A Heart Set Free Read online

  “Ah, now that is what you may get for me, my dear. I can surely use the help around here.” Maggie’s voice was playful as she arranged her husband’s steenkirk scarf. “Find a healthy one who can chase after these wee ones, and of course, one that enjoys scrubbing and carrying the slops. Shall I go on?” Maggie smiled.

  “You have said more than enough.” Adam’s expression and words were like a warning.

  Matthew pushed away his plate. “I fear my children have been an added burden, Maggie.”

  “Nay, Matthew. I was only teasing.” A curious expression suddenly emerged on Maggie’s face. She put her hand to her chin, and a sly grin formed as she glanced first at him, then back to Adam. Maggie handed Mary a bowl holding the remnants of the meal. “Please now, children, all of you, take this out to the ducks.”

  “Matthew, dear.” Maggie faced him once the children had left. “Would you consider purchasing a bondswoman? It might solve your problems. She would care for the children, cook, clean, and help you around the farm. Your wee ones could be home with you again.”

  Matthew’s mouth dropped open. He stared at Maggie before turning to Adam.

  Adam nodded his head in agreement.

  “If the children are too much for you, Maggie—” Matthew started.

  “Nay, it is not that, Matthew Stewart. I love them. I am trying to think of what is best for all of you. The children miss you, and each visit you tell me you want the wee ones with you. Is that true or not?”

  “Maggie, some of those people are criminals that the agents have gotten from the streets. The women—what information will be provided on them—what they have done or where they have been? I am not so desperate that I would take an unknown woman into my home and leave my children in her care.”

  “How proud you sound, Matthew. Perhaps some of the women are only seeking a way to leave Scotland or England. I understand the agents promise them much—land, clothing, livestock, and their passage for five, six, or seven years of labor. Some of those people are trying to start a new life to escape the poverty over there. It may be that they are not all of such questionable character.” She paused, and added, “Having another person, a woman, helping on the farm might be good for you, also.”

  Adam grabbed the pipe from his mouth. “Maggie Duncan, you do amaze me, woman.” Chuckling, he patted Matthew on the arm. “Well, there is always the widow Mackenzie. She would relish the chance to help you, Matt.”

  Choking on his tea, he stuttered, “Nev—never mind. Do not even jest about that.” He wiped the spilled tea from his chin.

  It was common knowledge that Hattie Mackenzie had set her cap for Matthew Stewart. Not finding the talkative, domineering woman to his liking, he avoided her as much as possible whenever he came to town. Was he desperate enough for Hattie? No. No, not that.

  “I must admit, I shall experience true joy the day that the widow Mackenzie snares herself another husband. It shall not be me.” He shook his head, ending the discussion of the widow.

  As they sat sipping their tea, he reached over and placed his hand on Maggie’s. “I am not seeking a wife. No one can take Elizabeth’s place.” These days he spent less time dwelling on thoughts of his beloved wife and the babe who also perished, but the conversation brought back the memory. He held the child partially responsible for her death, but to a greater degree, he blamed himself for her being in the country and far from help during a difficult pregnancy and birth. His palms grew damp, and sweat speckled his forehead. If only he had been able to get her help in time.

  Adam tapped him on the arm. “Matt, we had best be off.”

  “Let me check on Mark and Mary before we go. They wanted to show me their ducklings.” He regretted spending so little time with his children on these infrequent visits. To have them home again would be a blessing indeed.

  The men went behind the house to admire the small yellow and brown creatures. Jean Duncan and Mary played with their dolls on the brick stoop while Cameron and Mark chased the ducklings, almost running into them.

  “Whoa there, lads.” Adam reached down and put his arms around his son. “You are going to chase the life out of the wee quackers. Where is Donald, Jean?”

  “He has gone off to the Lamonts’, Papa. You told him he could go after dinner.”

  Adam grinned, and he poked Matthew in the side. “Twelve years old, and he has an eye for the wee Lamont lass.”

