The Scotsman Who Swept Me Away

Book 3: Seven Brides/Seven Scotsmen

by Hannah Howell

Genres: Women's Fiction; American Romance

Synopsis

New York Times best-selling author Hannah Howell brings the proud heart of Scotland to life in her magnificent novels. Now, the seven MacEnroy brothers are about to take America by storm....

Off the New England coast, courageous Mehitabel Ampleford wields a rifle to protect her home from a brutish band of men who are after her land. She will not be intimidated, but their attacks are growing fiercer, and just as their latest confrontation threatens violence, a bold stranger appears out of the ocean mists to send the raiders packing.

Geordie MacEnroy has seen the ravages of war in his mountain town - and in the injuries suffered by his youngest brother; now, his restless soul is calling him to find sanctuary by the sea. His long journey to the beautiful coastline of his adopted homeland feels like a new beginning as lovely Mehitabel, so wise and self-sufficient, offers blessed hope for healing his brother's wounds. Geordie envisions a beautiful life with her as his bride, but a woman who has fought so fearlessly for her home may not willingly surrender all for his love....

Release date: August 27, 2019

Publisher: Zebra Books

Print pages: 256

Sample

Geordie MacEnroy picked up a small stone and tossed it into the creek. It should have been a fast-flowing river at this time of year, but rain had been scarce so far this spring. The snowmelt was late as well. There was even a lot of ice still on the water, although much of it was breaking up, but the slow current allowed the ice to gather in untidy lumps close to the banks.

Picking up a flat stone, he again tried to skip it across the river, but it ended up caught in the ice dams. He had come here to try to ease a yearning he was suffering more often, and it grew stronger as time passed. Now that the weather was warming, that yearning was growing keener. He wanted to see the ocean.

As he scrambled up the hillside to make his way back home, he struggled to understand why he even had such a yearning. Usually he just tried to shake it off, but this time he fought to find out what he was actually wanting. There was a chance his yearning for the ocean meant something else, the ocean simply a symbol.

When he and his family had arrived on the East Coast of this country from Scotland, they had not found the best of lives. For a while they had lingered in New York, but the only places they could find to live were rat-infested tenements. Worse, crime had been pervasive and one never felt safe. His mother had yearned for a small place, a quieter place with a small patch of land for gardening, so his father had painted again and sold his paintings until he had earned enough to buy them a wagon like the ones people used to move west. They packed up and wandered up the coast until they reached a place called Boston, only to find the living there was little better than it had been in New York. Disappointed, they had continued wandering up the coast, thinking it might be better to go west like so many others.

That was definitely not what he was yearning for, he told himself firmly when he reached the road, mounted his horse, and started on his way home. The journey west had been interesting, but they had found little to make a good life for them all. Their hopes had not completely died with their parents, but they had taken a long time to be fulfilled. Geordie did not even want to think about where they would all be now if Iain had not been ready, willing, and eminently able to step up in their place.

What they had now was good, and he could not really see how he could do much better. The land provided a decent living for all of them and room to grow. Two of his brothers were now married and growing their own families. Their land had provided for the Powell brothers, the shepherds hired by the MacEnroys, and their new families, as well as a living for Mrs. O’Neal and her children. They had gained more land from Iain’s and Matthew’s wives to add to their living opportunities. It was just what most people would want, yet Geordie still battled this yearning to see the ocean.

It was as if the ocean called to him, a thought which, he decided, was a ridiculous fancy. He rode by his brother Matthew’s house and waved at Abbie, Matthew’s wife, who was weeding her garden with little Caitlin’s help. As he rode through the big open gates of the stockade, enjoying that sign that things had calmed in the hills since the end of the War Between the States, Geordie returned his brothers’ greetings as he went to put his horse in its stall. He removed the saddle and the rest before he began to brush down his mount. By the time he had finished that as well as fed and watered the animal, his brother Robbie walked up to him.

“Hey, ye coming in for the evening meal?” Robbie asked.

“Aye. Didnae ken so much time had slipped by. Got lost in my thoughts.”

“Ye have been doing that a lot, Geordie. Troubles?” Robbie asked as they walked out of the stables and headed toward the back of the house.

“Nay. Just trying to make up my mind about something.”

“What?”

Geordie shrugged. “Whether to stay or to go.”

“Go? Go where? Have ye found some land ye want, or a lass ye fancy?”

“Nay, sad to say, I haven’t found either of those things here. I just have an urge to see the ocean again.”

