Chapter 10

10

G emma couldn’t sleep. The old woman’s words had been stuck in her head ever since she returned home. In fact, she’d been in a sort of haze. The woman’s directions had been both oddly specific and yet still quite vague. Surely there were plenty of glens down by rivers in the Highlands. Which could she be talking about? It was no use sleeping when her mind was running so. Her father was away on yet another trip, so she knew his study would be unattended. She hadn’t been there in a long time. He always kept it unlocked, but she also knew that everything in it was precious. After she and Ian accidentally broke a vase of particularly high value whilst playing in there, their father had tanned their hides while giving them a tongue lashing about respecting others’ personal belongings. And so, she’d never gone in there again. Now, she did feel a prick of guilt, breaking into a completely unguarded study, but…she needed answers.

She slipped out of her bed and drew her shawl around her shoulders, careful not to make any noise as she made her way down the dark hallway towards her father’s study.

The door creaked open, and she entered the room, taking a deep breath of the musty air. The flicker of a single candle flame illuminated the room, casting eerie shadows across the walls. Books lined the shelves, their spines cracked and frayed with age, and papers littered the desk. But it was the maps that drew her in, their edges worn and tattered, the colors faded with time.

Gemma’s fingers traced the lines of Scotland, her eyes scanning the intricate details of the land. She knew Colin was out there somewhere, hiding from the laird. The thought of him being alone and afraid made her heart ache. She needed to find him, to help him, to be with him, but also to find answers.

She picked up a quill and traced a line on the map, trying to piece together the information she had gathered over the past few weeks along with what the old woman had said. Her heart raced as she found what she was looking for. A small village nestled in the hills, far from any main roads or cities. It was a place that would be difficult to find, but not impossible. It was close to a river, and the map indicated a glen nearby. She took a deep breath, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. She had found him. She knew where he was — or at least had an approximation of it.

But then reality hit her. How was she going to get to him? She couldn't just leave, especially not now. No, this would require careful planning, as she would likely have to travel some. Good Lord, her mother would be so unhappy with her, but…this was a noble cause, was it not?

She searched through the drawers of the desk, her fingers digging through piles of papers and books until she found what she was looking for. A key. It was small, brass, and looked as if it had not been used in years. She turned it over in her hand, studying it closely. It had to be the key to the secret passage she had heard rumors about. Yes, as the daughter of a merchant, Gemma understood that sometimes merchants shipped things that other people dearly wanted, and were willing to do anything to get their hands on them. Thankfully, no pirates had been spotted in the North Sea in years, but there were always Royal Navy ships, or privateers. She’d heard whispers of such a passage under her home, leading to the castle and into the interior of Aberdeen. Perhaps…this was that particular key.

With shaking hands, she approached the bookshelf, looking for any sign of a hidden door. And then she found it. A small indentation in the wood, barely visible to the naked eye. She pressed the key into the hole, and with a soft click, the bookshelf swung open, revealing a dark passageway.

Gemma hesitated for a moment, taking a deep breath before stepping into the darkness. She felt her way along the damp walls, the musty smell of old stone filling her nostrils. The passage was short, and she had to stoop a little, but it was wide enough to transport bulky items such as crates and barrels. She pressed on, determined to reach the end of the tunnel. Even if she did not leave tonight, it was good to know where this would take her.

Finally, after what felt like a couple hours, she emerged into the open air. She found herself in a small clearing, surrounded by trees and bushes. The moon was high in the sky, casting a pale glow over everything. The towers of the castle were visible, but clearly a good distance away. Her house was nowhere to be seen — so she really had walked quite a distance. The passage had spit her out into the woods beyond.

“Alright,” she said to herself, wiping her dirty hands on her nightgown. She wished she’d brought a lantern, or a warmer shawl, but she had not known where this would take her. What if she could not find this again? Her heart leapt into her throat as she realized she might very well be stuck in that passage.

And then, as if by some divine miracle, the moon shone bright on a patch of purplish crocuses. Gemma liked the flowers, but…these were distinctive enough that they’d be easier to see in the dark than blades of grass, or crumbs. Hastily, she stooped and picked as many as she could, then scurried back into the tunnel. Upon her journey home, she dropped the crocuses at strategic points, as a way to point her back.

After a while, she found herself back in the study. As she looked through the window, she realized the night had turned from darkest dark to a sort of hazy gray. There were perhaps only a couple hours until dawn, when she would have to wake up and pretend nothing had happened. Sticking her head out of the study, she was relieved to see the hallway was empty. No one else was up yet. She tiptoed down to her room, kicking off her muddy slippers and hiding them under the bed. Then she placed the key in her pillowcase. She’d intended to think of a plan, but sleep overtook her.

No sooner had her head hit the pillow than Muriel's voice sounded beyond the door.

“Gemma! Gemma, ‘tis time tae get up!”