  Matthew studied Mark and Mary. “We are off to town. What shall I bring back for you?”

  All eyes turned toward him. “Sweets.” “Ribbons.” “A ball.” “Beads.”

  “I shall see what I can find. It will be a surprise.”

  The men walked around the house to the footpath.

  “Matt, what do you think will happen if Parliament does decide to impose the taxes? There are enough people around here that will not be takin’ that sittin’ down.” Adam grew agitated as he spoke.

  “We will experience the effects of it, of course. But away from town, we do not bother ourselves about politics the way you do here.”

  “If it comes to a fight, Matt, it will be difficult not to get involved.”

  “I suppose what you say is true, but I cannot imagine it coming to a fight. We are British subjects, and loyal to the Crown.”

  When they turned onto Water Street, he stopped. The small port was filled with an array of sailing vessels.

  “That is quite a sight—all those ships in or near the port, Adam. The motherland has already invaded the Potomack.”

  While they walked along the quay, he shook his head. What an amazing variety of goods were being sold off the ships to the local merchants: china, fine fabrics, spices, and other luxuries the colonists yearned for.

  Farther down the dock, Adam pointed to a group of men lined up behind a table. Among them sat a man who appeared to be the captain of one of the ships handling some documents. Adam pointed toward the motley passengers. “Those are the indentureds. Aye, they are being sold off like cattle. I wonder if their destination will be any better than whatever they left behind in their mother countries.”

  Matthew swallowed hard. “What a sad sight.” A filthy line of humanity shuffled from the ship’s gangway. “They certainly are a shabby and sickly looking bunch. I remember Thomas Reed, the smithy, came over on one of the ships a few years back. He said that the conditions were frightful and that many died before reaching us.”

  Adam laughed. “It seems you have a source of gossip other than my Maggie.”

  “I may live out in the woods, Adam, but we are not totally out of touch with the goings-on in town.”

  They stayed a few minutes longer and watched the group of men barter off several of the weary travelers. As each man’s indenture was purchased, he shuffled off with his new master. Matthew shook his head. Who would not empathize with these people? Most of the men and some of the women would labor in the fields of the large tobacco plantations in heat they had never before experienced. How many would survive? It was a hard life for someone in good physical condition, but these people needed a miracle.

  CHAPTER 3

  From her elevated perspective on the deck of the ship, Heather viewed quite a bit of the waterfront of Alexandria. The landscape was wooded and dotted with clapboard, brick, and stone buildings. Peaked roofs were visible all around. It lacked the antiquated and well-established appearance of home, but it was only a young and growing colony.

  Watching the people walking about took her mind off her present circumstances. A few of them seemed intent on their destinations while others appeared to be on a leisurely stroll. Some men were clearly occupied in the port trades. The women beside her on the deck, fellow indentureds, observed the activity below them on the quay. A small woman on her right shuddered in fright. Heather understood—fear coursed through her own stomach. What might she say to comfort the woman, and would her reassurances bring any peace?

  She smiled at the woman. “This seems like a nice town, not so different from
what we are accustomed to seeing at home.”

  “Will they speak like us?” The woman’s brow furrowed and her lips pursed as she rubbed a quivering hand across the bag she carried.

  “It is a British colony, so they are bound to speak English.” Heather wiped the perspiration from her face. “The weather is warm. The women wear lighter fabrics and colors, but all else seems the same. We have traveled so far from home, yet the people here cannot be that different than they are in Scotland.”

  “This heat and mugginess is nothing like Scotland.”

  It was impossible to relieve the dampness saturating her chemise underneath the lightweight green wool. She glanced down and rubbed at the tear in the seam at her waist. Mending and washing were immediate requirements. Had she more than two dresses in her possession, she would have relished burning this one. She stroked her tattered skirt and shuddered. She smelled like a fellmonger. Mind You, I am not complaining, Lord. At least I can finally breathe fresh air, hot and damp as it is.

