The Twisted Laird

by Cherime MacFarlane

  After making a rude comment, Daracha snorted. "Bloody unlikely! They're going tae be thinking tae scare tha lot of us. They'll be thinking tae catch us in our beds. We're going tae be needing tae set ah night watch. Tha days of ease are over until we put an end tae tha cac."

  It was difficult to keep the smile from his face as he watched Daracha. Edan was proud of his beautiful wife.

  "Cadell is up in tha early morn. 'Tis that nae so, Rhona?"

  Her friend agreed with a nod and Daracha went on. "Aye. Ye take that as yur watch. None would suspect anything of having anyone up at that hour with ah bairn tae feed."

  "Lass, we nae want lights showing. It would make it tae easy tae pick off who's inside." Edan observed mildly. Fairly sure what was coming next, he waited.

  "Truly, MacGrough. And doesnae this cottage need shutters then? They will ken someone is up, but nae how many or who."

  "I'm nae abed until later." Nessa volunteered. "'Sleep nae comes easy any more. I can take tha first watch. When I go tae my bed, I'll wake Nairna. Aili will be ready for her feeding, as she usually is."

  Feeling his heart swell with love for the brave women making plans at the table, Edan took a glance at Anderson from the corner of his eye. The man seemed dumbfounded. It was about time Jamie understood what it meant to be part of MacGrough. They were not going down easy.

  Cadha and Nessa were to make slings for all the children. Cadha would show the children the basic principles of the weapon and drill them. Jamie and Edan would work with the older children in the yard in the evening. By then all in the village would be in their homes, likely eating, it was the perfect time to train.

  They had acquired various dirks and sgians from some of the refugees. Edan was glad he purchased what he could that way. The wearing of a weapon in the usual manner was now against the law for Scots. Other methods would need to be devised.

  They had abided by the law. It was doubtful the law would help them when it came to Tally Smith. The man knew far too many people in the right places. Edan was fairly sure bribes occasionally changed hands.

  It came down to defend yourself. They would do so. Jamie understood what was needed for the crossbows. He would begin checking the market vendors regularly.

  Rhona would go to the yard with Lara when Jamie went into town. It was agreed the very first thing Jamie would look for were two ship's bells. One would be for the shop in the yard, the other for the cottage. Once they were mounted, a system would be mapped out for their use.

  A certain amount of time would be given to making shutters for the cottage each day. Edan was glad to have Callum available. The boy, for all his shyness and timidity, was helpful. Clan MacGrough was preparing for war.

  Chapter Thirty - Seven

  Rhona sat with Nessa and Cadha braiding the wool yarn together to use for the slings. They had always found slings useful in the glen. It allowed the women and children to keep pests from the fields and flocks.

  Adie, Blane and Lara already had some experience with the weapon. Isa was now seven years of age and were they in the glen, she would have already been trained in its use. Lilas was at the right age for learning, as she had turned six shortly before Isa.

  The women all thought it a perfect weapon for a woman, as it was easy to carry and stones were everywhere. A crossbow was easily handled by a female, but had the disadvantage of being harder to carry.

  Having discussed the matter thoroughly, each woman began carrying a small knife in the garter which tied their stocking into place. The scabbards they constructed from leather, allowed the garter to pass through slits in the back of the sheath. The whole was not visible to any passerby. The knife would be readily available in case of need.

  "I ken we all let tha horror of losing so many at once override our good judgment." Rhona commented as the three of them sat by the fire. The soup pot was at the edge of the coals, keeping warm as they waited for the men to return.

  Cadha glanced up at Rhona for a moment. "Aye. 'Tis likely. An none of us thought tae be in such straits in tha town."

  "We're nae exactly in tha town. Grahamston is nae bustling with crowds. 'Tis ah bit of ah backwater. A fact, I think we’re all glad of." Nessa didn't bother to look at either woman as she worked the braid tightly together while speaking.

  The thought of living in the town proper caused a shudder to pass through Rhona. "Och! Truly. I cannae believe how they live cheek by jowl together in tha town. I'd never get any sleep. Tha whole 'tis appalling."

