A Highland Pearl (Highland Treasures Book 1) (27 page)

“You think she’ll be out of harm’s way in Fàrdach now? Surely,
no one would dare touch my wife.” Andrew lifted his hands, pressing long
fingers together under his chin.

Gavin’s next words shocked him. “She wanna be safe while
Davina resides at Fàrdach.”

Andrew dropped his hands and rose slightly in the chair. “Davina,
you say?”

“Aye, Davina. She’s the culprit who’s been after Maidie. She’s
jealous of our affection for the healer, and of Tavish’s attraction to her. Now
that Tavish is gone, she’ll be more jealous of you, and blame Maidie for his
death.”

Andrew searched his brother’s face to find a hint of an
untruth to his words. “I canna believe such of our sister.”

“I would no’ present this to you, except Maidie returned to
the castle. I found Gilda’s hair ribbon in Maidie’s house after Randal’s
burial. I’ve been watching our sister for awhile.” Gavin rose to stand across
from Andrew with the leather bag in his hand.

“The woman attended the mass for Tavish. How could the ribbon have
been in Maidie’s house?” Andrew’s heart thumped. He swallowed hard past a lump
forming in his throat.

“If you remember, she came in late and stood in back of the
kirk. Flora saw the maid leave the healer’s house that morn.” Gavin placed the
bag on Andrew’s lap. “’Tis Maidie’s bag that went missing from her chamber
after she cared for your wound. Gilda brought it to me while you were
imprisoned in Castle Lach. After Maidie saved Anne’s and her bairn’s lives, the
maidservant took a liking to the lass and regretted her thievery. Davina told
her to take the bag so Maidie would leave the castle.” Gavin walked to the fire
and stirred the flames with the poker.

Andrew remained silent. He studied the leather bag, opened it,
and pulled out a neatly wrapped packet of herbs. Returning the herbs to the
bag, he placed it on the floor, then stood and walked to Gavin. He put a hand
on his brother’s broad shoulder. Feeling the muscles bulging with tension, he
said, “I think it would be good for Davina to visit our aunt at Dunrobin Castle
in Sutherland. Lady and Laird Huntly will welcome her. They invited her last
year when they visited Fàrdach. I’m convinced she will no’ be a good match with
the MacKenzie’s son.

“Aye, she hates the MacKenzies more than we do. She blames them
for Tavish’s death now.” Gavin turned to face Andrew. The light of tenderness
for their young sister softened the tanist’s eyes.

Andrew understood Gavin’s feelings. Davina had no mither to
guide her during the growing up years, only two hard-nosed brothers. “She’ll go
to Sutherland soon, and I want her handmaiden to go with her. I’ll inform
Davina of my decision, and you talk with her also. No harm must come to Maidie
or Sven.” The two men stared at each other. “Do I make myself clear, Gavin?”

“Aye, Andrew. I understand. I’ll talk to Davina and put a
watch on her.” Gavin hesitated. “I have one more thing to say.” Andrew nodded,
so Gavin plowed on. “I’m leaving Fàrdach.”

The shock of Gavin’s words hit hard. Andrew must hear what his
brother said again. “What? You’re leaving?” he asked.

Gavin nodded then looked into the fire. “I have a need for adventure
of a sudden. The last I was in Edinburgh, I heard of a new world beyond the
ocean the Spaniards discovered. I plan to travel to Spain and find a ship sailing
there. They say the climate is warm, the trees grow lush fruit for the picking,
and the bens are filled with gold.”

Andrew searched Gavin’s face. He understood the real reason
his brother desired to leave Fàrdach Castle. “How long have you been planning
this?”

“Since I heard of the new land. I thought it only a dream, but
now I must go.” Gavin placed his hand on Andrew’s shoulder.

“I’ll miss you. When do you plan to leave?” Andrew rested his
hand on Gavin’s arm.

“Now that you’re home and have plans for the future, this
night, after I speak to Davina and tell her goodbye.”

Andrew sighed. He knew naught he said would change Gavin’s
mind. “Go with God, Brother.”

The two men embraced. Gavin looked Andrew in the eye. “Be
happy.”

The chief nodded. His eyes moistened. Gavin pushed away and
walked toward the door then turned to look back. God, he loved the tanist, and
may never in this life see him again. Gavin bowed. Andrew returned the salute
before his brother left the room, closing the door of their life together as
Clan Munro chief and his second in command.

