Chapter 1 Rebellious youth

“Olivia, get yourself down here right now!” Yelled Mrs. McGill. “Your father is going to have your hide for what you’ve done!” Her face red with fury holding her hands on her stout hips as she looked up at Olivia in the top of the oak tree.

Olivia refusing to come down mischievously smirking knowing full well that Mrs. McGill couldn’t get her down. “Old man Henry deserved it. He beat Rabi something terrible for dropping the eggs. All I did was hit him with one.”

Olivia’s little 9 year old frame was so small in the tree. She was as quick as a little squirrel. She was up the tree and out of the reach of everyone on the ground before anyone knew it.

All of a sudden heavy footsteps could be heard approaching the tree from the far side of the house. She saw her fathers regal frame and handsome face full of frustration as he got closer and closer.

“Well I guess I may as well get ready for a thrashing. Papa looks pretty mad.” Thought Olivia.

With a roar Alexander Macdonald yelled “Olivia Brielle Macdonald get yourself down here right this bloody instant. You wee vixen you know better than to treat your elders this way.”

“I am sorry sir ya know how fast she is. She climbs better than any boy around and wearing those breeches like a bloody boy. She will never become the mistress of the house unless you do something.” Said Mrs. McGill as she looked at Mr. Macdonald in bewilderment.

“ I know Mrs. McGill. Don’t worry I will take care of the las.” He said shaking his head in frustration as he looked up the tree.

He could see Olivia trying to figure out what route to take once she got down the tree.

Obviously her father would have her in hand as soon as she hit the ground. “You may as well give it up you wee sprite and come down. You have till the count of three to come down and head to my study.”

He said “One!”

There was the sound of branches bending and creaking.

“Two!”

A little thump as Olivia hit the ground in a run.

Alexander said in a muffled laugh.

“Three!”

Shaking his head he took his time in following her. He wanted her to have some time to think about what she had done and what her discipline would de.

As he approached the house old man Henry was waiting for the master with egg smeared across his shirt and neck. “Master Alexander, you are going to discipline the lassie? She doesn’t not act as a young lady should. She is like feral cat.” Henry frowning at the thought of the girl and all her mischief.

“ I will take her in hand and handle it Henry. I will send for you in a little bit.” Alexander was so perplexed by Olivia’s behavior.

Since her mother died last year she was acting out terribly. “My darling Janet, how I miss you. How am I going to do this without you. Olivia needs you to show her how to become the lady of Isles.” Alexander thought sadly.

He lowering his head for moment in thought of his Bonnie wife . Her beautiful brown hair framing her sweet feminine features. Blue eyes that look like the deepest ocean. When she smiled her dimples would show her gentleness. Her frame while not being thin was not heavy either. She had a perfectly rounded figure. She cared herself with a confidence that was beyond her years.

As he walked into the house he asked Mrs. McGill “Make sure Olivia went into my study. Tell her to not leave the study. Take this time and think about what she has done and what her discipline should be. I will be there in just a little bit.”With a nod Mrs. McGill obeyed.

He knew Olivia went to the study. No matter how wild she could be when it all played out she would give in to her father. She just needed to rebel a little bit. She was ferocious when it came to protecting people when she felt they were being wronged.

The door to the study opened and Mrs. McGill stepped in. Relief showed on Olivia’s face. “Don’t look so relieved. Your father said take this time to think about what your discipline should be. He will be with you shortly. Why must you make things so difficult for your self and everyone else?”

“Rabbi didn’t deserve that bad of a beating. I mean it was only 4 eggs that busted. “ anger showing in her eyes.

“He shouldn’t have been showing off throwing the eggs around in the first place. Now look we don’t have the eggs we needed for dinner.” Mrs. McGill left her to her own thoughts until her father returned to the study about an hour later. It seemed like an eternity.

“Well what do you have to say for your self?” He asked as he.stood in the doorway and observed Olivia’s determined expression.

“Father there was no need for Rabbi to get punished as bad as he did. “ Olivia decided she would go ahead and take responsibility for what happened. “ I challenged Rabbi to juggle the eggs. It’s my fault he dropped them and broke them. “