Her Rebellious Heart: A Scottish Historical Romance (15 page)

             
She straightened her spine and brusquely, “I have an idea that might work, but don't get shocked when you see what I have in mind. I do believe it's the only thing that will help him right now.”

             
Quickly kicking off her shoes, she lifted the covers on the bed and slid underneath them, close to Aidan. Enveloping him in her arms as much as she possibly could, she drew his face against her bosom. She rested her face on his black hair. Holding him tightly, she whispered softly to him and caressed his hair. Robert and Besse were forgotten for the moment, her only thought being to help Aidan at all costs.

             
Utterly exhausted, Aiden raised his head slightly and looked at Bridget through half closed, disbelieving eyes. He whispered questioningly, “Bridget?”

             
“Yes, love, it's Bridget, but relax now and sleep. Tomorrow we shall talk.”

             
He tried to speak to her again, but she put her finger on his lips, saying, “Hush, my love, and sleep.”

             
With a deep sigh, he relaxed and snuggled closer. The trembling of his body continued for a while longer. She continued murmuring softly to him and gradually a change came. Still, she held him close until he fell asleep.

              As gently as possible, she slipped out from beneath the covers. Removing some of them she said to Besse,“He won't need all of these now. He'll be warm enough without so many.” She tucked the remaining blankets closely around him and bent over to kiss him gently before turning to leave the room.

             
Besse turned the lamp down low and the three of them slipped quietly from the room, leaving the door slightly ajar so that they could hear if he should wake up again.

             
When they were seated by the fire, Robert was the first one to speak, “Lassie, it worked, but where in the world did you get such an idea?”

             
Smiling, she answered simply, “From my mum.”

             
“But—but,” stammered Robert.

             
Still smiling, she said,“Whenever any of us girls were hurt or feeling unwell at night in our bed, Mum would always hear us cry out in pain. She would ask Father to go lie on the settee in the company room, and then she would take whichever one of us who needed her into my parents' bed. The moment we were cradled in her arms and felt the close comfort of her body, our pains miraculously disappeared. After a good night's sleep, we were much better in the morning. I thought that was what Aidan needed, love and comforting.”

             
“Well, I never,” said Robert, rubbing the back of his head, “but it gave me quite a start to see you get into bed with him. I almost tried to stop you.”

             
She smiled and shook her head, “You couldn't have, Grandfather. My desire to help Aidan was too strong, but I'm sorry if I shocked you.”

             
She laughed impishly. “Besides, I intend to marry the lad if he still wants me.”

             
In spite of his recent ordeal, Robert smiled happily upon hearing her words.

             
Bridget continued, “He seems to be completely worn out and will probably sleep the night through. Now, I want to hear just what happened to him tonight.”

             
Before Robert could answer, Besse said, “I'll keep both our doors open tonight, so I can hear him if he should wake up and need anything, but now I'm going to make some tea for us.”

             
“That will be fine, Besse,” said Robert, “and thank you for your help and concern.”

             
Seating himself in his favorite armchair, he heaved a big sigh. Bridget seated herself on the floor beside him.

             
She looked up into his face, her thoughts serious. “Tell me what happened tonight. I knew somehow that Aidan was in grave danger, and I think the awful fear I experienced on his account has made that feeling in my head disappear. I remember many things now.”

             
He reached out his hand to stroke her hair as a tear dropped from his eyes. With his voice full of emotion, he said, “Let's thank God for that, lassie, although it almost took a double tragedy to do it.” His eyes were bright with tears as he gazed into the fire. He didn't speak for a few moments, but then taking Bridget's hand tightly in his own, he said, “When the rockets went off tonight, lass, the lifeboat was launched and quickly filled with a volunteer crew. As you know ,the fleet is away and most of our able bodied seamen with it. One of the crew tonight was a young, inexperienced lad. We don't exactly know what happened, but when they came around the head near where the stranded ship was, with the heavy seas rolling the lifeboat, we think this lad must have panicked, stood up, and got washed overboard. We were watching from the shore and saw him floundering in the water. Without hesitation, Aidan pulled off jacket and shoes, and plunged into the sea to help the unfortunate boy. He reached him and brought him ashore, but it was too late for the young man. Aidan almost lost his own life from the beating he took from the waves. Fortunately, James Tosh was there, and with his great strength and will power, was able to revive our laddie.”

             
The story evoked another wave of fear in Bridget. She rose to her feet, saying, “I'll be back in a moment, Robert.” She went into Aidan's room and peeked in to see if he was still asleep. Going to the bed, she leaned over him and lovingly touching a stray wisp of black hair that was almost covered one eye. She whispered, “Oh, Aidan, what an unmitigated fool I have been. I pray to God I will have the chance to make it up to you.”

             
Returning to the fire side, she smiled to Robert. “He's sleeping peacefully.”

             
Reaching out to her, Robert said, “Lassie, it's grand that you have come back to us again. I have been blaming myself ever since your accident, thinking that I might have been the cause of some permanent damage to you. Do you remember what happened that day?”

             
“Aye, Robert, I remember it very well but don't want to think about it. Grandfather, you must never blame yourself for what happened. It was just something that had to be, and I am very grateful to you for letting me come and share your beautiful home with you. Otherwise, I would never have gotten to know and love Aidan as I do. And as I said before, if he still wants me, I would like to be his wife.”

