“Calm yourself, lass,” Alastair said quietly, although he was fuming inside. His anger wasn’t because of Mairi trying to run away. Instead, it was from the way the lass was acting. He knew someone had beaten her much worse in the past than the spanking he was about to give her. He was hoping that in some small way, it might help her trust him when she realized he would keep his word, and not do more than leave a few switch marks on her legs.
Mairi began crying softly. Alastair pulled her skirts up just high enough so that he had access to her bare calves, not wanting to bare any skin up higher. “I’m going to give you twenty, lass,” he said calmly. “Don’t move out of position.” He raised the switch he’d cut up high and let it lash across both calves. He didn’t even use half his strength, knowing the lass wouldn’t need more force than that. Swish, crack, swish, crack, swish, crack, swish, crack, swish, crack, swish, crack, swish, crack, swish, crack, swish, crack, swish, crack. Mairi flinched each time the switch landed on her legs but didn’t cry out. “You’re doing well, lass,” Alastair said, putting his hand on the middle of her back. “We’re half done.”
Mairi was surprised when he stopped and talked to her so kindly. The switching hurt, but not nearly as much as some of the beatings she’d been subjected to in her life, most of them at the hands of John Murray. She wasn’t sure if she was crying because of the switching, or if she was crying because Alastair McCabe was being so kind to her in the process.
“Are you ready for me to finish this, Mairi?” he asked her, speaking softly, so he didn’t startle her. Mairi just nodded as he raised the switch again. Swish, crack, swish, crack, swish, crack, swish, crack, swish, crack, swish, crack, swish, crack, swish, crack, swish, crack, swish, crack. “That’s it,” he said, dropping the switch and quickly pulling her skirt back down to cover her. He helped her up and pulled her into his arms where she clung to him and cried. “There there, lass,” he said softly to her as he stroked her hair.
Mairi couldn’t explain it, but for some reason, she’d never felt as safe as she did at that moment in Alastair McCabe’s arms. She clung to his tunic and cried, not just because of the switching he’d just given her, but for everything she’d been through the last few years. She had a feeling that she was going to have to explain everything to him soon. It would be the first time she’d told anyone her tale; she hadn’t even told her husband. But then why would she have, she had despised the man from the moment John Murray had given her to him.
“Let’s get back to camp,” Alastair said, picking her up in his arms.
“I can walk,” she said, although she rested her head against his shoulder.
“I know, lass,” he said, “I just like the feel of you in my arms.” The two said nothing more to each other as he carefully carried her back to the fire.
Mairi couldn’t explain the thoughts running through her head. Alastair McCabe confused her, as he treated her like the most delicate piece of glass. For the first time in a long time, Mairi felt safe. Maybe she should give Alastair a chance; she was going to have to trust someone, eventually.
Chapter 3 Safe at Last
“This is your home?” Mairi asked Alastair as they rode through the gates at Gleann, and she got her first look at the keep and castle.
“It is,” Alastair told her. “I know it’s not as big as some of the keeps in the area, but we make sure our villagers are well fed through the winter, and their needs are taken care of.”
“Who all lives here?” Mairi asked, motioning towards the castle.
“My Da, my brother Eadan with his wife Nessa and new son, my brother Ham and his wife Flora, and my brothers Rory and Craig.”
“Five boys?” she asked, “And you have a sister?”
“Eight boys actually. James attends the University in Glasgow, Ross lives with his wife at Tioram, and Owen is serving the King,” Alastair explained. “My only sister lives at Tarmon with her husband, Connor. They have two children; twin daughters.”
“Twins?” Flora repeated, putting her hand on her own rounded middle.
“There are a lot of twins in my family. My brothers Ross and Ham, my brothers Craig and Rory and the youngest set would be Jacqueline and my brother James.”
“Oh my,” Mairi said. “Your Mither must have been very busy.”
“She died when I was just a lad,” Alastair told her.
“That’s so sad,” Mairi said to him. “Was she ill?”
“Maybe it would be best if we didn’t talk about that now,” Alastair said to her.
“You must miss her very much,” Mairi commented.
