by J W Murison
‘Hush,’ I peeled her hands away. I had no doubt that stories of my being with extremely experienced women had been delightfully relayed to her. ‘Don’t worry about it.’ Secretly I was a little frightened of the situation myself. My experiences with virgins were limited to say the least. Unfortunately I'm not a little man in any sense of the word. Even my long time lover, an experienced whore, had balked at the first sight of me, but she had coached me well. All I could do was trust in those skills she’d taught me. The last time I had tried to make love to a virgin was when I was a young man before the war. The poor lass had taken one look and ran screaming. It hadn’t taken long for word to get round and I found myself a topic of conversation among the female population of the county. Needless to say they gave me a wide berth, especially the virgins.
‘Are you sure it’s all right?’
I laughed. ‘I wouldn’t have it any other way, even if I could.’ Her eyes shone in the moonlight and I laid my lips upon hers once again.
We returned arm in arm and for the next few hours we lived, laughed and danced. Unbound now, my feelings grew and deepened with each waking breath. For the first time in my life I forgot who and what I was.
Chapter 29
Robyn felt she was floating as they made their way back to the great hall and the cool evening breeze that wafted down off CarnMo’r seemed to fill her with the joy of life.
Men and women whirled in a blaze of colour to another reel. Alasdair swept her off her feet and she squealed in delight as he swung her round into his arms. She didn’t know the steps to this one either but was somehow able to keep up.
Laughing, they returned to the alcove that sat beneath the Sinclair family coat of arms. There were another nine coats of arms hung at equal intervals around the Great Hall, each with its own alcove.
Robyn realised it was the coat of arms of the original ten families who survived the battle with the Roman Legions. The head of each family sat in their alcoves but the rest of the family seemed to disperse somewhat. The only alcove empty was the Buchan’s. The Sinclair’s alcove was by far the biggest and could hold all the heads of the families easily.
People came and went all night to speak to Alasdair. Some just came to say hello and stop for a quick chat, while others came with matters concerning the estate. A few even dragged him away for a few minutes with personal problems.
Robyn was slowly beginning to understand how much the people depended on him and he on them. But the complex social structure was another thing all together. She also noticed a strange undercurrent of emotion that seemed to flow throughout the hall.
She gave it no real thought, for the man who sat opposite her captivated her whole being. She found herself studying every line on his face, how deeply he breathed, the way he picked up a glass and wondered at how a simple laugh could send such delicious shivers through her body.
Time and again Alasdair dragged her up to dance. Some were simple waltzes while others were complicated affairs that involved up to eight people at a time.
She often found it was the older children who had been allowed to stay up who would take her in hand and try and teach her the steps. They often fell about laughing at her sometimes feeble attempts, and she would laugh as hard as the youngsters. To make things worse Alasdair would admonish them in a tone that made them all laugh even harder.
Drink flowed freely yet there wasn’t much drunkenness. Strange bottles of wine would appear on the table and forewarned, Robyn only took a sip of each. She found the flavours varied and extremely palatable.
She asked Alasdair about the delicious brews and their illicit whisky trade. He loaded up a pipe, took a sip of his CarnMo’r, sat back and talked. He filled her mind with wonderful stories of races across the Ladder hills with the Excise men in hot pursuit of his kinsmen.
Her father joined her and laughed at the stories. Mrs. Fox sat at her father’s side, regarding him with the same eyes as Robyn watched Alasdair. Robyn was intensely aware of the moment her father’s hand stretched out and took Mary’s in his.
Mary’s face flushed with pleasure as she squeezed his hand in acceptance, and her eyes searched for Robyn’s. Robyn smiled her approval and the look of apprehension dropped from both faces.
Alasdair seemed to miss the byplay, but Robyn suspected he hadn’t. She was sure there was little that happened around here that Alasdair wasn’t aware of.
