13
Comfort and Malice
Though he was not a young man any longer, Archie never allowed that to stop him from tending to his parishioners when they needed him and there was no time when they needed him more than when coping with a great loss. He spent most of the night with Donal and wee Sorcha, talking and praying with them.
At dawn he was in the chapel at the altar, praying for young Maggie's soul's safe passage through the Gates of Heaven and into the Lord's loving bosom.
Rab awoke feeling wrung out and hollow, and dressed by the light of a single candle. He could no longer sleep and left Belle still dreaming with both cats curled on her while he went down to the chapel to pray. Despite his catharsis last night, his soul was still troubled.
Archie had just finished his prayers when he heard footsteps behind him.
"Father Bryce? Am I disturbing ye?" Rab said after seeing the priest there before the altar.
"Nay, lad." He patted the empty space beside him. "Come and join me."
Rab approached and sat down next to the priest. "I . . .am troubled, Father. I cannae help but think . . .that I have failed. Even though I ken that I came too late to save Maggie's life . . ."
"Nay lad, ye dinna fail the puir lassie. The Lord decided that she was needed in Heaven and he sent ye to her so that she dinna suffer in her final moments. Sometimes that is all the Lord asks of ye, laddie."
"But Father . . .I promised her lass . . .and I broke my word . . .
"What did ye say to wee Sorcha. Did ye say ye would save her mama or that ye would try? Tis a difference between the two lad."
"I told her I would try. Since I feared . . .that I might not . . .depending on what hae caused her to sicken." Rab admitted
"So ye dinna gie her false hope, lad. Did ye talk to the lass how I talked to ye when your mam passed on about how she was needed in Heaven with all His angels?" It was what the Father hoped he would do.
"I . . .did a bit but . . . it was late and I . . .figured it were best to let her papa comfort her. But mayhap I shall return there soon. Belle suggested I make a doll for her . . .something to sleep with so she isna lonely."
"Ahh...a wise decision lad and yer Fraser lass is a clever one, aye? And d'ye remember that puppet yer mam made for ye. Ye slept with it every night when ye were servin as my altar boy and got in quite a snit when Jamie tried to hide it from ye."
Rab smiled at the memory. "Aye . . . that was one o' the few times I truly was angry at my brother . . .sometimes he could be such an oaf . . ."
"Aye and I made him weed the gardens for a week after when I found that hole in it and dinna do a god job tryin to fix it since I canna sew worth spit."
Archie smiled wistfully. "And when I took it to Moira to fix I feared she was gonna put my eyes out with that needle."
"But she dinna, and she fixed it almost like new," Rab recalled. "And Mama told me the reason Jamie behaved like that was because he was jealous . . .since we both hae puppets but he had no' taken care of his an' his dogs ripped it to shreds, but I still had mine . . ."
"Mayhap ye should make wee Sorcha an angel doll like her mam, it will help her believe her mam is watchin over her," Archie suggested.
"Aye I could do that . . .only I hope that her papa will let her keep it. Seeing as he blames me for her mama dying," Rab said heavily. It saddened him to think like that, but he knew it was true.
"I had a talk wi' him and he kens it wasna yer fault laddie. He's just a bit worried about bringing up wee Sorcha alone"
"I would be too . . .tis no' easy for a man to raise a lass by himself." Rab conceded. "And are ye sure about the other? The illness was too advanced . . .even wi' all my skill I couldna help her . . .I saw that as soon as I walked into the cottage and looked at her. But I hoped for a miracle . . ."
"The Lord made up His mind He needed Maggie in Heaven for a purpose and ye ken ye dinna argue with the Lord laddie. He has a purpose for us all whether it's here or in Heaven and ye canna fight Him when He calls you home. Is that not what I taught ye?"
"Aye, ye did. Only . . .in my pride I forgot. Sometimes we doctors tend to commit that sin, because we are given the power to heal, we think we ken what is best and forget tis no' our will whether someone lives or dies. But always the Lord's."
