As they filed into the tent, the Laird, a large man with a dark red beard, spoke to Calum.
“Best ye have a fine purpose for this council, Mackay, for I near sent all my warriors to rid ye like a scourge.”
“The scourge be the Englishmon! I will make a gift of gold to ye, if ye fight him with me!”
The big man folded his arms and looked down at Mackay.
“I care not that Alexander seeks to favor him. The King has his purpose, mayhap, even a righteous one if, in the end, it means peace for Scotland.”
“Peace, ye say! With your father’s blood on their hands!”
“On their hands and on their souls! I will seek no vengeance. Too many of Scotland’s lads have died on the altar of war, and afore ye reproach Alexander, think ye of the clemency ye hold in your hand. It be wrapped in the King’s mercy when many a Scot would see ye dead!”
“And be ye one of those Scots?” Calum spat the question.
“Nay, not I. But I’ll not risk one drop of my clan’s blood for your cause.”
“And that my land! My own!”
“Best ye had taken heed to hold it and ceased robbing others of their stores at the point of your sword. Ye should have shored up your defenses and sought the respect of your King. Nay, ye seek no fine principle for this war save your own greed. The avarice in your heart will be the death of ye, Mackay. It has, thereupon, lost ye your lands. As for me, I shall trust my King, for he has my fealty.”
The younger Laird turned to leave with his guard. As he beheld the hatred in the older Scot’s eyes, he addressed Mackay again.
“Make no mistake, Mackay. We shall watch our backs when we return to the keep. Best ye make haste. Ye have a long ride ahead of ye, for I grant ye two days to be off Sinclair lands.”
The big man marched outside to the warhorse held for him by one of his guard. He took up the reins and quickly mounted, again pinning Mackay with his glare.
“Two days, Mackay!”
As they sat in the dining hall, Cat made a special effort to silently observe Douglas Gordon. She was especially conscious of the way he interacted with Meggie. Kenneth, in a playful mood, pestered the newcomer, trying at one point to sit between Douglas and Meggie. Through it all Douglas was patient, and Cat had reason to hope that there was a great deal of kindness and compassion in the young man.
Kenneth’s strange ways brought out both the best and the worst in people. Cat felt you could determine a great deal about a person’s heart by how they reacted to Kenneth.
Douglas was patient with him throughout the meal. He made no effort to take back his tankard of drink when Kenneth took it from him in jest. Douglas also handed him his dagger when Kenneth made it known by signing with his hands that he wanted to hold it, and displayed a forbearance that many times was nowhere evident in men more mature than he.
As for Meggie, it was as if her happiness had been restored full measure, and she smiled at her lover throughout the meal, reaching across Kenneth to continue to hold Douglas’ hand. Once, Cat even heard her laugh.
Later in their chamber, alone, Cat spoke of it to Roderic as they sat together on the bed. “I am so happy for Meggie.She’s no longer miserable and unhappy.”
“Aye, Glyniss is wise to prevent them from leaving. Meggie is too close to her time. What if it came upon her during the journey? Glyniss needs to be with her when the babe comes.”
“Yes; Glyniss fears for her. I’m glad you gave him permission to stay, but do you share Gavin’s concern about a war?”
“Aye, but the Gordon’s south of us may not be the most imminent threat. I have had no message from the King or Alec, and Calum Mackay is destined to learn in time that Angus is dead. Gordon will not make haste to attack us, for his own son is here and would be in the thick of the fighting. He, too, was one of three Lairds to the south that beseeched the King to sanction Mackay’s death. Your father knows he will have no ally in Gordon, so there is little hope of them joining together to ride against us.”
Cat nodded.
“Do you forgive me, Catherine? Have I redeemed myself with you?”
“For what would you need redemption, my lord?”
“You found our law harsh with Cameron. Have you more peace with my decree?”
“Roderic, I have come to know that your duty may be severe, but your army of warriors respect you. You could not hope to command them with disorder and turmoil. Cameron himself accepted the punishment as his due.”
“But it is my command of you that rankles most, does it not?”
