The Twisted Laird

by Cherime MacFarlane

  "He seems tae be ah good man. I need tae ken how he'll be with tha bairns. I'll nae have them mistreated for being another man's get."

  Edan watched her face as she spoke. Rut was not going to allow her children to suffer from anything she could control. He was proud of her. "There'll nae be any force here. Ye're free tae choose or nae. I'll stand by ye, nae matter how it plays out. Tavis, Tavin an their mither are my first concerns. Naught else matters. As MacGrough..."

  Spreading his hands wide, Edan 1straightened and watched as she studied his face. Rut nodded. Then she smiled.

  Giving a soft chuckle, Rut replied. "Och! He's braw enough. An it seems he's willing enough tae work. That is when he's nae drunk on tha floor of yur shop."

  Breaking into a hearty laugh, Edan immediately stopped when the young mother tapped him on the arm.

  "Hush! I've only gotten tha lads tae sleep. An I'm hungry enough tae eat ah horse. Dinnae wake tha bairns, before I get some porridge, for tha luv o' God!"

  "Och! I'm sorry. I wanted tae make sure ye understood my feeling on tha matter. Do ye need ah hand getting ontae yur feet?" Edan held out a hand to Rut. "Come along, lass. Let's see tae ye now."

  Chapter Twenty - Six

  1How odd it was to feel her belly expanding and to know inside a tiny human was growing. Rhona believed Hamish was correct and the infant was a boy. The problem of what to name the child was still at the back of her mind.

  Worried about the kind of mother she would be, Rhona sometimes sat before the banked fire in the cottage, thinking. She contemplated things which could happen and how she would deal with them. Evaluating if her first inclination was good or bad often kept her from sleeping.

  On those nights when sleep would not come, the young woman did not mind being alone in the dark cottage. Being alone did not frighten her. But, the thought of being lonely for the rest of her life nagged at her.

  Knowing she would have the child, a product of the love between herself and Hamish was good. Existing without Hamish and doing so for the rest of her life was a bleak prospect. Trying to picture another man in his place did not work.

  Who else knew her as well as she knew herself, perhaps even better? What other man could look into her heart and seeing it all, still love her? At some point in one of her late night musings, Rhona decided she could not settle for comfort.

  Here, with the rest of the clan, there was comfort. It did not take her past herself into the realm of ecstasy. He, her beloved, had taken her into places far beyond anything she suspected might exist. Was there anyone out there, roaming the streets of the town, who could move her as the MacGrough had? If he was somewhere else, how could she find him?

  And there was the matter of the child. All the women knew how closely Rut was watching Jamie's interaction with her children. It was easy to accept an infant. What would happen when the two infants began to be something more than small bundles who ate and slept? Rhona doubted Jamie understood his future with Rut depended on his behavior toward two tiny infants.

  Every woman here knew they did not need to choose for comfort or sustenance. As the days and weeks went on, Edan's competence was manifested daily. For all the epithets she had thrown at the man on the day he returned, Edan had stepped into the role of laird and assumed responsibility without a whimper.

  Not one of his charges felt threatened in any way. Rhona smiled as she recalled Edan bringing home the milk cow just a few days after she had mentioned the need. And other than the one coin he had taken to the banker, she doubted he had touched the rest of the gold.

  How very right Hamish had been in his assessment of his younger brother's abilities. By encouraging Edan's love for woodwork, Hamish had provided him a way to survive in the town.

  Recalling the day she had watched him begin carving on the pattern he was making for the special order chest, Rhona smiled. He did not immediately draw out a design on the chest itself, no. Edan used a scrap of oak to experiment with before undertaking the delicate task of carving the design.

  When he produced something he was happy with, then Edan began work on the chest itself. It did not leave his shop until it was correct in his sight. Several more chests followed, as did a table and six nearly plain chairs. Plain until you looked at the charming head rests. The thistle design requested by the buyer was light and graceful. One could almost see the bloom moving in the breeze.

