The Kadin - Bertrice Small [169]
It was a fine, clear and crisp, late May morning that greeted them Lady Janet called to them from the upper deck.
“Come and see Leith! The mists have just lifted.”
Adam Leslie and Captain Kerr stood by her side. The two women joined them.
“Remember the day we left Scotland for San Lorenzo, Jan?” Adam asked.
“I do,” she laughed. “It was raining so hard we couldn’t see from one end of the ship to the other. Grandmother said it was an ill omen—that we should not be leaving our own land. As I remember, we thought it was high adventure.”
“The fates wept to see you go, madame, knowing how long it would be before you would see your native land again. Today the sun shines with joy at your return,” said Captain Kerr.
“God’s nightgown,” muttered the earl of Glenkirk.
A giggle escaped Ruth.
“Why thank you, captain,” said Janet sweetly, as she stepped with force on her brother’s foot He grimaced. “Come, Adam, we most not keep the captain while he goes about the docking.” She stepped lightly down the stairs to the cabin deck.
“I think you’ve broken my toe,” he grumbled at her.
“It serves you right!”
“You haven’t changed, Jan! You are still a hoyden! A mother five times over, and a grandmother to ten, or eleven if Fiona’s safely delivered and still a hoyden! God help me, Jan. How did you even keep your head on your shoulders all those years in Turkey? What will my wife, Anne, think of you? You must be more reserved I want peace in my house.”
“And so you shall have it while I am there, Adam,”
“While you are there?”
“Yes. Now tell me, brother. How much money did father leave me?”
“A thousand pounds gold What did you mean while you are there?”
“Two hundred fifty are yours if I can have Glen Rae, the hüls about it, and its loch—including the island I am going to build a house!”
“No!”
“Yes, I am! It is something to leave Charles and my grandchildren when I die. I have a right to Glenkirk land. Had I lived my life here, Charles would have inherited from his father, but my son was not born a Scot and has nothing. If you do not sell to me, I will buy land from one of your neighbors.”
“They wouldn’t sell!”
“Money, my dear brother, especially bright gold, has a habit of convincing people. Never forget that! Are you so wealthy you can afford to scorn my money? Perhaps I should discuss this with your wife.”
Adam Leslie frowned, then said “all right The land is yours!”
“When we arrive in Edinburgh, we will see a lawyer immediately to make the transaction legal. When I arrive at Glenkirk, I would be my own mistress.”
“Very well I would recommend Fergus More. He’s been handling Leslie family matters for many years.”
She nodded her agreement The ship was now firmly docked and its sailors put the gangway down. Several porters hurried aboard to begin the unloading of the cargo. Adam Leslie offered his arm to his sister.
“Well, Janet, shall we go?”
She hesitated for a moment, and then moved forward to the gangway. At that moment a tall, elegantly dressed young man rushed aboard the ship, and blushing past her enveloped the earl in a bear hug.
“Uncle Adam! Welcome home!”
Janet Leslie felt her legs buckle beneath her. Staggering, she grasped at the ship’s railing for support The hood of her cape fell back revealing her face, drained of color. It had been fourteen years, but she knew him.
“Karim,” she gasped softly.
The young man whirled, and whitening, he stared at her.
“Mother! God in heaven! Mother!” Enfolding her in his arms he wept.
“Hush, my little lion,” she comforted him “Hush now. I promised you we would be together again one day.”
“Words spoken to a six-year-old child being sent far from home,” he sobbed. “Oh, mother, I never thought to see you again! I have missed you so!”
Wordlessly they