Cat smiled softly. “Aye, husband. I was taught as a child …”
She stopped, not really wanting to speak her thoughts, glancing away, but he would not be ignored.
Roderic reached out and took her hand. “You were taught?”
Taking a deep breath, she went on. “I was taught as a child to do what a boy would do. It has fostered in me an independence that men abhor. I fear you agree.”
“Nay, Catherine, I do not. Never could I abhor you in any manner. I want no meek and humble woman simpering about me, but there are rules for everyone. Do you think I have total freedom? My many responsibilities weigh upon me, and the King awaits my unification of these warriors and these clansmen. If I favor one above the other, I risk mutiny. You, as my lady, must also adhere to my commands. I want you happy; I also want you safe.”
She caressed his cheek. “I feel safe with you, Roderic. But, I fear at times I don’t make you happy.”
He looked deeply into her eyes. “Nay, lady. You are both a champion and a comfort to these people, and as for me, when I go about my tasks in the light of day, I must wrench my thoughts from your hair, your eyes, and the delight I feel when I plunge deep inside you.”
Cat kissed him, and was once again engulfed in the protection of his embrace.
Mackay made his way to the Forbes’ holding. The Laird of the Forbes’ clan was called Laird “Jester” by many in the Highlands. Both respected and scorned, he was respected because he provided well for his clan; he was scorned for the way he went about it. His warriors were sneaky thieves bent on stealing grain for each winter. The Laird was compassionate and having no goal of leaving another clan in want, he bartered the grain by leaving something of value in its place. The Laird saw life as one huge jest following another, and he bartered with goods that never failed to provide amusement for the other clansmen.
In place of the grain stolen from the MacFarlands, he left a large bundle of cloth for the winter. It had been woven by a cross-eyed craftsman with no sense of color, and the combination of threads he chose was truly hideous. The MacFarlands, being unable to waste the cloth, were the joke of their fellow Scots the entire winter, their clothing proclaiming that they were duped by Laird Jester Forbes.
The MacPherson Laird had his grain stolen and in its place was a fine stallion, and the Laird boasted of the strong animal. The horse turned out to be blind in one eye, however, and when he tried to ride him at a festival, he tore down four tents, including one belonging to a lady the Laird had wished to court. The havoc that ensued left the lady covered in soup and ale, and her beloved pup injured by the stallion’s hooves.
Calum thought the Laird in part a buffoon, but he had been left with little choice. The gold he offered would feed the Forbes’ clan through the winter, and he would have no need to barter. Mackay hoped the Laird would be swayed by the gold; he was running out of time.
Calum and Graham left their camp and went alone onto the Laird’s lands. Forbes’ warriors immediately surrounded them and escorted them to speak to the Laird.
The man was tall with black hair to his shoulders, a square jaw, and many creases in his cheeks when he smiled. He was large and wide-shouldered like many of the warriors of Scotland, and had piercing blue eyes. Forbes’ manner was cautious as he greeted Mackay, though indeed he did have a sparkle of amusement in his eyes when he watched Calum and Graham sit down before him. The man listened intently to Calum’s proposition and
did not speak, but appeared to be in contemplation of the man’s words.
“Where is your camp?”
Calum told him the location.
“I vow I’d like to rest my head on this. I’ll give ye my answer on the morrow.”
Mackay went back to his camp with a more jubilant heart than he had in many a moon. Not having gotten a definite nay from the Laird, he had reason to hope.
The following morning, they awoke in their camp to find that they were surrounded by Forbes’ warriors.
“What is that stench?” Graham asked when the Mackay soldiers walked out of their tents they found, to their dismay, a very large, shaggy cow standing munching on some grain in the middle of their camp. The cow had the runs, the result of which was all over the ground.
“What are ye about, Forbes?” Calum asked. He angrily kicked at the cow and began swearing. The younger Laird turned to his own warriors.
“I vow this one has insulted my gift. Would you not say so, lads?”
The soldiers who surrounded the Mackays all answered with a resounding, “Aye!”