  Edan would not let inferior work leave his shop. Each piece was carefully burnished to a deep shine with a special finishing compound Edan refused to discuss. The recipe was his concoction alone. Not even Adie was allowed to watch him mix whatever it was. There was bee's wax in the pot, along with two other things, she knew that much. But the proportions and conditions under which it was produced, were a secret.

  Hamish had again been correct. She had misjudged Edan. He was coming into his own. Leaving the glen had been good for him. If he had stayed in the glen, Edan would still be making items for clan use, but his genius might not have come to light.

  Sales trips to the market were confined to woven or knitted items. Edan's customers now came to him. It was not unusual to see someone in a fine carriage drive up to their cottage.

  A slight noise from the space beneath the stairs caused her to glance in that direction. In the nook beneath the stairs, Jamie slept in the box bed. A simple wall gave the man privacy. Anderson had moved in shortly after the purchase of the house where he boarded.

  Edan and Jamie purchased the widow's house when her son came from the colonies to fetch her. They let the house out and turned the backlands into a lumber yard.

  Now, Edan had his pick of the timber stored there. They were able to bring in spruce, mahogany and other hardwoods from America and the Caribbean. Oak was a staple, the wood most builders required for the laying up of new ships. It was also used in floors and ceilings.

  She knew all about the lumber yard, as both men had asked her to take on the task of overseeing the yard. A grin formed on her face as she recalled the day one builder had balked at dealing with a woman, a pregnant woman.

  Storming over to Edan's shop, he had insisted on seeing the owner. In the middle of a complicated carving, Edan was not pleased to be pulled out of his work. The loudmouth was shortly put in his place when told by The MacGrough to, "shut his face" deal with her, or find what he wanted elsewhere.

  Cursing under his breath, the man had followed her back to the yard. When told to follow Lara into the yard, the cursing became louder. The girl ignored it, as she took him into the yard to have him point out what he wanted.

  The piles of lumber were not dumped here and there. There was an order to things, which allowed the woman and the girl to know exactly where each type of wood was and its form. Beams of oak were found in one section. Lumber suitable for planks was in another place.

  Everything was neatly stacked in such a manner as to keep it from ground moisture. But air was able to circulate through the lumber in order to keep it from rot. Once Edan explained to her how to store the lumber, she and Lara had come up with a system designed to allow them to keep a good inventory list.

  Orderly and clean, there was less likelihood of a fire breaking out in their yard. Two young men came in on a daily basis to do the heavy work. The majority of their sales came from those seeking wood for the interior of houses and carpenters. As those orders were usually of a smaller nature, the yard did a steady but, quiet business.

  Yawning, Rhona thought she might be able to sleep. Her immediate future was secure. Food and shelter were not things she needed to worry about now. Companionship was something she had as well. She and Daracha were friends. It was good to have a woman friend. There were a few things Rhona could not confide to her friend, as she did not want to hurt her feelings.

  Whenever possible, Rhona still listened to Edan and Daracha at night. It was almost as if they had become connected in some manner. But, letting her friend discover her clandestine habit would not be good. She wasn't sure what Daracha would t
hink of her spying, but Rhona was certain Edan would be furious.

  The relationship between herself and Edan had reached a level of civility Rhona had not thought possible. And she did feel much of the credit went to Daracha. In some manner, the woman had managed to reach both of them. When it came to being a help mate, a true laird's wife, the weaver was nearly perfect.

  Daracha kept a quiet eye on everything that went on when Edan was busy. Nothing escaped her attention. Forced to acknowledge the other woman was better suited to being the laird's lady than she, Rhona was comfortable with the situation. She did not covet Daracha's position. The only thing of Daracha's she envied in the least, was her ability to create.

  Her weaving was superb. The colors she chose and the manner in which Daracha wove them together was truly beautiful. Even her grandmother acknowledged Daracha was far better at the craft, having surpassed her teacher.

  Rhona's gift was organization and figures. No one could best her when it came to tallying up items purchased in her head. The lumber yard ran smoothly under her care. It consistently made a profit. Rhona even had time to teach the children because of the manner in which she managed the schedule.