  With a chuckle, Cadha glanced up at the other two women. "Aye. An there's places where tha rough lads go tae drink, an I swear, lasses nae only serve tha ale, but sing as well. Tha noise is enough tae have yur ears ringing for half ah day."

  Nessa called Lara over, so she might check the length of the sling for the girl. Satisfied it was time to split the braid for the pouch, Nessa sent the girl over to stir the pot.

  "Do ye think they were all loose women?" Rhona asked Daracha's granny.

  "Nae. There is so little ah lone woman can do tae keep body an soul alive, without ah man....I'm thinking nae all will go tae such extremes, but some will. Aye." Cadha called Adie over so she might measure his sling.

  Rhona was working on a sling for Blane. Shortly, she would be able to call him over to check if the length was sufficient.

  "'Tis fortunate, we are. I ken how difficult things might be without Edan." Rhona acknowledged.

  Stopping for a moment, Nessa tapped Rhona on her knee. "Ye appreciate tha lad, do ye? Glad am I tae hear that from yur lips, lass. 'Twas ah long time coming."

  "Per'aps. I was blind with pain. I'm nae sure. An there was always bad blood between us, Edan an me."

  "Oh, aye! Anyone with half ah brain could see ye were jealous of Hamish an any time he spent with Edan. Ah foolish thing that, as Hamish loved ye both." The words came from Cadha's mouth gently.

  Still, Rhona felt her cheeks grow hot. "Jealous? Och! In truth, it was that. I'm nae sure of tha reason. Hamish told me often enough he cared for us both. He tried tae make me see Edan as he really was but..."

  "Lass, ye were without ah real da. Mayhap, ye were afraid of losing Hamish an held tae tightly to him." Nessa's hand again reached out to pat Rhona on the knee. "'Tis hard on ah girl, nae having ah da."

  "Och! I had tha bugger right enough. I had tae much of tha back of his hand! It was always "why weren't ye ah lad". 'Tis tha reason he was angry with Mither, she didnae give him ah lad." Fingers trembling, she had to stop her attempt to braid the cord. Head down, she could not look at the two older women.

  "Yur mither never really spoke of it." Cadha said quietly.

  "Aye. Keeps all inside an stirs it about, so it only hurts her, or so she thinks. I see it's done ye nae good. Tha tae of ye should have come tae yur family long ago. Wean, surely ye ken we want tae see ye do well an be happy?" Nessa's gnarled fingers closed tightly on her leg, forcing Rhona to look at her.

  Shaking her head, Rhona was not able to respond. Unable to let go of the work she was holding, Rhona used her forearm to brush the tears away. It took several deep breaths before she could regain control of her emotions.

  Focusing on the work in her hands, she braided a bit more before calling Blane over to check the length. Satisfied with it, Blane was then dismissed to go back to the shop. As she separated the braid for the leather pouch which would be sewn on, it occurred to her she had another concern, Callum.

  "What do ye think I should do about Callum? Surely, tha lad has been used badly. At least I had Mither an Hamish. He didnae have anyone. That Mither of his is ah nasty piece of work."

  "She is indeed. But, as Edan said, she is his mither. 'Tis nae good for tha lad tae hear what ah piece of cac she is. Best leave that alone an love on tha lad all ye can. Edan says he's ah great help in tha shop. Per'aps, ye an Edan can think on ways tae bring tha lad out of himself." Nessa finished braiding the last strands together and tied the required knot in the end.

  "One down, one less tae make. I'm
going tae let Lara sew tha pouch on. If she wants another when this one becomes tae small, she'll need tae make it herself." With a grin, Nessa put the thing away in her bag and stood to stretch. "Tha stool gets closer tae tha floor each year. Is Jamie off tae tha town? I had thought tae have him get some paint. We need tae color tha stones tae see who is getting closest tae tha mark."

  Cadha grinned. "Aye. Good thought. With all having stones with different colors, there's naught tae be arguing about."

  Knowing they were allowing her time to gather herself together again, Rhona listened to the older women chatter. They spoke of various small matters, things of little consequence. Finally, Rhona was able to join in.

  Silently, she turned the question of Callum over in her head. He was behaving as she did, when a child. Callum had drawn into himself and she wondered what he hid inside. There were bound to be things he was unwilling to face. She knew how her father behaved with her, it was unlikely he was any better with the boy.

