The Twisted Laird

by Cherime MacFarlane

  With a chuckle, Daracha sat back down on her bench before the loom. "I ken, hen. When ye play with ah wild kitten, ye're likely tae get ah scratch, or tae. What's ah drop, or tae of blood between friends? Aye?"

  Rhona's laugh filled the room. "Wild kitten! Tae be sure 'tis better than I might have described it. An, I like ye, weaver. I like ye ah great deal." The other woman left the weaving room.

  Placing her feet on the treadles, Daracha wondered if she was going to say anything to her granny. Deciding it was not necessary, she knew Edan needed to hear of today's encounter. It would not be easy for him to put all those years behind him. A start had been made and she was determined it would go forward and not falter. None of the three of them could allow things to fall back into the old pattern. There was the clan to consider and the bairn Rhona carried was key to MacGrough staying alive.

  Hurrying through the kitchen where the older women were cleaning and chatting as they worked, Rhona went outside to find the children. 1Feeling somewhat vulnerable, she wanted to return to the regular routine she had established. Any hope of 1normalcy was dashed when she found Blane waiting under the rowan tree with the other children.

  "Tha Laird is asking that ye give him ah bit of time when ye can." The boy watched her expectantly as he waited for a reply to take back to Edan.

  "Oh, aye. Tell him I'll be along in ah wee while."

  The young boy dashed off and Rhona turned to eye her remaining students. "Lara, ye an tha weans are tae wait here. Dinna go off, ye ken?"

  Lara sighed 1exaggeratedly. She was aware of the change in the relationship between herself and Rhona after the previous day. "Och! An where might I be off tae, with these weans in tow?"

  There was nothing nice about the smile Rhona gave the girl. "I cannae even begin tae speculate. So, work with tha wee ones on tha Sassenach words. I'll nae be gone long."

  "Aye." Lara called after her when Rhona turned away to begin walking to the shop.

  The door was now hung and propped open to allow all the light possible into the interior. Edan was partially standing and partially sitting on his tall stool. His good leg was taking the weight of his body as he concentrated on a piece of wood on the bench.

  Stepping to the side away from the doorway, Rhona silently watched as he 1wielded the tool in his hand. Cutting into the wood with the very tip of the instrument, Edan tapped on the butt end of the wood handle with the heel of his hand.

  It looked to be a delicate operation he was involved in. Thinking that if she startled him, it might cause 1irreparable harm to what he was making, Rhona silently waited.

  He raised his hands and Rhona called out before he could lower the tool to the wood again. "Edan. What did ye wish?"

  "Och!" Jumping slightly, he glanced over at her before placing the tool on the bench. Using his good leg, Edan pushed himself up fully onto the seat of the stool. "I've ah question for ye. Ah moment, please."

  Looking over at Blane who was sweeping up sawdust in the corner where Adie was using a saw, he called out to his two apprentices. "Lads, go an see if Jamie is in tha field. If ye see him, ask if he is ready tae go tae town."

  Both boys dashed past Rhona out the door. Curious, she walked over to the bench. The piece of wood had a design of vines and flowers drawn on it. Edan was working on removing the wood from 1the design drawn on the piece. The vine was taking shape under his hand.

  "Might I touch it?" she asked as she looked down at the smooth cut.

  "Gently, mind? There could be ah fine sliver or tae. 'Tis enough that I find tha blessed things. Nae need for ye tae bloody yerself."

  "Did ye get ah sharp one?" She glanced up at him.

  "Nae." He pressed his thumb against the pad of his middle finger, hard. "Tha damnable gouge is old. It's always been nae good for much but, 'twas all I had. Tha miserable thing took ah wee nick from me. If tha buyers want more of tha carving, I must have new ones."

  Taking a good look at the tools hanging from the walls and on shelves, Rhona realized she knew nothing about what Edan did here.

  "Do ye have enough?" She nodded toward the wall.

  "Barely. If buyers want more than chests, I must invest in tools. There'll be nae choice in tha matter. But, my lack of tools is nae tha reason I asked ye tae speak with me. 'Tis regarding tools of another nature. Adie and Blane, how are they coming along with tha 1figures? Are they having difficulty? Is there anything I might help ye with?"

