Chapter 5 - Gruage

Chapter 5:

Madame Gruage was more than Rose thought she admitted. She was teaching Rose about politics and war, credits and debits, balancing a bank book, and how to effectively carry a small hidden knife and use it when necessary. Rose was also learning how to be confident and carry herself as thus, how to command a room and keep that command, as well as how to freeze her face so as not to show her emotions unless she chose to.

The latter part was more difficult for her. Rose practiced in front of a mirror everyday holding her facial expressions... constantly being tested by Madame Gruage, poked and prodded, even tickled on some days just to show that even if she thinks she’s got it, she can still crack. Gruage was a tyrant but made sure they took daily rides after lunch to loosen up before the next lesson.

Gruage was experienced, she knew that after wrestling practice and self defense Rose would need ice baths to soothe the sore muscles before a hot bath in the evening to relax. She knew where the soft spot was under the rib cage to stab a man and how to use the feminine wiles to extract information. It made Rose consider maybe Madame Gruage was a spy?! Or some other dark secretive life to know all these things. Gruage had been asking Rose for the past month questions about her father and parliament and what she thought of how the economy was being handled. This put Rose on the defense at first, what did she know?! Why does she want to know about her father? Is she a Whig in disguise, or maybe a Torie? Rose never talked to anyone but her dad about politics as most women couldn’t fathom the subject and most men ignored her, she kind of liked having an equally intelligent woman to talk to. Cautious at first, Rose only answered a few questions. As they became more aquatinted, Rose found that Gruage was in fact a Torie supporter but like her was forced to act in Whig fashion. There was still more she was hiding but Rose would get to the bottom of it eventually, if one thing rang true, it was her stubbornness and determination. Rose found that Madame Gruage frequently wore breeches instead of a dress, “you can move more freely in pants, and less people want to be around me when I’m wearing them!” was her answer. She did struggle much less getting ready for riding, as well as wrestling, self defense, cricket ball and futball. Rose was honestly thinking of having a couple pairs at the estate for days when she would be outside working or training. Boy would that be a shock to the staff! Looks like another trip to town for poor ol’ Sean.

Today was a special day though because Rose was finally going to meet an official highlander!! She had heard all kinds of wicked stories from maids in London about the savage highlanders and had always wanted one as a fighting trainer! Gruage knew of a clan living not far from her estate and offered to have him meet her to practice in private. The academy frowned on self defense and most certainly would not allow a highlander in to show his fighting skills. Rose had been preparing the courtyard weeks before they’re arrival. Sean and Mr.McCrae had to carry all her grandfather’s old swords, shields, and training equipment outside to be cleaned and oiled. When she came down to see how the last bit of progress was going before Gruage and guest arrived, everyone just stopped and stared. One of the maids actually dropped her tray and all she was carrying with a giant clang on the stone floor as Rose descended the staircase. Yes, you guessed it! Rose was wearing her first pair of breeches! A serving lad about her size had lent them to her puzzled earlier that morning. She was amazed at how comfortable they were and that she didn’t need to bow or bend a certain way to prevent her skirts from being blown up or flipping over. This should make learning to fight so much easier! Rose made a mental note to get her own pair as soon as possible. Poor Sean and Mr. McCrae were trying so hard to keep focused on their tasks, Rose had to actually stand in front of them and make them look at her to know they heard her. “They’ll just have to get used to it, I guess” Rose thought.

Before noon, Madame Gruage and the savage highlander had arrived. Rose should stop saying savage, as he really wasn’t. She invited them all in for lunch repast before starting lessons. They were grateful as it had been a long ride. His name was Cain McDonald, he was a huge man and definitely would scare any simple miss but kind and gentle. It was hilarious to watch him drink tea with his pinky extended and his huge hands holding the cutlery and napkins to dab the corners of his mouth! So refined, yet she could tell by his scars on his arms and the nasty one along the side of his cheek that he was not to be messed with. This man had seen his share of war and fighting. Cain was taller than Sean, which Rose thought would have been impossible! He had long red hair and a braided red beard, not the same as her dad’s though. It was more a fiery red like the colour of a tomatoe than the ruddy brownish red Lord Duncaster has. His eyes were the colour of a misty green loch. Cain really was like a giant! Sean was concerned right away and spoke up immediately. “How is a lady as small as miss Rose supposed to fight a behemoth like that?!!” Sean asked the room incredulously. To this, Cain laughed and said “easy mate, size should na matter. I’ll show miss Rose how to use me weight against me in a fight”. He continued, “besides, if she can learn to handle me, she can handle anyone!” Sean seemed comfortable with the reasoning but insisted to stay and watch making sure his lady wasn’t harmed. She was his responsibility to look after and promised the Lord that he would protect her like a daughter.

