by Fiona Faris
"Ye held up quite finely, all things considered," Callum said as his eyes were starting to close in sleep.
"It was the most elaborate funeral procession I've ever seen, although I couldn't get closer," she replied. "Mother would have greatly adored it," she said again.
Callum let out a huff of amusement. “She was a really kind woman, and she was sae much wonderful. She deserves even more than the funeral," he hesitated before continuing, "Tomorrow, I'm going tae have her room emptied and stripped, If we daenae work toward that, I fear that we will never be rid of the sick-room smell otherwise."
"I think that's an excellent idea," Gretchen said.
"I will resume training with the warriors and the guards tomorrow, sae I will leave ye tae oversee the cleaning, and after the cleaning, ye should rest sae that you'd have a little time tae adjust tae her death," Callum said quickly, trying to close his eyes.
"Wow, thank ye, my laird." Happy about the statement, she drew closer to him and looked at him with a pure gaze. Suddenly remembering something, she began to struggle with her thoughts as she squinted her eyes to see Callum's face in the darkness, her hand roving over his body. Her thoughts were clouded with how busy she would never get to be again since Merriam's death. She knew Callum would never agree that she work with the stablemen and women or with farm maidens. Bewildered, she stared down at her hands and made a knot of her fingers.
"My laird," she called to be sure that Callum did not sleep.
After some time, Callum's voice called out. "Yes... Yes, my lady," he replied as if he was jerked awake by a pinch.
"My laird, I am sorry for disturbing yer sleep, but I want tae say something tae ye." Callum nodded his head, signifying she could continue.
"Dae talk, my lady. Ye can tell me anything," he said, thinking otherwise that she might not have seen him nod.
" I hate tae say, but I feel I might be entirely useless after tomorrow's supervision ye had bestowed on me tae dae, since my only duties were tae care for mother, bring food tae the family's table and administer herbs for Mother's comfort. She's gone away from us now, and I sae much sense my uselessness coming tae place. I implore ye tae allow me tae work in another function," Gretchen said, closing her eyes, waiting for what Callum might say.
Callum shook his head again. "There is nae reason for ye tae work again. See this as yer moment of rest. It will be better for us all if ye would just live in the keep and take care of Ava and me. Hence ye won't be too bothered and awakened by constant grunts at all hours of the night," Callum said, beaming a smile across tae her in the darkness.
"I am a sound sleeper, and once I have done everything that should be done, I might nae hear anything again. And I can make dae with the grunts because it might nae bother me sae much," she said.
For a long moment, Callum was quiet, finding no suitable words to use to persuade her and win her to his side. He had wanted her to be so free that all she had to concern with was caring for herself and the family only. He saw how much her mind was determined to work, but he just couldn't let her.
"Sincerely, I daenae want ye tae work any longer. Ye have worked a lot in the last recent years, and I just want ye tae stay in the keep, oversee the work of the maids, and maybe, at intervals, ye could give them their following directions. That is enough hard work already," he said quietly, his voice firm.
Scrunching up her face, Gretchen was utterly quiet, there was really no reason, no matter how she tried to dissuade him. Thinking of some new words to use, a strong point that she knew he wouldn't ignore, she smiled warmly with the darkness covering her face. After a short while, her voice called out again.
"My laird, I know ye want the best for me, and I know ye like my happiness and what will bring tae me happiness and will immediately relieve me of Mother's grief is tae let me work with the maidens in the kitchen. At least I'd be indulged in the company of many, and if at the latter end, I daenae find it convenient, I'd be glad tae take up the other available offers, my laird," she said softly, playing with his golden chest hair.
After a short silence, she heard his silken reply. "Of course, I dae want yer happiness, and it sounds selfish of me tae deny ye what will amuse ye in yer private hours and working hours. Sae, dae what pleases ye, just as long as ye are available when I need ye."
"Thank ye, my laird, I am sae grateful," she replied happily and leaned her head on his chest. In a few seconds, the room was silent except for the sound of the deep, rhythmic breathing of two sleeping people.
* * *
The following day was received warmly by the people of the keep with a bright shining sun gleaming from the sky. The keep was active with maids and servants wandering from one part of the keep to another. Gretchen was happy for the constant activities as it helped to distract her from her grief. She had joined the maidens working in the kitchen early in the morning to prepare food for the laborers and guards and had also taken extra efforts to oversee to the delivery of some food down to the widows in the community. As she cooked, Ava's little voice called out to her.
"Mama! Mama!"
"Yes, my dear! What dae ye want?" she said, glancing at Ava.
"I am hungry?" she said, ruffling her hair with the tips of her fingers.
"I thought ye had just eaten? Eh? All right, find a plate, and I'd serve ye some food," she said.
"Thank ye, Mama!” Ava said, jumping toward a pile of plates, took one from it, and hurried back to her. Gretchen scooped some food into her dish, and she dashed away. She smiled as she watched her.
"What a lovely daughter she is," Anabelle said from where she was steering soup.
