Page 10 of The Beast

Marriage in the coming months meant she’d be busy through the fall and winter as her parents would probably plan a spring wedding.

She let out a long sigh and stared out the window. When Duncan had come to inform her that he was to escort her home, why hadn’t she just accepted?

Now it felt as if she could not stand to think about returning. As much as she missed her parents and her home, the idea that she’d only be there for a few months prior to marrying was too finite.

A tear trickled down her cheek, sliding all the way to the edge of her face.

If only there was a way to be free. To live her life in North Uist at home, helping her mother, and spending the days doing as she wished.

Of course, once Evander married, it would be his wife who would work closely with her mother and be the one in charge of the staff duties. There would be no place for her.

Depending on who Beatrice married would determine what her place in a home would be. The thought of not knowing anything about her future was daunting.

Moments later, Beatrice found Ella sitting in the great room at a table surrounded by several servants.

“Ye should ensure the beds are made and bedchambers swept,” Ella instructed an older woman, who hurried off. “And ye, let the laundresses know that new linens should be placed on the laird’s bed as well as Mother’s.”

As the servants got their orders, they went off to do as told. Beatrice looked to the open book in front of Ella. It was a ledger of sorts.

“Hello friend,” Ella said greeting her. “I am afraid, to be very much behind in my duties because of yesterday.”

Beatrice sat across the table from her. “I understand. Sometimes I help Mother run the household because missing just one day will ruin an entire week.”

While Ella worked, Beatrice ate a light meal, in her mind formulating ways to escape the mundane life that awaited her in North Uist, or further north on the Isle of Lewis if her parents had their way.

It was time to take matters in hand. First, she had to speak to Duncan and find out exactly what was said between him and her mother.

“Ella? Where does Duncan live?”

Chapter Three

The emptiness of the large house was perfect. Duncan sat at a large table alone and ate a simple meal of meat and potatoes that Gara, the cook and housekeeper, served for him.

Other than a pair of servants, he and Caelan lived in the house alone.

There were few decorations on the walls or surfaces. What there was had been brought and placed by his mother and sister, who seemed to think a tapestry on the wall or embroidered pillow were a necessary item in every household.

Once a season, his mother and Ella would appear with a troupe of servants. They would scour the house top to bottom, airing out bedding and pillows and displacing every spider from their roosts in the corners.

His housekeeper would beam for days after, since she oversaw the servants who cleaned out the kitchens, dining room, and larders.

If Duncan had his way, he’d prefer to live away from even the few servants they had, not having to hide on the days when his attacks were so severe, he could not hear or see anything other than the horrors of his past.

“It is a beautiful day outside,” Gara announced. “I will be in the garden with Firtha if ye wish to find us.”

“Very well,” Duncan replied. “Do not worry about another meal. I will eat the same thing later if I become hungry. Caelan will remain at the keep for another few days.”

Gara was an older woman who’d worked at Keep Ross for many years before being offered the position there at his house. She was widowed and with only one daughter, Firtha, whom she’d brought along with her.

Quiet by nature, Gara was a perfect fit at his house. She and Firtha would spend hours gardening, sewing, or sometimes visiting in the kitchen with friends who would stop by on occasion. Often the woman proclaimed to having a rich life there and Duncan was glad for her.

Admittedly, both she and Firtha were given large well-furnished bedchambers. In Duncan’s estimation, they earned it, having to do all the work required.

There was a man name Creagh, who looked after their horses and the few livestock, but other than that, Duncan preferred to not hire more help.

He continued eating, enjoying the silence while considering if he would spend the afternoon working on a wall he was constructing or wait until the next day.

There was a light knocking sound and he turned toward the front of the house. He waited, but the silence stretched. He considered if perhaps an animal was testing the door to see if it could enter.