The Strength of a High and Noble Hill (An Outlander Story)

Chapter 49: Unrequited

Spring 1771

Robin and Ute McGillivray, after having received the invitation to settle on Fraser's Ridge at the Mount Helicon gathering the previous October, arrive at the Ridge along with their brood, Manfred, Hilda, Inga and Senga to find the leader of the settlement, Jamie Fraser, isn't there along with his wife and his son, Brian, due to them all attending their Aunt's wedding at River Run.

Inga notices her mother's disappointment at their absence and Inga is too, particularly at the absence of Brian, she would've liked to have seen him. But they are warmly welcomed by Jamie Fraser's other children, Ellen Mackenzie and Fergus Fraser, along with their spouses, Roger and Marsali, and their children.

The family are settled into the home and property of Ronnie Sinclair, a man who Inga's father met at Ardsmuir Prison. Ronnie, a copper by trade, helps her father set up his shop so he can continue his work as a gunsmith.

Her mother is happy to meet another German family, the Muellers. She happily batters away with Rosewitha, the mother, in German while her husband, Gerhard, shows little interest in conversing in English with Inga's father. There are eight of them in total with the children and the nephews. Sadly, one of the sons, Fredrick (or Freddy) had lost both his wife and child to measles more than a year ago now. Marsali confides this to Inga when she asks as well as the fact that Gerhard disagrees with Marsali's mother-in-law and instead believes the infection is a deliberate curse put on his family by the Cherokee.

It's not long, however, until the other members of the Fraser clan return to the Ridge and welcome the McGillivrays clan themselves. Inga blushes when Brian turns to her with a warm grin on his face.

"Inga. Right?" His strange pattern of speech feels comforting to her ears.

"Er, yes, Mister Fraser."

He waves his hand dismissively. "Call me Brian. Saves confusion."

Inga smiles shyly, tucking her blonde hair behind her ear.

"Where have you been? Da had hoped you'd be here before winter." Brian remarks.

Inga cannot help but feel disappointed with the fact that Brian's tone seems only friendly interest, the interest of the son of a leader inquiring after the people's well-being but she answers anyway.

"My father at to settle business in Cross Creek and my brother in Hillsborough with his apprenticeship so my mother, me and my sisters spent winter in Salem." Inga explains.

Brian looks startled but there's also an almost gleeful curious glint in his eyes. "Salem?"

Inga goes to respond but they're interrupted by Senga. "Mister Fraser!"

She flicks her loose hair over her shoulder as she bats her eyes at him. Inga purses her lips in annoyance at her younger sister's interruption.

Thankfully, Brian is startled rather than won over. "Oh, um, hello. And you are?"

"Senga. The most intelligent and beautiful of all my sisters." Senga replies flirtatiously.

"Why of course." Brian says indulgently. He shuffles uncomfortably.

"And the most selfish." Manfred quips as he pops up next to them.

Senga cries out in annoyance and thwacks their brother. Inga blushes, embarrassed, but Brian chuckles at them. He flashes a look to Inga that reads Siblings, hey?

She blushes and looks down.

——

It's the last day of March and everyone's celebrating Easter Sunday.

Inga smoothes down her finest dress, green in colour, loose hair kept away from her face by a silk ribbon that matches her dress as she watches the gathering, looking for a certain someone. She sees her sister Hilda beaming at her new husband Davey Morrison. The nuptials only happened a couple of days ago and the two seem very happy. The Fraser-Mackenzies were also in attendance.

Inga's mother stands in a group with Ronnie Sinclaire and Senga. Inga would be stupid not to notice her mother has been nudging Senga towards Ronnie recently and can't help but roll her eyes at the sight as she knows her younger sister isn't going to be interested.

It's then that she spots Brian talking to William and Fiona Ceallach and their daughter Aila. Her heart drops, feeling disappointed.

Manfred pops up next to her. "I can sense your plot to kill that poor girl from miles away." He's swaying slightly and has a half-drunken cup in hand.

Inga rolls her eyes and smacks his arm but her brother continues to grin at her.

"Why don't you go and say hello?"

Inga's eyes widen in alarm. "No! I cannot do that!"

"Yes, you can."

And with that, Manfred grasps her upper arm and drags her over before she can stop him. She hisses at him to stop and tries desperately to dig in her heels but it doesn't work and they arrive at the group. Mister and Mistress Ceallach look at her oddly and Aila looks at her with disinterest but Brian beams and welcomes them warmly.

"Oh, hello, Inga." He greets.

Her heart does a flip but she tries to remain calm and collected. "Hello, Brian."

"What a nice dress," he said.

After a short conversation with the group, Inga decides that she will not murder her brother when he is soon able to turn Ceallach's attention away, which gives Inga her chance to talk to Brian.

"I'm not going to be here long." Brian confesses as they drink their drinks. "Governor Tryon. He's the—"

"Governor of North Carolina, I know." She feels miffed that he assumes she wouldn't know.

Brian has the wisdom to look mildly ashamed. "Yes, sorry. Anyway, it appears the Governor has called upon my father to gather the militia once more."

"Why?" Inga knows this means fighting for Brian as well as her father and brother possibly but it can't mean that, can it?

"His new Riot Act. Tryon is indicating any man even seen at a riot in previous months. None have asked for clemency so the regulators will face his ire." Brian further explains.

Inga perks up, she knows about this! "Such as the one in Hillsborough?"

Brian looks surprised and pleased at her knowledge. "Yes." He sighs to himself. "I hope Brynmor will be safe."

"Brynmor?"

Brian blushes. "Er, yes. Brynmor Jones. A friend of mine. He was there."

Inga frowns. "Oh, will he not show mercy? To your friend?"

Brian scoffs. "His prior work for Lieutenant Knox may protect him but I don't think men like him know the concept." His eyes widen. "Er, I shouldn't've said that."

Inga smiles conspiringly. "Don't worry, I will not tell."

Inga feels warm from the thankful smile he gives her. Inga sees Senga sending her a jealous look from where she's trapped with Ronnie and their mother.

"Fraser! Come here!" Tommy Mueller calls, waving for Brian to come over.

Brian smiles apologetically before following Tommy to where Gerhard and Freddy Mueller stand with Eudora and Penuel MacEalair as well as their grandmother. Tommy's brother looks like he'd rather be anywhere else.

She watches him leave, her lips press together in a pleased smile even though their conversation being cut short.