  "Och, well, so far they're picking it up right enough. I ken ye want me tae push them along?"

  "Nae! Naught like that. 'Tis something, tha measuring, angles, suchlike, they'll need later in life. I wish tae make sure they get what they need. Ye were always good with numbers an all. It was tha Latin that caused ye an Hamish tae go cross eyed."

  She laughed at his comment and Edan chuckled as well. For the very first time in her entire life, Rhona felt comfortable with Edan. It was a good feeling. She had no intention of ever discussing those early days with him, but they were in a new situation now. Perhaps, they could leave the past where it was and move ahead.

  "An ye took to it as ah hound tae hare chasing. Hamish an I were happy tae leave ye to it. Do ye think tha weans would benefit from tha learning of it now?"

  His lips were curved up into a gentle smile when he glanced up at her. Edan picked up the piece of wood from the bench. His strong fingers played with it as he passed it from one hand to the other.

  "I've given it thought. Other than tha time I dinna have tae teach it, it seems tae me all would benefit more from learning tae read an write the Sassenach." His jaw clenched and his lips firmed. "Teach them our language. Make sure they are fluent in both, but I fear tha Sassenach may devour all in their path. I've heard things of tha colonies an tha slave trade."

  Turning away from her, he placed the length of wood back between the pegs that held it in place on the bench. "They'd make slaves of us all if they could. They cannae put us in chains an shackles, so they make slaves of us by making sure ye can do naught except through their money."

  Eyes hot with anger, Edan looked up at Rhona. "An I nae trust their schools. They are tha winners, so all will be their way. Give tha weans all ye can, for surely they will need everything we can teach them tae survive in this new world."

  With a nod, Rhona returned his stare. In this, they were united. The young MacGroughs would learn. All the children would be given an opportunity to learn everything she knew.

  "Ye may count on me. An Adie an Blane are doing well. As long as we are discussing this, might I have some of tha slates for tha weans tae use for lessons? Chalk for each would be good as well. We can do ah great deal with those."

  "I've nae sufficient chalk. But, as Jamie an I are going intae town for supplies, I'll purchase more. I've an need for another gouge an hope tae be able tae find one. I should be able tae get tha chalk in tha same place. Damn, if I wanted tae part with tha coin, but there's nae choice. An I'm gonna need tae invest in lumber. I see nae way out of it, I must spend tha coin tae make more."

  Gathering her skirt, Rhona prepared to leave. "Good luck tae ye in yur search. If ye can find tha chalk, I'll give each wean ah slate in tha morning."

  After taking a step toward the door, she turned back to Edan. "Ye ken we've enough women tae handle all tha chores without needing tha help of tha wee ones? Tha agreement with Jamie has freed up women an weans as well. Tha chickens an eggs are easy tae deal with. Ah cow, for milk would be welcome, but even then, we've far less tae do than before."

  Startled, he looked up at her. "Och! I never thought tae purchase ah milk cow. God's teeth, will there never be an end tae tha things we need here?"

  "Like as not, nae. Dinnae let it worry ye. Ye might well be able tae trade for one. I'm thinkin ye might let Jamie undertake tha task next time ye're at market. Good day tae ye, Edan, an may ye find tha chalk an yur tool quickly."

  Chapter Twenty - Five

  Greenery began to poke its way up through the hills in the field. Jamie g
ot the children to help with the weeding, as his funds were running low. The stipulation was Anderson would have the children's help so long as it did not interfere with lessons. Grateful for any help at all, Jamie agreed.

  Rut was nearing her time. Gara and Cadha watched her carefully. Fearful of her traversing the stairs, the men cleaned out the old storage area under the stairs and put together a sleeping nook for her. The box bed boasted the first mattress in the house.

  A lift of Edan's eyebrow was the only answer Daracha got when she asked when they might have a real bed. With a mock flash of anger, she smacked him in the chest. 1Rolling over onto his back, Edan pulled her down with him, as he promised her before winter set in they would be off the floor.

  It wasn't but a few days later that a scream in the middle of the night woke the clan. Rut was in labor and not taking it easily. In order to get away from the entire matter, Edan walked down to the widow's house to collect Jamie. He was certain the other man would want to know.

