A Patriot Romance

Chapter 16: Lady Graham's Introduction to Society

Since Lily is growing up and is spending all of her time with Willy, it is as if she doesn't need me as much anymore. It feels as if I have really done anything of note in the past year. Willy is her savior whenever she needs assistance and I am stuck by myself nowadays without her company. Bree and I spend time together of course but she doesn't need me like Lily needed me. Lily and Willy are currently deep in the heart of Downton with Willy's nursemaid, Mrs. Mackenzie. Whenever the children are on their outings with Mrs. Mackenzie, Bree has dictated that time as tea time. Bree has felt the stress of Willy turning six years old because he is more of a handful than he was a year ago. Rodger is busy occupying his time selling horses to society.

"Bree, is there anything that I can do around the house for you? If I sit another afternoon in my room reading a novel again, I will go mad." I exclaim as Mrs. Fitsgibbons brings in the tea set for us.

"Unfortunately no, Mrs. Fits has it handled at present. Maybe ye could go into ton for a job, perhaps?" Bree offers while she serves us both some Scottish tea and some cakes as well.

"Bree, no one in town would even hire me. I am a woman and an outsider." I say exasperated at my lot in this life.

"That is true. Ye are a sassanach. Alright, maybe ye should visit a printer's shop this afternoon and see if they have any enlightened radical ideas that ye agree with." I nod in agreement as I stand up immediately while excusing myself. I walk out of the room while allowing my long-sleaved royal blue frock. I then walk outside and down the dirt path that leads to the ton.

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Once I am in town, I notice a printers shop that is on the corner of the long street of shops surrounding it. I pass a bakery, the moodiest, and the printer shop is right next to it. I open the door and pamphlets are everywhere. There are some on womans rights, tyranny of men, rape of the woman, single mothers and many others. I am so enthralled by the smell and the content of the shop that I didn't even notice the clerk come in through the back.

"Might I help ye, madame?" The clerk asks and I shake out of my skin at the sound of his scottish booming voice.

"Oh...um...yes. I am looking for some radical pamphlets or some gossip sheets. I am bored out of my wits at home and I need something to entertain myself." I say as I look over the very stout man with an apron over his white shirt and brown britches. His ginger hair is pulled back into a pony tale.

"Cén fáth go bhfuil mná mar sin i smaointe radacacha, ní thuigfidh mé go deo. Sassenach, cén fáth nach dtéann tú ar ais go dtí cibé áit as ar tháinig tú agus díriú ar do shnáthaid ós rud é go bhfuil tú go léir go maith." The clerk mumbles under his breath and I can make out a few phrases thanks to Jamie. From what I can tell, he is that he is sexist and thinks I am too stupid to understand anything. I look at the name printed on his shirt.

"An tUasal McDonald, an ea? B'fhéidir go n-inseoidh mé do mo dheartháir céile, an tUasal Baird, go bhfuil tú maslach agus go ndiúltóidh sé dá chapall go bhfuil sé le díol leat. Ní bheadh muid ag iarraidh é sin, anois an mbeadh?" I say in perfect gaelic and the clerk is so surprised his mouth drops. I smile with pride as he shakes his head no and offers an apology. Thank god for Jamie teaching me how to speak in Gaelic throughout our correspondence.

"Unfortunately, we donnot sell gossip sheets and those are the only pamphlets that are 'radical' as ye said." He says and my spirits immediately sink in disappointment.

"There is no need to be discouraged, madam. You know that we accept anyone's pamphlets, you could always write your own column." Mr. McDonald offers and then my spirits rise higher than they have in years.