For Love or Loyalty: The MacGregor Legacy | Book 1 (12 page)

Lauren stared at him in disbelief. Anger flared through her, pumping the blood in her veins until her hot cheeks no doubt flamed her skin. “How dare ye, Malcolm! Ye had no right.” She lifted her chin in defiance. “I will not leave my patients at the mercy of no one, an’ the doctor has his hands full.”

“Lauren, calm down.” Kathleen touched her arm. “Malcolm has more to tell ye.”

“Aye.” Malcolm nodded. “I knew ye would say that, and ’tis why I shall be taking yer place tomorrow.” He rose to his feet. Logan and Archie followed. “I will be goin’ now so I can get my rest. I have an early start in the morn.”

“Night.” Logan said with a brief nod.

“ ’Til the morrow.” Archie grinned.

As soon as the men left, Deidra turned to Lauren. “A man who is only interested in sellin’ ye off would not be riskin’ his own health an’ life to cover for ye in the sickroom. I think we might have misjudged ’im.”

Chapter 8

8

G
lad to be free of the stench of sickness, Malcolm scrubbed his hands, arms, and face clean. He climbed to the main deck and blinked as the waning sun cast angled rays in his eyes. His boots clicked against the wooden floor as he nodded to other passengers and breathed fresh sea air.

Lauren stood looking out over the ocean, her elbows resting on the rail and her fingers linked. She had pinned her hair upon the crown of her head. Her profile left a striking portrait revealing a slender neck with creamy skin that begged for gentle kisses. Malcolm shook his head and rubbed his tired eyes, wondering what sparked such a thought.

He strode forward, joining her at the rail. Neither of them spoke. She spared him a momentary glance that assured him she had finally gotten enough rest. The red circles around her eyes were gone. She carried better posture in her shoulders and back rather than the weary dragging she had shown last night.

“Thank ye for making me rest today. I needed it more than I realized.” She sounded sincere, and the knowledge pumped him full of satisfaction that he had finally done something right by her.

“Ye’re welcome.” He leaned toward her with a grin. “If I might say so, ye look all the better for it.”

“Is that so?” She teased, arching a golden eyebrow. Her pink lips curled, and his heart overflowed with warmth. “Are ye saying I looked all that bad before?”

Malcolm studied her face and longed to touch her skin—to tell her how he really felt, but he dared not since he didn’t deserve her. Instead, he settled for truthful flattery to appease her and disguise his deeper feelings.

“Lass, ye could be covered in mud from head to toe, an’ I would still believe ye beautiful.” She flushed crimson. “But as an elder brother, I have come to recognize the signs of a lass needing rest.” He touched the tip of her nose as he would a child. “An’ ye most definitely needed a break.”

“Goodness, Malcolm, what a fine da ye’ll make one day. Please keep in mind that I am not a wee child.” She turned away and sobered her voice. “Tell me, how did things go today? Did we lose anyone else?”

“Nay, we were fortunate in that, at least. Dr. Taylor seems to think the worst is over.”

“Good.” She laid her hand across her neck and breathed a sigh of relief. “I have seen enough death to last me all the days of my life. I never knew how hard the voyage would be on those in the hold.” She bit her bottom lip as she paused. “I daresay, many of them would have lived if they were not locked up in those dark and cramped quarters like wild animals.”

“Indeed,” he said, lapsing into silence. She was right, but encouraging her to talk and think about it would only compound the guilt she felt at being in a better situation. If he could have changed their plight, he would have done so, including that of the MacGregors. One thing he could do was rectify what he had done to Lauren.

“I negotiated an agreement with the captain to work in place of a wounded sailor. In exchange, I shall receive a small sum once we arrive in Carolina.” Malcolm took her hand in his. To his relief, she didn’t resist. “I promise, when I earn my wages, I shall spend them buying my mither’s release or at least shorten her indenture.”

“That is verra noble of ye.” Lauren gave him a skeptical look. “What about yer sister? Will ye not need to free her as well?”