"Thanks tae ye Anabelle, but she could be a pain in the ass, too," Gretchen said and laughed. After a few moments, Ava came back, complaining of another thing. Gretchen resolved it, and she dashed away again. She heaved a sigh of relief.
The following afternoon brought with it not just an unusual spate of warm weather this deep in the winter, but also the thumping feet of a large group of people marching to the keep. In this group were the youths, the children, the old, and the warriors. Callum and Gregory were in the office discussing at length s new training strategy when they heard the march and the songs outside. They hurried out to meet the people.
Callum was confused and afraid. He thought the people had converged to protest something he never knew about, although their gestures did not really convey anger or discontent. The guards had immediately prevented their entrance, forming a straight line and blocking their movement with their shields and swords pinned against each other. As Callum and Gregory showed up, the noisy atmosphere slipped into silence, and one young man who had a look of warrior marched out of the crowd to the front.
"My laird! Why we have come tae dae is straight, and we will be brief about it. My name is Sinclair, and I am a warrior of the keep. Since ye have become the Laird, we have experienced a gradual change in this clan. Foods have been sufficient, and security has been tightened. Today we have come tae pay allegiance tae ye. We have come tae tell ye, that since this day and tae forever, we are in support of her Lairdship. Tae be much certain of my words, here is a sign that we all are glad tae have ye as our laird," Sinclair said and fell on his knees, the crowd that followed him fell on their knees one after the other until there was no one standing.
"My laird! Ye have my support, too," Gregory said and fell on his knees as well. Fazed and happy at the same time, a big smile covered Callum's lips. This was the best moment of his life. He brought his sword out and dug it into the soil.
"This is a big day for me. A day I have all yer allegiance, a day I cease tae be afraid of the enemy of the Laird’s seat. A day I'm covered with great gladness. Words of have deserted me. I daenae know which tae speak, I daenae know what tae say. My heart gladdens and rejoices, and I use this day with ye all gathered here as my witness, and verily I say tae ye all that the Glenbogle clan will never be in disarray. Security and foods will increase, and happiness shall be the order of the day!"
Callum shouted at the top of his voice.
"Aye! Aye!! Aye!!!" the people chorused standing up from their kneeling positions. Callum smiled as he gazed at Gregory, shook his hands, and pulled him into a warm embrace.
Chapter Twenty-Two
It was now three months after the people had sworn allegiance to Callum being the Laird of the clan. He had been busy with work in the recent months, and his tight schedule had kept him away from Gretchen who had also been occupied with many functions. For instance, some months ago, she had found her kitchen job too easy and less time-consuming, which had bored her and made her feel lazy. She wanted something challenging and enhancing, so she had talked to Callum again about being of help to the widows of the clan.
"Many of them have come tae swear allegiance tae ye, and one of the ways of helping the clan grow is tae take care of the widows," she had said to Callum on a beautiful cold morning. He had at first wanted to vehemently disagree, as he knew what the job could do to her body. He knew it was stressful and dangerous as it entailed traveling Clan Glenbogle lands and would keep her away from him. However, he could not disagree, for it would make her happy. In less than one month, the widow visits and food delivery had become so large that Gretchen had employed more able-bodied men to handle the carriages and the loading of food into wagons, and then many other willing ladies to see to the distribution of food.
Today Gretchen was home with Callum and Ava in the great hall talking excessively about the clan business and laughing at intervals. Although they rarely saw each other, there were still moments when they'd see and feed themselves like today, and most times it had always ended with crazy sex or a hot romance. Today might be no exception as they sat close to each other, Callum's hand slung around Gretchen's neck, and their breaths mingled as they continued their discussion.
"I think we might have tae expand our territory," Callum said
"Why? I think we still have enough unused lands," Gretchen replied, glancing at Callum's face.
"Well, sae ye think, but it's entirely different. Since there's a huge provision of food in this keep, the gate guards have alerted the Council of Elders about people trooping in from other clans tae settle down in our lands. I am sure we will record many more of these issues as another winter approaches."
"Oh, ye have rightly spoken. Workers distributing foods tae the widows have also notified me of a massive increase in the numbers of widows. And I had wondered from where they had come as there were nae recent wars fought and the clan’s water has been sanctified. There have also been a large number of healers registered in the clan tae see tae the well-being of the people. It's sae nice tae hear of people coming tae our lands for food, but we have tae be careful of other enemies," Gretchen said softly, clamping her hands over Callum's fist.
"Mama! Can I gae play with Campbell and Patrick?" Ava asked, obviously bored with playing with herself.
"Daenae stay long, and ye all should play where the eyes of the guards can see ye," Gretchen said, glancing at Ava who had already jumped to her feet and hurried away, leaving just Callum and Gretchen on the big fluffy leather couch.
Realizing they were alone, Callum felt the urge tae pull Gretchen closer to him and take her slowly. It had been too long since they had any romantic involvement but sensing that her making the first move wouldn't be a bad idea either, He was quiet and a bit still, flicking Gretchen's hair with the tip of his fingers.