“So, ye want to go west?”

“East. What tales of traveling west I have heard make me think it might be far more dangerous than I want to deal with. The way east is more settled and has regular train service.”

“Isnae that safe. Still has some lingering troubles from the war.”

“Nay so much. Talked with Emily’s grandfather, the Duke, when he came last, and got a lot of information. He did say a man needs to harden his heart when he rides through the country now. There is still some ugly destruction and a lot more signs that people are in dire need than he had seen before. Too many people crippled and limbless. Too many children without a father or with a mother either broken or dead.”

“So have ye decided yet?”

“Nay, I was trying to figure out why I had such a fool longing.”

“Oh, nay so foolish, I wouldnae mind seeing the ocean again. It’s a wondrous thing to watch. Strangely calming.”

“Aye, it is.”

They stopped at the porch to wash up. When they entered the kitchen it was to find everyone already seated around the table. Geordie and Robbie quickly took their seats and hurried to fill their plates before anyone began reaching out to take second servings.

“So where have ye been for most of the afternoon?” Iain asked Geordie as he passed him the rolls, which Geordie quickly passed on to Emily after taking what he wanted.

“Why? Was there something I needed to do?”

“Nay, ye did all your chores. I was just curious. Ye dinnae often go off on your own like that.”

Geordie finished the bit of lamb he was eating and then sighed. “I just had something to think over and needed to be alone to do it.”

“Hard to find solitude here, no doubt about that. Care to share? Lot of people here who could help.”

“Dinnae ken how. ’Tis just a foolish craving I cannae shake.”

“Are ye sure we cannae help ye get what ye want?”

Geordie laughed briefly. “Nay, Iain. It is a craving to see the ocean. It is nay something that ye can just drag up to the door for me.” He smiled at his family when many of them laughed. “I dinnae ken why, but it has become a yearning that keeps on growing.”

“Cannae fully understand that.” Iain shook his head. “Once we all got off the boat from Scotland, I had no urge to ever see that huge body of water again.”

“Surprises me, too. Maybe I was just too young to be scared by it all. I remember Mum always complaining about how she couldnae see any land at all. Ye could see that sore troubled her when we journeyed up the coast later. Looking out and seeing nothing but water for miles bothered her.”

“My sister was always troubled by that, too,” said Emily. “She would rarely stand on deck with me.”

“It is because you can see nothing to swim to if the boat flounders and you end up in the water.” Mrs. O’Neal shook her head. “The realization is quick to rise up whenever you see that huge stretch of water and no land.”

As Mrs. O’Neal began to clear away the meal with Emily’s help, Iain pulled a letter out of his pocket. “Heard from James today. Bit of a surprise as I wasnae his brother-in-arms, Matthew was.”

“And he is well?” asked Geordie.

“Aye, he just wanted me to ken that he would be stopping by as he headed toward home. Was asking if he could stop here for a bit.”

“Ah, you’re the head of the family. Best one to ask. But, why here? It is a fair long trip from his home in Maine.”

“He wasnae in Maine. He came south to see our major and Maude, one of the women who cared for the orphans, then decided to come by here on his way back home. It seems they collected the orphaned boys from Mrs. Beaton’s home, so he took something for them too.”

“That is good news. Abbie will be pleased, as will Emily. Abbie was troubled by the orphans left behind and it hurt Emily’s soft heart”—Geordie smiled and winked at her—“to think of the boys stuck with a woman who didnae sound verra motherly. Matthew kept waiting for Abbie to come up with a plan to get them here.”

Iain frowned. “Ye would have objected?”

“Nay, of course not. We have plenty of room and can make more. Just understood his concern. She already has three children and this land hasnae completely shaken off the harshness and hate the hostilities stirred up. Dangerous. Especially if the trip ye plan would be encumbered with a wife and children.” Geordie grimaced. “And I suspect that the boys there might have picked up a few irritating ideas and habits after staying with Mrs. Beaton for a few years. They willnae be like Noah, I am thinking. After all, we also have Ned.”

“I am nay sure this family has a need of another Noah,” Iain said with a grin.

Geordie laughed. “Nay. I shall have to ask James how the major and Maude are doing with their new family. Lads couldnae find a better man, judging from how Matthew speaks of him. If Mrs. Beaton gave the children some odd ideas, he will sort them out.”

“It will be good to see James. Thank ye, Mrs. O’Neal,” Iain said when the woman handed him a large slice of pie and nudged the pitcher of fresh cream closer to him.

