair and walked purposely towards Mr Darcy who stood firm.
"That is a flat out lie. Who do you think you are, coming into my home, accusing me of such nonsense."
"But, papa?"
"Silence, Lizzy! Your husband can speak for himself..."
Another voice spoke up. "I can do better, I have proof with me." Mr Campbell stood up and approach the laird and his new son with a paper in his hand that he offered to the laird. "I know this signature, Laird MacBennet, it is yours."
The laird read through the page with a signature on the bottom, it was definitely his own albeit the rest of the letter was not in his hand.
"Fiona, can you explain how my signature ended up on your letter to your brother because I was certainly unaware that I had signed it. This is the first time I have laid my eyes upon it."
"I do not want to," the lady answered, trying to put up some bluster. Her husband had just spoken to her in a much harsher tone of voice than he usually employed. He occasionally ridiculed her or spoke sarcastically but he was never angry with her, not until today. Incredible eyes followed her from around the table, it was all too much.
"I might have covered it with a bill from the haberdasher but it was in Lizzy's best interest. That girl does not know what is best for herself. Turning down a perfectly decent offer when none others were likely to be had... How could I have known that Mr Darcy wanted her for wife, he called her peasant and ridiculed her hair! Even if he had shown any interest, I could never have pictured Lizzy forgiving him. She held a grudge towards Campbell for ten years, Thomas, ten years!" Lady MacBennet's voice had risen in parallel with her indignation.
"Who is the laird of the MacBennet clan, Lady MacBennet?" The laird spoke in a menacing low tone.
"You are, Laird MacBennet." Lady MacBennet spoke in a soft voice and batted her lashes but the laird was unmoved.
"Never forget that, Lady MacBennet. I, none other, decide who my daughters shall marry or not. If you cannot respect that, I will send you packing in disgrace to live with your brother or sister. Have I made myself clear?"
"Aye, my laird."
"You may retire to your chamber, I am certain you are feeling a little tired..."
"Aye, my laird."
Lady MacBennet lifted her head and strolled up the stairs to do her husband's bidding. Quite at a loss to account for his strange behaviour.
The laird himself invited Mr Darcy to his library for a thorough rendition of the events of the last weeks. Elizabeth made to follow but a hand gesture stopped her in her tracks. There was nothing else to do but stay in the great hall with their many visitors. Fortunately, it was Jane that approached her first.
"Jane! Why are you here? I thought you were still in London..."
"And miss all the drama? I think not... What do you think I thought when you went missing? No one knew where you were, Mr Darcy had left for Rosings with Mr Collins which made no sense as I could see Mr Collins, standing before me."
"I am so sorry, Jane. I wrote you a letter as soon as we arrived in Edinburgh but I dared not write to you any sooner lest the letter had ended up in the wrong hands."
"It is probably waiting for me in London, Lizzy, but we left soon after aunt and uncle."
"What about Mr MacBingley's business?" Elizabeth inquired, she had not thought too much about her sister and new brother in the heat of the moment. Not that they had entered her mind much since, she had been too occupied with her own travails.
"Fret not, dear sister. We will journey back to London and stay for the winter as soon as this little debacle is settled but I could not leave my dear Jane in upheaval over her sister's fate." Charles interjected.
"You are very kind, Mr MacBingley. Thank you for taking such prodigiously good care of my sister."
Elizabeth felt thoroughly chastened, feeling the selfishness in her impromptu actions keenly.
"It all worked out to the best, I believe. Let me see your ring Elizabeth?"
Elizabeth showed Jane the ring Darcy had bought off the jeweller in Coldstream while Lydia thought her sister had gotten enough attention.
"Lizzy, did you bring me a present? I have just turned five and ten..."
Elizabeth had not, but gave her sister three pairs of silk stockings that she had purchased for her own use in Edinburgh. Not mentioning that she had turned nine and ten herself, while she stayed with the Campbells. Her aunt had remembered and they had gone for ices at Gunther's.
Everyone was keen to hear about her adventurous tour along the Great North Road and she relegated their journey, the meeting with the gipsies and their somewhat unconventional wedding. Evenings and shopping in Edinburgh was also added although she left out the recital of verses, that being too personal to repeat.
"Elizabeth," Mr Darcy came into the room. "Your father wants to have a word with you." Elizabeth curtsied to her listeners and followed her husband to the library where her father was waiting.