  Like a small ray of sunlight breaking through a cloud, she perceived a truth. Cai hated everyone and everything for some unknown reason. It would not have mattered if she was the son he claimed he wanted, there would have been some other reason for his maltreatment of her. Callum was living proof of the revelation she had just received.

  Tying the knot in the end of the braid, Rhona looked at the two women sitting with her. "Do ye ken what was wrong with him?"

  "With who, lass?" Cadha had finished one sling and was looking through a bag of leather scraps for a pouch piece.

  "With Cai. I think it wouldnae have mattered if I was ah lad or no. Look at Callum. He didnae take any better care of tha lad he claimed he wanted."

  Settling back down on the stool, Nessa glanced at Cadha. "Ye ken yur da's gandda was tha younger half-brother o' tha laird at tha time?"

  Rhona stared at Nessa. "Aye?"

  "I'm thinking tha whole of it was displeasure with nae living in tha keep an being laird. Yur da heard ah great deal of complaining by his grandda an his da as tae tha lowly estate intae which they were forced, by other members of tha family."

  With a snort, Rhona looked at each of the two women seated next to her. "Cai wouldnae care for this kettle of stew we find ourselves in. I cannae see him doing half so well as Edan. God's bones! Tha fool would have either been in the tolbooth, or we'd all be naught but bones in tha glen."

  "An with tha coin, tha Templar's treasure put by for us tae survive on, gone intae who ken's what, in short order. Yur da liked living well." Cadha rubbed her fingers, which were stiff from work. "Edan is tha laird for this job. All tha years living with pain have taught him patience. An his head is tight on his shoulders. Och! Tha MacGrough temper is inside tha lad, but on ah tight lead."

  "Indeed! Were I Ian Smith, I would be praying tae heaven for ah good cooper. Daracha an I heard Edan dealing with Smith. It seemed tae me, tha leash was slipping ah mite."

  All three women laughed. Edan was not known for rash statements. What came out of the man's mouth was usually followed up on. It would be far better for everyone, if Smith left them alone.

  The possibility of injury existed. Someone was going to be hurt. Hopefully, none would die as a result. But, MacGroughs were used to pain and injury. It happened far too often in the glen.

  All were aware of the possible consequences of a war with Tally Smith. There would also be consequences if Edan gave in. Smith's demands would continue until they were fully in his pocket. When the reckoning came, Smith would throw to the wolves, anyone associated with him. Clan MacGrough needed to get clear and stay clear.

  The only way in which they held the glen for all the years they did was by meeting force with greater force. The enemy had to be made to pay and dearly for bothering the clan. To stay independent, they needed to be a close-knit family, more than willing to give lives to the cause of freedom.

  With a reputation for being slightly insane, the MacGrough clan was generally left alone. The land itself did not lie on a major route to anywhere. Most had concluded the small glen was not sufficiently prosperous to die for.

  Not to mention, it was generally accepted there would be little left of value once a land seizure was affected. The women fought as well as the men, so females worth taking were likely to be killed. If the glen was over run, it was assumed any MacGroughs left would burn anything useful.

  The Campbells had bigger land grabs in mind, ones which would yield something worth fighting for. If one was going to take over land it might as well be worth the cost.

  Other clans were dealing with the Campbells, which suited MacGrough well enough. Intermarriage with The Gregorach and the MacFarlanes kept relations with those two clans stable. Until Culloden, MacGrough was a small backwater, not worth bothering about.

  Now they were in the city and still found it necessary to gear up for battle. The women were well aware of the situation they found themselves in. There were wolves in Glasgow, ready to snatch up a tasty prize and as vicious, as any in the mountains.

  While the women worked, Edan and Callum brought in a set of shutters, which they hung in one of the windows. There were now only three to construct and hang. Rhona watched as Edan went back outside with Callum. He had one hand on the boy's shoulder as they walked out the door. Aye. Ye're far better than Cai, Edan MacGrough. Rhona thought to herself.