She was also intensely aware of the effect he had on the people around him, not just her. The children treated him like a surrogate father and were off and on his knee all day. He in turn treated them like his own, and seemed to hold a special fondness for the children of the men who had fallen in battle.
It was easy to spot the men who had fought alongside him in the army. The respect they held for him not only showed in their posture but also shone from their eyes.
He was their hero. Somewhere in the evening she realised that this was the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with.
Chapter 30
Connie snatched Robyn’s attention away for a few minutes and I realised I was hungry again.
I rudely interrupted their conversation. ‘Would you two like something to eat?’
They both declined so I went up to the table alone. I filled a plate with my favourites and a little extra just in case they changed their minds. Fiona McDonald blocked my return. Her cold stare and indignant stance brought me back down to earth with a thump.
‘Evening Fiona.’
‘Alasdair, I see you’ve managed to find yourself a new whore.’
Ice swept through my veins, flushed quickly by pure naked rage. I advanced on her, but she held her ground, knowing full well she was safe from the fury she had unleashed. I finally found my voice.
‘How dare you? That woman is as pure as the first snows that crown CarnMo’r every year. Take those words back.’
‘Never, and never will I as long as my son’s lying mouldering in a grave in Germany, murdered by her people.’
‘The man we’re honouring here tonight is the man who saved my life. My life and others from this Glen, that woman happens to be his daughter.’
She took a step forward. ‘He did not save the life of my son Alasdair Sinclair, nor the lives of other sons belonging to this Glen. I acknowledge what he did do by my presence here tonight, but that is all. He and she are still Americans and that I will not forgive.’
Fiona marched off, head held high, straight to a group of friends. It was then that I saw them; it was then that I saw it all. The group Fiona was with, the men at the bar embarrassed but trying to remain neutral. The nods of approval from others and John, poor John, standing there on his own, halfway across the dance floor in a failed attempt to head Fiona off. The look of anguish on his face said it all.
It was clear now what he’d been up to all night. No doubt sure of my feelings for Robyn before I was, he’d been trying to summon up support for us, but to no avail. I shook my head sadly and left the Ceilidh. I had to have room to think this through.
I got little chance for peace though. Robyn came bursting into my study with John and Connie hard on her heels.
‘Alasdair, what’s happening, what’s wrong?’
I stood and grasped her hand over the desk. ‘It would seem that we are wrong, my love.’ I felt my heart tear as a lonely tear sprang from her eyes.
‘What do you mean?’
‘It would seem the Clan disapproves of our match.’
‘You can’t be serious, that’s stupid,’ she looked round desperately, but there was no joy in the faces present. Then she asked the only question left to ask. ‘Then what of us Alasdair?’
‘It means there can be no ‘us’ my love.’
Her tears began to flow freely and I fairly had to wrestle with mine to keep them in check.
‘Oh God, why?’ It was a heart-rending question ripped from a dying heart.
‘Because I am the Chieftain of this Clan the welfare of its people are my main concern
. This matter threatens to tear it into at least two or three different pieces. I cannot let that happen.’
‘But shouldn’t your happiness be their main concern too?’
‘Normally I would have said yes.’
‘But not me, is it because I'm an American?’
‘I believe so, yes.’
She turned and fled, almost blinded by the tears that ran down her beautiful face, with Connie running after her.
John hesitated, ‘I'm sorry Alasdair.’
‘There is no need to apologise, friend John. I can see clearly what you were about this night. Thank you for trying.’
His shoulders stiffened. ‘The battle isn’t over yet man; we learned that the hard way.’
My smile was bitter sweet. ‘Things are bad enough; don’t drive the wedge in any deeper.’ His head dropped and I asked one more thing of him, ‘could you be a friend to Robyn this night? I have a need to be alone.’
Chapter 31
Robyn ran straight in to the arms of her father. Mrs. Fox and Connie led them to Connie's kitchen where they could find some privacy. Robyn blurted out her story.