***

The great hall looked festive,
decorated with boughs of holly and cedar. Tables were set for the wedding feast
with pewter tankards and wooden trenchers, then decked with holly. The pleasant
smell of freshly cut tree limbs permeated the air. For several weeks, tenants
arrived at the castle in a steady stream, bringing great quantities of food to
be prepared for the guests. All of the villagers had been invited along with
the lords and ladies of surrounding estates. Although the land lay wrapped in
winter snow making travel difficult, Andrew planned several days of Highland
games, hunting, feasting, and
cèilidh
. He said Christmastime now carried
a special meaning with the celebration of the Savior’s birth, the celebration
of his new life with the Lord, and marriage to his beloved.

Maidie asked for a wedding ceremony on Christmas Day in the
chapel of Fàrdach Castle with
Maighstir
Tam presiding. They would celebrate High Mass at a most fitting time. Andrew
planned for Alan, the new tanist, to stand with him, and Maidie asked for
Nellie. Although he said naught, Maidie knew the chief’s heart carried the
heavy sorrow of Gavin’s and Davina’s absence. She felt the same after receiving
her father’s refusal of the wedding invitation, but determined not to let the
cloud of gloom overshadow their happiness.

Maidie and Andrew sat before the fire in the chief’s library,
while Sven and Briana stretched on their bellies atop a bearskin rug looking at
a book with pictures of animals. Sven pointed to an animal then faced Briana,
who watched his lips as he spoke the name. She tried to mimic the lip movement,
but made incoherent sounds.

“Sven’s good with Briana. He’s a patient teacher,” Andrew said
while watching the exchange between the children. He paused, and then added. “Mayhap
Sven would make a good teacher. He could attend university at Edinburgh and
learn to teach the deaf to speak. I’ve heard of a language using hands and
fingers to communicate with the deaf.”

Maidie looked at her betrothed unable to hide the delight she
felt with his words.

He smiled. “I ken of your wish for Sven to be an educated mon,
not a warrior. Tam told me of your desire.”

“Aye, I long for Sven to be a teacher and a physician. He
could save lives, not take them in battle.” Maidie’s heart overflowed with love
for the man sitting across from her. She saw a tenderness and caring for others
growing daily. Peace between the clans would come with Andrew as the
peacemaker.

The day before their wedding, Maidie stood at the small window
of her bedchamber watching large flakes of snow fall to the already white
ground below. The snow began falling two days prior, and the large flakes fell
sideways in thick masses from the gusting cold wind. At times she could not see
the tree outside her window through the thick snow. The white blanket blotted
out the little sunlight shining in the winter sky. Soon, the earth would pass
the winter solstice and rejoicing resound throughout the Highlands. The
solstice marked an end to the long winter and the beginning of new life. The
days would gradually become longer and longer with more and more sunlight.
Christmastime would be a time of celebrating the birth of the Savior, the new
birth of the sun, and her marriage. ‘
Twill
be a glorious Christmastime this year.

Drifts of white powder banked high against the walls of the
castle and on the land. Everyone remained indoors. Even the warriors practiced
in the great hall. Maidie expressed her wariness to Andrew that they would
spoil the decorations for the wedding feast. He reassured her if his men
spoiled the adornments, he would have them replaced. Looking out on the white
landscape, Maidie’s heart filled with fear no one would be able to attend the
wedding. The snow drifted deep enough to cover a horse in some places. Travel
came to a halt. None of the villagers ventured out of their cottages to bring
food to the castle. Whatever they had on hand now, must suffice for the feast.

Maidie voiced her concern that no guests would travel to the
castle for the wedding. Andrew smiled, gave her a large kiss and said, “Who
needs guests to be married? We have all who reside at Fàrdach and they are
plenty. They are our family and all we need.”

She felt much better for his words, but knew in her heart,
Andrew yearned for Gavin and Davina to be present at his wedding. He had sent
word to Laird William in Sutherland, asking him to send Davina for the wedding,
but Davina refused to come. Andrew tried to hide the hurt of her refusal, nevertheless
Maidie could tell his heart ached for his sister. They had no word from Gavin.
Andrew said he supposed the rogue was in Spain seeking a passage to the
Americas when the ships sailed in the spring. Gavin was always one for
adventure.

