Jamie tried to push past Edan. His face was pink far up into his hairline. "Let be! God's breath, Edan. Give way here!"
"How long are ye planning tae court? Tha twins will be talking afore either of ye makes ah move, tha way ye're going. Rut, do ye care for tha lad or nae? If nae, tell tha poor lad an let him go looking elsewhere."
"Looking elsewhere? Jamie, have ye been looking elsewhere?" Rut took a step in their direction.
Jamie grabbed Edan's upper arm. "For tha love of God, ease up!"
"Ye've nae answered my question, Jamie Anderson. Are ye looking elsewhere? Are ye tired of waiting on me?" Rut demanded.
Rolling his eyes as he hissed something very bad in Edan's direction, Jamie turned to Rut. "Nae, I'd wait on ye until tha world stops turning. However long ye wish."
A smile tilted the corners of her lush mouth and Rut put both hands on her hips. "Mayhap, Edan is correct." She strode up to them and reached out to grab Jamie's ear lobe between thumb and forefinger. "An we have wasted enough time. Never let me catch ye interested in another lass, or I be sore tempted tae give ye ah good crack on tha lug."
Before Jamie could move or speak, Rut put one hand on tha back of his neck and pulled his head down. She began to kiss the man. Startled for a moment, he was unable to move. Then Jamie put both arms around her and pulled her close. The kiss deepened and all Rut's family was howling, as they gleefully cheered them on.
Finally, she pulled slightly back. "When are we going tae see tha parson? Like as not, he'll be only tae happy tae conduct tha ceremony."
Jamie glanced around the bedroom at the grinning occupants. "I'll need tae wait until we have ah place of our own. I'm nae giving this lot ah free show every night. Nor am going without after all tha trouble I've taken tae get ye."
Edan nodded. "Ye're asking for my lass's hand in marriage, are ye?"
Twining her fingers with his, Jamie looked at Rut. She nodded and he turned to Edan. "Aye, Laird that I am."
Reaching out to Jamie, Edan shook his right hand while Rut hung on to his left. "Bless God! 'Tis about time. I was beginning tae wonder if ye were ever going tae come to it."
Slapping Jamie on the back, Edan lifted his voice. "An MacGrough takes in another stray. Ye ken we've been ah clan of strays since tha Templar, Gideon. This calls for ah celebration. Nessa, my darling lass, break out some of that brew of yurs. But be sure tae have some left for Hogmanay!"
The following night, Nairna did go into labor. It was going to be a long night, but at least Jamie didn't need to give up his bed. Not that he would be doing much sleeping. The noise level in the cottage 1precluded sleep.
The two men sat up talking downstairs. Where to set up Rut's new bed was the question. There was little choice and leaving it where it was, seemed to be the only option until spring.
The couple would take the smallest of the three rooms and the other six women and children would move into the middle room. Not an ideal solution, but it was all that could be done. And until Rhona gave birth, not even that was viable. Rut and Jamie would need to wait, until then to marry.
Drinking heated ale, watered down and with spices added, the men exhausted business talk. Personal matters became the topic of discussion. Edan discovered Jamie was a bit more than a simple crofter, something he had suspected. Jamie's education spoke of someone a cut above a farmer living in a cottage shared with his farm animals.
Young Sinclair was a shirt tail relation of the chief, but rather high on the shirt. Jamie had no intention of ever going back and doubted anyone would ever look for him. His sympathies were too well known at home and not supported.
It was Jamie who turned the conversation to the MacGroughs. "Why did ye bring it to ah head the matter of my courtship of Rut?"
Edan tipped the chair back on two legs as he looked over at Jamie. "Truly, I've nae idea. It felt like tha right thing tae do, maybe even needful."
"What Cadha says is correct then, ye have ah wee bit of tha sight."
Folding his arms about his chest, Edan sighed. "It would appear so. I've had ah thing, or tae happen. As my brother did before me, I try tae prepare."
Jamie was silent as he drained his cup. Lowering it, he glanced up at the other man. "Do ye want another? I'll do tha duty if ye like."
"Nae. I'm full up for tha moment an dinnae wish tae traipse out intae tha cold just yet. Thank ye for tha offer."
Toying with his cup, Jamie spun it around with his fingers. "Speaking of yur brother, what kind of laird was he? I recall only ah wee bit of tha battle, but tha pile of bodies round tha MacGroughs...they didnae go easy."
