The Name of Love

Chapter One-3

'That's what you deserve for maltreating a lady,' Captain Ferintosh said, adding another in the same place as Simmy yelped and tried to wriggle away.

I could not describe my feelings as my gallant captain dealt so decisively with my erstwhile attackers. Surprise, undoubtedly, but also a measure of satisfaction as Captain Ferintosh landed a third stroke across Simmy's tight breeches before turning his attention to Peter. The two rogues retreated across the muir at some speed, with Captain Ferintosh administering his own brand of justice to help them on their way.

'I am sorry you had to witness that,' Captain Ferintosh returned with his cane under his arm and his eyes alight. 'I was not the most edifying sight for a lady to see, and I can see that you are undoubtedly a lady of breeding.' His wink was as unexpected as his boyish grin. 'Although, Miss Hepburn, I must admit to some perverse pleasure in dealing so with such rogues.'

'I shared your feelings, sir,' I tried to keep the laughter from my voice. I am sure Captain Ferintosh read it in my eyes. 'Thank you for rescuing me, Captain Ferintosh. It was worth my few moments of anxiety to witness such an entertaining sequel.'

'The pleasure was entirely my own,' Captain Ferintosh said. 'It is not often that one comes across a damsel in distress, especially not such a beautiful damsel as you.'

'I am anything but beautiful, sir,' I denied his words while simultaneously savouring them. Compliments were not frequent in the Hepburn household.

'You are misinformed, Miss Hepburn,' Captain Ferintosh hesitated slightly. 'It is Miss Hepburn is it not? Or has some fortunate gentleman already captured your heart and you are a Mrs?'

'It is Miss Hepburn,' I said. 'There is no gentleman, fortunate or otherwise.'

'In that case,' Captain Ferintosh said, 'the gentlemen of East Lothian are sorely lacking in taste to allow such a charming lady as you to run free.' He bowed again.

'Their laxity is my good fortune, for if you had already been married; your husband would undoubtedly keep you secure in your boudoir, thus denying me the pleasure of your company.'

I stifled my smile and shook my head, quite enjoying this verbal exchange with such an eloquent gentleman. 'Sir, you have all the charm of a Frenchman, coupled with the boldness of a Crusading knight. The married lady's lack of freedom of which you speak persuades me not to seek a gentleman of my own.'

Captain Ferintosh's eyes sparkled as he heard my response. 'For shame, Miss Hepburn. You surely would not deny a gentleman your company for such a small matter.'

'Freedom is a noble thing, sir,' I tested the scholarship of this fascinating man.

'So said John Barbour,' Captain Ferintosh passed my little examination, proving himself to be more than a charming smile. 'Do you value your noble freedom, Lady Mary?'

I curtseyed in acknowledgement of this rapid promotion from Miss Hepburn to Lady Mary. 'I do, sir. I do like to walk abroad on the muir.'

Captain Ferintosh swished his cane. 'I am sure that an understanding husband would allow such freedoms,' he said. 'But he might advise you to carry a pistol.'

The suggestion was so unusual that for a moment I could not bring clever words to my mouth. 'Do women have such weapons, sir?'

Captain Ferintosh's smile vanished. 'If you were my lady, Miss Hepburn, I would ensure you carried such a weapon. I would not wish you to walk abroad in such a dangerous place as this stretch of moorland.' His eyes crinkled at the corner. 'However, I can only dream of having that gratification.'

I curtsied, not sure what to say although my mind was in a whirl. 'I have walked Lammermuir all my life, Captain, without danger until today.'

'There, then,' Captain Ferintosh said. 'I am being overly cautious for your safety.'

'I thank you for your concern, Captain.' I could not resist looking into his eyes. Those dark lashes were nearly feminine, yet he had already proved himself more than a match for two of the most disagreeable men I had ever met.

'Do you wish to continue your walk on the moor?' Captain Ferintosh did not use the local pronunciation. 'If you have no objections to my company I will happily accompany you wherever you wish to go.' He swished his cane. 'I can assure you that these two unpleasant gentlemen will not bother you when I am here.'

'I have no fears of my safety when I am in your company, Captain,' I said truthfully. I hesitated, torn between my desire to find out more about this man, and a realisation that it was growing late. Darkness fell early on the muir. I looked at Captain Ferintosh, wondering.

'You are asking yourself if you are safe with a strange man up here in the heather,' Captain Ferintosh may have read my mind.