"I am so sorry, Lizzy. I had no idea of what was going on under my roof. It pains me to think that you immediately believed I would do such a thing..."
"Papa..." Elizabeth turned her compassionate eyes to her father and enfolded his hands in hers.
"No, Lizzy, let me wallow in my guilt a little while longer. That too shall pass and much sooner than it should but I need to know what happened at the Campbells when Mr Darcy was not present. He has given me a thorough narration of everything else and I believe your man to be honest and sincere in his tale. Despite his Sassenach ancestry, I might add."
"Aye, Papa, he is the best man I know. Besides, he has Scottish ancestors. Lady Stonehaven was his grandmother."
Those very words, to no longer be the best man in his daughter's eyes, are probably the last a father wants to hear from his daughter. As it was, they were well deserved and Laird MacBennet swallowed his pride and welcomed his new son with more warmth than he had expected.
"I wonder what hold mama has on aunt Madeline, she seemed to be worried about reprisals from her if she did not comply..."
The threesome fell into deep thought but nothing came to mind by either of them.
"Fetch your aunt, Lizzy. It is time I had a word with her."
Darcy rose to follow but the laird gestured for him to stay and told Elizabeth to come back with her aunt. They deserved to know all.
Madeline Campbell was clearly nervous when she entered the library. Wringing her hands while her eyes flickered, she obviously expected some sort of reprimand. The Laird chose a different approach...
"I would like to know what kind of hold my wife has on you for you to act so entirely out of character?"
"She has threatened to destroy our business with laird MacBingley for years, Laird MacBennet. I have four children and another one on the way. It is the major part of my husband's business and schooling, not to forget dowries are expensive..."
"My wife has quarrelled with Lady MacBingley for the last decade which I am certain you are well aware of. Why you believe she has any kind of influence over laird MacBingley quite escapes me. You are not a foolish woman, Madeline. There is something else beneath this..."
Madeline's eyes flickered to Elizabeth and Darcy, seated together on the settee. A hint might suffice to deter the laird.
"Your daughter Mary does not resemble you nor Fiona."
"No, she does not," the laird replied bewildered. Not at all dissuaded from his query.
"She does have the same disposition as the laird of the MacBingley clan..."
The laird surprised his audience with a light chuckle. "You have never met my sister Magdaley, Mrs Monro now, have you? Mary takes after my family, Madeline, namely my sister. I have no qualms over her paternity, especially with regards to laird MacBingley who did not inherit his father's keep until Mary was a year old. They lived in their townhouse in London until his father passed. I am surprised you did not know this Madeline. Anyway, my wife might be foolish and I have to admit that her lack of understanding is far more dangerous than I could ever have imagined. Her influence in this matter is none existing, you need have no more worries in that respect. Mr Campbell is doing an excellent job. No laird in his right mind would have terminated a lucrative business opportunity for a squabbling female. That would have been settled on the field of honour. Times have changed Madeline, even here in the Highlands. We all need something to live on..."
The laird soon had the entire history out of Madeline who gave a good account of letters and threats over the years. Elizabeth and Darcy left them to it and headed towards the main hall and more well wishes.
Elizabeth finally had a moment to address Camkirk with her proposition.
"Camkirk!" The gentle giant received a fierce hug from his charge.
"Are you happy, lass. Is he treating you well?"
"He is, more than well. He treats me like royalty but that is not why I came to find you. I want you to come with me to Pemberley. I can offer you any position you want from footman to gardener, as long as you come with me. I need you, Camkirk..."
"Nay, you do not. There is another man in your life now, lass. He can look after ye. The Highland is in me blood, I cannot leave."
"I was afraid you would say that... Well, it was worth a try..."
Darcy was eager to bring his bride back to Pemberley's tranquil grounds but he could not very well deny his bride a celebration with her dear family.
Jane and Charles were likely to settle in London, they both enjoyed the hustle and bustle of town. With so many relatives with rural estates, they could have their fill of country living by visiting, rather than purchasing any of their own. Eilean Bennet Castle would be theirs but it was in the distant future, the current laird was a healthy man despite his age.
The Lady of the Castle seemed determined to make up for her prior transgressions to her second eldest daughter by holding an elaborate feast in the honour of her marriage. Meanwhile, she was foisting her middle daughter on the now available Mr Collins who strangely enough had chosen to stay.