As if she knew what was going on in his mind, her heart started thumping, and her breathing increased. Slowly, she pulled at his shirt and leaned closer to him. She parted her lips and welcomed Callum's kiss. Callum's hand wandered across to the center of her breasts and trailed up and down the line of her cleavage.
Suddenly, he grabbed her breast with his left hand and swirled his other hand on the other breast's nipple until it hardened against his touch. Sensing her soft moans, he felt her hand unbuckling his trousers and helped him slide them down his legs. His hands also slid under her skirts into the center of her already dripping core, as he felt the warmness of her against his fingers. His urge to dig deeper with his fingers increased, which in turn caused a soft moan to escape from her lips.
He brought his manhood to her entrance and teased her with it such that she squirmed on top of him and screamed out.
"Take me, my laird! Let it in!"
That was what he wanted, as a muffled chuckle escaped him, he slid in his manhood and caused her to jerk with the pleasure of his thrusting. She held the back of the couch firmly, as Callum stood behind him, stroking into her with a perfectly timed rhythm. After some minutes, he felt himself hurtling toward his climax. He had initially planned to slide out of her and spill the whitish fluid on her butt, but he had reconsidered, and as the liquid dripped out, he stroked faster and faster, fondling her breasts which sent Gretchen screaming out in pleasure and himself groaning as they both fell on the couch, breathing heavily.
* * *
The next morning, Gretchen rolled over in bed, opening her eyes and smiling as she met Callum’s gaze on her. The only thing she had remembered was going into bed with Callum for more sex, and after the lovemaking, they had both fell asleep, clinging to each other on Callum’s bed.
“I never knew it was morning, my laird?” Gretchen said, covering her mouth to stifle her yawn.
“Oh, my lady! It’s a beautiful morning, and I have made for ye some breakfast!” Callum said happily as he scampered across to the nearby table where he had put the food covered in a tray.
“Ah! My laird, Ye daenae have tae gae through such troubles for me.”
“This is nae trouble, my lady, I daenae just have war skills, my culinary skills are what I want tae make ye feel today! I think ye never knew and Mother has nae told ye that in one of yer talks?” Callum said, stroking his beard with his fingers.
“I daenae remember of such comin’ from Mother’s talks, but here is the food, I would see and make the judgment, my laird. I wouldnae be too harsh,” Gretchen said as her cheeks grew warm with a glowing smile.
Callum hurried to the table and flung open the covered platters on the tray. The immediate aroma of fresh bread and soft-boiled eggs filled the room. Gretchen’s eyes widened as she saw the neatly packed food and how the smell had made her hungry, she reached for some and took a bite. Closing her eyes as she enjoyed the satisfying taste, her heart skipped when Callum’s voice called out to her again
"There is something I should say tae ye, my lady. I have thought it over, and I think the keep's workers had known about the mutual feeling we shared. I'm more than convinced that ye are the perfect one for me. I want tae be the father of yer children and start a new life afresh. Will ye take me as yer husband?"
Struggling to hide her amusement, she beamed a smile across to him and closed her eyes in happiness. When she opened them were dripping down her face. Callum had been a complete description of her dream lover. He was kind, sensitive, and r boyish. Staring at him, Gretchen thought of how he had looked in the morning brightness. He was tall and lean, his body a perfect frame for elegant, simple clothes that provided a minimum of distraction from his tawny handsomeness. His hair was golden, thick and slightly curly, with streaks of pale amber caught in the luxurious locks. His pale blue eyes glittered like rare diamonds from the necklace of an empress. Beautiful eyes that now showed emotions when he smiled. The smile itself was enough to steal her breath away. Callum was a dazzling man, and well, she knew it and such a man she had wished for a husband.
"I know ye have been a good father tae Ava and you'd make a remarkable father. I have loved ye ever since the start of our friendship, and I have truly looked forward tae this day. Yes! I will be yer wife in all gladness and willingness," Gretchen said, stretching her hands to his cheeks. Happy to hear her reply, Callum drew her closer to him for a warm hug, smiling hugely to himself.
Epilogue
Some two weeks after
The keep was alive with the footsteps and happy voices of people, the neigh
ing of the horses, washing of plates, the clangs of pots, the aroma of food, and plenty of other activities. The morning sun was pale on a wintry day, and its rays were welcome, lending some warmth to the chilly day.
Outside the keep were guards guiding rows of carriages, lined in perfect order. The wedding would be taking place at the kirk where there would be enough witnesses to see the vows and wish them well. Callum was dressed in his wedding attire of a blue jacket over a white shirt and tan leggings and had been accompanied into his carriage by Gregory. Some moments after, Gretchen also had marched out from her room, dressed in a cream gown, grabbing a flower and had been accompanied into another carriage by Anabelle, who had been closer to her since Merriam’s demise.
“May we proceed, my laird?” the carriage driver said from the front of the carriage.