The Twisted Laird

by Cherime MacFarlane

Edan drew himself up as straight, as he could. "Edan MacGrough, woodworker, at yur service, Smith, tha ferryman."

  A loud belly laugh burst forth from the ferryman. "Stout lad! Ye hold tae it! Now, get yur clutch o' hens on down tha road, MacGrough. Night will be fallin soon, an tis nae far."

  For the moment, until they could find a more permanent home, Gruggie's Burn would be their destination.

  Night found them settled comfortably, in a section of the large building the Smith family used for storage. Edan had not asked the red haired Ian what sort of business he was in. When he first approached the ferryman's cousin, Ian Smith, he was given the cold shoulder until he mentioned the fact that Leven water was high that day.

  The icy look faded and Ian became quite friendly. Later, when the ferryman, Jock, made his way home, Edan found himself invited out to the local for a drink. He was tired and a bit achy, but went. It would not be good to antagonize their host straightaway.

  Sitting in the back, away from the fireplace, the three men discussed the state of affairs in Glasgow, now that the English had secured the pact of union. The governing powers were absorbing all young lads into the military and sending them out to fight for the crown.

  The opinion between the two Smiths was the Crown would descend harshly on all things Scots. The talk turned to the merchandizing of tobacco, cotton and sugar. Edan was shocked to discover the more successful merchants were also involved in the African slave trade.

  Thinking about it turned Edan's stomach. No one in his family ever considered the use of slaves. Anyone coming to the MacGrough clan was welcomed in, as they were too small to consider making servants of anyone. Every man and woman did their share of work.

  Keeping his mouth shut, Edan listened. Until he had sufficient information about the Smith cousins, silence seemed the best course of action. It was enough that he had declared he was a MacGrough. Now, he needed to find out what direction the wind blew from when it came to his hosts.

  They eventually gave him the information, they were salvagers of a sort. Goods that came into port and were not up to the usual standards of those merchants who had purchased them for trade, contacted the Smiths to buy them at reduced rates. They also bought damaged goods from the customs men.

  In turn, the Smith family brought in laborers to deal with whatever it might be they were handling. Edan wondered, if they thought him the local village dunce. There was surely more to it than that.

  "Laddie, those are fine chests ye have. Ye constructed them?" Ian asked as he signaled for another round.

  "Aye. I did." As tired as he was Edan had no wish to consume more ale. Apparently, he was to be given no choice in the matter. Sipping at the brew, he wondered what it was the Smiths were alluding to.

  "An might ye be able tae fashion half anker barrels?

  Exhaustion no longer mattered. Something was not right with these two men and Edan was afraid he knew what they were leading up to.

  "Och! Per'aps. But half anker barrels are surely easier tae obtain than having them made, one by one, with one man doing tha job. Are ye nae able tae buy them from ah cooperage?"

  They wanted the barrels for smuggling. Edan was quite aware of the smuggling trade. On his own, he might well be tempted. He was not on his own and becoming entangled with a gang of smugglers was not something he wanted to be involved in. Or, more to the point, wanted his family involved in.

  Edan lowered his voice. "It takes ah great deal of time tae fashion one sufficiently well tae have it nae leak an be stout enough tae sit on tha bottom of ah bay."

  The ferryman looked at him with a grin. "If ye were tae fashion ah few, what amount o' time would say, twelve take?"

  "I've hens and weans tae care for. Being in the 1tolbooth would do neither them, nor me, any good."

  Ian took up their case. "None o' us wishes tae see tha inside o' the jail. MacGrough, I've ah parcel o' land in Grahamston. Ah goodly piece, large enough for ah woodworker's shop an tae set up two weavers. I spied tha looms in tha cart. Were ye tae build somethin, with an upper floor for living an under for shop, ye could have ah garden an likely ah cow ,or two."

  Ian took a quick look around before continuing. "All I'm needin are twelve o' tha barrels. Nae more than that. I've been caught in ah bind here. Tha custom's men hav seized ah shipment an another is expected shortly. Can ye perhaps, make two ah day? Six days in all, then ye're on yur way tae Grahamston."

  Taking another sip of the ale, Edan thought it all over. The Smiths were asking this of him now and what would they want of him later? Would he be asked to turn out more barrels?