“There were times when I was a lad I wished that she was here. Jacqueline probably missed her most with only boys to teach her. You’d like my sister, she can out ride all of us except me, she’s more accurate with her bow than everyone but Eadan, and we were teaching her how to use a sword and dirk when she married. My brothers and sister and I were very close growing up.”
“What about your Da?” Mairi asked.
“He grieved for a long time after my Mither died,” Alastair explained. “But he always provided for us well, and we’re all close to him now. What about you, Mairi? No brothers or sisters? What happened to your parents?”
“I told you,” Mairi answered. “It’s a long story. One I’m not ready to tell yet, but maybe one day soon.”
“I’d like to hear it,” Alastair said to her, as two men came down the steps of the castle to meet them. Mairi knew right away they must be Alastair’s family, as the older one had the same dark brown hair and green eyes, and the younger had the same strong chin and build.
“It’s about time you came home,” Hamish McCabe said to him. “I was beginning to worry, son.”
“I’m fine, Da,” Alastair assured him. “I’m glad to finally be here, and I don’t intend to leave again for a while.”
“And who do we have here?” Hamish asked, nodding at Mairi. He didn’t wait for Alastair to answer before looking at her, smiling and saying, “welcome to Gleann, lass,” as he put his arms up to help her off the horse.
“This is Mairi, Da,” Alastair said. “We found her on the way home. It’s a bit of a story, and I’ll tell you all of it once we get Mairi settled inside where it’s warm. Mairi, this is my Da, Hamish McCabe, and my oldest brother, Eadan.”
“Welcome, Mairi,” Eadan said, curious about how Alastair had arrived with an obviously pregnant young woman.
“Thank you,” she said to both of them shyly, as she slid off the side of the horse, with Alastair’s help, into Hamish’s arms.
“When’s your bairn due, Mairi?” Hamish asked as he gently set her on the ground, he too couldn’t help but notice her large belly in the process.
“I’m not exactly sure,” Mairi told him. “Maybe in another month, or less?”
“When’s the last time you saw a midwife?” Hamish asked her.
“I haven’t seen one,” Mairi answered, slightly embarrassed. “My husband and I traveled often, and we didn’t have the coin it would cost.”
“Eadan, go find Flora,” Hamish instructed his oldest son, who nodded, turned and went back into the castle.
“You mentioned a Flora,” Mairi said to Alastair, “who is she again?”
“Flora is my daughter by marriage,” Hamish explained. “She’s married to my son, and one of Alastair’s older brothers, Ham, but she’s also a healer and midwife.”
“I don’t have the coin to see a midwife,” Mairi protested.
“Don’t worry, lass,” Hamish assured her. “She’d be more upset if we didn’t have her look at you. She’ll not expect payment.”
Before Mairi could protest again, a young woman, not much older than her, came out of the castle and joined them. “You wanted to see me, Da?” she asked, kissing him on the cheek and smiling at him. Mairi didn’t know what to make of the scene at first, this man was as old as her husband had been, and she’d never looked at him the way this woman looked at Hamish McCabe. What was really shocking, was th
e woman had on a tunic and trews, and none of the men seemed to notice or care. Mairi didn’t know what to think of her until she turned and gave Mairi the most genuine, welcoming smile. Mairi knew right at that moment she was going to like her.
“This is Mairi,” Hamish introduced the woman, “Mairi, this is me daughter, Flora.”
“Hello, Flora,” Mairi said shyly.
“Welcome to Gleann,” Flora replied. “I see you’re going to have a bairn. How much longer do you have?”
“That’s why I sent for you, Flora,” Hamish explained, “Mairi hasn’t seen a midwife yet.”
“Oh,” Flora said, again smiling at Mairi so warmly it helped put her at ease. “Let’s get you upstairs then, and we’ll have a look.”
“Wait,” Mairi said, glancing back at Alastair. She didn’t know why the idea of leaving him made her so nervous.
“It’s alright, lass,” Alastair said softly to her. “I’ll see you soon, after you’re settled.” He then turned to his sister by marriage and asked, “Flora, could you find Mairi a room? She’ll be staying with us for a while.”