Rose’s training went well! She thought Cain took it too easy on her, however she was grateful. Her muscles had muscles that hurt, and ones she never knew she had, hurt! By the end of the day she was able to flip that big giant over her from a charge and get away! Next step will be to do it from standing still and then learning to attack back! Rose could barely contain herself, this was happening! Everything she had dreamt about someday accomplishing is on the right track! As she ignored Madame Gruage and went right for a hot soak bath, Rose reflected on that for a minute. “Everything has been going well... which from my experiences and lessons usually meant a storm was coming”... sometimes those superstitious shipping captains were spot on. She must not get her hopes up too high, she still hadn’t heard from the apothecary and was waiting on some supplies. Slipping into the warm soapy water Issabelle had prepared for her was pure bliss on her aching body and the scent she added relaxed Rose incredibly. It was rose petals for sure but something else Issabelle added made it better. Sage maybe, lavender? Whatever it was, it was heavenly. As Rose soaked, she thought again to her checklist, tomorrow she’ll make plans to go into town and check up on our dear old apothecary, see if any supplies came in on order, see a seamstress for a couple pairs of breeches and good shoes for fighting in the mud. She had a feeling after the way she was tossed about today, it was only going to get dirtier and rougher. With that settled in her mind she continued to lay there until her fingers wrinkled.

Rose informed Issabelle of her plan and asked if she could pass on notes to the staff to make ready to leave after breakfast. “Yes, ma’am “ Issabelle answered and then, “do ya think Mr. Edwards would know what that dolls is about yet miss?”

Rose thought for a moment... she never knew the name of the apothecary in town, he was so mysterious and just said he’ll find her... so unusual. Yet he hasn’t found her! So now she has to search him out as it has been over 4 months! Issabelle was still looking at her waiting for a reply when Rose said, “I never did get his name, Mr. Edwards, I do hope he has found something out by now as my patience is wearing thin.” Exasperated, Rose sighed and hoped that her dad didn’t meet an unfortunate end before she could find out any information. Issabelle agreed that it had been a while and he should know something. Rose thought, Issabelle knew him, what else does she know?

Cautiously Rose inquired more about Mr. Edwards while fumbling with a cloth runner. Issabelle was busy folding and putting away garments in preparation for tomorrow. She clearly wasn’t concerned to share information as she went right into all she knows about some of the locals, some surprising, some expected but mostly informative! Issabelle knew quite a bit actually! It surprised Rose how much Issabelle listened and paid attention to goings on around them! She made a mental note to be more careful what this timid maid observed with her.

Rose had to interrupt Issabelle’s chatter then, as she was mid sentence explaining how Mr. Edwards had been accused of witchery and was seen being led out of town by knights on horseback toward London only a couple days past. “Why are we only hearing about this now!”, Rose interjected.

“Well I had overheard a maid gossiping about it just earlier in the kitchens and I thought maybe he would be back by now. Surely they will see he is innocent and return him.” Issabelle beamed as though she truly believed the courts just returned folks accused of witchcraft without a fuss. Rose saw her youth then in the glowing eyes, and she didn’t have the heart to tell her that they may never see that apothecary again.

The courts in her opinion were mostly heretics, fake Catholics bored enough to mess with livelihoods for fun, just superstitious enough to make horrible decisions. She had seen first hand how savage courtiers can be while hiding behind her father’s coattails as a child. Rose had even witnessed the king strip a maiden and shackle her to the floor in his throne room after she tried to steal food from the palace. She was treated worse than his dogs. It was horrible to view and only strengthened her resolve on not allowing a man to ever treat her that way.

Rose took Issabelle’s hand then and asked her to keep an ear out if he is to return or if someone will be running the shop until he returns. Issabelle nodded and continued her work of arranging linens for tomorrow and straightening out the bedding. She didn’t even mention that Rose said “if” and not “when”.

As Rose drifted to sleep that evening she recalled the rest of the day. Which went without any issues, all the preparations were made for the trip into town and any furniture small enough to pack on top of the carriage for the upholsterer was set near the foyer to load in the morning. Rose was thankful to still have the doll as Mr. Edwards had only taken a sketch drawing with notes on it’s appearance. Maybe she could find someone else to look into it as they would be in Edinburgh for a few days this time. Surely Sean could put some inquiries out from the Inn.

Dinner was fabulous as always, Mrs. Stuart prepared pork roast with brown gravy and Yorkshire pudding, mixed greens and a delicious saskatoon berry pie. That was enough to help everyone sleep through the night and be well rested for the morning. Probably what Mrs. Stuart had planned all along knowing how much I would be frantic making sure all the lists were checked and not sleep at all. Dad always said, “Rose, you need to sleep and come at it with a clear head in the morrow!” Personally, I prefer to be up late, there is less people about to interrupt my thoughts or whatever project I happen to be focused on at the moment.

Not tonight though, I barely made it up the stairs to my room and now here I am laying on my bed going through my mental checklist!

Rose closed her eyes and focused on her mental list before falling asleep.... followed by dreams of Edinburgh.