  Once in the clutches of the smugglers, would he ever be free? "I'm nae wanting tae be at yur beck an call whenever aught goes wrong. I'm wanting tae stay clear of tha authorities."

  Jock put a hand out to still them, as the woman made her way to the table with fresh tankards.

  Once the bill was settled, Ian began again. "We're all wantin tae be clear o' tha shites. I've ah regular man, mind? But tha eejit got intae ah fight over some cow o' ah woman an is nae good for anthin. Mind, if ye ever saw me again, it would be only 'cause there were naught else for me."

  With a sigh, Edan picked up the tankard and took a good swallow. He hadn't even made it into the city and already, he was involved in something he had hoped to steer clear of. If he declined he would lose the chance of the property in Grahamston and perhaps his life. If he accepted the Grahamston land was available and he would forever be an associate of the Smith's. But he would be a live associate.

  "Och! I've ah need tae see tha deed first. An, it's two ah day if ye have the proper tools an tha wood. If those aren't tae hand, 'tis weeks." Edan looked both men in the eye before taking another drink of the ale. He might have need of a bit of liquor to be able to sleep.

  Jock tapped Ian on the shoulder with a 'see, I told you' grin. Ian nodded at his cousin. "Aye. I've tha paperwork, 'tis all right an tight, on tha Grahamston place. Have nae fear. An, I have ah line on ah builder tae get ye up an goin. Ye might even be able tae use what's on tha property. I hear there's ah structure o' sorts. As tae tha materials, ye can use tha eejit's place. All ye need is there an he's nae goin tae use it. So, we have ah deal, MacGrough?"

  "Aye. We do." Edan swilled down the last of the ale and reached for his stick. "I'd best be intae bed. I'll need tae be at it early. Which of ye are tae show me tha way tae tha shop?"

  Ian rose and Jock followed. "'Tis time we were all abed. I'll show ye in tha mornin. Ye can ride yur horse. I've a bit o' work for tha women, if ye've nae objection. We've ah load o' lace came in. Some bugger tried tae get it past tha custom's men an 'tis fair full o' salt from tha sea. If they can slosh it about a bit for me, then hang it tae dry they could make ah bit o' coin. I'd nae be needin tae call in other workers, as they're already there."

  They stepped out into the cool night air. Edan waited until they were a bit away from the noise of the tavern. "So long as it's honest labor, I've nae objection. But I'll ask an confirm it in the morning. I'll leave tha weans, all but one. Tha oldest lad can go with me. I'll need ah hand."

  The women were all bedded down when they reached the house on the burn. Edan woke them and got agreement to work for Ian the following day. He let Adie know he was to go with him in the morning, before getting into the bedding beside Daracha.

  Chapter Ten

  The need to piss roused him early. Edan woke Daracha and motioned to her to follow him outside. Fog off the Clyde blanketed the area. Daracha wrapped herself in a blanket, before following Edan out into the yard. Putting the cart carrying the looms between himself and the building, Edan tucked Daracha against the body of the cart.

  Leaning down, as if to give her a kiss he began to whisper in her ear the gist of the situation they were now in.

  Placing her forehead on his shoulder, she turned her head to whisper back into his ear. "'Tis ah rock an ah hard place we're between here. There's naught for ye tae do, but as they ask."

  "Och. An they ken i
t well. I've ah thought this willnae be tha last we'll hear of them."

  Her breath was warm on his neck. Even with the serious nature of their business in the misty shroud of fog, Edan felt his body respond to her. Soft lips grazed his skin and his breath caught.

  "There's little we can do, husband. Eventually, some bugger was likely tae make demands. So, ye say they're friendly with tha customs agents?"

  "Och, it would appear so. An, it seems they ken tha tobacco lords as well." Edan wrapped his arms around her, hugging his wife to him.

  "Then, there's nae help for it. They have ah place we can set up shop, there's nae others we ken in all o' this beastly den o' thieves, so it's needs must." She leaned against him in the cool, mist shrouded morning.

  "I'm nae happy about getting us involved with tha likes of tha Smiths, afore we've even been intae Glasgow proper."

