A Patriot Romance

Chapter 14: Arriving & Adjusting To Scotland

 We are finally in Scotland and I am so relieved that we do not have to worry about any more scadel from Alexander's family. We are currently in a carriage traveling to Edinburgh, Scotland. I have never seen so many ginger-haired people in my life. Lillian has fallen asleep in my lap with her small head against my bosom.

"I pray that we are near Jamie's house soon, Jess. I am so very frightened! What if the Frazers do not accept me or Lilly? Whatever shall I do if they reject me into their household? For I am a woman and I cannot make my way in the world." I worry to Jessica in hushed tones as the carriage bumps along on the cobblestone road.

"Do not worry yourself, your grace. Indeed, you are a woman, however, if you are turned away from their doorstep, we shall figure it out." Jessica remarks with compassion as she places a hand upon mine. I glace out the window at the Scottish lands and with tears pricking my eyes. I then look to my daughter and place my head over hers as I drift off to sleep.

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"Your grace? Your grace?" I am shaken awake from Jessica's voice as we are infront of a grand house with a water fountain in the middle. I gawk at how illustrious and enormous the house stands. I hear the footman get off of his seat and getting ready to help us out of the carriage.

"Lillian, dearest? We are now at my friend's residence and you must awaken. We have to be gracious and presentable to our hosts." I explain as she wakes up from her sweet slumber against me.

"Okay, Mama. How long are we staying here?" Lily asks as she rubs the sleep out off her darling blue eyes.

"We are on a little vacation, darling. I do not know how long it shall last but I need to see my old friend first." I explain as the footman helps me out of the carriage with Lily on my hip. We walk up to the door as Jess and I take a deep breath before ringing the bell.

"How may I help you?" A servant inquires after he opens the door.

"Would you announce to you master or mises the arrival of her grace, Olivia Basset, Duchess of Garrison, if you please sir." Jessica request and the servant bows as he rushes to inform his employer. After a few mer moments, a woman who appears to be with child comes to the door dressed in an emerald green frock that matches her ginger hair. This woman looks remarkably like Jamie. She is far to young to be his mother and she cannot be a lover. Perhaps she is his sister?

"Jefferies informs me that yee are a Duchess and that yee wish to speak to me?" A woman who looks about three and ten inquires with piercing brown eyes.

"Well? Who are yee? I must beg your pardon, your grace, but here in Scotland we do not stand around dumbfounded when someone asks who they are." The woman says with an impatient tone.

"Oh, my apologies ma'am! I am Oliva Basset, formally Olivia Merriman. James Frazer was my father's apprentice and now he is a soldier in the war. Surely he informed you of my arrival, did he not?" I inquire and her face goes from irritation to complete shock.

"Oh, que Deus teña misericordia da miña alma, eu son o idiota perfecto, non si? Please forgive me, Duchess Garrison. My brother did inform me of yer arrival, he just didn't inform me of ye being a duchess. Come in! Come in! Please make yerselves at home! My name is Brianna Baird, my family and friends call me Bree. Who might this darling little girl be? Is this my soon to be niece?" Bree asks as she looks to Lily who is hiding behind me.

"Yes, Lady Baird. My name is Lillian Baset, the future Duches of Garison." Lily introduces herself and then Bree comes forward and kneels to be level with Lily.

"Come, meu querido. I am yer Aunt Bree and we are family." Bree says as Lily places her hands in Bree's. Lily nods in understanding and Bree exclaims her approval as she leads us into the house and too the parlor.

"Ye all must be quite exhausted from our long journey, I shall have the cook prepare ye some biscuits and tea before bed." Bree says as she leaves to tell the cook to make us food.

"Mamma?"

"Yes, baby?"

"I am sweepy." Lily says as she yawns and I smile at her as I pick her up as she starts to fall asleep on my shoulder. Bree arrives back a few moments later with a tray of tea and biscuits.

"Oh the poor dear, she can go to bed if she wishes." Bree says with a loving smile at Lily. I almost weep at the sight of how someone who barley knows us, has shown us so much love upon meeting.

"Thank you, I will be back shortly. If you could point us to a room that we might barrow." I say as I begin to walk out of the parlor but Bree is on my heels.

"Oh nonsense. I shall show ye, come along." Bree says as we walk out of the parlor and down the hallway that is adorned in tan wallpaper. We travel up the steps and I glance at all the pictures hanging on the walls. I stop at the one with Jamie looking about ten years of age and Bree looking not much older.

"My brother and I lost our parents when we were wee brains. We were brought up by our grandparents who have recently passed on just last year." Bree explains and I nod as we continue our decent until I come upon a portrait of Bree, a handsome man with brown hair, and a little boy with the same ginger hair as Bree.
"My husband, Rodger and our son, Willy. I wedded Rodger a year before my grandparents passed." I put a hand on her shoulder in sympathy and Bree smiles.

"Ah well, I am content with Rodger and Willy. I would have introduced them but they are away at present." Bree explains as we come upon the second floor. We walk a few doors down until we reach the room on the end.

"Here is Jamie's room where the little one can sleep." I nod my thanks as I walk in with a sleeping Lily. I place her carefully on the bed and lightly kiss her forehead. I walk back out to Bree and we go back downstairs. After we send Jess to the servants quarters, we each have tea and some biscuits in the parlor.

"Now tell me, if ye love my brother, then why is your last name Basset instead of Frazer? Jamie never told the whole story in his letter." Bree asks and this is where I tell her the whole story of how I got here.

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"Oh, you poor thing, to have that man rape and defile ye after sounding so nice. Also, for yer father to allow such a thing to his daughter is unforgivable. The poor girl, to loose her father at such a young age. Yer in-laws sound awful, that they would accuse ye of poisoning yer husband when he poisoned yer home with his treacheries against ye! Well, it is no wonder why ye have fled so quickly to Edinburgh." Bree remarks and at this point, I am in tears at the pain I have suffered.

"Yes, I only wish I had realized my love for Jamie sooner then none of this would have transpired. I cannot tell you what it means to finally share this with someone other than Jessica. I had to keep my thoughts to myself for so long it was like I was drowning and I couldn't come up for air. If you hadn't taken us in, I cannot imagine where we would be without your kindness and hospitality, Brianana." I say as I am weeping at this point. Bree, reaches across to me and places her hand on mine.

"Dinna fash, all will be well. Jamie will come home and he will wed ye as soon as the war is over. Now, how about we both go upstairs and get some sleep. Something tells me you need it more than ever." She says as we stand and go upstairs and to Jamie's room. I give her a hug before entering and thank her for all she has done. I walk in the room and Lilly is asleep without any blankets atop her. I undress and get into bed as I pull the blankets over both of us. I then pull her close to me in the hopes of never having to let her go.