"Aye. Ye dinna have the Lord's power or his wisdom but what ye do have laddie is the gift to heal, no' power laddie. Yer healing skills are his gift t'ye for the faith ye've had in Him since ye were in nappies."
"I am his hands, Father, here on earth," Rab whispered. "I hae always known to heal is my calling . . .even when I allowed Papa to send me to Edinburgh to read law."
"Aye and d'ye ken the trouble ye had when ye were in Edinburgh...ye wanted to follow yer heart and ye dinna think yer da wouldve approved? What did I tell ye when ye came to me lad?"
"Ye told me that my heart was wise . . .an' that sometimes it always knows, and if I followed my heart things would all work out in the end. "
"Aye and it has, laddie. Even if ye canna save every patient, ye can make their final moments in this world peaceful if that is what the Lord wants ye to do."
Rab sighed softly. "I ken I canna save everyone. Tis one o' the first lessons ye learn as an apprentice physician. Sometimes ye hae to lose in order to win. I've lost patients before . . .but this . . .I felt so guilty because wee Sorcha expected me to save her . . .and I couldna bear to disappoint her. And I ken the pain of losing a mother . . ."
"Children always find it hard to understand the Lord's ways as I did when my own mam passed." Archie scowled. "But my da, mean auld codger that he was told me her passing was my doing but Bishop Gillespie sat me down and talked to me and then I understood. I blamed the physician at first like wee Sorcha did until I talked to the Bishop and he told me the same things I told ye."
"Was this before ye ran away from him?" Rab clarified.
"Aye. It was part of the reason why the Bishop took me in. He remembered me from the time he came to speak t'me and I was always in church, even when I dinna feel well."
Rab's eyes narrowed. "Yer papa, did he beat ye?" He meant had the punishments been excessive, for it was common practice for a child to be disciplined with one's hand or a switch, but despite that one could go too far.
"Aye. And he dinna always have a reason either. He was just...a miserable soul."
Rab shook his head. "An' misery loves company, aye? I'm sorry there are such people in this world . . .and sorrier for those who put up wi' them."
"I told yer da tis why he has to beat back the demon of drink. I dinna want t'see him become like my da...and I gave Moira quite the scolding for what she did to puir Lily for the same reason."
"Aye . . .an' she's lucky I dinna turn her out for mistreating one o' my people that way. How is Papa doing? Is he still having episodes?"
"Aye but no' so bad I have to tie him thank the Lord. He is doing well, yer da and that kaffee you brought...we're drinkin' it so much we're runnin out!""
Archie also made sure Malcolm kept busy during the day, giving him lists of chores to complete at the cottage while he tended to his parishioners. The elder Carlyle was even trying to bake.
"I'll tell Azhir to send me more," Rab said. "Neal said he talked wi' Papa before the fishing trip an' said that he seemed like a whole different person. I forget, he only knew Papa when he was in his cups . . . and no' the way I did as a lad."
"Mayhap now he can know his da as ye remembered him laddie. We're working on it. Was a bit concerned at first Malcolm would relapse but he's doing fine as long as I keep him busy. The demon will try one last time to claim his soul I ken but by that time he should be strong in his faith in himself and the Lord that he'll send it screaming to Lucifer."
"I'm glad this treatment is working, Father. Something hae to be done, we couldna stay like this, ye ken . . . we were destroying ourselves. Belle is a healer too, like me.
Perhaps that's why the Lord brought us together, so that we could heal the wounds of our families."
"Aye and it's my hope there'll be no more trouble for ye," he said, referring to the lass Zelena, a troublesome young woman whom Archie felt was a daughter of Lucifer with her wicked ways.
There were rumors she practiced witchcraft and other members of her family had been accused of it in the past but not enough evidence was discovered to have them tried and burned as was the practice for those found guilty of witchcraft.
Rab hoped so too, they'd had enough sorrow and trouble to last a lifetime already. But for the first time he looked hopeful as he said, "If the good Lord is kind, I think we can put an end to this strife between our families and have peace again. Both within and without."
