Im much obliged, Duncan, Jamie said. If ye dinna mind eating under the sky, come and share it with us tomorrow? he asked, turning to me. I shook my head.
Day after tomorrow, I said. I have to go up to Beardsleys tomorrow and I wont be back in time to make much more than sandwiches. If Amy had made bread and had some to spare, I added silently to myself.
Aye, aye, Duncan said, nodding. My wife will be happy to see ye, Missus. So, Jamie, he added, tilting his head toward the foundation, I see yeve got a fine big house laid outtwa chimneys, eh? Wheres the kitchen to be, then?
Jamie rose smoothly to his feet, gave me a brief See? look over his shoulder, and led the Leslies off to tour the foundation, limping only slightly.
Germain laid the snake on my table and, saying, Look after it for me, will ye, Grannie? hurried to join the men.
BRIANNA PAUSED AT the top of the trail and blotted sweat from her face and neck. The cabin before them was tidy and neatvery neat. There were whitewashed stones lining the path that led to the door, and the paned-glass windowsglasswere so polished that she could see herself and Roger in them, tiny cut-up blobs of color amid the green flicker of the reflected forest.
Who whitewashes rocks? she said, instinctively lowering her voice, as though the cabin might hear her.
Well, it cant be someone with a lot of time on their hands, he said, half under his breath. So its either a frustrated landscape designer or someone with a neurotic need to control their environment.
I suppose theres no reason why you wouldnt find control freaks in any time, she said, shaking dust and leaf fragments off her skirt. Look at the people who designed Elizabethan mazes, I mean. What was it Amy said about these people? Cunningham, is that the name?
Yes. Theyre Methodists. Blue Light, Roger quoted, be careful of thon people, Preacher. And with that, he straightened his shoulders and set foot on the path that led between the whitewashed stones.
Blue Light? she said, and followed, poking hastily at her broad-brimmed straw hat, worn sedately over a cap. God forbid the preachers wife should give scandal to the faithful
The door swung open before Roger could set foot on the step, and a small, bristly man with shaggy gray eyebrows stood eyeing them with no particular look of welcome. He was neatly dressed in butternut homespun breeches and waistcoat, and his linen shirt, while slightly yellowed with age, had been recently ironed.
Good day to ye, sir. Roger bowed, and Brianna made a brief bob of respect. My name is Roger MacKenzie, and this is my wife, Brianna. Weve come just lately to the Ridge, and
Id heard. The man gave them a narrow look, but apparently they passed muster, for the man stepped back, gesturing them in. I am Captain Charles Cunningham, late of His Majestys navy. Come in.
Brianna felt Roger draw a deep breath. She smiled at Captain Cunningham, who blinked and looked sharply at Roger to see if he approved of this.
Thank you, Captain, she said, as charmingly as possible, and stepped past Roger and over the threshold. You have a most remarkable houseso beautiful!
Iwhy the captain began, flustered. Before he could rearrange his thoughts, though, a dark Presence manifested itself before the hearth. Now it was Briannas turn to blink.
The preacher, are ye? said the woman, looking past Bree. Yes, it was certainly a woman, though one nearly as tall as Brianna herself and dressed entirely in black, save for a starched white cap, one of the severe kind, with ear lappets. She was old, but no telling how old; her face was bony and sharp-eyed, and Brianna thought at once of the she-wolf who had suckled Romulus and Remus.
I am a minister, Roger said, making her a deep bow. Your servant, madam.
Mmphm. And what sect might ye be, sir? the woman demanded.
I am a Presbyterian, maam, Roger said, but
And you? the woman demanded, fixing Bree with a sharp blue eye. Dye share your husbands beliefs?
Im Roman Catholic, Brianna said, as mildly as possible. It wasnt the first time, and wouldnt be the last, but theyd decided early on how to handle such questions. Like my fatherJamie Fraser.
That reply normally took the questioner aback and provided enough space for Roger to take control. The non-Catholic tenants respect for her fatherwhether based on personal esteem or merely the fact that he was their landlordusually made them at least amenable to polite conversation, regardless of their general opinion of Catholics.
The womanMrs. Cunningham?snorted and looked Bree up and down in a way indicating that shed seen any number of disreputable women in her day and was comparing Brianna unfavorably to the lot of them.
Phut, she said. Popery! Weve nay truck wi such things in this house!
Mother, said the captain, moving toward her. I think that
Maam, said Roger, stepping in front of Bree in order to intercept the eye of the basilisk being aimed in her direction. I assure ye, weve come neither to proselytize nor to convert ye. I
Presbyterian, ye say? The eye fixed on him, coldly accusing. And a minister? How is it, then, that you cannot keep your own wife in order? What sort of minister can ye be, if you let your woman be a disciple of the Pope and roam about sowing and watering the seeds of wickedness and disorder amongst your neighbors?