“I haven’t agreed to that,” Mairi said to him.
“Where are you going to go, Mairi? It’s winter, and you’re going to birth your bairn soon. You’ll be safe here,” Alastair reassured her. “Think about it, lass, have I lied to you even once yet?”
Mairi thought about it for a moment. She quickly came to the conclusion that so far she’d been able to trust Alastair McCabe. He seemed like an honorable man, although if he was, he was the first one she could remember knowing. “Alright,” she reluctantly said, “I’ll stay for now.”
“You’re more than welcome to stay with us, Mairi,” Hamish McCabe assured her, he’d been quietly watching the interaction between his son and this young woman. He had questions for Alastair, but they could wait until Mairi wasn’t with them.
“Thank you, Laird McCabe,” Mairi said nervously.
“Come along, Mairi,” Flora said. “Let’s see what’s going on with you and your bairn, and then I’ll find you a room where you can rest for a while. Are you hungry?”
“Just tired,” Mairi answered truthfully, as she followed Flora into the castle.
Once the women were gone Hamish turned to Angus and asked, “are you and your men planning on staying the night and sharing a meal?”
“We’ll be heading back towards Tarmon immediately,” Angus answered. “But thank you for the offer. I need to let Lady Jacqueline know I fulfilled my promise and seen her brother safely home.”
“Safe travels,” Hamish said, “tell my daughter I love her, and look forward to seeing her and those little lasses in the spring.”
“I’ll be sure to do that,” Angus said, then signaled to his men, who turned their horses and headed back in the direction they’d just come from.
“Let’s get us a cup of ale and sit, Alastair,” Hamish said, smacking him warmly on the back. “You show up with a beautiful, young woman, about to birth a bairn, and I see no husband with you. I have a feeling you’ve got quite a tale for me.”
“I do, Da,” Alastair said. “I’d like my brothers to hear it too.”
“I’ll find everyone,” Eadan said, “we’ll meet you in the hall.”
It wasn’t long until Alastair and Hamish were joined by Eadan, Rory, Craig and Ham. “We’re all here, Alastair,” Eadan said, taking a seat, “tell us about this girl.”
“Her name is Mairi,” he began. “Just Mairi, she said she doesn’t have a second name, at least not one she can remember.”
“How can that be?” Craig asked.
“She said she’s got quite a long story to tell, but I haven’t heard it yet either,” Alastair said to them. “But when we found the lass, she was being attacked by what we thought were the highwaymen that have been in the area. They’d killed her husband already; there was nothing we could do for him.”
“I hope you took care of them,” Hamish said. “I’m tired of hearing about them attacking travelers.”
“We did, Da,” Alastair said, nodding, “but it turns out they weren’t just highwaymen.”
“Explain,” Hamish said. “Is this lass going to be trouble?”
“I don’t know,” Alastair admitted, looking around the table at all his brothers. “What do any of you know about a Lord Thompson?”
“Not much,” Hamish told him. “I believe he’s an Englishman, not far across the border.” None of his brothers had ever heard of the man and knew nothing.
“On our way here, Mairi tried to sneak away,” Alastair told them.
“Why would she do that?” Rory asked.
“I still don’t know,” Alastair said, “but I heard her get up and followed to see what she was going to do. Two men again attacked her. I heard them say this Lord Thompson paid them a good amount of coin to bring her to him.”
“Did you ask the lass why?” Eadan asked.
“Of course I did,” Alastair answered. “She claims she hasn’t any idea who Lord Thompson is and doesn’t know why he would want her.”
“Looking at her, I have a good idea why he might want her,” Eadan said, disgusted, “she’s beautiful.”
“I’m a bit confused by the lass,” Hamish said. “She seemed very skittish, and from what you say she seems to not know much. Do you think she’s telling the truth?”
“I believe her, Da,” Alastair said. “Before he died, one of her attackers told me that Lord Thompson needed her, to get what he really wanted.”
“What the hell does that mean?” Craig asked.