He held her face in his fine hands and smiled at her. ‘Do you trust me?’
She sniffed loudly and searched his face, why was he smiling? What did he know that she didn’t? Knowing her father so well she nodded. ‘What is it?’
His loving smile only broadened. ‘I can’t tell you at the moment, you will just have to trust me. Everything will be all right, don’t worry about it.’
Robyn’s mind went into top gear and she clicked. ‘The phone calls to your friend in London. Has he found anything out?’
The smile broadened. ‘Yes, but he hasn’t got permission to reveal the facts to me yet. All I know is that things weren’t as they seemed. I was supposed to talk to the Laird about it tonight,’ he looked up at Mary and smiled, ‘but I just haven’t had the time yet. I’ll do that now. Don’t give up hope yet darling.’
A slow smile returned to her face. She had no idea what was going on but she knew her father. ‘Ok.’
The Doctor left to find Alasdair and Robyn burst into tears again.
Mrs. Fox put an arm around the young woman's shoulder, ‘shhh, lass, you heard your father, don’t give up hope yet.’
A heart rendering cry tore from her lips. ‘Oh God, will I never find happiness in this life?’
Connie found tears spring to her own eyes. ‘Don’t worry about it Robyn. They are already too late.’
Robyn sniffed loudly and took a handkerchief from Mary, ‘what do you mean it’s too late?’
Mary twigged immediately and asked somewhat breathlessly, ‘she didn’t - he didn’t?’
Connie smiled and nodded. ‘We all went for a walk and picnicked at the spring the other day there. Alasdair offered Robyn a drink straight from his own hand and she drank it all down in one go without spilling a drop.’
Mary laughed in delight and gave Robyn a big hug. ‘Congratulations dear! You’re going to be married.’
‘What!’ Robyn was confused, ‘but didn’t you just listen to what Alasdair said, there can be no ‘us’, or any question of marriage.’
A strange light emanated from the eyes of the women of the Glen and Robyn felt a shudder of premonition as Mary took her hand and spoke.
‘It matters not what Alasdair or any other person of this Glen says now. The spirits have spoken first and found you worthy.’
Robyn shook her head. ‘I don’t understand.’
‘Didn’t Connie tell you of the legend of the Spring of Love?’
Robyn frowned. ‘Yes but it’s only a story isn’t it?’
Connie smiled and Mary shook her head. ‘It’s a lot more than a legend my dear. The men say they take little notice of it, but none would dare ask a woman to marry him before visiting the spring of love and offering her a glass from his own hand.
I know a woman who took ten different men to the spring. She swore on her children’s lives that nine times the glass was plucked from her hands by an unseen hand. She married the tenth and lived a long and happy life in love.’
Robyn smiled bleakly. ‘That’s a lovely story but I’ve never been a great believer in fairy tales.’
‘It’s no fairy tale Robyn, that woman was my mother and she would never have sworn on our lives if it wasn’t true.’
Robyn felt her head begin to spin and the hairs on her arms prickle. It was all too much for her to take in. She stood and swayed a little, Connie’s hand shot out to steady her. ‘Are you all right Robyn?’
‘I really don’t feel all that well now, I think I’ll go to bed.’
Connie went with her, but Mrs. Fox went back to the Ceilidh. She had a little story she wanted to spread around the women of the Clan. They might not like Robyn now but she knew their attitudes would soon change once they realised it was inevitable.
Chapter 32
I was in hell, John had tried to comfort but I had thrown him out, but not unkindly. There was a knock at the door. I ignored it, but it opened anyway and the Doctor stood there. I groaned inwardly, he was the last person I wanted to get into a debate with.
‘Please Doctor, I don’t really want to see anyone just now.’
He smiled. ‘I realise that Alasdair. I've just spoken with Robyn.’
‘I thought you might have.’
‘May I ask one question?’