'Am I safe?' I asked the direct question.

'Your reputation may not be safe,' Captain Ferintosh said gently. 'If you are seen with me, tongues may wag and inferences made.' He shook his head. 'We both know how minds work; people will see us together and make up stories to fuel their imaginations. Before we know where we are, what begins as a rumour will be accepted as a fact and there!' He swung his cane again. 'In the popular mind your reputation is in tatters, and no decent gentleman will be seen near you.' He smiled. 'The loss is entirely theirs.'

I laughed at his manner of speaking although I knew his observations were accurate. Or most of them. 'I am not sure if the gentlemen would rue the loss of my company.'

'Then more fool them,' Captain Ferintosh said. 'Any man who would not seek your company does not deserve the title of man.'

'You are too kind, sir.'

'You do not allow yourself sufficient credit, Miss Hepburn.' Captain Ferintosh said. 'Now, have you decided? Shall I escort you across the heather? Or have you had sufficient excitement for one day.'

I could not tell the captain that I wished more, much more, of his company. That would have been a most unladylike statement, however true. Instead, I sighed and looked upwards, where a wind dragged grey clouds across the sky like a servant drawing the curtains on the day.

'I fear I must return home,' I said.

'Then home is where you will return,' Captain Ferintosh bowed again. 'I shall escort you to a juncture that we both agree is safe.' His smile was as ready as ever. 'Do not fear, Miss Hepburn, 'I shall not allow anybody to see us together. Your reputation is as secure as your chastity.'

I did not say that at that moment I did not give a tinker's cuss for my reputation. Indeed, if people did begin to talk, then dull John Aitken would have no interest in me. I would be free to pursue my own pursuits… I looked sideways at Captain Ferintosh. Now I had a new quest, once I gathered my thoughts into some logical sequence.

'Thank you, Captain.' It felt strange to drop into a formal curtsey among knee-high heather, but everything about this meeting seemed queer. 'I live at Cauldneb, a few miles to the north on the fringe of the muir.'

Captain Ferintosh lifted his eyebrows as if in surprise. 'Cauldneb?' He shook his head. 'You must be Mr Andrew Hepburn's daughter.'

'I am all of that,' I agreed. 'Do you know my father, Captain? I feel sure he would have spoken of you.'

'I know of your father, Miss Hepburn. We have never met.'

'Then you must come home with me, Captain.' Suddenly I was wild to have my father meet this most interesting man. 'I will introduce you to each other. My father is the kindest man who ever lived, sir. You must like him. I will tell him that you saved me from these two…' I stopped, not sure if a lady should use the words that rushed to my lips.

'These two?' Captain Hepburn was teasing me, I am sure. 'These two what, Miss Hepburn? These two scoundrels perhaps? Blackguards? Rogues? Sorners?'

'Pick any of these terms sir,' I did not confess that I had a somewhat sterner name in mind. I was suddenly glad I had not spoken it.

'I will pick scoundrel,' Captain Ferintosh said. 'It is a word that a lady can safely use. Even the daughter of Mr Andrew Hepburn of Cauldneb.'

'I will tell Father that you saved me from these two scoundrels.' I swung my arm, imitating the captain's movements with his cane.

Captain Ferintosh smiled. 'I am sure you would introduce me splendidly. However, I will leave you at the edge of your father's policies.'

'I would like to introduce you,' I said. 'You did save me.'

'Not today, Miss Hepburn.' Captain Ferintosh shook his head. 'I may meet your father some time.'

I could not shake that man. I rather liked his stubbornness. I did not want a man who would bend to my every whim. A man should be strong as well as kind.

What was I thinking? I had only met Captain Ferintosh once, in unique circumstances. He was not my man and never would be.

We parted company at a five-barred gate at the dry-stane dyke that marked the southern boundary of father's policies. Within the dyke, all was farmed and secure. Without was the heather of the muir. I hesitated on the border, unsure on which side of the dyke I belonged; was I a Muir-woman or was I settled and secure?

'Fare ye well,' Captain Ferintosh said.

I faced him, looking directly into those marvellous eyes. I wanted to say, 'until we meet again,' but that would have been tempting fate. Not sure what to say, I curtseyed.

'Thank you, Captain,' I managed at last.

He nodded, turned and walked away. I watched him stride up the slope into the muir, hoping he would turn. Not until he was little more than a speck did he do so, raised his hand in salute and disappeared.