"Tis true, that. When I recovered from tha crack on tha lug he gave me, I went searching an found it was all over. I saw it was as ye said." Edan let the chair drop onto all four legs. Reaching out for his knife on the table, he began to push it idly about over the table top.
"Christ's bones! An he bashed ye tae keep ye from tha battle?"
Without looking up Edan nodded. "Aye. Tha night before he told me I must go home an see tae what was left of MacGrough. Hamish made me swear tae do it. All was lost an he wanted..."
Jamie finished the sentence for him. "He wanted ye tae be laird in his place." Shaking his head, in amazement, Jamie grimaced. "There's tae many ah good man lying in an unmarked grave on that field."
Edan's voice was low when he replied. "Nae. He's nae buried there. Tha MacGrough is nae there."
Leaning forward, Jamie sought to catch Edan's eye. "How so? Tha butcher's men were all about tha place. They slaughtered all they could find, including those who never even fought."
Glancing up at Jamie, Edan's two colored eyes were misty. "I've nae notion. He told me tae go, but I couldnae leave an nae bring their wives some aught. I couldnae take all back. Hamish, he was MacGrough. When I brought him home, I brought ah piece of all back tae their home."
"God's teeth! Edan, how did ye get him home? How did ye manage it?"
"I carried him from tha battle ground. Ye see, he left me ah horse and I wrapped him, got him on tha horse an went home." Edan looked away from Anderson.
"Ye walked? Ye walked from Culloden tae tha head of Loch Lomond? Is that what ye're telling me? How did ye accomplish it an how long did it take ye?"
Edan pushed the knife away from him. "I've nae idea how long it took, I barely ken any of it now. My head may have been ah wee bit cracked. Things are foggy, ken? I brought him home. We buried Hamish where he'll never be found. We loaded tha chests an what could be carried, then left tha glen. Like as not, tha bloody Campbells or tha MacNabs will take it over."
"MacGrough, I dinnae ken tha man tha laird ye brother was, but I ken ye."
"Hamish was tha best of brothers. He said I was, but 'tis nae so. Tha leg was an accident after my birth. My mither, poor soul, didnae fare well from tha birthing. She had taken me from tha crib. When she died, I was pushed between tha bed frame an tha cradle. Da was off hunting our herd an it was Hamish who found me. He ran for help after putting me in tha crib. Then he devised tha brace for me an taught me tae fight. I'm nae as crippled as I may seem. I must use it tae keep suspicion from tha door."
Tapping Edan on the arm to get him to look up, Jamie smiled at him when he did. "I ken ye hide behind tha lame leg. Ye trained along with yur brother then. Where might yur weapons be?"
"Tucked away, laddie. In an place where they'll nae be found. Once tha Sassenach got their way, there was nae more use for tha things. Needs must, I'll do what has tae be done."
"Of that, I'm quite certain. I could have talked Rut intae leaving with me. I'm here because of tha laird of MacGrough, an tha man he is."
"It should have been Hamish here. I tried tae talk him intae letting me take his place, he wouldnae allow it."
"Ye would do as he wished. Aye, he understood ye well. Yur ah good man, Edan. An I'm glad tae have landed here."
"Hamish was..."
"Is dead an gone, Edan. An I'm telling ye, he understood what he was about when he sent ye in his stead. Now, look at ye, col
oring up like ah lass who's had her first kiss. An yur getting worse again. Oh, aye, 'tis true." Jamie laughed as Edan blushed and turned away from him.
"I've nae worries of it going tae yur head. Ye don't ken yur own worth. I suppose 'tis one thing I love about ye that thick head of yurs is never going tae swell."
There was the sound of a newborn entering the world and Edan heaved a sigh of relief. Jamie would now be able to go to bed and leave off this line of conversation. And another MacGrough had successfully entered the world. As there was the usual clucking from his beloved females above stairs, all was well with mother and child. It was a good night's work.
All slept in after staying up until the New Year came in. Those with babes, hushed them as quickly as possible when they woke, so as not to wake the others. A late breakfast was put together from remnants of the smoked meats and tidbits from the night before.
As expected, they only had two visitors from the village. Both were unattached males. Edan suspected they were scouting the women out. His ladies shyly avoided any real contact with the two men, causing them to leave quickly. It was just as well. Neither Edan nor Jamie had seen the men in the church and they suspected both would be suitors were not able to court the other young women of the village.