Gemma groaned, ready to ignore her and fall asleep, until she realized it was sunny out — the sun was far higher in the sky than she’d anticipated.

Christ, so she’d slept a good long while after her mini adventure!

“Sorry, erm…” her voice was still thick with sleep, “Just a moment!”

She looked down at her nightgown, and realized the hem was muddy. Oh Christ, that would not do. Muriel had eyes like a hawk. Although they were friends, she was still a maid, and still paid by her father’s purse. She had to be careful. With a flourish, she threw off her nightgown and scurried over to the chest at the foot of her bed, locating a new shift. Once she’d pulled that over her head, and balled up the dirty nightgown, shoving it under other clothes, she spoke again.

“Alright, I’m ready!”

Muriel pushed open the door with a flourish. Gemma feigned a yawn — although that was not difficult — as she sat at her vanity table.

“Ye look a fright,” Muriel commented.

“I’m tired. Can’t I go back tae sleep?”

“Nay. Yer mother wants ye at the castle taeday. Help wi’ chores an’ show the laird and Bryce how good a wife ye’ll be.”

Gemma tried to keep from smiling mischievously as Muriel attacked her hair with the bristly brush.

Little did they know…she’d be gone before anything could happen.

Colin stood at the anvil, his eyes fixed on the glowing metal before him. He swung the hammer with all his might, his thoughts consumed by the revelation that had rocked his world. He couldn't believe that Bryce was his brother, that he had a sibling he never knew about. Of course everyone commented on how alike the two of them looked, and such comments had wormed their way into Colin’s mind, but he refused to believe it for years.

However, it wasn't just the shock of the discovery that was weighing on Colin's mind. He couldn't shake the guilt and shame that came with the knowledge that he and Bryce shared the same sinful bloodline. How could Bryce knowingly marry Gemma, when he was part of the same sin that brought Colin into the world?

He needed to talk to Bryce, to tell him the truth and see if he was aware of his illegitimate birth. It was unforgivable; hypocritical, even, for Bryce to send away Colin and his father if he knew of this. It did not just affect them, it affected the entire clan, but mostly…Colin thought of Gemma. It would be her reputation at stake, too. All this time, her family would be so happy to think she was marrying the son of the laird, only to realize later that he had no claim to the lairdship. She’d be disgraced.

The clang of the hammer on the anvil echoed through the small blacksmith shop, a rhythmic beat that matched the pounding of Colin's heart. He had to find a way to make things right, to protect Gemma and clear his family's name. But even as he worked, his mind kept drifting back to Gemma. Did she still love him? Would she understand why he couldn't be with her until he made things right? Colin longed to hold her in his arms again, to feel her soft touch and hear her laughter.

He swung the hammer harder, his muscles straining with the effort. His mind was in turmoil, his heart torn between his love for Gemma and his sense of duty to his family. He knew that he had to make a choice, but he couldn't do it alone.

As the heat from the forge engulfed him, Colin knew that he had to find a way to talk to Bryce and come up with a plan. He couldn't let Gemma slip away, not when she was the only thing that mattered to him. He would do whatever it took to clear his family's name and win her heart back. She’d been angry when he left, and it was justified. Did she care that he was gone? Would she still love him, after everything that had happened?

With trembling hands, Gemma opened the door and slipped into the darkness of the secret tunnel. The stone walls were damp and cold, and she had to hold her skirts up to avoid tripping on the uneven ground. Everyone at the Gordon house had gone to bed hours ago, and she’d waited until they were sound asleep to carry out this mission. She’d readied herself a bag the night before, with a change of clothes, a map, a knife, some food, a waterskin, and a lantern. This was the most insane thing she’d ever done, but really…she was quite excited to start. Finally, she was taking her life into her own hands. With one last look at the study, she took a deep breath and closed the door behind her.

The lantern and trail of purple crocuses were her only guiding light there. Her heart thudded in her ears. She did not hear anything in the tunnel, not even a mouse, but it was part of that silence that was so eerie. As long as she didn’t see anyone else, that was fine in her book. It seemed to go on forever, and Gemma felt as though she had been walking for hours. She was cold and hungry, and her feet ached from walking on the hard ground. She thought of Colin, how odd he’d been, and about Bryce’s sudden changes in moods. Their stories contradicted each other. This world did not value women as it did men, no matter how many excuses it made, so she knew she needed to do it herself.

Finally, Gemma saw a glimmer of light in the distance. She quickened her pace, her heart beating faster with every step. As she emerged from the tunnel, she found herself in the woods. The trees were tall and dark, their branches reaching up to the sky like fingers. The air was thick with the scent of pine and moss. Gemma looked around, searching for the patch of crocuses she’d found a few nights ago.

“There ye are,” she whispered to no one in particular. She looked up at the castle in the distance. There was a warm glow emanating from some of the windows, no doubt from spare candles or fire in hearths. Mindful that her own lantern was showing, she drew her cloak around it, lest one of the guards on the upper wall of the keep see it in the distance. And then, she made her way into the woods.

