The Devil's Recruit

The Devil's Recruit by S. G. MacLean Read Free Book Online Page A

Book: The Devil's Recruit by S. G. MacLean Read Free Book Online
Authors: S. G. MacLean
Tags: Historical
companion’s hostility to me had not gone unnoticed. Her Ladyship waited a moment, then continued, ‘Your business here today is not with Baillie Lumsden, but with me. You may have heard that I have it in mind to found a school for girls here in the burgh of Aberdeen. I had my own schooling here, and whatever my troubles in the world have been since then, they would have been a lot worse without it. I intend to provide for a schoolmistress who will teach the girls to write and sew, and do anything else whereof they might be capable.’
    ‘Which is often much,’ I said.
    ‘Indeed it is, and has to be. A woman without husbandor father to protect her must live on her wits, and without lawful employment is a person at once vulnerable and suspect everywhere she goes. If it is in my power to prevent even one young girl from falling prey to the evils that the world holds ready for her, then my money will be well spent. The town council will only accept my gift on the understanding that they have a voice in the appointment of my schoolmistress. I made it known that I wished you to be that person.’
    ‘Me?’ I was somewhat surprised. ‘I am … honoured, but why me?’
    She looked at me a long moment. ‘Because you are a Banffshire lad, and will not be caught up in the interminable politics of this town. And also, I know something of your wife, and I am of the view you are not a bad judge of women.’
    There was nothing I could say, and she seemed pleased with this state of affairs. ‘Christiane here is one of the candidates for the post, and I have had several others. I wish you to be present at their trials in two days’ time, to give me the view of the college on the candidates that I might make my decision.’
    My heart sank at the very thought of it, but I knew I was unlikely to find a way out of the task.
    ‘Now,’ said the lady, addressing the other two, ‘I have some other business to discuss with Mr Seaton, and it is not for the ears of young women. Isabella, you might profitably spend an hour with Christiane here – see what GeorgeJamesone plans to do with that garden of his. You would do well to remind Jamesone that it was myself that recommended those fellows to him in the first place, and Lady Lindsay is now in very high dudgeon with me after his poaching them.’ As Isabella was following Christiane Rolland out of the room, Lady Rothiemay added, ‘And Isabella, I will detain Mr Seaton here no longer than a half-hour, then you may safely return without fear of encountering him again.’
    Her young companion curtseyed and made her exit, partly confused and partly infuriated.
    The light outside was fading and the room becoming cooler, despite the fire that already burned in the vast sandstone hearth of the hall. ‘Pull over those drapes, would you, Mr Seaton? Little enough light gets in at those windows anyway. I would be happier in the small parlour, but Lumsden thinks he must keep me here in state. We could light another candle, though – I can hardly see your face.’
    I did as I was bid, then took a seat in the velvet armchair across from her.
    ‘You must give Isabella a little time. She has nursed her wrath against you many years, and I had not warned her to expect you here today. Perhaps I should have done.’
    ‘She has grounds for her dislike of me. She has been a constant friend to one I badly wronged.’
    Lady Rothiemay shook her head impatiently. ‘It is nonsense, and I have told Isabella that. Katharine Hay would have had no life with you, disgraced and penniless as youwere. You knew that nine years ago, do not pretend otherwise.’
    ‘I … I was angry at what I had lost myself. I did not think of her, at first, I …’
    It was so many years since I had spoken of this, and to so few people, that I could not believe I was talking of it so openly to the woman before me.
    ‘Well, whatever your reasoning, the outcome has been the right one, and Isabella understands less of the affairs

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