  Chapter Thirty - Eight

  "An can ye give me ah reason for tha delay in tha readiness of tha barrels for tha shipment? Is our regular man nae up tae tha task?" Tally sat leaning back in the chair with his polished boots on Ian's table. It always set Ian's teeth on edge to see those boots on his furniture.

  Lowering his gaze to the ale in the tankard, Ian kept the edge from his voice by exercising every ounce of control he possessed.

  "'Tis nae tha regular gent, ken? That one went off on ah fling again. Found another lass who belonged to someone an got his lug cracked for it."

  Tally spit out an epithet along with a mouthful of ale, which sprayed across the table. Ian was fairly sure Tally did those kinds of things to aggravate him. If Ian lost his temper, Tally was able to take control and lecture Ian on his inability to keep his head. His father's younger brother was a bastard. Ian was determined to keep his wits about him this time. This was far too volatile a situation to allow his temper to take over.

  "Well! Isn't it time ye did something about tha silly bugger?" Tally shouted at Ian.

  This time, Ian leaned back in his chair. "Aye. I surely did so, Uncle. The wee piece of cac is on his way tae tha West Indies, never tae return. If he keeps his head, tha drunken asail may make something of himself there. He's tae make barrels, fill tha bloody things with rum, an send them back."

  Ian grinned at his uncle. "'Tis nae skin off me if he doesnae. 'Tis his pay he's off with."

  "So, is tha Highlander, tha one with all tha lasses working tha job?"

  Ian curbed the inclination to sigh. Now the difficult part to get through had arrived. "Nae. I found another cooper. Ah young one, nae as much experience as tha last, so 'tis taking ah wee bit longer. Tha lad should be better in tha end. Younger, more easily led, ken?"

  Taking his boots off the table, Tally pushed the tankard in Ian's direction. "I'll have another."

  Rising, Ian tipped his container of ale up and drained it. He knew Tally did not like to be kept waiting. This was Ian's way of poking Tally a bit.

  "Aye. We both will, then.” Ian ambled off toward the small jug of ale on the floor near the door where it would stay a bit cooler. Taking his time over the job, Ian let his relative stew a bit.

  Returning to the table, the big man slid the tankard toward his Uncle. He put just enough force behind the maneuver to put it out of his reach and just shy of Tally's hand.

  Stretching to grab the handle, Tally glared at Ian. "An why did ye nae get tha Highlander in tae help tha new lad?"

  Here now, is tha rough part. Ian thought, as he took a large gulp of the liquid. "Tha MacGrough wasnae available. He's ah lumb
er yard tae run an was full tae tha gills with tha management of tha thing."

  Slamming the tankard down on the table, Tally glared at his nephew. "Ye gave tha bloody, big dafty ah choice?"

  They had finally come to the place in the discussion where the ridicule began. Tally began to use all the terms for Ian his father had used for years. Och, stupid, big dumb ox, dafty, hulking lout, brainless idiot. Ian recited them all in his head as they rolled toward him in a virulent stream of spit from his Uncle's mouth.

  Suddenly, he envied the cooper. A vision of the proceeds of the next shipment flitted across his thoughts. Escape was the word he thought of as he listened to Tally.

  He hated Tally. Why was he still here listening to this foolishness? His mother was dead, only Tally and the ferryman remained of the family he had been abused in for years. Ian made up his mind. This time he would be the one on the ship to the colonies with enough coin for a nice stake. Land there was cheap and wild Indians could be no worse than Tally.

  Why in tha bloody hell, nae? Smith silently asked himself as he watched his Uncle wind down. Tally couldn't report him as a thief without exposing himself. The arrogant bastard was sitting on enough money to buy half of Glasgow several times over. The pittance Tally doled out to Jock and to him, was just that, a pittance.

  Perhaps Jock would like to go along with him. Together, they could go into business for themselves somewhere in the colonies under different names and be free of the hold Tally had over them both. As if to lubricate his throat, Tally stopped screaming long enough to take a drink.

  Hiding his smile behind his ale, Ian looked over at Tally. "Everyone has ah choice, Uncle. MacGrough doesnae owe ye. He made tha barrels as agreed. Tha hens worked for tha whole time they were here. We're nae going tae miss tha shipment, as tha new lad is adequate tae tha task. What are ye in such ah lather over?"