The family was sitting around the hearth drinking tea and idly chatting, when there was a knock on the door. Jean rose to see who might be calling, as it was still a bit early for the revelers of the village to be up and about.
All turned toward the door. Jean opened it to find a scruffy boy standing there.
"Does tha MacGrough live here? If so, might I see him?" he asked.
Turning sideways in his chair, Edan looked at the boy. The thick black hair and dark eyes had the MacGrough look.
"Aye, lad. Come in. An why are ye looking for MacGrough?" As Edan watched, the boy glanced carefully around the room before entering. Timidly, he edged past Jean with a hurried glance in her direction.
Used to being cuffed, the boy was very cautious. Edan could see the tense muscles as the child hesitantly came toward him. Careful to make no sudden movements, Edan scooted his chair backward a little to give the boy more room. 1He stopped just short of walking around the chair, so Edan was still twisted sideways.
"Come along, lad. None here is going tae hurt ye. I dinnae want tae stay twisted in tha seat, 'tis uncomfortable. Walk round, so I may see ye properly."
Like a wild animal, wary of being captured, the boy edged sideways through the path Edan had created for him. "Ye're tha MacGrough? I was told he had hair like mine an dark eyes."
"Aye. My brother Hamish, he was tha laird before me an his coloring was tha same as yurs. He died, an now, I'm laird here."
The dark eyes watched Edan intently. "An ye live in tha glen beyond tha head o' Loch Lomond?"
Edan nodded. "We did, lad. Nae longer. This is our home now. Tha glen is tha property of tha beast of tha field now. With only myself and Jamie here, we couldnae work tha fields or tend tha herds, what herds were left. Now, tell me lad, who are yur mither and da? Why are ye here an why have I nae seen ye afore this?"
Shuffling his feet, the child glanced down away from Edan. When he responded, his answer was given in so low a tone Edan had to strain to hear. "Cai MacGrough was my da. My mither, Annie. Da was killed, mayhap, five years ago. My mither told me tae find my da's people. She's found another, ye see, an is off tae America with him. I couldnae go."
Rhona had her hand on her mouth, stifling the mumbled curse she uttered. Edan shook his head sharply at her, as the boy's gaze flitted in her direction.
"Lad, how did ye find us? Ye surely didnae go all tha way tae tha glen, or ye would have seen all were gone."
"I wasnae sure how tae go, ye ken? I got as far as tha ford on tha River Leven. I couldnae cross tha ford alone, so I tried tae get tha ferryman tae let me cross with ah promise o' working it off. He asked where I was bound. When I told him, he said ye were likely here."
"Och! Smith, tha ferryman once again." Edan muttered under his breath. This time, he was glad the man had intervened. The boy would have died alone in the glen, providing he could have even found the track.
The boy shrugged thin shoulders. "Did I do wrong? I didnae mean tae cause ye any bother."
"'Tis nae bother ahtall. Ye ken ye have ah sister?" Edan lifted a hand and pointed at Rhona. "Yur older sister, Rhona. What did they name ye, lad?"
The child lowered his head further. "Beistie, sir."
Rhona cursed aloud at the name. "Yur mither named ye ah beast? For tha luv of God, why?"
"Cause my da was ah beast to her. She said, like as not, I would turn out tha same. It was the MacGrough blood."
Gara made a rude noise. Edan felt a smile tugging at his mouth, as he looked around at the frowns on the faces of the women.
"Lad, ye're nae ah beast. As ye're newly come tae tha clan, ye need ah new name. 'Tis ah new year for all MacGrough. Och, hens, what say ye we name this MacGrough lad?"
Several women volunteered names. Rhona cleared her throat and reached out to the boy. "Yur my brother, I claim tha right tae name ye."
Eyes wide, the boy stared at her.
"Come laddie, take my hand. I lay claim on ye now."
Tentatively, the boy reached out toward his sister. Rhona tugged him forward gently. Edan watched as she reached to put a hand on the child's shoulder.
"I think I have it. Tha opposite of beast, ye are now Callum, tha dove."
Edan watched as one tear slowly traced its way down the child's grimy right cheek. The boy nodded once.
Turning, he glanced at Edan. "I can stay? I'll work hard. Anything ye need..."