Emily and Mrs. O’Neal served everyone some pie, then sat down to enjoy their own. Geordie looked at everyone around the table as well as the young ones seated at their own table. This ever-expanding family was why he had difficulty making any decision. He did not want to leave them, did not want to miss these gatherings at the end of each day. The table filled with family, laden with Mrs. O’Neal’s cooking, and all the talk they shared were as much a part of him as a limb. When the wish to see the ocean pulled at him, this was what pulled him back.

A sharp elbow was jabbed into his side so he turned to look at Iain. “What?”

“Ye were staring. Rather blankly as weel. Something else troubling ye?”

“As I told ye, I cannae shake the craving to see the ocean again. Couldnae think why I waver so much. Then I realized it was all this.” Geordie swept his hand around to include the whole kitchen and everyone in it.

“Are ye planning to go to the ocean to live?”

“Nay, I just want to go, to visit for a wee while.” Geordie could tell by the look of relief that spread over Iain’s face that his brother had worried about that.

“Then why do ye worry o’er this? We arenae going anywhere.”

Geordie shook his head. It was just like Iain to see things so clearly. He had allowed himself to get too tangled up in his emotions. There was no need to fret over it all; he was just going on a brief journey.

“I got too focused on the leaving,” he muttered.

“Aye. It isnae like ye plan to go away for good, but even if ye find a reason to stay there, like a woman or some good land, we arenae going anywhere. So, ye would ken where to find us when the mood strikes.”

“Although why I would, I cannae say.” He laughed and rubbed his face after Iain gave him a light rap on the back of his head.

“Just wait until James comes by. He is only stopping here for a night or two and then traveling home.”

“Why? I dinnae need a nursemaid.”

“Nay, but he is an experienced soldier who is headed in the same direction and that would be handy.”

“Ah, aye, it would. He maynae be willing though.”

“And I suspicion he will be. Always better to ride with someone than ride alone.”

For a while they spoke of the many ways he could make the journey. Geordie was not that interested in taking the train. He had heard it was dirty and crowded. Iain had no real knowledge on that to share, but he did think Geordie ought to at least look into using it if only for part of the way. It would make the journey shorter and Geordie liked the idea of that.

By the time he retired for the night, Geordie felt much calmer. The yearning was still there but it was quieter. He suspected it was because he had decided: He was going. Now the excitement was building. He was trying to find a way to tamp that down before it kept him from sleeping, when a knock sounded at the door. A moment later, Iain and Robbie came in, walked over to the bed and sat down on the edge.

“What? I dinnae need company to go to sleep. Outgrew that years ago,” Geordie grumbled as he sat up.

“Ha! Funny guy,” Iain said. “We’ve come to talk about this trip you are going to take.”

“Thought we did. I’m going to go along with James.”

“Aye. And Robbie.”

Geordie looked at his grinning younger brother. “Ye want to come?”

“Aye,” Robbie answered. “I can manage.”

“Are ye sure? It is a long trip.”

“I am much stronger than I was. So long as we arenae galloping across the country for days at a time, I will manage just fine. And ye will have James with ye, so it will nay be just the two of us who dinnae usually travel much. I have been riding regularly, Geordie. I can hold up.”

Geordie looked at Iain. His eldest brother did not look worried about it or even inclined to argue with Robbie’s decision. Geordie could not decide if that was because Iain and Robbie had already argued over it or if Iain was truly not concerned. Iain was very skilled at saying what sounded right, just what you wanted to hear, but if you sat and looked very carefully at what he said, you would find it was a rather empty package of words, and that he was placating you.

“Weel, all right then. Now let me sleep.” He lay down with his back to them and tugged the covers up. “I need rest for the journey.”

“Rude,” Iain muttered as he stood up.

Geordie kept his eyes closed as he listened to them leave, then flopped onto his back and stared up at the ceiling. He had no real objection to Robbie coming along, but he did have a worry or two. Robbie’s leg injuries still left him with a serious limp and his hand could occasionally go so weak it was useless. It also remained too stiff for him to do some things, like the weaving he used to love doing. A long trip could possibly set him back in the healing he had done.

Then he shook his head and closed his eyes. Robbie still managed to work at the cider business he and Emily’s brother Reid had begun, and suffered little from it. He just had to trust that Robbie knew what he could or could not accomplish. It would also be a good adventure for him, and Geordie suspected his brother needed one, needed something to make him a little more sure of himself.