  Again, she scrutinized the platform adjacent to the ship, where the men, her fellow passengers, were being taken away one by one. The reality of her circumstances made her heart race. It blotted out the town, its citizenry, and her physical discomfort. Soon, she would be sold. Terror rose in her throat, and it choked her.

  “Me fine ladies, it is time to go to the platform.” The agent waved in their direction.

  Adam pointed to the deck of the ship. “Over there, Matt. There are the women. They will bring them out after the men.”

  Matthew’s focus shifted to the women leaving the ship and walking onto dry land. They appeared to be in worse condition than the men. He could not remember seeing women in such a disheveled state. How would they appear if they were clean? And why would they ever leave their homeland to travel under such miserable conditions?

  His eyes surveyed the women as they drew closer. One stood out among the rest. The other women moved and spoke among themselves, but she stood alone and still. Only her head moved. She scanned the dock and beyond to the town. Was she searching for someone? His gaze slowly dropped from the ivory cap partially covering her light sandy-colored hair to her face. She had such a sad expression, but beautiful eyes. Most likely they were blue or possibly green, the same color her dress might once have been. And her skin was so fair. The more he studied her, the more curious he became. Her garment was of fine quality, though soiled and torn and hanging loosely on her frame. The green bodice and skirt were set off by the ivory of her chemise, pulled up to fill in the round neckline and ruffled below the sleeve. He might be mistaken, but she appeared to be a woman of some refinement. Why would such a woman be here on the auction block?

  Adam tapped his friend’s arm. “Matt. Where are you, man?”

  “The tall woman over there, in the green dress. Do you see her?”

  “Aye, she is a comely one, she is. Seems a bit proud, though, for one that is about to be sold off.”

  “Perhaps not pride, Adam, just fear. There is a certain quality about her—dignity, not arrogance.” And yet, through the filth and squalor, it was difficult to tell.

  They watched the sale of the human cargo for a few more minutes before they continued down the street to Brady’s Shop. Upon entering, they stopped to talk with two other men of Adam’s acquaintance. After a short time, Matthew broke away from Adam and his friends and approached the shopkeeper, now finished with another customer.

  “Good day, Mr. Brady. All is well with you, I pray?”

  “Very good, Mr. Stewart. It is good to see you in town again. I see the children on occasion, and they seem to be doing very well.”

  “Yes, the children are fine, thank you.” He handed the merchant his list. “The Duncans have taken excellent care of them. I will return in about two hours for the supplies if that is agreeable with you?”

  “They will be ready, Mr. Stewart.” The shopkeeper turned and began gathering the items listed.

  With arrangements made and favors for the children purchased, he stepped outside to join Adam, who was in the midst of a conversation with a mutual friend.

  His gaze and mind wandered back to the ship carrying the indentured servants. Perhaps Maggie was right. Purchasing an indentured would certainly enable him to bring Mark and Mary home. But how do I bring a woman into our home? No ... yet he imagined how he might make it work.

  “Matt, I have been talking to you, and you have not heard a word. What has gotten into you, man?”

  “I am sorry, Adam. What were you saying?”

  “I was telling you that I am worried about Maggie. She has not carried the baby well this time. She has pain and does not sleep well, so I asked Lamont if his oldest girl, Sally, would help out a bit. I am only telling you this because you think that you have burdened her with Mary and Mark. The girls and Sally will be all the help Maggie needs, so stop worrying about the children being a problem.”

  “For heaven’s sake, Adam, I have imposed.” Maggie should have been enjoying her own young ones, not taking care of his. And now she needed help.

  He stared again toward the city dock. He could not bring a woman into his home unless she was his wife. But could he marry a stranger? If this is Your will, Lord, show me, and I will resolve to change the situation.

  The men continued their discussion as they walked back the way they had come. When they once again were near the ship, they stopped to watch the women.

  “Is it that fair lass from the ship that has clouded your mind, Matt?”

  “She is hardly a lass, though I wager that she is younger than me by a few years.” As they talked, he spotted George Lamont approaching.