  Her lips seemed to leave hot trails up his neck to the base of Edan's jaw. "Dinnae fash yerself, laddie. 'Tis much like tryin tae make yur way through ah bog, there'll be miss-steps. Ah side trail, here an there. Staying there was certain death, at least we've ah chance here."

  Daracha moved one hand to cup his groin. "Tell me, laddie, can ye do it standing up? I ken it may be difficult with yur leg, but mayhap if you were tae keep me pinned tae tha cart behind...."

  He did not need to be encouraged further. It might give his leg a bit of pain, but it would be worth it to be inside her. Edan kissed her soundly, as he pushed his wife up against the cart.

  "But I've a bit of an equalizer, luv. Here." Edan moved the block away from the wheel of the cart and steadied Daracha, as she stepped up onto to it.

  "Och! I ken, I'm ah bit taller this way. If I was tae be on my toes, mind."

  Undoing the tie on the trousers, Edan dropped them to the ground, as Daracha lifted the shift. She rose on her toes to take him in. Then, she flipped the blanket up over them and let it hang down behind him.

  With a giggle she whispered in his ear. "Ye've ah braw asail, laddie. I've nae wish for another tae see it."

  Edan only grunted as he stroked into her. Pushing her tightly against the cart, he grasped the edge of the wooden sides. They found a rhythm that pleased them and when she would have made a noise, as she reached the pinnacle, Daracha bit down on his shoulder. Grabbing her hips, Edan stroked into her, mindless of the teeth in his shoulder. The pain did not matter. The wonder of being inside her blanked all else.

  Spilling seed inside Daracha, in the misty morning while she clung to him, was an amazing feeling. Then her lips found his. With her arms around him, Daracha kissed him soundly.

  Pulling away, she broke the kiss and tugged him tightly against her with the blanket. Somehow, she had managed to keep hold of the ends of the cloth which shielded them. With his head against hers, Edan fought to control his breathing. Finally, with a low chuckle, he turned to kiss her.

  "Merciful God! Woman, ye amaze me! But, tell me lass, is my shoulder bleeding? I've nae wish tae ruin ah good shirt."

  "Well then, pull yur trews up, laddie, so I may drop tha blanket. Then, I'll inspect yur great wound."

  He did as she asked. Daracha moved the blanket to one side and put it back around her. Wiggling her hand into the neck of his shirt, she ran her fingers over his shoulder. "I nae feel anythin wet. So, 'tis nae likely I drew blood. But I've ah need tae find ah rag tae clean meself. Ye've made ah mess o' my shift, MacGrough. I'll need tha spare."

  Edan gave her a quick kiss. "Bide here lass, an I'll get it for ye." He hurried into the warehouse to get what his wife needed.

  Rhona knew the moment the couple left the building. Suspecting they might be going outside to indulge in sex, she waited a few moments, before following them. By hiding in the shadows, Rhona was able to see them and hear the murmur of their voices, but could not see exactly what they were doing.

  When Daracha's head rose a few inches higher above the side of the cart, Rhona wished she could tell what was going on. The cart began to shake and she knew they certainly were doing something. It was so very wrong of her to spy on them. But when she felt the knot of desire rise inside, Rhona did not move.

  In the half light, she could almost pretend it was Hamish with Daracha. Closing her eyes, Rhona listened to the small noises and tried to put herself in the other woman's place. The knot inside grew tighter and she moved further off into the fog and shadows of the building. Turning her back to the couple, she lifted the hem of her shift and began to pleasure herself.

  Not able to keep from what she knew to be sin, Rhona gave herself up to the feelings. She did not understand how the other women could survive without this release in some form.

  Since the first time she and Hamish made love, Rhona could not go without it more than a day, or so at most. They had not waited until the wedding ceremony, as she wanted to experience what the married women spoke of in such hushed voices. She also heard the giggles when they put their heads together and whispered among themselves.

  On tasting the fruit, the apple, she supposed, Rhona was unable to do without. Hamish had teased her about her lusty nature, but had profited from her desires, nonetheless. She missed him so greatly, it was difficult to keep from spending the day in tears.