Mary was having none of it and Elizabeth arranged for her bookish sister to travel to their aunt in Edinburgh where she could meet like-minded folks. With any luck, the oyster cellars may enliven her most serious sister's disposition. Her father evidently regarded his sister as a grey mouse but she had vivacity enough in her eclectic company in Edinburgh. She was not into insipid conversations of lace but she could hold her own on a variety of subjects from medical science to politics.
Lady MacBennet seemed to think that Mary because she was not the most beautiful nor the most lively should settle for any man but Mary had strength of character. She would rather die a spinster than marrying someone as ridiculous as Mr Collins.
Neighbours far and wide were invited to the festivity while Elizabeth was busy preparing a surprise for her husband. A kilt in the MacBennet colours of grey and black. She was making a small kilt in check tartan of pure wool. Her father preferred the great kilt which was essentially a belted plaid but Elizabeth thought Mr Darcy would prefer something less cumbersome to wear.
The kilt had gotten a new revival after the diskilting act had been repealed in 1782. The lowlanders or Sassenachs did no longer disparage the kilt as the garment of bare-legged barbarians. While the highlanders in a kilt had been referred to as redshanks, they were now celebrated as brave warriors and the kilt was no longer everyday wear but worn at formal events.
Mr Darcy would not walk around bare-legged though, he would have knee-high white stockings leaving only his knees bare. Elizabeth had some apprehensions about the matter but chose to tackle any issues as they went along. She highly anticipated seeing him dressed as a Highlander and walked around wearing a permanent smirk as proof.
Darcy knew Elizabeth was up to something but what was eluding him until the laird's valet entered with his garments for the evening and he noticed there were no breeches...
"Surely not," he whispered to no in particular.
"Compliments from Mrs Darcy, sir. She has made it herself." The valet, proudly, held up the kilt.
Darcy had, as he saw it, two options. He could disappoint his wife or appear ridiculous before all and sundry. After a slight hesitation, he chose the latter.
Fairly certain his cheeks were red before he even ventured out from his chamber, he went in search of his wayward wife who had been hijacked by the other ladies. After the dismal beginning of their courtship, Darcy was loathed to leave his wife out of his sight.
Elizabeth met him at the top of the stairs, wearing a traditional earasaid gown. It had the check tartan skirt, the same as his kilt but her torso was clad in a black, front laced bodice over a white, low-cut shift. The effect was immediate, rationality fled as he took his temptress wife into his arms and kissed her senseless. She must have been similarly affected as she spurred him on rather than deterring him.
A shrill whistle from downstairs brought him out of his stupor and he offered his wife his arm and sauntered down the stairs as nothing was amiss.
They were seated together at the head of the table while the Laird and his wife were seated at the other end of the massive table in the great hall. It was surrounded by other smaller tables to accommodate all their guests.
"A toast," the Laird of Eilean Bennet Castle proposed and stood up from his chair. "As that little display at the top of the stairs just showed us, you married for love, my Lizzy. A great advantage which gives your marriage a distinction between other marriages because it affords you the pleasure of tolerating the flaws of your partner to a much greater extent, than a union of convenience... Slàinte mhath!"
"Slàinte mhath!" Resounded around the table towards the prettily blushing newlyweds.
Lydia grumbled, "nobody kisses me like that. I too, want to be kissed..." Setting up a pout that would have been adorable on a baby but was unattractive in a girl of five and ten.
"I can kiss you," Campbell MacBingley offered with a smirk.
"You would?" Lydia whispered back. "It would be my first kiss, you know."
"Don't be daft, I was here on the midsummer feast, remember. I saw Lizzy drag you out from behind the stable with the young Kincaid lad..."
"I never kissed him but I will kiss you," Lydia submitted and latched onto Campbell's mouth like a leach. He put up a valiant fight but did not stand a chance of avoiding the questionable pleasure.
They caught the attention of the laird while the other guests were occupied with teasing the red-faced bride and groom. Too late he tried to check his wife...
"Lydia! Campbell! Why on earth are you kissing?"
"Hush, Fiona. It is just a prank, try not to draw any attention to them. I will handle this."
"Should I not draw attention to the fact that the MacBingley lad is compromising my daughter, right in front of my eyes?" The lady screeched indignantly, just as there was a lull in the conversation. All eyes turned towards the culprits just as Campbell managed to pull himself away, red-faced with anger.