  Lara had a gift for figures as well. Everyone wondered at Rhona's choice of a girl, barely nine years old, for a second in command. After the incident on Broomielaw Street and the trek through the swamp, Rhona knew the girl needed something to keep her occupied.

  Going with the buyers and recording their purchases in the yard kept the child's active mind busy. She also improved her reading and figuring skills as a result. Staying ahead of Lara was a chore. Making sure she did not get into mischief was even more difficult, given the wicked sense of humor the child possessed.

  Once again, round robin, Rhona found herself considering what to name the child. If the babe was a girl, Ailene would be her name. But, a son? It was still bothering her to no end that she could not settle on a name.

  A thought came to her. Almost all MacGroughs had a second name. It was often used as a means of honoring a fallen relative or keeping alive a family name. Cadell was Hamish's second name. That she could abide. The boy would be named for his father as Cadell Hamish.

  Peace settled into her. Aye. 'Tis right. Rhona whispered, "Och, God. Tell him, will ye? I ken he'll want tae hear I've finally come tae it." It was time to go back to her bed. With that settled, Rhona knew she could rest.

  Rising a bit later than usual, she made a hurried meal of porridge and grabbed a bannock for later. There was the regular thumps of beaters coming from the weaving room. Daracha and Cadha were already at work on their latest projects. She would tell her friend her news at the evening meal.

  But, she had to tell someone. Edan would want to know his nephew's name. On her way to the lumber yard, Rhona stopped by Edan's shop. Taking a hesitant look inside, she noted he was not involved in anything intricate. Opening the door all the way, she stepped inside.

  "Edan? Have ye a wee bit of time?"

  "Aye. What might I help ye with?" He turned from the bench to face her.

  "Naught is pressing. Last eve I was thinking, and I've decided on ah name for the bairn. I like tha sound of Cadell Hamish. What think ye? Would it suit?"

  After a moment's thought, Edan smiled at her. "Aye. 'Tis ah good choice. An I'm sure Hamish would agree."

  Quite aware of her wobbly smile and misty eyes, Rhona ducked her head as she reached for the door. "Good. I must be going along. I've ah buyer coming in for ah look at some of tha special wood from America."

  The small office was more like a shed. But, it was all that could be put up in a hurry and it did keep the worst of the weather from them. As the weather grew colder, staying in the small place without heat would be nearly impossible.

  Heavy gray clouds hung low in the sky. It had rained during the night and the track was muddy. Rhona kept to the edge of the rutted road as she negotiated the puddles. Something would need to be done before she got bigger. The prospect of slipping and falling in the mire was frightening. Such a fall could damage the babe.

  Jamie was busy bringing in the last of the harvest. His vegetable garden would be finished for the season in a few days. Perhaps it was time for him to begin learning the lumber business. With Lara's help, he should manage well enough.

  1With winter coming, business might well fall off. As this was her first winter in the city, Rhona had no prior knowledge to judge by. It was cold enough now and would only get colder. She sorely missed the warmth of her plaid and boots. The wool stockings helped, but not as much as Rhona would have liked.

  Fairly certain Lara had already made her way to the yard, Rhona shook her head. The girl was going to need to wait for an adult to go with her. Far too young to be attempting to handle business on her own, the girl would not be happy being lectured.

  Understanding her charge quite well, Rhona grinned. The coming confrontation was going to be heated. Gaining the steps of the building was only half the battle. As she pulled her skirts part way around, Rhona shook off the occasional clump of mud.

  Her hatred of skirts resurfaced. The breeks she insisted on wearing well into womanhood in the glen were so much more comfortable. Of course, the skirts were easier to deal with now that the pregnancy was well advanced. Emptying her bladder was far simpler, as it was not necessary to undo all the fastenings.

  Opening the door, she found Jamie inside talking with Lara. Then again, it was Lara doing the talking as Jamie listened. They both turned to her with a smile.

  "Ye're ah wee bit late. I've been here near ah half hour. Lolling about in tha comfort of yur bed, nae gets tha work done." Lara informed her with a smirk.

  Jamie glanced from one to the other of the two females and partially rose from the chair he was sitting in. "Mayhap, I should leave ye hens tae it."

