The Betrayal of Maggie Blair - By Elizabeth Laird Page 0,95

generosity and the knowledge of how little food there was for his family. Generosity won.

"You're welcome to share what we have," he said as willingly as he could.

But suddenly I had seen what I had to do, and I shook my head at Ritchie.

"We've no time for breakfast. Tam's come to take me away. I'm going to Edinburgh. I'm going to try and see my uncle and help him if I can. I've still got my father's silver buckle. I'll sell it to pay my way. And then I'll find a way to send you news."

Tam's mouth had dropped open, showing his few crooked blackened teeth.

"Wait now, Maidie. I never came to take you away. It's a bit of rest I'm needing. The road's a hard place for an old man."

"I can't help that," I said mercilessly. "You can't stay here, Tam, anyway. There's no food—this family's practically starving. You're taking me to Edinburgh."

He stared at me, aghast.

"Edinburgh! It's an awful distance to Edinburgh. And how are we to live on the road? Walking's a hungry business."

"We'll find a way," I said firmly.

Ritchie was biting his lip and frowning at me.

"I can't let you do this, Maggie. It's too dangerous. Traveling without a permit's forbidden. You know that."

"Then we'll keep out of people's way," I said impatiently. "For goodness' sake, Ritchie, I escaped the executioner in Bute and found my way to Ladymuir on my own. Surely I can get myself to Edinburgh! Anyway, you don't know Tam. He's spent a lifetime creeping around Scotland, making himself invisible. He knows how to keep himself out of harm's way. He's so clever. He's always been able to get me out of trouble."

Tam simpered, looking foolishly pleased. Then his face dropped and he shook his head mournfully.

"It's not what I had in mind, Maidie. A little rest, that's what I'd hoped for. A little time to gather my strength."

"But I need you, Tam!" I cried. "I can't do this on my own!"

He shook himself and sighed.

"I never could resist you, darling. Not since you were a tiny little thing. What's that buckle of your father's worth, do you think? Would it stretch to a little whiskey now and then along the road?"

"Maggie," began Ritchie.

"It's no good," I told him. "My mind's made up. Let's go and tell my aunt."

***

I have to admit that Aunt Blair was a good woman. A spark of relief lit her eyes when I told her my decision, but she doused it quickly and tried to persuade me to stay. The danger was too great, she said. She was responsible for me. She'd never forgive herself if I came to harm.

In the end, though, when she saw how determined I was, she came around to agreeing.

"When will you go?" she asked.

"Now! Today! Look, the weather's fine for a walk. There's not a cloud in the sky."

"You'll not go till you've eaten," she said. "There's a little cheese left, and those eggs you found, and the last of the oatmeal that Dandy Fleming brought."

Tam was so pleased at the thought of breakfast that he seemed quite reconciled to the long journey ahead.

"This is fine! This is kind, mistress!" He cracked his dirty knuckles as he looked at the meager meal laid out on the table.

"It's not what it was." Aunt Blair sighed.

"Or will be again," said Ritchie.

Tam stretched out his hand toward the oatcakes, and I nudged him just in time as Aunt Blair said, "You'll ask a blessing on our food, Ritchie." And Ritchie, sitting in his father's place, said a mercifully short grace.

I was so tense with excitement and dread that I could hardly eat. Now that the moment had come, I hated the thought of leaving this neat, homely house and the family who'd treated me so kindly and taught me all I ever knew.

No one said much at the table, and when the last crumb had been eaten, Ritchie scraped back his stool and went into the parlor. He came back a moment later carrying his father's old coat and put it into Tam's hands.

"What's this? It's not for me?" said Tam doubtfully.

"Yes, of course, what a good idea, Ritchie," said Aunt Blair, bustling forward. "And there's a shirt, too, and some breeks that I was going to cut down for dresses for the girls. We can spare them easily. Take him into the other room and get him dressed."

I hardly recognized Tam when he came back into the kitchen a few minutes later. His