  They took their time walking back to the cottage. Edan had attended his fair share of men waiting for their offspring to enter the world. In the glen, it was not unusual for all the men to gather, so they might tease and 1harass the lucky father. The process could be a long one, something ale rendered easier.

  Apparently the close knit community of MacGrough was something Jamie was not used to. Listening to Rut laboring in the nook made the man jittery. Anderson was pacing, from the front door to the back, as he chewed a nail.

  Edan took Jamie with him into the shop along with a full jug of ale. "Have ye never witnessed this afore? Didnae yur men keep each other company during tha proceeding?"

  "What?" Jamie was staring into space through the windows into the darkness beyond.

  Repeating the question, Edan uncorked the ale jug and held it out to Jamie. "'Tis likely tae be an all-night ordeal. Ye might as well have ah bit, there'll be nae sleep until the eve."

  "Did yur bunch all get together when ah man was about tae be ah father?"

  Taking the jug back, Edan took a healthy swallow. "Aye. Ye were never in tha glen. Ye've nae idea how close tha cottages were together. Were the mither possessed of ah healthy set of lungs, there was nae use trying tae sleep when ye couldnae. We all came together tae jolly the new father along."

  Another long wail punched through the cottage. Jamie reached for the jug. "Well, they are nae mine, yet. Ye could've let me sleep in peace."

  Retrieving the jug for another swallow, Edan grinned at Jamie in the light of the candle. "Surely, ye ken so long as I was awake, I wanted company. All tha other hens are gathered in by the fire, speculating as tae tha gender of tha bairns an God only kens, what else. I've nae wish tae be sitting in the midst of them without another lad."

  By the time the twin boys entered the world, Jamie and Edan were quite drunk and not unhappy about it at all. They were treated to the sight of the two red and wrinkled bundles by Daracha and Jean. Jamie took one look and pronounced them to look much like over boiled haggis. Jean gave him a good whack across the top of his blonde head and told him to mind his manners in future.

  Being more experienced, Edan was quick to comment on the healthy set of lungs 1possessed by both lads. That earned him a smile from Daracha. As soon as the women's backs were turned, Jamie pulled the jug from Edan's grip and drained it.

  Wetting two fingers in his mouth, Edan pinched out the last candle. Jamie slid sideways onto the floor of the shop in the first light of dawn.

  Folding his arms across his chest, Edan nodded, as he watched his friend pass out. "Nae good at holding yur liquor, Anderson? I'll keep tha fact in mind. Mayhap, ye need ah bit more practice with Nessa's brew."

  Head back against the wall, Edan decided a few hours' sleep might be managed. Probably, they both would have heads that rang like church bells when they woke again. But it had been a very long time since he had indulged. The last time he had been too drunk to move, he and Hamish had destroyed a jug of ale. Finding he could think of his brother without the bloody pipes wailing inside his heart, Edan let go and followed Jamie into oblivion.

  A blanket was draped over him. Edan turned on his side and looked over at Anderson. Someone had made an effort to cover the man, but he had tossed the covering off at some point. As expected, Edan's head throbbed with the effort of moving it to one side.

  The angle of the sun through the window told him it was well into midday. There was no hope for it, he had to rise. If he continued to remain where he was, soiling his trews was a great possibility. Tossing the blanket to one side produced a pain inside his head to rival the one he had endured on waking at Culloden.

  Quashing the unwelcome comparison, Edan managed to push himself up onto his knees. Never an easy task, rising to his feet from this position with his bad leg was nearly impossible in his present state. Unwilling to allow the most awful thing he could think of to take place, pissing on the floor of his shop, Edan used the stool to heave himself to his feet.

  Getting out the door was not accomplished without some damage to Anderson. The man moaned when Edan accidently kicked his legs. "Merciful God! Where did ye get tha ale? I swear, tis double tha strength of tha piss in tha inn."

  "Cease yur hollering. Have ye nae compassion?" Edan told Jamie as he stumbled out the door to the back side of the cottage. Managing to make it as far as the chicken coop, he was careful to direct the flood of used ale away from the creatures. He would be in grave trouble if he were to accidentally contaminate the chickens.

  A hand on his shoulder alerted him to Jamie. Undoing his breeches, Jamie joined him in dowsing the bushes. "I'll neer drink with ye again, MacGrough, unless ye tell me where ye got tha ale."