He hoped James would agree to travel with them. It would make Geordie feel even more at ease about taking Robbie. There was a lot of good the ocean could do for his brother. Many people felt the water had a healing effect on people. Geordie was not sure he believed that, but he did feel it could soothe a person and he strongly felt there was something in Robbie that needed some soothing.

Just sitting and watching the waves come in might do Robbie a lot of good. Geordie could easily recall how that worked. The years had soothed away the memories that could cause his brother to wake up screaming, but maybe a trip to the ocean would help even more. It was odd that the ocean could be so powerful, so destructive at times, yet, when it was calm, it could also soothe.

Sleep began to creep over him and he welcomed it. There was a lot that needed thinking on, but it could wait until morning. He would make better decisions with a well-rested mind.

Robbie rubbed the cream, which Abbie and Mrs. O’Neal swore would help him fight the aches he suffered at the end of the day, into his wounded leg. He had not told them that there were times during the day when it was painful. It did soothe it at night and he was grateful for how that helped him to fall asleep. It did nothing to quiet his mind, however. His mind was crowded with thoughts of all that could go wrong and doubts about his taking part in the journey, but he fought to banish them. He could not decide if that fear and worry was born of reason, or of unreasoning fear.

Shaking his head as he put the cream away, he settled down in his bed. He faced his fear and wrestled it down. His leg was ruined but it was also healed. Crooked and ugly, but healed. Travel could not ruin it more than it was already ruined. Robbie told himself yet again that he was fortunate he still had it despite the pain that too often troubled him. During the war, the solution for such an injury was usually amputation, a solution not everyone survived. At least he had escaped that fate.

He would have to have a talk with Reid. The East did seem to be the place with the innovations and ideas. He might find one that would help them take a big stride forward. Their business was doing well enough, but it needed to be built up a bit before it got them a really nice return for their efforts. It was probably a bad time to just go off for a while. He hoped he could explain why he felt he needed to.

As he closed his eyes he wondered if this trip would inspire him, if he would return with new ideas and new strength to work on the business. He promised himself he would go visit any cider mills in the area they were in while he was in the East. Sleep slipped over him as he wondered if that would be enough to calm any anger Reid might feel.

Studying the clothes he had laid out on the bed, Geordie decided he had all the clothes he needed. It was probably more than many men would take for a short journey with no plans for a long stay, but he needed to be sure he would not have to wear dirty clothes. The journey they had taken to find their new home, with all the dirt and mud that had constantly assaulted them, had left him with an abhorrence of unwashed clothes. He was so particular he had even learned how to wash his clothes himself. His brothers questioned him about it often, wondering why he did not just wait for washing day when the women did it, but he knew several of them had picked up a few of their own odd habits. Mrs. O’Neal referred to them as “twists.”

Despite the fact that James had not yet arrived or agreed to travel with him and Robbie, Geordie had begun to pack the rucksack Iain had given him. When he was done he saw that he had a lot of room left in the bag. He was about to choose a few more clothes when he caught the scent of breakfast cooking and decided packing could wait. Tossing what he had chosen to add to the rucksack onto his bed, he followed the scent of food.

Geordie took a seat at the table after saying good morning to Mrs. O’Neal. Iain walked in a moment later and stared at him in surprise before sitting down next to him.

“Ye are up and about early,” Iain said as Mrs. O’Neal set a platter of ham down on the table. “I have a loud bairn. What is your excuse?”

Geordie shrugged. “Despite how far and wide your bairn shares that loudness, it wasnae that loudness that roused me. Figured I might as well pack so I am ready when it is decided whether I go along with James or nay.”

“I was wondering why we havenae seen the mon yet. Thank ye, Mrs. O’Neal,” Iain said as the woman put a mound of scrambled eggs on his plate. “I pray that cough your Marie was struggling with yesterday hasnae developed into anything worse.”

“No. It never does. Beginning to think it is from all that dust or whatever it is, floating around in the air at this time of year, that is the troublemaker. You can see it on the fences or anything else left outside.”

“Ever wonder what it is?”

“Comes off the plants and trees this time of year.”

“Huh. How do ye ken that?”

“Ever look at a bee when it is in a flower?”

“Nay, seems like a good way to get your face stung.” Iain grinned when Geordie laughed.

“Well, when I was young, bees fascinated me. Didn’t see that many of them in the city. I used to watch them closely. . .