The ground was soft and spongy underfoot, and she had to tread carefully to avoid slipping. As she walked, Gemma noticed the sounds of the forest around her. The rustling of leaves in the wind, the chirping of birds in the trees, and the soft gurgle of a nearby stream. She felt a sense of peace and freedom that she had never experienced before, not even on the beach with Colin. This time was all for her, only for her.

As far as mysterious journeys went, Gemma thought this one was relatively easy. Sure, she wished for the comfort of a bed instead of solid ground, but if that was the tradeoff, that was fine. She stayed close to the main road but not directly on it. A single woman like herself would be a target for all sorts of unsavory creatures. Highwaymen might take one look at her and decide she was an easy catch. Colin had taught her the basics of survival in the forest when they were teens.

Gemma had always liked the forest. Everyone said it was dangerous, but she had felt nothing but peace in there since she was a child.

It was difficult to pick her way through the dark, but thankfully she had her lantern with her, and could see just ahead. That was all she needed. When she felt she could walk no longer, she stopped and made herself a small shelter of twigs and leaves. Then she took out the blanket from her pack and laid it on the ground. Her shawl and wool petticoats would serve as a blanket for the night.

The next morning, Gemma thought it the most magical sight she’d ever seen. Through the canopy of leaves and branches, shafts of sunlight danced and flickered, casting a golden glow over the forest floor below. The ground was carpeted with a rich tapestry of leaves, ferns, and wildflowers, each one vying for attention and claiming its place in the natural order of things. Beams of light filtered through the foliage, dappling the forest floor with a thousand points of light and shadow.

As the day wore on, the forest took on a life of its own, as creatures great and small emerged from their hidden lairs to forage and hunt. Birds flitted from tree to tree, their wings a blur of motion as they darted and weaved through the branches. Squirrels scampered along the ground, their bushy tails twitching as they searched for nuts and seeds to store for the long winter ahead. Gemma laughed to herself as she watched two of them fight over an acorn.

“Here, lads,” she said, breaking off a chunk of cheese and a bit of bread, setting it down on the forest floor for them. It took a moment, but one of the squirrels skittered forward, nose out, sniffing. Gemma waited with bated breath, until the small creature snatched the items away and scampered up the tree. She smiled and waved, as if she knew the creature personally.

“There’s more where that came from,” she said up into the canopy of foliage.

In the evening, the forest took on a new kind of magic. The light grew softer, the shadows longer, and the colors more vivid as the world was painted in shades of gold and crimson. The air was filled with the scent of pine and earth. Quite honestly, it made her long for her simpler childhood days. And then her mind summoned one such day.

Gemma had never ventured so deep into the woods before. The Scottish Highlands were known for their breathtaking natural beauty, but also for their treacherous and unpredictable terrain. However, with Colin by her side, Gemma felt like she could conquer anything. As they walked, Colin pointed out different plants and berries, explaining which were safe to eat and which were poisonous. Gemma listened intently, fascinated by his knowledge. She couldn't help but feel a surge of admiration for her friend.

She watched as Colin crouched down, examining the ground with a keen eye.

“Look here,” he said, pointing to a set of tracks. “This is the trail of a red deer. ‘Tis a big animal, but if we’re lucky, we might be able tae catch a glimpse of it.”

They moved from the thick, towering pines to a clearing where the sun was able to filter through the leaves. Colin continued to point out various grasses and bushes, and told her how they could be used to build shelter or treat wounds.

Further on, Colin showed her how to start a fire without a match, and how to build a shelter from branches and leaves. Gemma was amazed at how simple it all seemed when Colin explained it to her. She had always thought that surviving in the woods was something only the toughest and most experienced people could do. But Colin made it seem like anyone could do it with the right knowledge and skills.

As the sun began to set, they settled down near a stream to rest. She started a fire, albeit with a little help from Colin, and watched as the flames danced and flickered in the darkness. She felt a sense of peace wash over her as she listened to the soothing sound of the water rushing by.

Colin pulled out some bread and cheese from his bag, and they ate together in silence. She looked at him — red hair, freckles, the beginnings of muscles starting to show under his shirt. He was growing into a man. And she a woman. They would not be able to spend so much time together for much longer, not when their adult duties would take precedence.

As she packed up with a sigh, Colin turned to her with a warm smile, his dimples reminding her of the toothy grin he wore as a boy.

“We’ll come back here someday,” he said. “And we’ll learn even more about the woods together.”

They never did, sadly. Colin’s duties in the guard consumed much of his life. And Gemma’s mother only seemed to think of her future marriage. That was when she started sending Gemma to the castle to help regularly, so that she might be noticed by a good family.

She sighed and built herself a shelter in the way Colin had taught her so many years ago. It was risky, traveling by herself, so she kept her knife in hand if anyone snuck up on her during the night.

Strangely, it was the best sleep she’d ever had.