Rhona's eyes met Edan's over the top of the child's head. Her dark eyes flashed fire and Edan knew it was a good thing the child's parents were not nearby.
"Aye, Callum. Ye can stay. As for yur chores, we will talk of that later. For now, it seems tae me ye might help by clearing up some of tha food left from last night."
It was now 1747. A new beginning for MacGrough and the new stray who had wandered in. Edan shook his head slightly. He was praying it was a good year.
Chapter Thirty - Two
Unlike Rut and Nairna, Rhona's labor began early in the morning. Having just navigated the steep stairs into the lower part of the cottage, she came to a halt and uttered a sharp noise. A look combined of embarrassment and consternation was on her face.
Taking note of the fluid beneath her skirts, Edan grabbed Jamie's arm and looked over at Callum. "Come! Let us go outside for ah wee while. I believe our presence will only make tha matter more difficult."
Leaving their breakfast, the other two followed him out into the early morning predawn light.
Callum reached out to tug on Edan's sleeve. "She's nae hurt? Nae sick?"
Pulling the boy against him, Edan smiled down at him. "Nae, I ken it's time for our nephew tae make his appearance. Cadell MacGrough is ready tae meet his kin."
"God's teeth! 'Tis ah cold gray morn. How long do ye think we must stay out here in the chill? My teeth are already beginning tae make noise." Jamie complained.
Edan pulled out his watch and studied it for a moment. "Now, we can get back intae tha house. Tha hens should have her up intae bed."
Nessa and Rut were the only two women down stairs when they went back into the warm cottage. The pungent smell of the burning coal in the fireplace hung in the room, refusing to move up the cold chimney.
Edan watched as Rut finished mopping up the liquid from Rhona's accident. Rising from the table he walked over to the fireplace to take the poker and stir the lumps of coal in the grate. The fire flared up and sent sparks up the chimney.
Satisfied that the fire was getting enough air to burn correctly, Edan went back to the table. Seating himself, he finished off the last bit of his bannock and picked up his tea.
Jamie glanced upward at the floor above his head. "At least we won't be losing any sleep this night. She should be finished by bedtime."
&nb
sp; Shaking his head at Jamie's lack of knowledge, Edan grinned. "Och, nae always. Some bairns take their own sweet time over it all. They're cozy enough where they lie an nae ready tae give up ah comfortable bed."
"Do ye ken, there's some things I'm nae ready to become well acquainted with? Some areas of women's personal matters are best left alone." Jamie grimaced. "An ye can leave off educating me."
Edan laughed at the blonde young man sitting across from him. "Ah ewe is nae different from ah female. It all goes much tha same. Ye'd nae let ah ewe in trouble fend for itself at ah birthing?"
"Damn! MacGrough, that's something I've nae need tae see in my head this early in tha morn. I've nae even finished my tea here! Have ah care man, dinnae sour my stomach."
Callum had been watching the two men and listening quietly. "Sir?" he asked softly, as he looked up at Edan. "How are lasses an sheep tha same? I've seen tha sheep being driven tae market. They go on four legs an lasses on tae. I dinnae understand."
Jamie sat back in his chair with a wicked grin. "Well now. Seems ye have talked yurself intae ah tight spot here. Are ye gonna enlighten tha lad? If so, I'd surely like tae hear it."
Edan cleared his throat. "Aye. Och! Callum, there're females an there’re males in all species. It says in tha Bible, "God created them, male and female, he created them". There're several other things ye need tae learn about tha creating part. However, it's long an ah bit difficult. Adie an Blane are waiting for me in tha shop an there is business tae attend tae. Would ye go with Jamie tae tha lumber yard this morn? He and Lara can show ye round."
Looking around the room, Edan frowned. "Where is Lara? Have ye seen her yet? If tha lass has gone tae tha yard by herself there'll be tha Devil tae pay!"
Nessa looked up from the pot she was filling with water at the hearth. "Tha lass went up with tha others. I 'pect she'll be down shortly. Edan, would ye be so kind, as tae leave tha lad here with me this morn. I'm needing ah bit o’ muscle tae keep tha water pots filled."
"Good thought. Callum, would ye stay here an help Nessa?"
After a quick nod of his head, Callum slid off the bench and went over to Nessa. "Lady Nessa? What do ye wish?"
The Twisted Laird Page 22