by Alisa Adams
5
Starting Business
When Marie McLaren and her daughter Teresa received the summons from the castle, they were terrified. "Whit dis Milady want?" Teresa asked, mystified. "Have we done somethin' wrong, Mammy?"
Marie looked at the man who had brought the message. "When dis milady want tae see us?"
"The morrow mornin'," the messenger replied, "but it is naethin' tae worry aboot, hen. Milady is no' ane o' thae sorry nobs that look doon on us ordinary folks. I hae a feelin' that she hae an idea that will help us a'."
The two women looked at each other. Marie shrugged. "Tell milady we will be there on the morrow aboot an oor efter sunrise."
The messenger nodded and took the reply back to Allana. She was delighted. She had three pairs of needles made already with several more on the way and she was ready to get started teaching.
The peasants were earlier than they had confirmed, nervously standing at the gates and waiting to be shown into Dundas castle and to be met with Allana's presence. When they were ushered in, they were astonished to find themselves not in a utility room or workshop but in a parlor with richly polished wood furniture, heavy embroidered silk curtains, wall hangings, and a brightly burning wood fire.
Allana was sitting on a dark red brocade sofa, but she stood up as they entered. They both curtsied and she smiled. "Welcome, ladies," the noblewoman greeted warmly.
"Good morning, milady." Marie's voice was tremulous. "Ye wanted tae see us?"
"Yes," Allana replied with a smile. "Now, it is Teresa, is it not?" she asked the younger woman.
Teresa blushed and nodded. She was a shy seventeen-year-old with dark blonde hair and green eyes like Bettina’s.
"And Marie?" she asked the mother who was an older, plumper version of her daughter.
"Aye, milady," Marie answered. "Have we done somethin' wrang?"
Allana laughed. "No indeed!" She clapped her hands. "On the contrary, I have a project in mind that I think you may be able to help me with. But first things first, ale or milk?"
"Milk fer the baith o' us, milady," Marie replied. She was looking around herself in awe. She had never seen anything like the splendor around her.
Allana bade them sit down and ordered milk and oatcakes for all of them. "I love these," she said as she bit into one. "Our cook makes them and they are the best in the valley, in my humble opinion. Now, let me explain. You are both expert weavers and I want to introduce you to a new form of weaving. It is called knitting."
Marie and Teresa looked at each other, frowning. "Knitting, milady?" Marie asked, puzzled. "I hae never heard o' that."
"You do it with these," Allana replied. She reached into a little chest of drawers beside her and pulled out a ball of yarn and two little pointed wooden sticks with knobs on the end which she gave to Teresa. Mother and daughter examined them, baffled.
"Whit are they, milady?" Teresa asked, turning them over in her hands. "They are no’ like any form o' loom I hae ever seen."
"Knitting needles," Allana replied. "It is a different form of weaving—one that uses only one thread.
They looked at Allana as if she was mad. "But milady, how is that possible?" Marie asked. "Ye cannae weave wi' only ane thread. It cannae be done."
"Oh, but it can," Allana replied, taking out two other pairs of needles and two balls of yarn which she gave to each of the women. She moved them over on the sofa and sat between them, then showed them the scarf she had made. They both fingered it and then grasped it, their mouths forming identical 'O's of wonder.
"Milady," Teresa exclaimed, "how did ye dae this?"
"I will show you," Allana replied. She began to wind the wool around the needles, making loops and dropping them, pulling the yarn through and turning the work around until they could see the separate ridged and smooth sides. When she had a six-inch long piece of fabric, she cast off the stitches and showed them the new piece. Again, they examined it in wonder and then looked up at Allana.
"Milady, is this whit ye want us tae dae?"
"Yes," Allana replied, nodding happily. "I know you can do it. Work for me. I will supply the materials and pay you. I will teach other people and you can teach more. I want to have a chain of knitters all over the area so that we can make finished garments to sell. We can share the profits and help each other to raise the standard of living all around Oban. What do you think?" She paused, waiting for a reaction which was swift in coming. Both mother and daughter smiled at her in delight.
"Milady, we wid baith love tae learn," Marie said eagerly. "Will ye teach us?"
"Definitely!" Allana exclaimed. "Then let us get started!"
Within moments, the three women from both sides of the class divide were chatting away like old friends. Something had started that was about to take on a life of its own.
Two weeks later, Allana had six students of her own and a network of others all over the surrounding crofts, the number increasing exponentially as each student taught others. It was a craft that could be done in spare moments, in the evenings, and on Sundays. It could be done in social gatherings over ale and oatcakes by members of the same family.
In no time at all, it had been taken up by dozens of women. The local dyers were also making a better living since there was more work for them. Allana's experiment had succeeded beyond her wildest expectations. She toured around the homestead seeing how much progress they were making and it amazed her. It astonished her to see how hospitable the cottagers were. Everywhere she went she was offered the best of the fare from the little that they had and their generosity opened her eyes. She had so much and she had never shared any of it with these kind people. There was more to them than she had ever guessed.