‘Don’t bother, the answer’s yes. I am in love with your daughter, very much in love with your daughter, and before you say anything, I give you my word I will not try and take advantage of her.’
‘That’s very noble of you Alasdair, but I expected no less from you. However that’s not what I wanted to see you about.’
‘It isn’t?’
‘Not really no, you see I’ve spoken to Robyn and she has explained to me what happened, so in one way this has everything to do with your present situation and then again it hasn’t.’
I sat forward suddenly alert. Was this man holding out an olive branch? ‘Please Doctor, go on.’
‘You have been aware of the phone calls I’ve been making?’
‘Yes, to London.’
‘You do know?’
I grinned. ‘This is a small place Doctor; a secret is a very hard thing to keep, but please go on.’
‘Of course I should have known. Do you know who I’ve been calling?’
‘No I don’t.’
‘The man in question is General Grafton Craig, head of the US intelligence branch here in Britain.’ Now I was really taking notice. ‘The General considers he owes me a favour.’
‘Let me guess, his son’s life?’
‘A bullet in the spine, very tricky operation but he made a full recovery. However I asked the General to look into the matter for me and he has done. It would seem things weren’t quite what they seemed.’
I found myself on the point of standing. Did my heart fairly pound, could this man once again save my life? My mouth dried up completely. ‘What happened?’
He grimaced. ‘I don’t know; you see it’s still Top Secret and the General wouldn’t tell me over the telephone. That was all he would reveal to me. However he is rather partial to a bit of grouse shooting and hasn’t been on a deer stalk for years it seems.’
He left the rest of the sentence unsaid, but he didn’t need to elaborate. For now I was standing, ‘Doctor, please convey my personal invitation to the General and any friends he may wish to take along. If he lets us know when he is going to arrive we will pick him up from the station, and please reassure the General that there is no finer shooting estate in the whole of the Highlands. We also have strong ties to the Royal estate and might even find himself with an invitation there.’
The Doctor smiled, ‘I think that should just about do it Alasdair. I have no doubt he will lose no time in taking up your kind invitation.’
‘You can also reassure the General that if his information is of good value, he will find himself with a lifetimes invitation to sh
oot whenever he pleases and my word that no word of anything he says will ever leave the boundaries of the Glen, and I may add, at no personal cost to himself.’
The Doctor left and by the time John returned to check on me I’d already changed and was just loading my rifle. ‘What are you doing?’
‘I’m going on patrol.’
‘Great! What about the Ceilidh.’
‘To hell with the Ceilidh, I’m not in the mood for partying any more. Besides, I’ve decided to check the rivers. I shouldn’t have left them unguarded.’
‘I’ll come too then.’
‘No John you stay here, someone has to. I’ll be fine. If I run into trouble I’ll take a walkie-talkie with me. Shove the other under your table in case I call.’
‘You sure? No one seems to be enjoying themselves all that much now anyway.’
‘Aye I’m sure. Try and get the party going again will you? I’m afraid I couldn’t.’
‘I understand. I spoke to Connie and the Doctor. What do you think?’
I looked him straight in the eye. ‘I hope to God and with all my heart that this General can put an end to this chapter in our lives for good. I want to marry that lass John. I realise we barley know one another, but I also know there will never be another for me. I have no idea how I’m going to live without her if this blows up in our faces either. I know I don’t want to live without her.’
He blanched a bit. ‘You’re not…’
‘No I’m not, neither will I leave the Glen. As for how I’m going to manage, I don’t know. I suppose I’ll just carry on as I have been since getting back from the war.’
I could see a hundred questions leap into his eyes. I was the last of the Sinclair’s. I had no direct descendants. What would happen to the Glen when I was gone? For he knew I would not marry merely to preserve my name. He didn’t know it yet but if it came to that I would leave the estate to him.
The air running fast alongside the rivers soon cleared my head. I was hiding again yes, but at least this time I was doing something useful at the same time. It was almost like being back on patrol behind enemy lines again.