"Campbell MacBingley, what do you have to say for yourself?" The MacBingley laird had risen from his seat and was equally red in his face as his son.
"Lydia, kissed me, father," Campbell complained.
"You offered," Lydia shrieked in return.
"I was jesting! Besides, I am as good as engaged to another lady. I would never betray her by kissing an inferior child with no beauty."
The slap resonated between the stone walls.
"I am certain not even a trow would have you, who is this imaginary fiancée of yours anyway?"
"Georgiana Darcy!"
"Lizzy, is it true?" Lydia wailed across the table. Elizabeth shrugged, she had never heard of an understanding between the two but neither had she reasons to contradict it. She glanced at her husband who's countenance had turned an alarming shade of red.
"Certainly not!" He exclaimed with a finality that made Campbell sit down and close his mouth.
The MacBennet laird rose tiredly from his seat. "Lydia, Campbell follow me. You too if you please, Laird MacBingley.
Lydia and Campbell trailed behind their fathers, heads hanging. It was not quite the outcome they had imagined when their banter had started.
Half an hour later they emerged from the MacBennet laird's sanctuary as a betrothed couple. A long engagement period had been mutually agreed upon. They were to have a summer wedding in ten months. Campbell was going into training to be a blacksmith. Lydia's uncle, Mr Phillipson needed an apprentice with the notion of retiring when he had been fully trained.
When the meal ended, the party moved to Eilean Bennet Castle's ballroom. The late September evening was balmy and the doors out into the garden were open. Elizabeth and Darcy danced the first obligatory dance together. The second was requested by the laird and Darcy obediently engaged lady MacBennet. On the third set, they switched partners with Jane and Charles before they shared the fourth. Hot and bothered in their warm woollen attire, Darcy suggested a stroll in the garden for a breath of fresh air. Elizabeth seemed relieved and acquiesced. They strolled, arm in arm, away from the revelry in their honour.
"I am so sorry, Fitzwilliam. My family seems to compete over who can behave in the most ridiculous manner. I am grateful you danced with my mother but I sincerely hope she did not importune you too much about the Lydia debacle..."
"Elizabeth..." Darcy looked around and found a deserted wilderness to hide within. "You need not worry about me. I am not a sheltered maiden in need of protection against vice or as in this case, stupidity and a lark gone awry. Pemberley has its own skeletons in the closets... I thought your father handled the matter exceptionally well." It went unsaid that Lady MacBennet had not...
"Do you worry that your father will send away your mother?"
"Nay, he loves her, strange as it sounds, but he does."
"Let us not dwell on what cannot be changed then. I have a more pleasant endeavour in mind."
"Really, I wonder what that could be." Elizabeth slipped away, out of sight and Darcy followed. Behind the bushes was a rock shelf, overlooking Loch Tay with a magnificent view of the mountain Ben Lawers. The sun was setting and the pink and orange were reflected in the water, creating a magical ambience. Elizabeth sat on the rim of the shelf, dangling her feet over the edge. Darcy sat down behind her and pulled her to him with her back against his chest. His arms wrapped securely around her.
"I am not surprised Camkirk had to fish you out of the water on a regular basis. Do you often scamper around on the verge of a thirty-foot drop?"
"Yes, when there is one to be had. I know how to swim. I have heard a lot of praise of the peaks though, you must promise to take me there some time."
"At least there is no lake for you to drown in your heavy woollen skirts although I am not sure if it is better to land in the scree..."
"I would definitely prefer water to scree, the skirts come off easily while I have had bad experiences with digging pebbles out of my skin."
Darcy groaned and let his hands slink to her waistline.
"This skirt?" He whispered in her ear.
"Aye, we Highlanders are more practical than you Sassenachs. We prefer to dress and undress with haste to being fashionable."
"I think you look absolutely breath-taking, quite literally, my love," Darcy whispered, leaving his warm breath trailing down her neck while his fingers brushed the swell of her breast. "I love your creamy skin..."
"And freckles?"
"Yes, a drizzle of sun specks. They remind me of warm summer days."
Elizabeth chuckled lightly. "Are there anything you do not like?"