  “Mr. Lamont.” Adam put his hand out to the newcomer. “Matthew Stewart and I were commenting earlier on how occupied you have been lately with the law.”

  The solicitor, bewigged and smartly dressed in a matching buff coat and waistcoat, smiled and paused to chat. “Good to see you, Adam, and you also, Matthew. Busy as ever. I am not at my desk now because Mrs. Lamont coaxed me to accompany her here while she perused some new fabric. I have no doubt that within the next few minutes too much of my wages will find its way into that silk merchant’s pocket.”

  They were interrupted by the sound of a woman’s voice shouting in Gaelic. Lamont laughed. “There is one little lass that will give her master a handful. But she shall not do badly with Thomas Reed as her keeper.”

  Again Matthew studied the tall, fair woman. She now stood with the others behind the table. Seeing the terror in her eyes, his stomach tightened. Blue eyes—yes, definitely blue, like cornflowers. He was startled when she surveyed him for a moment before she glanced away.

  It would not be like it was with Elizabeth. He was not searching for love, only a way to keep his family together. It was the only answer. He turned to the solicitor.

  “Lamont, I want to engage your services for a business transaction. Would you please inquire into the background of the tall bondswoman in the green dress?”

  As Mr. Lamont walked to the table where the bargaining was proceeding, Adam laughed. “Maggie will be pleased as pie. She always is when someone takes her advice to heart. But, Matt, are you sure? It would be the four of you living together in that small cottage.”

  “Well, if Lamont does not find out anything too objectionable about her, and if he will stake me until I can get him the funds, I shall take her and marry her right away. That is, if she agrees. It is the only way we can live together in the same house.”

  Adam wore a quizzical frown. “Matt, it is not at all like you to be impulsive. We can take care of the children. Wait and find someone you want to marry.”

  “Adam, I have no time for courting, nor a desire to wed, but I have been away from my children too long as it is. It is no good. It was impossible for me to care for them and work the farm. I tried that, and we nearly lost Mark to the pond. No, I must make this work. It certainly is not the first time a man took a wife for convenience’s sake. And really, Adam, can you i
magine the likes of that one being burned up working in the fields all day?”

  Adam had a discerning yet cynical expression. “Somehow, I suspect she would never make it to the fields. Here is Lamont now.”

  “Well, it seems that there is not much information about her except that she boarded at Edinburgh and that they are not aware of any criminal record. Her name is Heather Douglas, age is twenty-eight, and she can read and write. My guess is that she is running away from something or someone.” George Lamont stood silent for a moment before continuing to convey what he had learned. “She is unmarried, more genteel than most, and healthier. They want fifteen pounds, granting a seven-year indenture for her. What would you have me do?”

  “Will you stake me until I can get you the funds?”

  “Your credit is good with me, Matthew.”

  “I shall buy her indenture now.” Lord, please make this work for all our sakes.

  Heather’s tense fingers clutched her satchel. Standing upright on dry land proved as challenging as adjusting to the ship had been. During the weeks at sea, she had tried to imagine what this day would be like, but nothing prepared her for this degradation. She watched as the crowd of spectators grew. Less than forty feet away stood three men staring directly at her. Her face grew very warm in the bright sunlight. Do not faint. Focus on something else and not your fear. She scanned the crowd before her gaze returned to the three men. One was a gentleman in a fine buff-colored broadcloth coat and waistcoat, and the other two wore plain waistcoats, breeches, and lightweight shirts with ordinary steenkirks. The taller of the two had a bold expression on his face. She glanced away but continued watching from the corner of her eye.

  People milled about like scurrying ants. Watch the people, not those men. It was to no avail. Her eyes kept glancing back to the dark-haired colonist. Why does he stare so? She would show him. She lifted her head and returned his gaze. He was now deep in discussion with the gentleman in the fine suit, pointing at her. The women were like caged animals on display. Her eyes followed the gentleman when he walked to the table.