The absence of Davina and Gavin played heavily on Maidie’s
mind and heart also. She was the reason for their leaving, and someday, Andrew
may wish he had made different choices. When she told Andrew her thoughts, he
said, “You did naught to make the two of them leave Fàrdach Castle. Their minds
were made up to go long before you arrived.” He took her into his arms and
kissed her with fervent passion. She placed her arms around his neck, returning
his kiss with equal intensity. His lips left hers, but stayed close. He spoke
softly into her ear, “Don’t let me hear you say such a thing again,
a ghràidh
. I’ll never regret choosing you.
Davina and Gavin must make peace with my choice in their own ways.”

Maidie smiled. His bright grey eyes flashed with love and
desire, while his warm body pressed close to hers. She could feel the beat of
his heart against her breasts and longed for their wedding night as she knew he
did also.

***

Maidie turned from the frosty chamber
window and made her way to break the fast in the great hall and speak to Andrew.
She needed his assurance all remained well with him and he had no second thoughts
about their marriage. He sat at the table with Alan at his side. They were in
deep conversation, so Maidie quietly sat down and took a boiled egg from a
platter. Her meager appetite eating difficult. She took a large drink of cold
spring water instead of ale to wash down the egg. Maidie sat quietly for awhile
before Andrew turned to her with a large smile.

He took her hand and searched her eyes. “Good morn to you,
a
mo ghaoil
.” Looking around the great hall, he said, “I’m having the
adornments repaired and there wanna be practice in here today. The place will
be ready for a mighty celebration come the morrow.”

“Aye. I pray ‘tis so. The snow is still falling verra hard.”

Andrew pressed her hand to his lips. “Come lass. Who cares
about a wee snow at a time like this? I’ve slept outside in larger snowdrifts
than we have today.”

“No one will venture to the castle in this cold for our
wedding, and what about
Maighstir
Tam? How will you fetch him?” Maidie could not hide the worry in her voice.

Andrew shook his head. “You worry too much. The
maighstir
will be here. I’ll fetch him
myself on the morn. Naught will stop us from being married. Naught.”

She believed his promise and smiled. The snowfall ceased
before noon. Andrew did not attend the noon meal, and Maidie saw nothing of him
during the afternoon. She busied herself with the final preparations to her
wedding frock. Anne and Nellie came to her chamber to assist with the last minute
details. Anne brought Randal, who now had plump red cheeks with dimples like
his mother. Maidie recognized a strong resemblance to the lad’s father around
the eyes and forehead. A shock of dark hair stuck out in every direction from
the top of the small round head.

She reached out to take the baby. “He looks like his da, Anne,
except with your dimples.”

“Aye, he favors his da for sure.” Anne smiled as she handed
the wee bundle to Maidie.

She tickled under the chubby chin, making Randal laugh and coo.
“He’s a fine fellow indeed.”

Nellie and Anne picked up the sewing basket and began
attaching seed pearls to the center of white silk rosettes. The rosettes lined
the low-cut neckline of the matching silk gown. Andrew had the beautiful
material brought from Inverness to Fàrdach Castle when they first arrived home.
Maidie, Nellie, and Anne began sewing the wedding garment soon afterward.

“’Tis finished,” Nellie sighed when the last rosette was sewn
in place. “You must try it on, one more time.”

Maidie gave Randal back to Anne, and began removing her dress.
Nellie assisted in carefully pulling the silk gown over the lady’s head,
smoothing it on her slim waist, and fastening the buttons down the back. Maidie
looked at her reflection in an oval mirror on a floor stand. She smiled while
trying to see the long train that ran from her waist to the floor in the back.
A bouquet of pearled rosettes nestled at the top of the train where it met the
dress. Nellie gently straightened the fabric of the train. Sleeves fit snugly
from the shoulders to the elbow, and then billowed with ruffles. The skirt
curved over her hips in smooth lines to the floor, and the bodice fit closely
with only her cleavage showing slightly. She wanted the dress to be of a modest
style. The pearled rosettes set the bodice off beautifully, giving the gown a
rich appearance.

Nellie went to Maidie’s trunk and brought out a beautiful
wreath of dried heather and rowan. She placed it on Maidie’s golden hair and
then stood back for a more complete view of her mistress. “You’re a beautiful
bride, Madam. Beautiful.”