She began to take little parcels of food with her to distribute them amongst those she visited and they opened their homes and hearts to her. She was no longer 'milady from the big hoose' but a friendly, approachable person who was not to be feared but to be liked. It seemed that her little project had some unexpected but very welcome consequences.
Allana's venture had not gone unnoticed by Nevin who disapproved of the way she was becoming so familiar with the commoners. It was not a character flaw on his part but a normal reaction from an aristocrat to the mixing of the classes. He had another three months of mourning to get through, so he was unable to go to any ceilidhs or celebrations. It drove him mad with jealousy thinking about what Allana was doing without him and with whom. Some days, when he thought about her, he doubted that she favored him at all. You are feeling sorry for yourself, Nevin! he thought sternly. She is a little wild, that is all.
One day he met her on the road back to Dundas Castle and asked her about it. “Why have you suddenly taken on this enterprise, Allie?” His tone was puzzled. “Our tenants were perfectly happy before you started it.”
“I suppose they were, Nevin,” she replied, “but I hope that they can improve their lot in life and I like doing it. It fulfills me.”
Nevin smiled at her and gave her a playful punch on the shoulder. “Just do not forget about me!”
Allana pretended to be hurt. “I could not even if I tried—you are far too annoying!” Then she laughed and spurred her horse on, leaving him still wondering.
By the time summer had given way to autumn, Allana had eighty knitters under her auspices, some of them so expert that they could turn out a shawl in a matter of hours. She gave them praise and encouragement, they worked even harder for her and their self-esteem rose at the same time. However, Allana was not finished. She had taken a week off from her travels around the Highlands and since her birthday was at the end of October, she hatched a plan.
She marched into Malcolm’s study one day and flopped down on one of his chairs, then looked at him steadily across his desk. “I know that look!” He said warily. “What are you plotting now, Allie?”
“I want to have a ceilidh for my birthday, but not just any ceilidh, Father,” she answered. “I want all the lairds and people of means to co
me here and bring presents which we will distribute among the needy. God knows, there are plenty of them! We have not got the means to help everyone, Father, but there are many people here who can!”
“This is going to take a lot of organization, Allie.” His tone was doubtful. “Do we have time?”
“It is three weeks away during which time we can spread the word,” she suggested. “Then a day or two before we can help collect what cannot be carried and the guests can bring the rest. What do you say, Father?” She leaned forward, eyes gleaming with eagerness.
“I say that it sounds very tiring,” he replied, “but I know I will get no peace unless I agree!”
Allana bounded around the desk and kissed him, then rushed out to get started. Malcolm shook his head. Just looking at Allana exhausted him.
October was the month when the winds were beginning to buffet the coast with savage ferocity and the hours of daylight were lessening as the autumn was swallowed up by winter. It was a month when work in the fields stopped, when livestock were brought into barns, food was preserved, and tools mended. It was a time for resting after the grueling harvest months.
Allana looked at her wardrobe just before the ceilidh and decided that she had far too many clothes. “Right!” she announced to a group of servants. “It is past time that some of these items gathering dust found new homes!”
She called in two of the housemaids to help her and together they weeded out extra items that she no longer needed. Then they had local seamstresses make them into wearable clothes for the poor and encouraged her friends to do the same. Allana was happy. To see the local children dressed in warm raiment in weather that was steadily becoming colder and colder made her feel warm too.
6
Consequences
On the night of the celebration, it was cloudless, starry, and bitterly cold. Allana was so excited as she welcomed her guests that she could not stand still. She had her hand kissed so many times that they were beginning to become red. At the entrance to the Great Hall, she made everyone feel as if they were the most important guest at the gathering. “M’laird! Milady!” she cooed rapturously, holding up the gift, no matter how small or big it was. “Thank you! You are so generous—this will make such a difference to a needy person’s life this cold winter!”
When the last Laird and Lady had come through the castle gate, Malcolm breathed a sigh of relief and went to join the festivities. He had been inside for ten minutes when someone else rode in, silent and unnoticed.
Kendrick had been invited to the celebration but had only made up his mind to go at the last minute since he was still tired and disheveled from his journey from the Western Isles. Just as he had decided not to go, however, the image came to him of Allana’s dark, sparkling eyes, her soft parted lips as she gazed at him, and the soft flesh he had felt in his dream. He changed his mind at once, mounted his horse and rode to the castle.
The party was in full swing and the dancing fast and furious when he arrived. He watched the swirling rainbow of colors as the ladies' dresses spun past his eyes in the blaze of hundreds of flickering candles. Many of the men were decidedly merry with drink and more than a few were unsteady on their feet. Kendrick despised this kind of behavior.
Kendrick stood behind a pillar and watched for a long time before seeing the woman he wanted. She was wearing a dress of glistening, bright red silk that shimmered as she moved gracefully from partner to partner. Her cheeks were flushed and her full, rose-red lips were busy moving with laughter. He felt desire quicken within him as he gazed upon her lithe body and he had to physically stop himself from rushing into the room and carrying her away. However, he told himself that he would wait. She would not thank him for embarrassing her. She was a woman of intelligence and sensitivity who had no shortage of suitors and he did not wish to alienate her. No, he must be subtle.