"Aye." Archie tried to stand up but was having difficulty
Rab helped him, saying, "You seem a wee bit stiff this morning, Father. Are your joints bothering ye again? I can mix up a potion to soothe them, and a salve for you to put on."
"Oh aye...getting auld isna easy lad."
"Nay, but then the alternative is worse," the doctor chuckled. "I'll bring you the medicines later this morning. After I send the letter to Azhir. And I have a few more patients to see and the tenant cottages to inspect."
"Good." They heard a crash down the hall.
Rab spun around. "What in God's name?"
Archie shuffled down the hall and to his horror he found one of the statues of the Virgin lying broken on the floor and two very ashamed altar boys , one of them holding a ball.
Rab cleared his throat. "Geordie and Neddie, are ye supposed to be playin' ball in the chapel?" he demanded sternly.
The boys were twins, and a handful.
"Nay and dinna I tell ye not to!" Archie cried.
Rab tapped his boot on the floor and crossed his arms over his chest. 'Well, lads, what hae ye to say for yerselves?"
"Sorry Father.," they mumbled.
"Aye ye will be when ye'll be spendin the rest of the day cleanin this hall and fixing the blessed Virgin," Archie informed them.
"How we gonna do that?" asked Neddie.
"By gettin some o'that paste from the McLarens that's how!"
"And ye're lucky I'm not adding mucking out the goat pens to it, lads," Rab warned. He held out his hand for the ball. "I'll be keeping this until this evening."
The twins were cousins of Rabbie's and had been sent to Archie as altar boys to curb their wild streaks.
The two boys grimaced; they disliked having to muck out the pens at home when their goats often left unholy messes in there.
"Thank ye lad. Now ye scamps get to work!" Archie commanded the boys.
"And mind ye do a good job. Or else the Father will assign ye penance and ye can go without supper," Rab added.
He knew that at that age, the boys were ten, skipping supper was a greater punishment than a skelping. In fact he recalled Jamie once asking for such a punishment in lieu of missing dessert, not that it had worked with Ceri, who knew quite well how her son's mind worked.
Archie never enjoyed punishing anyone but he made certain that his punishments were never as cruel as those handed out by his father who often made him go without a meal for an entire day and the boy had to try to sneak a meal when the elder Bryce was passed out drunk or at the tavern.
Rab tucked the ball under his arm. "You heard Father Bryce. Go on . . .off wi' ye!"
The two boys scurried off, not wanting to anger their cousin or the Father any further.
"Thank ye, Father, for yer advice. Now, I'd best go and mix up that medicine, before someone else comes knocking and interrupts me with some new problem that cannae wait till ater breakfast."
Archie laughed. "Go on lad. I need to see what yer da's up to and I promised Moira I'd take her out to the loch for a bit."
Rab grinned. "God's grace upon ye, Father." Then he turned and walked out, his spirit much lighter than when he had entered the holy precincts.
Rab headed down to his workroom, figuring he could mix up the potion and be back in time to have breakfast with Belle, before he needed to perform other duties about the keep.
When Moira entered the bedchamber to wake her mistress, Raine and Rumple were sleeping on Belle's chest and legs. "All right ye beasties, get off the mistress!" she scolded the cats.
Raine stretched insolently and gazed up at the housekeeper with sharp green eyes. Then she twitched her tail and sauntered off the bed as if she owned it . . .which to her mind she did.
Rumple yawned, sat up, and began washing his face, purring.
"Och...now come on you...off the bed."
The kitten nuzzled and licked her hand, scrubbing his tousled ears, and then shaking them slightly.
"Now dinna be trying to soften me up cat. Off you go."
Rumple mewed in protest and that woke Belle, who sat up, blinking sleepily. "Och, kitty, I'll be getting yer breakfast in a minute. Dinna fash yerself!"
"He's a stubborn one and so is Raine," Moira mutttered. "Now then lass, how did things go with Rabbie? He's the brooding sort ye ken and I dinna want to see him suffer alone."
