The Lady Of Ailsa

1802: Another beautiful spring day! The sun had just risen over the tops of the bleak Scottish hills as I left my dwelling with the intention being to attend the will reading of my late father Mr Timothy Rochester, a fine man on both physical and personal terms. I am sure the reading will be well attended, since so many dear friends are still in the process of mourning his departure earlier this year, and of course they all also want to receive a portion of his wealth, which I believed to be in excess of five hundred thousand pounds!

While walking down the street towards the Church (where the reading was taking place) I noticed my good friend Gerald walking there as well; we walked side by side, but since the walk was long we entered into a conversation. Since he was ill informed of our family history, I decided to tell him a simplified version for the walks duration:

My father, I began with blank countenance, had accumulated this wealth from his business which went by the generic title of ‘Timothy’s Trading Company’; the company had the obvious job of overseeing the trade routes from Glasgow to other major cities in England and Scotland. Some years later the colonies of the USA had also become a trading route of the company, a very worthy investment for any good merchant.

The company had been founded back in 1772, and over the thirty year period from then to now the accumulated money was used for a wide variety of purchases, the most notable being in 1783 when he took ownership of the small mountainous island of Ailsa Craig, roughly nine miles west of Girvan, a village on the Scottish coast.

On this island my father and his wife set up an estate, in which both I and my later brother James were conceived. It was a fine winter afternoon in 1785 when I was born into the Rochester clan, much to my father’s disappointment might I add; being a woman I was no suitable heir to the company, the money or the estate for that matter. I even recall him calling me ‘about as useful as a trout would be on land’ one Christmas, so as a result I could only assume that any chance of a future had been denied, for me anyway.

The following year my younger brother James was brought into the family, a worthy suitor for my Father’s many fortunes. From the day he was born Father showered him with many gifts, from the best bedroom to the best food, not to mention the opportunity to seek education on the mainland, something he never offered me.

Once James had turned five he left the island for schooling in Glasgow, with father working in the company for the duration. For the many months they were away it was a daily challenge to pass the time after my lessons; I often sought solitude in my studies, but on days of better weather I would make the time to take a short walk up to the top of the mountain that makes up the majority of the land on Ailsa. At the peak was a curious pile of stones, probably a waypoint for ocean travellers, or an ancient beacon to signal sailors to stay away from the rocks.

I would also wander over to the columns lining the cliffs of the island’s coast. This place was truly a wonder for the eyes to behold! It was so isolated from the rest of the world, and so unique, I did feel lucky to live here, but I did still want to make the short boat trip to Girvan and perhaps visit Glasgow and make a life for myself, but that was against Father’s intentions.

On my fourteenth birthday the men returned from Glasgow to celebrate me being one year older, and the festivities included many presents and a succulent pork roast by the hearth. That evening was particularly cold, for now it was November, and as I retired to my chamber for the night I had discovered the window had been left ajar, making the room too cold for any morsel to have decent rest in, so with much anger I shut the window and proceeded to quit the chamber, heading back downstairs to sit beside the fire with Veronica, the housekeeper. “Might I ask what has caused you to want to rest down here?” she asked me, a look of genuine concern in the face,

“The window had been left open, and no sane creature could possibly retire in a room so cold. Therefore I thought it best to stay down here, in the warmth,”

“Would you perhaps want me to light the fire in your chamber? It would be warm within the hour, and then you could have a decent rest,”

“Yes, do. I shall want to be private to rest, and here is no place for that, despite the fact there are only eight of us living here,” Veronica headed up the stairs leaving me alone in the parlour, where I amused myself with thoughts of what I was to do the next day; if the sun was out tomorrow I would probably walk over to the western side of the island and continue my studies there. If it were to rain however I could make the short run out to the barn and tend to the horses, which I sometimes rode around the island if Father allowed me, I did wish to one day take them to the mainland however, there is simply not enough land for the horses to roam free.

My thoughts were soon interrupted by Veronica entering the parlour once more; she took her seat by the fire again, and proceeded to start some sewing which she had left neatly on the chair arm. “Your fire has been lit, it won’t be too long before you can retire to your chamber once more,” she stated, before going back to her activity, “thank you, but it will be at least an hour before then, so I shall stay and chat a while, I’m sure you have some gossip from the mainland for me? I do wish to one day venture over there,”

“Find yourself a suitor and you can do just that,” she replied, “but as for gossip, I have little of any interest, other than a recent story I heard of one of Timothy’s trading ships going down off of the coast near here. Keep vigilant when exploring, you never know what you might come across,”

“I shall have to make the journey to the west side of the island tomorrow, and find a treasure out there! Do you know what the ship was carrying by any chance?”

“I can’t say I do unfortunately, but I could give you a brief history of it, it would certainly pass the hour.”

“Yes, but I insist we have some tea, please make some for yourself too,” With this Veronica made her way into the kitchen, returning with two mugs and some biscuits, and after she had sat and returned to sewing she told me of the history of the fine vessel. It was made in Glasgow and frequently made the journey between here and Boston, or New York, delivering and exchanging many fine luxuries and materials in the process. This was the best trade route my father ever invested in, it has allowed his wealth to grow so much that it allowed him to buy this most beautiful island, in a most beautiful country might I add!