  All that kept her from that expression of grief was her anger at Edan. It was quite unfair to blame him for Hamish's death. Although, in truth, she blamed Hamish as well. He could have stayed home from this conflict. The losers were not going to be able to punish anyone. It was all over. The clan could have sat on the sidelines and waited to see who was going to be the victor.

  Hamish's damnable honor was the culprit. Rhona was not able to take the loss with good grace. She hated the concept of "honor", nearly as much as she hated the war which had taken her entire life from her.

  Leaving this vale of tears was something she looked forward to. But, Hamish was likely correct in his assertion that she was pregnant. There were changes in her body. Stroking her nipples, Rhona was aware of the increase in size and the new sensitivity. How could she raise a child without its father? Did she even wish to attempt it?

  Edan did say she could do what she liked once the babe was born. Perhaps then, she would leave it all to Edan and escape, permanently. Stroking her body into a state of near climax, Rhona leaned her dark head against the rough wood of the building. Biting her lip to keep silent, she finally found release.

  Staying hidden, as Edan went back inside, she waited until the couple was occupied, before slipping back into the building. They were probably cleaning up the mess they had made. Rhona knew she would be doing the same. But she hated them both. Edan and Daracha were able to partake in something she could only pretend was happening.

  Bitterness welled up inside her, as Rhona slipped back into the nest of blankets. It was not fair! Edan should not be here. She did not care if any or all of them died, he should not be alive to tease her. And tease her, he did. He was nearly the same height and his shoulders were the same width as Hamish's. In the dark, she could almost pretend Edan was Hamish.

  Until the cripple moved, he could almost be mistaken for Hamish. He did not have the grace, the economy of motion of his older half-brother. Hamish had been grace itself. She loved to watch him train. Every motion of his flowed, as water down a swift burn.

  Edan's upper body was much the same, until he moved his feet and his distinct rolling motion give him away. She knew of the hours Hamish had spent with Edan, as she had begrudged the younger MacGrough, each and every one of them. But she did know, he could move quickly and silently when he wished to do so.

  Once, before the wedding, Edan caught them in a small swale below the keep, near the burn. Hamish did not notice, as he was quite busy admiring her breasts. Rhona barely noticed the sway of a stand of grass. She knew who it was by the strange glitter of the eyes that swiftly turned away.

  Had Edan been an enemy, she and Hamish would have likely died. Edan was in his element in the dark. Hopefully, he did not know she was spying on them. Even if
he did, what would he do about it? Whatever was done, Rhona doubted it would be in front of the balance of the clan. No, if he said anything, it would be to her alone.

  Edan said nothing to Daracha of the hair that rose on the back of his neck, as they made love. It could have been the fog causing him to feel things that were not so. Edan discounted imagination when a seemingly, random swirl of fog, moved on the other side of the cart. Someone's passage produced a counter movement in the gray cloud which surrounded them.

  Nor did he think the individual was large enough to be Ian Smith. He thought Smith would have made some kind of remark, something designed to fluster and embarrass them. This person was simply watching. Glad Daracha had covered them with the blanket, Edan gave up trying to understand why someone would be observing them, as his blood heated. The lust for his wife overrode caution.

  But once their needs were addressed, he was happy to do Daracha's bidding, as it gave him an opportunity to check the women. Inside, he quickly took note of the pallets where each woman had chosen to spend the night. The nest Rhona had made was empty. Careful to keep from waking the others, he found Daracha's spare shift and hurried back outside.

  Once their business was done, Edan would again check Rhona's bed. He was fairly sure she would once again be in it. This was a puzzle he would need to think on. He could find no reason for her to be spying on them. She might have gone outside to relieve herself.

  The thought was discounted immediately. Rhona was entirely, too much of a bitch to keep comments to herself when she could cause someone distress. Her caution spoke to him of hidden purposes.

  Did she mean to take some of the gold and disappear? That could well be it. He would move the gold to a location known only to him and Daracha. One other person should know where their savings were in case something were to happen to him. He trusted Daracha, he did not trust Rhona.

  Before Daracha went back inside, Edan told her of his plan to move the bag of gold. He would remove it from the chest where it was concealed and place it under the bags of dye stuffs in the trunk with the looms. He wished he could keep it on his person, but that was asking to be robbed.