Belle rubbed her eyes, and her hands stroked the kitten curled on her lap. Rumple purred ecstatically and rubbed his head against her. "At first he dinna want to talk about it . . . like most men he preferred to hide his feelings. But I finally coaxed him to speak to me . . . and he blamed himself for not being able to save Maggie, just as I hae feared."
Moira nodded. "Aye he would. He beat himself up something terrible when Ceri passed on but talking to Father Bryce comforted him. But last night he needed ye, Belle."
"I ken that. And I've never . . .never been needed that way before, Moira. No' by anyone. No' like that. My mama was always the keep's great lady, people came to her wi' their problems to solve. They only came to me wi' problems about their animals."
"Now ye can be that great lady like your mam. I dinna like ye when ye came here because ye were a Fraser but ye're proving yerself, lass. When Kenneth died...I was so angry that I dinna want to talk to anyone but Father Bryce, Archie...was the only person I felt I could...even though I shouldna..."
"Why should ye no' wish to talk to him? Rab seems to set great store by him, and he seems to be helpin' the laird wi' his drinking problem. I would think ye could trust a priest most of all to keep yer confidences."
"Not when ye dinna see him as a priest lass but a man," Moira confessed.
Belle's eyes widened. "Ye mean . . . ye are . . . in love wi' him?"
"Aye. I've loved him since I was a lass and he just ordained but he wouldna leave the church for me. Twas hard for me to accept ye ken and I was cold t'him for so long...but still he loved me as I love him."
Belle looked at her sympathetically. "It's too bad that ye canna be together . . .it must be hard on ye to love someone and know that ye can never have him as ye wish."
"It is but I'm content just seeing him when I can."
"I suppose ye must be glad of anything that makes ye happy." Belle said. "Because I learned a long time ago, ye canna always get what ye want, and ye need to count the blessing ye do have instead of always wanting more. Otherwise ye become a shrew and a bitter hag, never content and always spewing poison at others."
"Twas what I was for so long because I wanted to be a wife to Archie and couldnae."
Belle flushed. "I dinna mean to imply . . ."
"No but it's the truth, lass."
"But ye dinna have to be that way, Moira. Because knowing ye have some o' his heart is better than never having loved at all."
"Aye. Now let's get ye some breakfast."
Moira was humming a tune while she helped her mistress dress for the day.
Belle could stand after a fashion, and her bodice, skirts and blouses weren't too complicated to put on, with the minimum of buttons, ties and fasteners. Women's clothing was not as restrictive here as at court and so she didn't always bother with stays, since Moira could tighten her bodice to give her support without the discomfort of stays, which would poke her when she used crutches.
"Will ye be all right managing the keep for the day, my lady? I'm ahhh...going to the loch with Archie after he's rested," Moira said to her.
"I'll be fine, Moira. I want to check on Auriel and then see to planning some menus for the week, and make sure we have enough meat and hams smoked and our stores are all set for the summer and coming autumn." Belle said. "The hall also needs a good scrubbing and new rushes put down and everything."
"All right dear. I'll be back later."
"Moira, could you send Lily up with some food and cream for Rumple and Raine?"
Both cats were twining about her ankles and meowing.
"Aye my lady."
"All right ye wee beasties, settle down." Belle ordered, and sat down to wash her face and put combs in her hair as the servant departed.
Moments later Lily knocked on the door carrying a tray with four bowls for the cats. "My lady? Mistress Moira said ye needed food and cream for the beasties."
"Aye, set them down by the window seat, Lily. Thank ye," Belle instructed.
The cats raced over to the bowls with happy meows and began to eat and drink hungrily.
"Well now ye were hungry this morning were ye?" Lilly giggled.
Belle smiled as she watched Rumple's pink tongue lapping up the cream and said, "Tis like they were on a fast for Lent."
Rab's tabby had her tail curled about her feet as she ate the chopped up chicken and giblets the cook had placed in there, which normally would be given to the pigs. Haggis was one of the traditional dishes in Scotland, but none of the Carlyles cared for it, therefore it was avoided.