By the time Veronica had finished telling me her tale it was long past eleven o’clock, so I left the parlour and proceeded to my now warm chamber for a suitable rest from which I did not wake up from until past ten the next day, these are some of the luxuries you get living in such a remote place! Today was a cool, crisp day, but the sun was shining over the distant mainland, so I decided to go outside for an hour, and venture over to the other side of the island to search for anything from the wrecked ship.

The walk there was not particularly treacherous, and it was made even easier by the fact there was a small track that circled the island and allowed me easy access to the pebbled beach on the Western side. The beach had been scattered with wood planks and rubble from the wrecked ship, but upon closer inspection nothing interesting or valuable was around; I wandered over to a small cave hidden within the cliffs and proceeded to continue my studies perched upon a rock within, where the wind could not reach me and blow the pages, or worse still, give me cold and lock me indoors for a good fortnight.

I had been sitting within the cave for what must have been hours, for by the time I had finished the sun had started to disappear below the horizon, turning the sky into a magnificent array of oranges, blues and yellows. I packed up my books and proceeded to climb down the rocks, but as I made the final jump to the sandy cavern floor I noticed something tucked away at the back of the cave.

I walked up to it and saw what looked like a small wooden chest. Due to the darkening sky I concealed the box under my books and walked briskly back to the estate. I had returned just in time by the looks of it; Veronica came running outside to greet me as I closed the garden gate, “what took you so long! We thought you might have lost your way, or fallen into the sea. But no point dwelling on this dark matter, you’re home now, you’re safe,”

“I thought you knew me better Veronica!” I replied, “I know this island like the back of my hand, so how could I have lost my way?”

“You only know it in the light, and it’s been dark for a good hour now. I feared the worst, but you did prove me wrong. Now come inside, you’ll catch cold staying out here.”

After Veronica had finished pampering me I returned to my chamber, with the box still hidden under my books. I sat myself in front of my desk and proceeded to lift the box’s lid, revealing, to my greatest delight, a small pile of the most valuable jewellery, each one a work of art, an honour to behold. I couldn’t believe my luck! These could be my way off the island! All I would have to do is pay for a boat tomorrow, and then I can finally escape to the mainland, and fulfil my dreams!

In a rush of excitement I threw my clothing into a suitcase before laying down for a short rest, for the boat left here at seven o’clock tomorrow, and I couldn’t miss it, for it wouldn’t be here for at least another month. The night passed quickly, and soon I was standing on the boat waiting for it to set sail.

A few minutes before it left however I noticed Veronica and Mother running along the pier, screaming my name as they went along; they stopped just short of the boat and looked at me. “Where are you going my child? Are you mad?! You can’t go to the mainland on your own, come back home this instant!” This was my Mother yelling. Veronica stood beside here, but smiled at me, as if she knew what I was doing. “Mother, listen to me please! I have come across my chance to make my mark on this world, why would you deny me that?”

“You are only fourteen, and you know what father would do if he found out.”

“I care not for my father, or my brother for that matter. They abandoned me years ago, and no amount of money or presents will change that. I only desire to have a life beyond this rock, and I don’t need your permission to do so!” Mother looked at me, lost for words. After a minute she recovered and spoke again, “You don’t need my permission, I know that. You are a brave young woman, and while I detest the lack of affection for your other family members, I cannot stop you from doing the right thing. Go now, I will miss you dearly, please come home someday,”

“I will Mother, don’t ever think I won’t.” I smiled at her, blew her a kiss, and then I and the boat set sail for the mainland, I had escaped the island once and for all.

It had been nearly two years since my departure, and my life had never been better; I had purchased a nice house in Glasgow and spent most of my days either working as a maid or studying in the academies. I was satisfied with my new found fortune, the jewellery in the box turned out to be worth over three thousand pounds! This amount has let me continue a life of luxury despite my lacking of a husband; it was my dream finally coming true!

The pleasant atmosphere soon changed however when I received a letter shortly after the New Year, when I had been called back to Ailsa, since both my father and brother were dying from a fever. Within days I had boarded a ship to the island and rushed to their bedsides, but it was too late. They had passed away shortly before my arrival, but I was informed their deaths were quick and painless, and that they were in a better place, with God.

We had finally arrived at the church, where we entered and took our respective seats; I sat at the front with Mother and Veronica, while everyone else took residence in the pews behind. The reader stood behind the lectern and opened the will, “Dear my friends, family and staff of the company and estate in my ownership. You are hearing this now I have passed away, and I am sure you are all eager to hear what I have left to all of you."

"To my employees, of both the company and the estate, you all shall receive compensation of fifty pounds and you all shall be allowed to keep your jobs. To my wife, I love you with all my heart, and I leave you three fifths of my wealth, may you enjoy life even when I am gone. To my daughter, I have altered this will during my final hours, and it only affected you."

"I knew my son was going to die with me, so I leave you my company and estate, and also the remaining two fifths of my wealth. I am proud to be your father; you made a life for yourself, unlike your lazy excuse for a brother. Maybe he was meant to pass away, for the greater good. This is my final will and testament.” I was shocked at what I had just heard; I was the true heir to my Father’s fortunes! I left the church immediately, and looked out towards the city and the hills. I had made my father proud, and I had made a life for myself, and as far as I was concerned that was my dream come true.