“I have no idea,” Alastair admitted. “I think tonight at supper we need to get her to tell her story, something just doesn’t seem right.”
“Well,” Hamish said. “I think the most important thing we need to do is make sure we let the lass know she’s welcome and safe here.”
“I agree,” Alastair said. “I believe Mairi has had a very hard, unhappy life up until now.”
“I’m looking forward to meeting her,” Rory said, then looked at Eadan and asked, “you said she’s beautiful?”
“You’ll keep your distance,” Alastair snapped at him, making Hamish grin. “She’s expecting a bairn soon.”
“You sound jealous brother,” Ham teased.
“I’m not jealous,” Alastair said defensively, “I just feel responsible for the lass.”
“Of course you do,” Hamish said, patting him on the back and again hiding his grin. He had a feeling there was more to what his son was feeling than responsibility, he’d seen the way Alastair had looked at Mairi. Eadan was right, she was a beautiful woman. “Let’s see if we can get her to open up tonight. We can’t help her unless we know what we’re facing.”
“Agreed,” the McCabe boys said before going back to finish their duties for the day.
**********
“Everything looks fine,” Flora said to Mairi. She’d just examined her, which had embarrassed Mairi so much she didn’t even want to look up. “Don’t be embarrassed Mairi; I’ve delivered a lot of babes. It’s just what has to be done. I do have to tell you; I believe you’re going to deliver much sooner than you thought.”
“How soon?” Mairi asked.
“I’d say anytime now,” Flora answered honestly.
“I’m scared,” Mairi admitted. “I’m not sure what to expect, but I’ve heard it’s very painful.”
“It can be,” Flora told her, not wanting to lie. “But I’ll stay with you through it all. There’s some tonics I can give you that will help you relax a bit and manage the pain.”
“Will I die?” Mairi asked her. She had guessed from her conversation with Alastair earlier that his mither must have died in childbirth, or shortly after. She’d heard that happened to some women.
“Everything looks fine,” Flora said sitting down on the bed next to her. “Some women do die giving birth, but you seem to be healthy and strong. Didn’t your Mither talk to you about birthing a bairn?”
“I don’t remember my
Mither,” Mairi said.
“Did she pass when you were young?” Flora asked.
“I don’t know,” Mairi shrugged and said. She decided to be truthful with Flora, “I don’t have any memories up until a few years ago.”
“What do you mean?” Flora asked, curious about this young woman.
“I had an accident,” she explained. “I was told I’m an orphan.”
“Have you explained this to Alastair?” Flora asked.
“Nay,” Mairi said. “I”ve never told anyone what happened to me. Do you think I should tell him?”
“I think it would be good for you to tell your story,” Flora told her. “You could talk to me if you’d like.”
“I’ll think on it,” Mairi said, trying to hide a yawn.
“Why don’t you rest now, Mairi,” Flora said, pulling back the cover on the bed and helping Mairi get comfortable. “Just remember, I’m here if you’d like to talk.”
“Thank you, Flora,” Mairi said, her eyes filling with tears. “I haven’t been shown kindness like this in, well, I don’t remember ever being shown kindness like I have here at Gleann.”
“Rest, Mairi,” Flora said, leaning down and kissing the young girl on the forehead. “You’ll feel better after you rest.”
Mairi nodded her head and closed her eyes. The last sound she heard was the chamber door shut as Flora left, before she fell into the first sound sleep she’d had in years. The McCabe’s seemed like good people so far, and it had been a long time since she’d felt this safe.
Chapter 4 Mairi’s Story
Mairi couldn’t remember when she had enjoyed a meal so much. She’d been invited and joined the McCabe’s at the Laird’s table where she met the rest of Alastair’s family that lived at Gleann. Not only Laird McCabe, but all of Alastair’s brothers made her feel comfortable and safe. They told stories of Alastair growing up that made her laugh, as she enjoyed eating her fill of a hot meal, the first one in a long time. It wasn’t until the servants had cleared the table and the people from the village had returned to their cottages, that she realized none of the McCabe’s had left the table.
A Man of Honor Page 3