Laird Forbes took his rope from behind his saddle and hurled it, casting it over Mackay’s barrel chest to bind his arms to his sides. “Ye be in need of a mannerly lesson, Mackay. That is no way to treat your host, scorning his gift.” He jerked the line tight and dragged Calum through much of the dung. The Mackays fought, but soon found the Forbes’ warriors had the upper hand and were forced to back down. Calum screamed his rage when he saw the Laird order his men to take a third of his coffers of gold.
“Steal what is mine with no promise to fight the Englishmon?” he bellowed.
“Aye, you covetous coward! It’s not to go in my coffers. I’ll send it with your compliments to your bedraggled clan! You show up on my land again, and I dinnae care if our King hangs your clemency around your neck and laurels of heather from your arse, I shall hang ye myself!”
The Laird threw the rope at Calum. It came to rest around his neck as he sat in the dung. “Keep it, Mackay. I do not think I care for the smell!”
Forbes’ warriors laughed heartily, and the sound was ringing in Mackay’s ears when they rode away. Laird Jester had once again prevailed.
Chapter Fourteen
If it be possible, as much as lieth with you, live peaceably with all men.
~Romans 12:18
In the days that followed, Cat felt a special joy when she observed the delight the young lovers had in one another. Douglas took particular care to see that Meggie ate properly. Often he brought her treats from the kitchens, for he knew her special tastes. Now that the stores of the buttery had been filled to capacity with the food brought by the soldiers, Edna prepared the dishes that Meggie notably enjoyed. Her appetite returned, and she took long walks with Douglas. Although he spent time with Meggie, he often went to the training field with the soldiers.
Douglas and Gavin struck up a friendship, and the younger man was in awe of the warrior, because his skills with sword and broadax were not something Douglas himself had yet mastered.
The young man worked hard for Roderic, indebted to him as he was. At times, when he returned from the training field, he brought Meggie stones he had found in the bed of the stream. The young lass had a fondness for stones and collected them if they had a pretty color. The couple was openly affectionate with one another, and when Douglas tried to follow Meggie to her chamber one night, Glyniss sought out Cat.
“I must leave them alone. I shall seek out a bed with Edna. She has offered,” Glyniss said.
“Douglas needn’t put you out of your chamber,” Cat said.
“Ah, lady, ’Tis plain be it love or lust, they are bound to be together. To keep them apart now is like throwing water on the ashes of a keep that has burned to the ground. I was stern with Douglas. There is to be no lovemaking, it be too close to her time, yet I ken they merely want to hold one another. Douglas wants them to wed soon.”
Two weeks passed and Meggie grew heavier with child. She lumbered about, weary from the strain upon her body as the babe grew ever more active.
The child appeared to delight Kenneth. He watched with rapt attention when the babe moved in the womb.
Meggie became adept at seeking assistance from any one of the gentlemen in her vicinity when she needed to rise out of a chair. One and all, they smiled and hoisted her up if Douglas was not near to help. He was unfailing in his efforts to ease her discomfort, and stroked her or rubbed her back when she was in pain.
Cat was struck with the notion that they would soon have an infant in the keep. Meggie was excited that she would, in a short time, hold her babe.
Glyniss worked with her in preparing the wee clothing, using her softest threads to weave a blanket to wrap the bairn, and Meggie plied her needle to make three small tunics.
One rainy afternoon Roderic sought out Cat in a rush, his hair soaking wet from the rain. He did not heed it. “We must speak, Brianna. Father MacNair has arrived. Please have Edna bring him refreshment. He brings an important message from the Gordon Laird.”
Cat took a sharp deep breath, and her expression was one of such alarm that Roderic reached out to grasp her forearm firmly.
“Steady, lass. Don’t borrow calamity until we know we must face it. Douglas, too, must hear this message, and I have sent Gavin to fetch him.”
Cat made the preparations for the food and drink, and in a matter of minutes they all had gathered to sit in the dining hall. Cat was not encouraged by the grave expression on the priest’s face. He did not tarry long, but spoke to them at once.
“Greetings, young Douglas.”
“May ye have peace, Father,” Douglas said.
