Page 21 of Hearts Bound By Time

Meddlesome Edna was itching to do some matchmaking, but even she was unsure how she could make this work out. “One never knows, Catherine, the right man will find his way to ye.”

“Do you see it, Edna. Richard told me that you have the sight.”

“I don’t see it as much as know it.” How could she explain to Catherine that she would most likely be meddling in her life in the near future? “’Tis too difficult to explain, but in yer case I cannae see the future.” But I can help mold the future.

Lady Catherine appeared disappointed. “I don’t know why I’m so interested in finding love after all this time, but perhaps it’s best to leave things as they are. I have a good life with Richard and Angelina. My grandson Henry is the love of my life now.”

“Ye have another son, don’t ye?” Edna asked.

“Yes. Edward. He’s Richard’s younger brother.” Catherine responded.

“Is he married?”

“No. He hasn’t fallen in love yet.”

“So, ye dinnae believe in marrying for lands and title then.”

“No. Not at all. I wish I had married for love, but then I wouldn’t have Richard and Edward, would I?”

“Life can be a puzzle, Catherine. Don’t give up on love. It may find ye yet.”

***

Edna and Angus stood surrounded by their guests as they got ready to go out. Ashley appeared quite anxious about leaving Emma with Teddy. Cailin practically had to pry the babe out of her arms.

“Don’t worry, Ashley. We’re not going far. We are in Glendaloch after all. How far can we go?” Edna chuckled at this. “Teddy can manage the children just fine. He’ll call me if there’s any problem and we can be back here in minutes.”

“But Angelina is taking little Henry,” she protested.

“Only because he needs to be fed more frequently. If I could, I’d be happy to leave him with Teddy.” Edna nodded her thanks to Angelina for helping.

Ashley glanced Teddy’s way and he gave her what amounted to a very shy smile. Edna could see Ashley gathering her courage. “Alright. Teddy I know you’ll take good care of Emma. Everything you need is right here in this bag.” She hurriedly handed the baby to him and turned away.

Edna could see that she was trying really hard to be brave and that they needed to depart as quickly as possible before Ashley changed her mind. “Shall we?” she said as she motioned to the door.

Cailin tucked Ashley into his side. “Come, love. ’Twill be good to get away. Remember what Dr. Ferguson told ye.”

Ashley didn’t answer and Cailin led her through the door and onto the sidewalk.

“Ladies, ye’ll be coming with me and lads, ye’ll go with Angus. This way ye can purchase gifts for each other without the other knowing what yer getting for them.” She turned and headed down the street, indicating with a nod of her head that Angus should go the other way. As she walked, she could hear Angus hemming and hawing over what he was telling the men.

“Come on, lads. I dinnae ken how ye feel about this, but the Mrs. has spoken. She wants us to shop and shopping is what we’ll do.”

Chapter 10

Teddy & The Children

Teddy sat in his usual corner at The Thistle & Hive Inn, keeping an eye on the children—all seven of them, including baby Emma who lay on the floor in the midst of her cousins and Chester. He was babysitting unbeknownst to the children. Wee Robert thought himself big enough to be in charge and so his elders humored him by letting him think he was the one protecting the children. Their parents were all out doing some last minute Christmas shopping for them and in order to keep their gifts a surprise, wanted to go on their own. Edna assured everyone that Teddy would keep an eagle eye on them and so they had nothing to worry about, but Teddy found himself getting sleepy. He’d been seated in the same spot for hours and the warmth from the fireplace was affecting his ability to stay awake. He’d nodded off and jerked awake more times than he could count. He couldn’t fight it another minute and closing his eyes, drifted off.

***

Wee Robert had been watching Teddy out of the corner of his eye. Although his parents had left him in charge, he knew that it was really Teddy who was supposed to be in charge of them and he wasn’t very happy about it. He was just waiting for his chance and as luck would have it, he noticed Teddy was nodding off and decided at that very moment it would be a good idea for the children to go out for a walk to the stables.

“Ma, wouldnae like it, Robbie. We’re to stay here until she returns.” Fiona wrung her hands and looked at her brother with large, worried eyes.

“Da would expect me to see that me new horse was being cared for. We should all get our cloaks and walk to the stable. I ken the way, so there’s nae need to worry, Fiona.” Robert had given his son his very own pony a few weeks back and he had impressed upon him the importance of being responsible for his pony’s well-being. Wee Robert wanted more than anything to show his Da that he had listened to him and if that meant taking his siblings for a walk to the stables to see that Tonn had been fed and watered, then that was what he was going to do.

“But ’tis cold outside, Robbie. What about baby Emma?” Fiona glanced the baby’s way. Wee Robert could see she was still not convinced.