"I dinna know what ye and the laird did t' make Mistress Moira start being nice to me but I thank ye," Lily said.
"Ahh . . . we had a talk wi' her, and discovered her ill temper wasna wi' ye and when we sorted it out, she realized her behavior was wrong and promised to not do such again to any o' the maids or servants here in the castle." Belle told her. "I'm sorry that ye were hurt, as is the laird. We dinna countenance anyone, be it man or beastie, being beaten thus."
"So why was she bein' an auld shrew?"
"Well, she was unhappy wi' my being the new lady o' the keep, ye ken because I'm a Fraser, or was before my handfasting, an' there's often some friction when there's a change o' that sort. I'm only sorry she took her temper out on ye, Lily."
"Well as long as she dinna beat me, I'll be fine, Lady Belle."
"She willna try that again. I dinna permit anyone in my household to be beaten. Not by myself or anyone. Just as I dinna permit any o' my stablehands or kennelmen to beat the animals. On this me and Laird Rab are in firm agreement. When ye are a bairn, yer parents may punish ye as they choose, but once ye are in service at the keep, none may lay violent hands upon ye, not noble or commoner. And should anyone ask sanctuary from us, because of ill treatment by a master or a relative, it shall be granted."
Once the cats finished their breakfast, Lily picked up the bowls and put them on her tray to take them down to the kitchen to be washed.
"Thank ye again, Lady Belle, and I'll help ye as much as I can around the keep."
"Yer help would be appreciated," Belle said, because unlike most nobility she didn't take servants for granted, and that they would simply do their jobs as bidden, without need for acknowledgement.
The two cats then jumped on the window seat and curled next to each other, taking a nap in the warm sunshine. Raine slowly licked Rumple's coat as she lay next to him, and the kitten dozed.
Page~*~*~*~Break
A day later:
The funeral procession was small, but mourners from all over the village gathered to offer their condolences to Maggie's family, pray for the repose of her soul, and give what food they could spare to her grieving husband for the funeral feast.
Archie had stayed at the cottage with them offering what comfort he could to Donal and Sorcha. She asked him many questions about Heaven, angels and God. He reminded her that Maggie was in Heaven watching over her.
Donal was grateful to the villagers for their kindness for he was no cook and he could barely manage the household chores. Several of the women arrived early that morning to clean the house and launder their clothing. Little Sorcha insisted on wearing the last dress her mother made for her.
Several strong lads arrived to bear the coffin through the streets to the cemetery, while Michael Bruce played a sad aria on his bagpipes.
Even Malcolm had come out of retreat to pay his final respects to young Maggie, leading his clan through the street.
On the fringes of the group of mourners was Master Hepzibah Stuart, Neal's former tutor, and he fastened a look of virulent hatred upon the Carlyles, especially Rab, Neal, and Lady Mirabelle, as they marched past.
Witch, he thought bitterly. That Fraser woman has them all bewitched. She's brought nothing but black luck to this village.
He would gladly see her burn.
He recalled that she even had a familiar, a deformed cat, a beast he was sure was the devil's own, as it had attacked him one day as he emerged from his room, biting at his ankle till he kicked it down the corridor, where it spat at him before running off.
If she had the devil's mark on her when examined it would be conclusive proof that she was a witch and he would not have Father Bryce examine her as he too was under her spell.
The laird's son had also been corrupted, he thought spitefully. For he too had a cat which slept on his bed like some child, and his witch wife had ensorcelled him so much that he couldn't even perform his craft as a physician, and had allowed young Maggie to die. Not to mention so addled as to throw him out of the castle for disciplining his wretched brother-the lazy little beetle.
They would all suffer for their insults. He would make those proud necks bend and acknowledge his superiority as a witch finder. By calling out the Fraser witch and ridding Carlyle of her contagion. Then they would all see his worth and beg his pardon for treating him so shabbily.
And what better day to start the fire than this one.
He watched from the shadows as they gathered at the grave, while the mealy mouthed Father Bryce recited the prayers for the departed and the coffin was lowered. He watched as Donal threw the first shovelful of dirt into the grave and his wee bairn threw a rose and heather which Rab gave her.