             
“He is a fine man, Bridget, and I know he adores you. The two of you should be very happy together.”

             
They sat quietly for a few moments, Bridget dreamily watching the flames in the fireplace. Her thoughts turned to her cousin Margaret. She spoke softly, “Grandfather, what of Margaret? I didn't realize she was so jealous of me. It was she who tried to smother me in bed that night, wasn't it?”

             
“Yes, my child, it was, and to think we all laughed at you.” He swallowed hard.

             
Bridget didn't speak for a while, but then asked again, “What of Margaret?”

             
He sighed deeply, looking at her sadly. “She has been put in a sanatorium for observation. Dr. Thompson thinks her mind has gone completely. She will never bother you again.”

             
“Poor Margaret,” said Bridget, more to herself than her grandfather. “I always felt so sorry for her somehow, and more so now than ever.”

             
“You must put her out of your mind, child. That episode of your life is over, but oh, lassie, the terrible things that are contrived through jealousy.”

             
Besse came through from the kitchen at that moment carrying a tea tray. The three companions enjoyed a cup before going to their respective rooms for a much needed night's rest.

             
Bridget was restless and excited. She slept fitfully and could hardly wait for morning to come.  She wondered if Aidan would remember what happened just before he dropped off to sleep. Would he realize how much she really loved him? Twice, she got out of bed in the night and went to the open door of her room to listen for any sound coming from downstairs, but there was none. It was evident everyone but herself was asleep.

             
Her thoughts raced. Aidan had said if she ever changed her mind about him, she would have to come and tell him so, but how would he react now when she did tell him how she felt? Her longing for him was unbearable. How would she stand it if he should reject her as she had done him when he had asked her to marry him. Finally, tired mentally and physically, she dropped into  a restless slumber.

             
As the first light of day streaked across the sky, Bridget tiredly got out of bed, feeling not the least bit rested after a night of tossing and turning. Her concern for Aidan, as well as Robert who had also been out in the storm for so long, knew no bounds.

             
Dressing quietly, she stole downstairs without a sound and made her way to the kitchen.
I'll have a cup of tea with Besse,
she thought.
She's sure to be awake.
And indeed she was. Bridget found the housekeeper bustling around the kitchen.

             
Besse gave her a large smile when she noticed Bridget had come in. “Well, lass, you're up early today.” She gave her a knowing smile.

             
She threw herself onto a stool. “Oh, Besse, I couldn't sleep after everything that happened last night. How are they this morning?”

             
Besse smiled. “Still sound asleep, lassie. I'll just let them alone till they have a mind to get up themselves. Rest is what they are both needing now.”

             
Tears filled Bridget's eyes. “We almost lost Aidan last night.” She looked down at her hands. “I was so afraid,” she said softly.

             
Now they were both in tears. Bridget put her arms around the older woman for a moment, but Besse, always the practical one, wiped her eyes saying, “Oh fash, this will never do. Wash yer bonny face, lassie, and we'll have our tea.”

             
Besse took a step back. She grabbed a slice of bread and toasted it in front of the open fire.                            Bridget got up and went to wash her face. When she sat back down, she saw Besse butter the toast and put jelly on it before putting it on a plate for Bridget.

             
She smiled her thanks and said, “All right, Besse, you are a dear. I don't know what I would do without you now.” Smiling warmly, she continued, “My memory has practically all come back and after what happened last night, I feel the need to have some time alone. I'm going down to the cove. Tell Robert where I have gone if he asks about me.”

             
Besse nodded. “Aye lass, I will, but dress warmly. The morning air is cold, and we don't want you coming down with anything. The men will be needin' lots of pampering after this.” She gave Bridget a sly smile slyly. Bridget blushed profusely. Then, they both laughed.

             
Bridget was still laughing slightly as she left the house. She wore a warm, plaid shawl around her shoulders.

             
Once at the cove, she walked to the water's edge and stood staring out at the sea. The fury of the night before had greatly dissipated, although large swells were still evident farther out away from shore. She could hear voices coming from the direction of the grounded ship. The tug boats were already at work in an effort to pull her off the rocks. If successful, the tug boats would tow the ship into port, where she would be dry docked for repairs.

             
Bridget stood alone in the comparative quiet of the cove and breathed a silent prayer of thanks for the rescue of Aidan the night before. She whispered softly to herself, “God forgive me for any unhappiness I may have caused him. Please let him still want me, so I can make it up to him now.” His face appeared in her mind. “Oh, Aidan, I love you so much.”

             
As the sun rose higher in the sky, a deep peace settled over her. She felt her feet sink into the sand as her body relaxed. She thought of Aidan and Robert, and longed to see them both. As she turned to go back to the castle, she spied a male figure coming towards her.  Heart pounding, face flushed with excitement, she started running towards him, crying,“Aidan, Aidan.”

             
But as she came closer, she hesitated, unsure of how he would react. He smiled at her, his devastating smile. He reached out his arms to her and she ran the last few steps toward him. She buried her face against his chest. She let out a soft, sobbing sound as he held her close.

             
Neither of them spoke for a long moment, but then, he whispered, “My ain wee, lass.”