“You’d be miserable if you marry Mr. Kelly.” Just the thought brought nausea to Eleanor’s stomach. All three men were colonists from Assiniboia, but Mr. Aiken and Mr. McGlynn had proven their courage in the face of danger, unlike Mr. Kelly who had cowered.
“To be honest,” Fiona said, “I’ve not cared one way or the other about who I marry. It doesna matter if it’s Mr. Kelly or anyone else. If it isna Angus, then why does it matter?”
“It matters because it’s a lifelong commitme—”
“Nay.” Her voice was bitter. “I thought marrying Angus was for life. Marriage, like everything else, isna forever. Nothing lasts.”
Eleanor could not debate her friend after what they had endured, but she could encourage her. “You may be right. We don’t know how much time we have. But you might have another fifty years to live. Wouldn’t you rather spend those years with a man who is kind and good, rather than one who is controlling and manipulative?”
Fiona crossed her arms and studied Eleanor closely. “Do ye really think Mr. Aiken or Mr. McGlynn might be willing to marry an ugly old widow?”
“You are neither ugly nor old. You’ve not yet had your thirtieth year.”
“I feel old.”
“You are a wonderful woman and any man in this fort would be blessed to have you.” She grew very serious. “Promise me you’ll turn Mr. Kelly down. I could not watch you and your babies suffer even more than you already have.”
Fiona sighed. “Mayhap ye’re right, though I dinna think he will be happy. I’ve already told him yes.”
“Then tell him you changed your mind, and if he gives you trouble, I will speak to him.”
“Ach.” Fiona laughed. “Ye’re a wee bit of a thing, Eleanor. Ye’re the last person I’d send him to.”
Eleanor smiled. “As long asyoucome to me, that’s all that matters.”
A loon called across the lake, its warble echoing on the water’s surface. It sounded close, though Eleanor could not see where it was sitting in the fog.
Fiona took a tentative breath, as if she would speak again, but then paused.
“What?” Eleanor asked.
“There’s talk of leaving here for America.”
“Who’s talking?”
“Many of the settlers.”
“But what of the rumors that Lord Selkirk is on his way?”
“To what end? Will he restore us to Assiniboia?” Fiona shook her head. “I dinna think I can ever go back there, not after what happened to my Angus.”
“Perhaps Lord Selkirk has a different plan. He is an honorable man. If he cannot restore us to Assiniboia, he will find a home for us somewhere else. We need only wait.” Eleanor had promised Arran she would remain at Jack River House. If the others left, she would be on her own.
“Ye saw the force and authority the North West Company possesses. How will Lord Selkirk prevent them from removing us again?”
“I don’t know—but I do know he is passionate about colonizing Rupert’s Land. He will find a way.”
“And do ye plan to return there?” Fiona asked. “What will happen to ye?”
Eleanor wrapped her arms around herself, suddenly taking a chill. “I don’t know.” She had not yet heard from Arran—and could not even contemplate what the future might hold if he was found guilty on all the charges McLeod had claimed. Would she ever see Arran again? If not, where would she go? She would not give up Miriam. The little girl was now hers. Would she be forced to marry a man she did not love, as Fiona planned?
“All I know is that we must keep up the faith,” Eleanor said. “If not for ourselves, then for our children.”
“If I dinna have my bairns, I would have given up long before now.” Fiona put her hands on her knees and then pushed herself off the log. “The day awaits. I canna sit here and be idle.” She had not gone more than four steps when she stopped and smiled at Eleanor. “Thank ye for yer words and understanding.”
Eleanor nodded. “I do not have much, but what I have, I’m willing to share.”
After a few moments, the fort began to stir and Eleanor soon returned to her tent. She would need to eat and then call the children to their classes.