  Shaking her skirts out one more time, Rhona made her way to the unoccupied chair behind the roughly planked counter. "Och! Nae. 'Tis good that ye're here. We need tae discuss ah few things I've been thinking on."

  Once settled as comfortably in the chair as she could manage, Rhona laid one hand on her now prominent stomach. "I'm nae going tae be able tae manage getting here once I'm larger. As tha field is nearly empty, per'aps ‘tis time ye took over tha yard. Once tha bairn comes an is strong enough, I'll return."

  The girl's face had a closed look to it. Lara was not going to like what was coming and they both knew it. "Lara, ye'll need tae wait on Jamie. Ye cannae be running about without an older person near."

  Folding her arms across her chest, the child launched in. "An ye didnae go about the glen like ah wild Indian? I've heard some o' tha tales."

  "Now, there ye have tha key! "Tha glen." There was naught in tha glen tae hurt me. I was among my kin. I might have suffered an injury from an accident but, after ...a...after..."

  Rhona stuttered to a halt. She almost mentioned her father, not something she felt anyone else needed to hear. Rubbing her hand over her stomach, Rhona pretended the babe had broken her train of thought. "We're nae in tha glen. If ye're nae going tae abide by tha rules, I'll go tae the Laird and yur mither. 1Ye've been ah great help, I’ll grant ye. But, I'll nae have ye running about here with nae one tae protect ye."

  At the mention of Edan and Glynis, the child seemed to fold up. Knowing she had won this battle, Rhona was willing to let the child keep some pride. "I do hope ye're willing tae abide by tha rules, as Jamie could surely use yur help. None kens tha location of all as ye. An ye keep tha lads in line when tha new stuff comes in. Without ye, I think they might just pile things willy nilly, wherever it were easiest. So, are ye willing tae agree?"

  A slight smile returned to the girl's face. "Aye."

  Turning to Jamie, Lara stared at him. "Are ye gontae have more rules?"

  Rhona thought he might be having difficulty keeping his amusement contained. "Nae. I think Rhona has stated what ye needed tae hear. An, I very much value your assistance."

  When the girl broke into a broad smile, the two a
dults in the shop joined her. Jamie left shortly after their talk, as he had a few things to clear up at the field. The two young workers came in to dry out a little as everyone waited on the buyer to keep his appointment.

  Chapter Twenty - Seven

  Using a rabbet plane to cut down the end of a board, Edan felt something on the edge of his conscious mind. Before he made a mistake, he carefully lifted the plane from his work and sat it on the bench.

  Callling out to Adie and Blane that he was leaving for a while, Edan went into the house. He needed to talk with Cadha, but wanted to do so without Daracha knowing about it. Since the last vision, if that was what it was, nothing more had taken place.

  He could not hold it off much longer. Nessa sat before the fire, chatting with Evina. Head aching with the need to give in to what might be coming, Edan crossed to Evina. "Will ye call Cadha for me, quiet like? I'll be in Jamie's chamber."

  Rhona's mother rose from the stool, as Edan rounded the door into Jamie's nook. Sitting heavily on the edge of the bed, Edan put his head in his hands. It was something to do with the lumber yard. He could see the stacks of wood. The shop door was open and something, perhaps someone, lay behind the counter.

  Breathing shallowly, Edan was suddenly afraid. Forcing himself to enter the room, he began to move forward. A hand rested on top of his head. Cadha's soft voice broke into the vision and it began to dissolve.

  "What 'tis it, lad?"

  Edan was glad it was gone. He did not want to know who lay behind the counter. Reaching up, he grabbed Cadha's hand, clutching it tightly. "I dinnae understand. Why me? 'Twas Hamish's curse, nae mine. I've never seen things before. Why now?" With a sigh, he lifted his head to stare at his wife's grandmother.

  "Are ye sure ye've never had an inkling afore?" Cadha turned her back to the bed and sat next to him in the opening. "This didnae spring up from whole cloth intae ye. There's more tae this, laddie. Ye need tae think back, did ye ever have ah feeling of danger what made ye back away from something?"