"Yes, too many layers between my hands on your flawless skin." His hands continued down her bodice and tugged at the tightly bound lacing. Elizabeth sucked in a breath as yearning seized her core. "I want to retire early to feast on your mouth." Darcy turned her head gently towards him and kissed her upturned mouth, softly and reverently. "I want to taste your neck," he trailed kisses down her neck before he lifted her up and put her down on her knees, facing him. "I want to dine on your breasts." Darcy let his tongue outline the contours of the aforementioned globes. "I want you..."
"Please," Elizabeth breaths came in short, sharp gasps. "There is an entrance, behind here..."
"I have worked up an appetite after the vigorous dancing."
"Good, I am starving. I have been admiring these bare knees all evening. Longing to touch them and trail my hands... Upwards." Elizabeth lay her hands in his knees and let her thumbs graze the insides of his thighs while her hands stroked up his legs. The kilt tenting as she drew near.
She was hoisted to her feet and hauled by her hand back to the castle. "Left or right?"
"Left." Elizabeth skipped past him to show him where they could slip inside unnoticed and put her hand over her mouth to hold in the laughter that bubbled up inside her.
She was suddenly pressed up against the stone wall by her husband's frame. "Laughing at me, wife?"
"Perhaps, a little..." His lips descended on hers, his tongue delved into her mouth and took possession of every nook and corner. One hand held her head in place while the other roamed, landing on her bottom which he clutched to tug her closer.
Elizabeth felt her body liquefy and Darcy had to carry her up the servant stairs to their room. Never letting go of her mouth.
They did not make it too the bed before he buried himself deep within her. Setting a frantic pace, up against the door that rattled and squeaked under the pressure.
The newlyweds did no emerge from their chamber until the next morning...
The Laird and his wife waved goodbye to their last guests, standing alone on the front steps of their castle. Their overnight visitors had all retired, some indecently early...
"Good night, Thomas, I will retire now."
"Not yet, Fiona. Accompany me to the library."
"No, I am tired. Whatever you wish to speak to me about can wait until morning."
"It was not a request," the laird growled and wrapped his wife's hand around his arm, to make sure she followed.
"Honestly Thomas..."
"You may all retire," the Laird addressed his servants. " Lady MacBennet and I thank you for your excellent service this evening, you have deserved your rest."
"Thomas, I cannot possibly do without Moira..."
"Then you will have to wear your gown to bed and sleep with your hair elaborately arranged."
Safely inside his library, he let go of her hand and gestured for her to sit by the embers of the hearth.
"Have you any thoughts about this evenings events, Fiona?"
Lady MacBennet huffed. "I know what you are going to say, Thomas... That Lydia is too young but she has bled for two years now, she is old enough to marry."
"She is mature in body but not in mind, Fiona. Have you thought about how many children her poor person will be likely to carry when she is married at five and ten? With twenty-odd childbearing years, she will be exhausted by the time she is thirty. Possibly a mother of ten to fifteen children. There is a reason why I have not hurried our daughters into marriage. The later they marry, the less strain they will have to endure. I want grandchildren as much as you, Fiona, and see the MacBennet clan prosper into the future but that could have been managed with delaying their prospects a few years. Jane and Elizabeth married for love, I take no umbrage with that. Lydia, on the other hand, was forced into a loveless marriage for a peck on the mouth. How many clandestine kisses had you distributed among the Campbell lads before we married. How many of those lads would you have liked to live the rest of your life with?"
"You are too cruel." Lady MacBennet scrunched up a pout that had worked well on her husband before.
"For speaking the truth?" The laird replied, unmoved.
"The incident would have passed unnoticed if you had not shouted it out for all to hear. As a result, your favourite daughter will be married to a man she does not love. A man, I might add, who feels nothing but contempt in return. A man of no profession, no income to sustain a wife."
"Surely you can do something for him, Thomas?"
"I can and I have. I spoke with Mr Phillipson and he has agreed to take him in and teach him the craft. Campbell will leave with him, the day after tomorrow."
"A blacksmith! Laird MacBingley would never agree to it!"
"He already has. Campbell did not do well at the University in Edinburgh, neither has he any knack for business. The laird was quite relieved of finding his son an occupation. If he can make a living of it, remains to be seen. I wonder at how well you know Laird MacBingley to claim to know his thoughts?"
"Do not be daft, Thomas. It was a natural assumption."