"Ashes to ashes, dust to dust."
Stuart sneered imagining another who would soon be ashes and dust upon the wind, her soul reclaimed by Satan. For all knew the Frasers were half-devil already, and nothing good came from them save strife and wickedness.
"Thou shall not suffer a witch to live.." he muttered.
Once the last shovelful of dirt had been tamped down, the villagers broke apart into small groups and followed Donal back to his cottage a bit at a time, since the dwelling was small and could not hold that many people. Precedence was given to the laird and his family and the other villagers waited patiently outside to pay their respects.
"That poor man...tis witchcraft at work here," Stuart said.
A villager shot him a sharp look. "What are ye blathering on about now, Hepzibah? Idle hands inspire gossip."
Most of the villagers tolerated Stuart but only barely, for he was not truly one of them.
"Can you deny the black luck that has plagued this village since the Fraser woman came? Poor Maggie dead...and Rab Carlyle did not save the lass in time...was fornicating with that vile mistress of the devil! And now look at the Father...breaking his vows and fornicating with that harpy housemaid...twas the witch's influence I tell you!"
Several villagers snorted in disbelief, and old Tam MacCreedy sneered, "Yer wits are addled, man, by too much whiskey, go an' sleep it off! Ye see shadows where there is none!"
But others looked concerned and fearful.
"I do not! The witch sleeps with a cat familiar and so does the Carlyle and how many of you have seen the Father and the housemaid together recently when they avoided each other as much as possible for years. The devil is in our village and we must cast her out!"
Tam rolled his eyes. "T' only devil here is ye, Hepzibah, for ye are jealous and angry because the Carlyle booted yer fancy ass outta the castle for forgetting yer place wi' him an' the young laddie Neal. An' now ye wish to cause mischief. The good Father is helping Moira o'ercome her bitterness since her betrothed died, no' sparking her, ye noddlehead! Wisht!"
"Are you sure about that? Use your head, man, or have you been taken in by the witch?"
"Aye, because my son works up there, an' he saw an' heard what the Carlyle said to ye before he threw ye out. An' we all ken how the Father set Moira penance for her beating wee Lily unjustly. We all ken the Carlyle's laws that no servant be mistreated under their roof. Why d'ye think we all wish to earn work there?"
"Dinna say a word against the Carlyle, ye carping crow!" snapped the widow Ainsley MacNab. "He be a far better man an' master than any I ken!" She was speaking of Rab, for of late Malcolm had lost some of his vassals trust with his dissipated and irresponsible behavior.
"Witch sympathizers! You'll all burn in Hell. Have Bishop Gillespie examine her for the devil's mark and you will know I speak the truth!"
More mutterings commenced, as the younger contingent was all too eager to stir up antipathy against their new mistress, out of boredom and the tutor's words were infectious.
"Examine her! We'll no' have a witch in our village!"
"If she hae the devil's teats let her burn!"
"Hush, ye idjits!" Tam snarled. "Tis a funeral, show some respect for the dead! Afore the ghost o' the departed comes to remind ye!" He crossed himself, for there was an old superstition that the souls of the dead lingered for three days and thus it was wise to not anger them.
"Maggie wouldna be dead if we dinna hae a witch among us!"
"Maggie died o' a putrid lung sickness, fool! No' witchcraft!" snapped the midwife, Alaina. "She were sick wi' it long before Dr. Rab came back here wi' his lady. Now stop yer idiocy an' show some respect before the laird has ye all put in the stocks fer disturbing the peace, ye silly gawps!"
"Come with me lads...we'll speak to the Bishop ...and that witch will burn!" Stuart yelled.
A few followed, but the rest, frightened by Alaina's warning, settled down. None of them wished to dare Malcolm's uncertain temper and be fined and put in the stocks.
But the embers of unrest had been stirred to life and they slowly smoldered, burning unseen in the hearts of those easily influenced to rebellion and mayhem.