Mother! Captain Cunningham said sharply. She didnt flinch, but turned her stern face toward her son.
You know its true, she informed him. This lassshe nodded at Briannasays that Jamie Fraser is her sire. That will meanshe looked directly at Breethat your mother is Claire Fraser, aye?
Bree took a deep breath of her own; the cabin was neat as a pin but quite small, and the supply of air in it seemed to be shrinking by the second.
She is, she said evenly. And she asked me to convey her regards to you, and to say that should any member of your family be ill or have an injury, she would be happy to come and attend them. Shes a healer, and
Phut! repeated Mrs. Cunningham. Aye, I daresay she would, but shell not get the chance, I assure ye, girl. The instant I heard about the woman, I planted chamomile and holly round the door. Nay witch will set foot in our house, I can tell you!
Bree felt Rogers hand on her arm and gave him a cold side-eye. She wasnt about to lose her temper with this woman. His mouth twitched briefly and he let go, turning not to Mrs. Cunningham but to the captain.
As I said, he said, pleasantly, Ive not come to proselytize. Im a respecter of sincere belief. I am curious, thoughone of my neighbors mentioned the term Blue Light, in reference to you and your family, Captain. I wonder if yed be willing to tell me the meaning?
Ah, said the captain, sounding cautiously pleased to be asked something that his mother couldnt take issue with. Well, sir, as you askits the term by which such naval captains as promote the theology of evangelization upon their ships are known. Blue Lights, they call us. He spoke modestly, but his head was proudly raised, as was his chin. His eyesa paler version of his motherswere wary, wondering how Roger might take this.
Roger smiled. Are ye a theologian of sorts yourself, then, sir?
Oh, said the captain, preening slightly. I wouldnt put it so high, but I have written the occasional piecejust my own thoughts on the matter, dye see
Are any of them published, sir? I should be most interested to read your views.
Oh, well two or three just small things of no great merit, I daresay were published by Bell and Coxham, in Edinburgh. Im afraid Ive no copies with me herehe glanced at a small, rough table in the corner that bore a small stack of paper along with an inkwell, sander, and jar of quillsbut I am at work upon an endeavor of somewhat larger scale
A book, then?
Roger sounded honestly interestedprobably he actually was, Bree thoughtbut Mrs. Cunningham was plainly growing impatient with this amiability and meant to nip the conversation in the bud before Roger could seduce the captain into blasphemy or worse.
The fact remains, Captain, that this gentlemans good-mother is widely kent to be a witch, and likely his wife is one as well. Send them on their way. Weve nay interest in their pretensions.
Roger swung round to face her and drew himself up to his full height, which meant his head nearly brushed the rooftree.
Mrs. Cunningham, he said, still polite but letting a bit of steel show through. I beg yell consider that I am a minister of God. My wifes beliefsand her parentsare as virtuous and moral as those of any good Christian, and Ill swear to as much with my hand on your own Bible, if ye like. He nodded at the tiny shelf over the desk, where a Bible took pride of place in a row of smaller books.
Mmphm, said the captain with a narrow-eyed glance at his mother. Im just away to call my two lads down from the field, sirlieutenants from my last ship, who chose to come with me when I came ashore. Ill walk you and your lady to the head of the path, if youll bear me company that far?
Thank you, Captain. Bree seized the chance of getting a word in sideways and curtsied deeply to the captain and againwith as much face as she could manageto Mrs. Cunningham. Do please remember that my mother will come at once, maam, if you have any sort of emergency.
Thank you, Captain. Bree seized the chance of getting a word in sideways and curtsied deeply to the captain and againwith as much face as she could manageto Mrs. Cunningham. Do please remember that my mother will come at once, maam, if you have any sort of emergency.
Mrs. Cunningham seemed to expand in several directions at once.
Do ye dare threaten me, girl?
What? No!
Dye see what yeve let in the house, Captain? Mrs. Cunningham ignored Brianna and glowered at her son. The lass means to ill-wish us!
We have a few more calls to make, Roger interjected hastily. Will ye allow me to bless your house with a wee prayer before we leave, sir?
Why The captain glanced at his mother, then drew himself up, chin set. Yes, sir. We should be most obliged to you.
Brianna saw Mrs. Cunninghams lips shaped to say Phut! again, but Roger hastily forestalled her, raising his hands slightly and bowing his head in benediction.
May God bless the dwelling,
Each stone, and beam, and stave,
All food, and drink, and clothing.
May health of men be always here.
Good day to ye, sir, madam, he added quickly, and, bowing, grabbed Briannas hand. She hadnt time to say anythingjust as well, she thoughtbut smiled and nodded to the basilisk as they backed out of the door.