"Yet you have boasted of knowing him intimately to your sister. Claiming a familial bond prior to Charles's and Jane's wedding?"
The lady of the castle gaped at her husband, calling her out.
"Madeline told me, Fiona. Do not worry, I did not believe it but why did you feel the need to tell such lies? I do not understand why, nor why you are so desperate to marry off our daughters at such a young age. It is nonsensical!"
"It is not! By marrying early, she stands a much better chance of providing her husband with a son!" The lady had worked herself into a hysteria but at least the laird had been given insight to her reason.
He gathered his sobbing wife into his arms, whispering soothing words into her ear. She quieted down after a while and he deemed it necessary to address the other matter but first, he needed to clear up a misunderstanding.
"I do not lament the fact that you gave me no sons, Fiona. I am perfectly happy with our lovely daughters."
"But you have no laird to follow in your footsteps..."
"I do! Charles is a fine young man. A little too amiable perhaps but a fine businessman. I am confident he will prosper and bring Eilean Bennet Castle safely into the new era. Change is coming whether we like it or not. Charles is the right man for the job, I am absolutely certain of this. I choose to look at it this way... If we had had our son, Jane would have been deprived of her birthright. She is the firstborn, Eilean Bennet Castle should be hers."
Lady MacBennet had calmed completely in his arms, it was time...
"What I cannot fathom is why you lied to Madeline about the paternity of Mary. I have no doubt she and all our daughters are mine. How could you spin such an appalling falsehood?"
Lady MacBennet's breathing hitched and he was certain she would set off crying again but instead, she drew a fortifying breath.
"It is stupid really. Madeline droned on one night about how different Mary was from our other daughters. That she did not resemble any of us, being so bookish, reading all the time."
"You could accuse me of the same, even Lizzy is an avid reader..."
"But Mary is so dreich, she has not a lively bone in her body. Like Laird MacBingley, he is the dullest man I know. I mentioned the comparison to Madeline and she devoured it and misunderstood. It made me feel interesting for once and I did not correct her misconception. It only grew in proportions after that. I discovered that I could use it as leverage and it was too tempting to have some influence. It all got out of hand and made it impossible to rectify without proving I am utterly stupid. I know I am a glaikit, I just do not want other people to know..."
"I understand, strangely enough, I do but that does not mean that this will have no consequences for you. I, myself are much to blame. I acknowledge that but I have come up with a solution that I believe is in the best interest of our daughters who has the misfortune of being saddled with such parents as us.
Jane and Lizzy, I have no say in, they are happy with their husband's, perhaps even to an excess." The laird chuckled at the display of his second eldest daughter. He hoped Mr Darcy had strength of character or she would have him wrapped around her little finger in no time at all. His little force of nature was not so little anymore...
"I have written to Mrs Monro to take Mary under her wings. She never had any children of her own and she might have been accused of being as dreich as MacBingley but according to Lizzy, she has changed. I have heard oyster cellars are all the rage now. She might even bring some liveliness to Mary...
Lydia will go to the MacBingley keep and be trained for her role as a blacksmith's wife. She needs to learn how to cook and clean... I do not believe you can stand up to her whining which is why I have delegated that unenvious task to Lady MacBingley. She will teach her well, Campbell is her favourite son...
Kitty will go with Jane and Charles to London. She will learn what she needs from Jane and the masters in town. She will have a season when she has proved that she can carry herself as a lady should. I have faith in Kitty rising to the occasion when she is removed from her accomplice, Lydia. Those two can only benefit from a separation. Lizzy has agreed to relieve Jane occasionally of Kitty and bring her to Pemberley. There she will have Georgiana as a role model, a vast improvement to Lydia as Kitty will follow whomever she is near."
"Who will keep me company, Thomas?"
"I will, Fiona."
In another part of the house, the Campbells were having a similar discussion although the repercussions would be less severe.
Mrs Campbell learned the impediments of listening to gossip and Mr Campbell learned to trust his wife with relating the true numbers of their solvency.
*Info about the history of kilts from (lochcarron) website in the UK.
*Earasaid – the female version of a kilt.
*Slàinte mhath, Scottish toast pronounced slang var.
*Trow is malignant or mischievous fairy or spirit in folklore from the Orkney and Shetland Islands. Comparable to the Scandinavian trolls.
* Dreich – dull, bleak, miserable
*Glaikit – foolish, not very bright