Every nerve in his body tensed at the reminder. An image came to mind of Carleen’s sandy brown hair and innocent hazel eyes. His chest ached, and he hated the frustration of his limitations. He could only work with what he had, which wasn’t much. Malcolm needed a miracle, and so far, God had done little to help his family in their plight.

“I will figure out something,” Malcolm said, the burden upon his heart deepening. He hoped he would be able to keep his word. After all, he had no idea what to expect once he arrived. Regardless, he wanted Lauren to know his true intentions.

“Please forgive me for trying to use ye to get revenge against yer da.” The words tumbled off his tongue, releasing him from the guilt that had plagued him throughout the voyage. “Once I raise the money to buy my mither’s an’ sister’s indenture, I shall do what I can to help ye get home. If ye write Duncan, he may arrange for yer passage home afore then.”

“It could take ye years to raise that kind of money from mere wages.” She curled her fingers around his, and her azure blue eyes searched his face. “Malcolm, do not make promises ye canna keep. I know why ye did what ye did, and I hold my da entirely responsible.”

“I do not deserve yer forgiveness, lass.” An uncomfortable lump formed in the back of his throat. Lauren was beautiful inside and out. He wished . . . no it was better not to let his mind go there.

Lauren stood on her tiptoes and cupped a gentle hand on his roughened jaw. She met his gaze. He couldn’t look away if he’d wanted to, but he treasured this moment, knowing he might spend the rest of his life cherishing it—cherishing her—a woman far above his station.

“Malcolm MacGregor, this world has undervalued ye far too long, but let me assure ye that Christ values ye more than anything money can buy. And through His eyes, I see a mon of honor with a kind and decent heart. Ye need not take revenge against my da. Ye’ve already won. Ye’re the better mon.”

Her thumb caressed his cheek as she blinked back unshed tears. Without another word, her breath caught, and Lauren turned, leaving him to contemplate her words. He ignored those who might have witnessed their tender moment. None of them could have imagined what she said or how deep it quaked his heart and soul.

Lauren stood on the bow of the ship with her hand cupped over her eyes. A sailor had spotted land from the lookout tower more than an hour ago. A mixture of fear and excitement raced through her.

They sailed between two islands and into the harbor. As they approached a piece of peninsula land, Lauren marveled at the various two-story homes along the water’s edge bordered by a
gray stone wall. The captain steered the ship to the right into the mouth of a river. She counted at least eight wharfs, with vessels already anchored at a few. Two were merchant ships with cargo goods unloaded.

The Sea Lady
headed straight for the empty wharf in front of a wooden two-story building with a balcony on the second level. It stood on a man-made sea wall shaped in a semicircle. She scanned the rows of rooftops that seemed to go on for miles. A few church steeples peeked above the rest of the buildings.

Lauren gaped in awe. Charles Towne didn’t look like the primitive town she had imagined, surrounded by a forest with wooden homes no larger than small cottages. Their buildings and homes were colorful, many of brick and stone. Even a stone cathedral stood in the midst of the city like a proud monument. The city was larger than Taynuilt in Scotland.

“Welcome to Charles Town, Miss Campbell,” Mr. Kerr said. She turned to see him approaching with his hands gestured wide to include the bustling city. Malcolm followed, his gaze meeting hers over Mr. Kerr’s head where he towered above him by at least four inches. Still reeling from Mr. Kerr’s betrayal the other night with Mr. MacKinnon, Lauren braced herself, knowing she needed whatever information he was willing to provide about Charles Towne.

“That is the Court of Guard.” Mr. Kerr pointed at the wooden building with the balcony. “Stay away from the lower floor. They keep prisoners in there. The upper level is a public meeting place. Charles Towne is a beautiful city but has a dark side as well.”

“Mr. Kerr!” Captain Shaw called. “We need your assistance to set up the tables for the auction while MacKinnon an’ the others manage the sails.”

“Aye, Cap’n!” Mr Kerr motioned to him with a brief nod.

“The auction will take place on the ship?” Lauren glanced at the busy docks where so much room would afford the indentured servants space to stretch their legs and take the fresh air. “Would it not be better someplace else? On the docks, for instance?”

