"I have no other choice than to take your advice," Kieran said. "I pray you are right, Charlie. I do not like leaving Fortune."
"Mother will come, or better yet, India. Fortune was with her when she had her first child. Get her to tell you the story sometime." He grinned at Kieran. "Are you now over your shock? I don't imagine it was easy learning you had wed such a virago."
"I am not a virago," Fortune said, coming back into the hall. "How can you say such a thing? Kieran certainly knows better."
Her husband grinned. "Of course, I do, my love," he agreed. "Charlie and I have had a fine talk. We need to sit down and decide just how we will manage this voyage if you are to remain behind."
Fortune smiled at them both. "I knew you would see reason, Kieran," she murmured. "I am so glad that Charlie explained everything to you. Now, we have much to do, sir, and not a moment to waste!"
Charles Frederick Stuart, duke of Lundy, grinned over his sister's red head at his brother-in-law. The message was very clear. You see, it said. All you have to do is follow her lead.
Chapter 15
They sent word to Maguire's Ford as quickly as they could that the men planning to go with them be ready to board the Cardiff Rose in the next few months. Rory Maguire was sent a list of exactly what each man would need as had been provided by Lord Baltimore to the Deverses. The only woman in the party who would be allowed to go would be Mistress Jones, the physician, for her services could prove invaluable in those first months. She was advised to bring not only her dried herbs, roots, and barks, but plants and cuttings as well, for they did not know what plants would be available to her for her remedies in the new colony of Mary's Land.
The other women in the party, and the children, would remain in Ulster until the following summer when the Cardiff Rose would return for them, and then travel in company with the Highlander, the vessel which would contain the horses, and other livestock. It was planned that over the winter a house would be built for the Deverses as well as the others so that when the women arrived they and the children could be properly sheltered from the elements.
Once the men reached their destination on the far side of the sea, they would buy in Virginia oxen, a milk cow, and a horse for Kieran. That way come the spring they would be able to plow. They had already heard the Virginia colonists were not particularly friendly, being jealous of Mary's Land's special status. Fortune knew, however, that enough coin could overcome most reluctance, and advised her husband to make the best bargain he could, but to obtain what he needed at any price for their success, or failure, depended on it.
"You are so sensible," he told her one day as they went over a list of what had already been obtained. "I am sorry you cannot come with me, sweetheart."
She smiled up at him. "I want so very much to go with you," she said, "but I realize now it is better I don't. You must place your entire concentration on preparing our estate to be profitable, Kieran. I would be a burden to you, for you would fret over me in my current condition."
He placed his hand on her belly which had only recently begun to round slightly. "I hate that I will not be here when our son is born," he replied. "I remember my da, God assoil him, saying that the midwife took me from my mam's womb, and placed me directly into his hands. I wish I could be here to do the same thing, sweetheart." He caressed her stomach tenderly. "My son," he said, almost awestruck.
"Our child,'" she corrected him gently. "This could be a lass, or a lad, Kieran. I care not as long as the bairn is healthy."
He kissed her mouth softly. "I agree, Fortune." He kissed her again, and this time his kiss was a bit more passionate. "Just think. This time last year we were falling in love."
She laughed, and it was a happy sound. "You are the most sentimental man I have ever met, Kieran Devers," she told him. "I knew I was right to love you even if it did cost me Maguire's Ford."
The summer ended. Jasmine, along with her baby daughter, Autumn Leslie, came south to England to Queen's Malvern. The duke and his eldest son would remain at Glenkirk, but the duchess could not be dissuaded from being with her second daughter when she was with child. As Autumn was almost a year old now, she was able to travel more comfortably. Kieran felt better knowing Fortune's mother would be with her when their child was born.
"You are both wise," Jasmine said, "to have delayed Fortune's going. With first babies one can never be certain when they will come. It is better that Fortune remain here with us. Charlie will be off for court shortly, and we will have Queen's Malvern all to ourselves."
Charles Frederick Stuart celebrated his twentieth birthday. His brother, Henry Lindley, marquess of Westleigh, his older sister, India, countess of Oxton, and her husband, Deveral Leigh, came from their homes to help the not-so-royal Stuart commemorate the occasion. Jasmine looked about the hall that night. Here were her four eldest children. Once they had been so close. Now they were all grown, and making a great fuss over Autumn Leslie, the youngest of them all.
She looked at her Stuart son. "You are your father's image," she told Charlie. "He was twenty when he died. Thank God you have a stronger constitution. When he was born in Scotland they treated him like some Indian idol in my native land. He was carried about by his servants until he was four. He told me once that when they left him alone for the night he would creep from his bed, and run up and down his room. If he had not done so his poor legs would have been as weak as his baby brother's. Your poor Uncle Charles was less venturesome, and had a terrible time learning to walk. You may notice, Charlie, that even today he strides with an odd gait."
"I wondered where that had come from," Charlie replied. "You were older than my father, Mama, weren't you?"
"By three and a half years," Jasmine said, "but no one thought a great deal about it. I think they were relieved he had finally taken a mistress, thus proving his manhood. You know the rumors that always swirled about your grandfather, King James." She smiled, and patted his hand. "And you, my son? Has any lady yet stolen your heart?"
Charlie flushed. "I am the king's nephew. No matter I was born on the wrong side of the blanket, I am still his nephew, and the ladies are always most kind," the not-so-royal Stuart replied, a twinkle in his eye.
"Too bad Mama wasn't married to Prince Henry," Henry Lindley observed. "You'd be king now, and a better king, I think, than poor old royal Charles. If there is one thing he's certain of, 'tis his stature, but he cannot make any decision having to do with governance without mulling it to death. And do not dare to disagree with him. He takes neither suggestion, nor criticism, lightly."
"He is not a bad king," Jasmine defended the monarch.
"Aye, he is," the marquess of Westleigh said, "even if he does mean well, Mama. Still, at least our Charlie is spared Henrietta Marie as a wife," he chuckled. "An overproud, and pious little Catholic. Her very existence causes difficulties."
"Henry! Remember that your brother-in-law is a Catholic. I did not raise you to voice, or even consider, such prejudice," Jasmine admonished her oldest son.
"Mama, I am not anti-Catholic. I am practical, and speak the truth," the marquess said. "I would say the same if she were a pious little Puritan. Extremism is not healthy for a country, or its government. England is changing, and I am not certain I like the change."