Nevin was not there since he still had a few months of mourning to endure before he could once more participate in social activity and Kendrick was very grateful for this. He wanted no competition.
Presently, the dance finished and she walked off the floor in the opposite direction without seeing him. He continued to watch her, however. She was laughing into the face of a tall, thin young man who was looking at her with an expression of stupid, vacant adoration.
When the man was distracted by an older man, Allana turned around and saw Kendrick. At once her face broke into a wide smile and she began to walk toward him. He watched the swaying of her hips, the proud lift of her breasts, and he let his breath out on a long, tremulous sigh. He wanted her more than he had ever wanted any other woman in his entire life. He returned her smile then bowed and kissed her outstretched hand.
"Ken!" she exclaimed. "What a pleasant surprise!"
"Allie, you look beautiful!" he said with a delighted laugh. "Your dress! It shows your figure off to perfection."
"Men do not usually speak of such things," she replied, then looked up into his gray eyes, now dark with desire. Her smile faltered as something passed from him to her like a streak of lightning. She could almost feel the tug of attraction.
He gazed at her for a few long moments then took her hand and led her outside to the courtyard. Her heart was thudding with a mixture of apprehension and excitement as she followed him and she almost pulled away and ran back into the Great Hall. However, her curiosity and her desire stayed her.
There were a few people strolling about in the lamplight, enjoying the relative peace and quiet, their laughter echoing softly in the still air. Kendrick and Allana walked toward the main gate, then turned and moved into the shadow of an alcove in the wall. A half-moon was shining, so although there was enough light to see by, it was not bright enough for them to be observed by any of the others.
For a moment, they looked at each other and then suddenly, he reached out, pulled her into his embrace, and kissed her. At first, not wanting to frighten her, he did no more than brush his lips softly against hers. It took a heroic effort of will for him not to devour her with his passionate hunger, but he managed it despite the raging tide of arousal threatening to engulf him.
As soon as they touched, something happened to Allana. She wanted to push herself against him, to grind her body against his, and then give in to temptation, perhaps even allowing him to peel her clothes off, though in reality, she was far too much of a lady to do so. She had never felt like this before, this raging, throbbing sensation that almost overwhelmed her. When his lips left hers, she looked up at him, trying to make sense of all these new sensations.
"Allie," he said huskily, "I have been waiting all day to do that. No, I have been longing to do it since the last time I saw you." He smiled at her, but he was as tense as a bowstring. How long would it be before he could make her his?
"I have been waiting for you too," she murmured. "And I want you to kiss me again and again and—" She got no further for his mouth was on hers again, but this time, there was nothing gentle about their kiss.
It was her first passion-filled one. She had never had a man's lips caressing hers like this before, never had his tongue in her mouth, his arms tightly around her, and holding her to him almost painfully. The new, delightful throbbing inside her quickened and intensified as she gave herself up to it. She soon learned what to do to give back the pleasure she was receiving and was rewarded by his involuntary moan and gasp of delight.
When the kiss ended, he looked down at her with eyes that glittered with passion. "What are you doing to me?" he asked hoarsely. "I have never wanted a woman as much as I want you, Allana. You are like a fire inside me that I cannot - do not want to - put out." He was flushed and breathing heavily as he leaned his forehead against hers, closing his eyes. He was terrified of losing control.
"Ken," she whispered, "I have never felt like this before either, but I think you have awakened something. Is this what always happens between a man and a woman?"
He looked down into her deep brown eyes, now almost black in the moonlight.
"Oh, darling," he whispered, "it is what should happen every time between men and women, but it is very rarely like this. Between you and me, there is something else. There is magic and I think there always will be."
"Do it again," she said huskily. "I need more."
He needed no second bidding. His arms wrapped themselves around her so suddenly and so tightly that she squealed in fright, but a second later, she was compliant again, giving herself up to him with her whole being. Kendrick could feel himself losing control as, almost against his will, he lifted the hem of her dress, not thinking of the consequences of his actions, where they were, or who could see them. A guard had already passed them without them even being aware of it, but he was so accustomed to such sights that he did not even acknowledge their presence. However, soon they heard a noisy party of guests coming toward them.
Later, Allana wondered what would have happened if she had not heard those people, but at that moment, she suddenly became aware of what Kendrick was doing. She sprang backward and gave one shocked cry, her eyes wide with alarm and disbelief. Then she turned and fled.
Allana had abandoned herself to ecstasy. She had been kissed before, but she had no idea that it could feel like this. Now that Kendrick had pulled her into his arms, he had taken her to a world that she could never have imagined. It was made up of exquisite touches and caresses that made her skin tingle and an intense thrill inside her that was new and so pleasurable that it had made her lose her head for a moment.