“Nay, Lauren, half of them would run away,” Malcolm said. “Canna say as I blame them. Many signed their indenture out of desperation not knowing what would be expected o’ them.”

“Do not forget, Mr. MacGregor, ask for directions to the courthouse. That is where they shall have the records for the auctions of your mama an’ sister.” Mr. Kerr walked away.

Malcolm leaned toward Lauren’s ear. “Gather yer things an’ wait here for me. I shall go ask for my wages after I gather my things.” He squeezed her hand. “I realize ye’ll be free to go as soon as we’re anchored. While I would not blame ye, I hope ye’ll wait for me to return as I intend to see ye well settled for the night. No tellin’ what dangers might await an innocent lass unfamiliar with Charles Towne.”

“Indeed, I understand.” Lauren’s clipped tone was harsher than she intended. It boiled her temper to realize he was right. She knew naught about the people here other than what she heard by hearsay, and she had no idea if such reports were accurate. Judging by what Mr. Kerr said, she would be safer with Malcolm. She still didn’t know if she could trust him in spite of everything.

“Do not look so frightened.” Malcolm laid a comforting hand on her arm. “I shall return shortly,” he said.

The ship’s hull bounced against the wharf, and one of the sailors threw the anchor overboard. They finally came to a stop. The auction tables were now in place with two chairs at each. Lauren watched in fascination as they lowered a walking board to the dock. Sailors tied ropes to the dock. Men lined up waiting to board, eager to peruse the selection of indentured servants and cast their bids.

The hold opened, and several servants lined up in rows to be inspected like pieces of horseflesh for auction. Buyers judged their hair, teeth, skin, and posture. It was the most humiliating thing she had ever witnessed. Her heart sank at the thought of what Carleen and Iona must have endured.

While Lauren watched people leave the ship as buyers purchased them, she couldn’t help wondering what kept Malcolm. Someone grabbed her shoulder from behind. Lauren gasped in fright.

“Shush, ’tis only us.” Deidra’s whispered words floated to her burning ears. Deidra and Logan stood behind her. “We only wanted to say good-bye afore we leave.” She reached out and drew Lauren into a tight hug. “I shall miss ye. I hope we will see each other again.”

“Me too.” Lauren returned her hug. “Malcolm said he would try to raise the funds to buy back his mither and sister, but I am afraid he will become discouraged and change his mind.”

“Never ye mind that.” She took Lauren’s hands in her own. “He loves ye, even if he does not yet know it. Ye’re a woman of faith, if I ever knew one. Do not lose faith now.”

“My sister is a bit of a romantic.” Logan elbowed Deidra in the side and stepped forward when she moved. “I was hoping to tell Malcolm good-bye. Will ye let him know we were lookin’ for ’im? If ye stay in Charles Towne, I am sure we will be seeing each other again.”

“Aye, I shall tell him. He will be pleased to know it. I had hoped he would have already returned. I suppose the captain has a lot to deal with at the moment. Malcolm went to collect his wages before we disembark.”

With a final wave good-bye, Deidra and Logan gathered their belongings and left. Once again, Lauren stood alone, wringing her hands, wondering how much longer Malcolm would be.

The indentured servants in the best shape went first. Amy was gone before Lauren could tell her good-bye. They brought up more indentured servants from the hold. The second group was not as healthy as the first. One buyer’s eyes kept falling on Lauren after he viewed the selection of what was left. Most of the free passengers were already gone, and Lauren lingered where Malcolm left her.

The man eyeing her went to Mr. MacKinnon. He lowered his voice where she couldn’t hear and pointed at her. Lauren tensed.
Lord, please let Malcolm return in time.
She whispered the brief prayer as Mr. MacKinnon and the man walked toward her. Lauren glanced in the direction where Malcolm had disappeared, but there was no sign of him.

“This one is special and slightly resistant. She was not a peasant but is well educated. Her family has come upon hard times.” Mr. MacKinnon motioned to Lauren. The man’s brown gaze lit up in eager delight.