The Tobacco Lords Trilogy by Margaret Thomson Davis

Author:Margaret Thomson Davis
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781845028077
Publisher: Black & White Publishing
Published: 2014-03-28T16:00:00+00:00

15

‘DID you ever see such a sturdy laddie?’ Mr Blackadder asked proudly as he poked a long bony finger into the baby’s cradle. ‘How does the name Mungo sound to you, Ramsay?’ he asked Annabella’s father. ‘That was St Kentigern’s other name. He was a bishop of Glasgow away back in the sixth century.’

Ramsay stood gazing down at the cradle. He was an imposing figure in his large curly wig and rich clothing, and a handsome man too in his own dour-faced way. As he admired his new grandson, however, his eyes softened.

‘Aye, Mungo will do verra well, minister. The Lord has blessed you with a grand lad.’

‘Uh-huh, aye, he has indeed. Uh-huh.’ He could hardly take his eyes off the child and Annabella laughed when she came into the room.

‘Are you two still there? Gracious heavens, the pair of you will be taking root beside that cradle.’

‘You’re still as perjink as ever I see, mistress,’ her father remarked drily. ‘It would take more than a birth to take the wind oot o’ your sails.’

She planted a quick kiss on his cheek as she passed.

‘Don’t pretend you aren’t pleased with me, Papa. I’m prodigiously clever to have produced a lusty child like Mungo with such ease.’

‘Careful noo, Annabella.’ Mr Blackadder’s face tried to compose itself into a stern expression. ‘Pride’s a terrible sin.’

‘Fiddlesticks!’ Annabella said.

She hadn’t thought she’d even like the child, imagining during her pregnancy that it would be a constant source of shame to her, and a painful reminder of the humiliation she had suffered. But she couldn’t find any hatred in her heart when she looked at it. Indeed, she enjoyed sweet pangs of pleasure every time she saw the little pink face and plump legs and arms. It was a beautiful child with her perfect skin and bright blue eyes. There was nothing of Harding about it. She still hated the man but the child she loved with unashamed delight.

‘If you’re staying, Papa, for pity’s sake take off your cloak and sit yourself down. I’ll pour out some whisky.’

‘No.’ He held up a hand. ‘I must away. I’ve business to attend to. I just happened to be passing and thought I’d call in and see how you were.’

‘Losh and lovenendie, Papa, what a liar you’ve become.’

‘God forgive you, Annabella!’ Mr Blackadder cried out in alarm. ‘Will ye haud yer wicked tongue. Have some respect for yer faither.’

Annabella laughed.

‘You did come to see your wondrously beautiful grandson, didn’t you, Papa? Be honest now.’

‘I came to visit both Mungo and yourself, mistress, and now I must away.’

‘Uh-huh, ye’ll be back again soon, Maister Ramsay. You know ye’re aye welcome,’ said Mr Blackadder, seeing him out of the room and downstairs to the front door. On his return to the bedroom he stared uncertainly at the cradle. ‘Do you no’ think it’ll disturb Mungo if I have the catechism examinations and questioning in here, Annabella? I could verra easily talk to the folk in the attic.’

Annabella rolled her eyes.

‘Sit down and stop fussing and spoiling the child.

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