Chapter 3 The abandonment

“Alexander have you heard from Brielle yet? I am sure she will take on Olivia.” John Campbell said as he saw the frustration of the previous day on his friend and constant companions face.

Alexander had tried to handle the running of the estate and the children as best he could after Janet died last year. Finely who was seven and Olivia who was nine needed a mothers touch. They needed the guidance and the nurturing of a woman.

Alexander loved his wife more than anything. Her being gone had devastated him and the children. He knew he need a help mate to mange the castle and the children. How could he take another wife.

He wrote to his sister in France to see if she would take on Olivia. Teach her the ways of a lady and mistress of a home. Educate her so that she would have a strong future. Refine what Janet had already taught Olivia

“No, no word yet. I pray to hear something soon. After Olivia’s little fiasco yesterday it is more evident than ever that she needs to go. She needs a woman’s touch. Expand her education. “

Olivias was named after Alexander’s sister Brielle and Janet’s mother Olivia. Brielle married her husband Sir Nicolas Beaumont and moved to France. He a traveling merchant that she meet in Edinburg. It had been 4 years since he had seen her. They wrote to each other quite often. It had been a month and half since he wrote the letter.

He hoped her response would come soon.

As the day went on letter were actually delivered and there was one from his his sister.

My dearest brother,

I pray this message reaches you in good health. As to your request. Yes, I absolutely will take on Olivia. When you receive this letter please start Pre pairing her to leave. I will arrive in a fortnight as I will leave in that amount of time to come and escort her back with me.

It has been some time since I have seen your handsome face and I would love to see young Finely.

Forever your loving sister

Brielle Alia Beaumont

Alexander sat relieved and sad. Relived that Olivia would become the lady of the Isle’s she was supposed to be. Relived his sister would mold and nurture Olivia to maturity. All he wanted for his daughter was her happiness. Though she would not be very happy when he told her his plan. The sadness would be because he would miss his daughter very much.

“Edward!” He called out. His right hand man came through his office door.

“You called?” Edward popped his head in the door and stopped in.

“Have Mrs. McGill come here and send Olivia in to me as well.”

Determined to get the conversation over and start preparing for Brielle arrival. After some time Olivia entered her fathers study apprehensively. She instantly saw Mrs. McGill red eyed and a little upset. She had an ominous feeling that something terrible was about to happen.

“Olivia come in and shut the door. Sit down, we need to talk.” Alexander had prepared his self for what was to come.

Olivia slowly took a seat across from her father. Eyeing him then glancing at Mrs. McGill.

“Olivia you have been tuff to deal with the last year. You have not been acting like the young lady that will one day be the lady of the McDonald family.”taking a deep breath he went on.

“I have wrote to your aunt Brielle and she will be here in a fortnight to take you to France.”

Olivia gasped in shock. How could her father send her away.

“NO!! No, I won’t go. Do you not love me father? I promise I will behave from now on. Please father!” Olivia cried as she got down on her knees begging.

Taking his daughter in his arms “Ah lass, I love you more than life itself. You and your brother are my world. That is why I am doing this. It pains me more than you know to send you away. I will make your mother proud and help you become the lady you are meant to be. Mrs. McGill is going to help you prepare for your journey.”

Olivia started hitting her father “How could you say that and still send me away!” Tears streaming down her beautiful cheeks.

Her father held her even tighter and mumbling in her ear how much he loved her. Swaying back and forth trying to calm her. Eventually she cried herself to sleep. Her father carried her to her room.

“My darling Olivia ye will grow in strength and knowledge. Ye will prosper and be all ye are called to be. “ Alexander whispered over his daughter and kissed her forehead, stepping out of her room.