“Are ye a prisoner here?” Father MacNair glanced briefly at Roderic when he posed his query.
“Nay, Father. ’Tis my will that brought me here. The woman I love carries my bairn, and I will not abandon her to make a gainful marriage as my father wills.”
The priest sighed heavily and shook his head. “Ahh, what a tangle. Your father sent me here to give Sir Montwain the message that he intends to make war unless ye are returned to him. Gordon has accused Montwain and all here of taking ye prisoner. Lad, do ye ken what ye have done? Not merely to Montwain who has taken ye in, but to this child ye fornicated with?”
“I want to make it right, Father. I want to marry Meggie. My father knew of this child, but still he withheld his lawful assent, and Meggie’s parents cast her out when they learned of the babe. Glyniss, our healer, brought her here, and Sir Roderic gave them sanctuary. Meggie was ill. Near starved herself, but she is under my protection now, and Sir Roderic’s. He gave us leave to stay here until the child is born, for she is long in her time and could birth the babe any day.”
Father MacNair stood and slammed his fist upon the table. “The stubborn old goat! He readies his warriors as we speak, bent on bloodshed.”
“Let him come,” Gavin barked, spoiling for a fight. “He will soon see it is no army of weaklings he seeks to attack!”
“Gavin,” Roderic said. He raised his hand as if to quiet him, and turned to the priest.
“Do you have a solution, Father?”
Father MacNair did not at once answer, but paced, deep in thought for a full minute. His dark eyes pinned Douglas when he spoke. “Do ye truly care for this lass?”
“Aye, Father, and I seek her joy.”
“I want to speak to the lass myself,” he decreed.
Roderic sent for Meggie, and Glyniss came with her. Meggie appeared fearful as she sat next to Douglas, and he took her hand in comfort.
“Do ye wish to wed young Gordon here, lass?”
“Aye, Father. ’Tis my heart’s joy and hope,” Meggie said.
The priest stood, in quiet contemplation of her answer. He turned to Roderic. “Mayhap I have a resolution. I could perform the marriage now, and their union would be sanctioned by the Church. If ye return to Gordon land already wed, your father would have no hope to change it. If his quest is a
nnulment, he would have to go through me. Should he petition a Bishop through the Church, I can bring forth testimony and plead mercy through the Church hierarchy. After I have joined ye both, I will return to Gordon and speak to the mon, and make all efforts to cool his ire and stay the hands of war. Do ye both agree?” He addressed the young lovers.
“Aye, Father,” Douglas said.
“Yes!” Meggie was resolved when she spoke the one word and turned to Douglas, her eyes sparkling in anticipation.
“Edna!” Roderic called. When the old woman entered the hall, Roderic spoke to her, his voice strong. “It seems we must prepare a wedding feast.”
The next week was spent in a joyful preparation of the wedding celebration. Edna procured the things she would need to make special dishes. Cat wanted to learn how to make the berry tarts and small cakes, and she watched her prepare them.
Meggie was handy with a needle and worked at sewing a very pretty lace cutaway surcoat to go over one of her gowns.
“I think there’s a bit of velvet in one of the trunks,” Cat said. “Maybe we can make you a new gown?”
“I thank ye, Lady Brianna. But, I fear there wouldnae be enough velvet in three trunks to cover me now.”
Cat smiled. “It will be over soon, Meggie, and I am quite eager to see the baby. I’m sure it will be a pretty child, for you both are fair to look upon.”
“Aye, Douglas is surely beautiful, and I hope our wee one favors him greatly.”
“Once the babe comes, we will go to work and make you a pretty new gown. Still, I could make you a garland of flowers to wear in your hair, and there is some ribbon in the trunks with the velvets.”
The two women set about the task of making a garland of flowers, lace, and ribbon. Cat thought Meggie had infinite patience with the tedious work of sewing. When she pricked her finger for the third time, Cat winced, cursing under her breath.
Meggie smiled when Cat put her tongue to the injured spot on her index finger.
“Ye try to stitch too fast, Lady Brianna. Ye mustn’t try to rush through the task. Sewing is best done slowly.”
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