  "God, but ye're loud, man. By Christ, if ye hold it down tae ah roar, I'll tell ye." Finally having run out of liquid from his bladder, 1Edan stuffed himself back into his breeks and somehow did up the necessary fastenings.

  Turning, he leaned against the rough wood of the coop. "'Twas Nessa's brew. By all that's holy, tha woman brews tha strongest stuff anywhere I ken."

  "Nessa's?" Jamie commented as he fastened his own clothing. "Remind me tae neer again partake of an entire jug. Me head feels as if it's ah used football!"

  The short laugh Edan made turned into a groan, as his head complained. "Well, I'll nae let ye drink as much as ye did last night. Ye're nae able tae hold real ale, laddie. I watched ye slip sideways ontae tha floor."

  A snort from Jamie was followed by a grunt. "I'll wager ye were nae far behind me, MacGrough. Damn, but tha woman brews strong shite."

  Edan stumbled over a root and Jamie reached out to steady him. "Nae, leave be. I'll manage." The MacGrough righted himself with a grumble. "There's work waiting and we had best both be getting on with it. Otherwise, all those hens are gonntae begin squawking. I dinnae think I can abide it this morn."

  Both Adie and Blane found silence was certainly golden that day. The girls weeding the garden discovered singing was frowned on. They weeded and got as far from Jamie Anderson as possible, quickly.

  By evening, both men had recovered sufficiently to have a wee dram for medicinal purposes. Quite tired and drained, Edan fell asleep before Daracha finished tending to his leg.

  In the full darkness of night, something woke him. Edan rolled onto his back and tried to isolate what had pulled him to consciousness. A soft cry drifted up the stair well. It was one of the newborns.

  With a smile, he listened as Rut silenced the bairn. Two more males. The clan was six males strong. His job was to give the young ones the best possible start in life. With the sale of all the chests and the buyer of the special order one asking for another, he was more confident of his ability to care for them.

  Not that he would be doing so alone. Jamie was as taken with Rut as it was possible for a man to be. Rolling onto his side to pull his woman tightly to him, Edan wondered how long it would take Jamie to declare himself. But first, he needed to speak with Rut. What she wanted was equally important. If she didn't wish
to marry Jamie, Anderson was not going to force her.

  First thing in the morning, Edan sought out Rut in the nook where she was changing the infants' diapers. Cross legged in the box bed, Rut was smiling at one of the bairns as she tickled its stomach.

  Edan leaned against the bed with one arm over top of the box. "Have ye named tha bairns?"

  ""Tis nae original, mind? They're Tavin and Tavis."

  The smile on her face was the first one he had seen from Rut in a very long time. "An can ye tell them apart?"

  "Aye. But there's ah cheat, ye see." Rut held up one infant's leg. A bright ribbon was tied around the small ankle. "This laddie is Tavin. Tha other is Tavis."

  "An how long do ye think that will last?" He asked with a grin.

  "Long enough for me tae figure out which is which. There'll be ah way." She lifted Tavin and lay him beside his brother. Their eyes closed and Rut moved to sit on the edge of the bed.

  "How is mither doing this morn? I heard tha bairns wake ye last night. Are ye managing?"

  Her beautiful smile widened as she looked up at him. "I'm more than pleased tae nae longer be big as ah house. Sorry tha wee ones woke ye. I understand ye an Mr. Anderson had ah argument with one of Nessa's jugs, an tha beastly liquor won."

  It was the most conversation Rut had given him since the day he returned from Culloden. Edan was reluctant to bring up the matter of her widowhood. It was necessary. He needed to know what she wanted to do.

  "An ye do ken why Jamie was here? He's right taken with ye. Taken enough tae marry intae MacGrough tae have ye an tha bairns."

  Before she looked away from him, her smile faded. With both hands braced on the edge of the bed she sat, thinking. When she turned her dark eyes up to his, Edan studied her carefully.

  One of the dark MacGroughs, she was 1undeniably lovely. Her skin was the color of fresh snow and her dark eyes and black hair were a vivid contrast to her fair skin. He well understood why first 1Gabhran and now Jamie had lost their hearts to her. It didn't hurt that along with her beauty, the woman was quiet and gentle.