Mackinzie hardly knew what to say. It would not do to tell about being orphaned. The last thing she wanted was to be pitied the way she had been each time she was given to a new family. “I saw a wildcat last week.”
“Did you? Where?”
“Not far from the hill. It frightened me and I ran home. The lads killed it.”
“I have yet to see one and I pray I never do. Tell me, were you born here?”
Mackinzie wrinkled her brow. “I do not think so.”
Bewildered, Paisley waited for her to explain, but she didn’t. “Have you brothers and sisters?”
“Nay.”
It was all Mackinzie was willing to say and Paisley feared it was becoming a one-sided conversation fast. “Dear one, if we are to be good friends, which I hope, you must talk to me.”
“It is just that...I do not speak often. I am unaccustomed to it.”
“You do not speak to anyone at all?”
“When I must. I wash clothing. That is what I do.”
“But they do not speak to you?”
Mackinzie hung her head. “‘Tis because I call them a scunner.”
Paisley started to laugh and had to hold of her injured side. Sawney abruptly opened the door. He suspected he would find Mackinzie there, so he left Hew to scour the hill and raced back.
“Now that is what I like to hear—laughter.” He completely ignored Mackinzie, who looked like she was ready to bolt out the door. “I am back if you need me.” He quietly closed the door and went to his bedchamber next door.
“You must rest,” Mackinzie said as she stood up.
“Will you come back?”
“I will try.”
In his bedchamber, Sawney listened for Mackinzie to leave and then went back to his sister’s room.
“You fancy her, do you not?” Paisley asked.
“Sister, she ran from us.” He took a seat in the same chair Mackinzie sat in by the bed.
“Why?”
“I do not know. We went to the top of the hill where we first saw the ocean. She was there with her horse, but when she saw us she ran away. Does she fear me?”
“She did not say. Mackinzie is a bit strange, but I like her. Do you know what she said? She said she is unaccustomed to speaking.”
Sawney was just as confused as his sister, and then he grinned. “In that case, I shall marry her. I find a wife unaccustomed to speaking delightful, compared to a sister who talks too much.”
Paisley glared.
NEASAN IGNORED THE women sticking their tongues out at his keep. He had better things to do and standing just out of sight at the third-floor window, he looked instead toward the trees. Gone were his plans for attacking another clan, gone also was his desire to see the whale bone back in the glen.
Quite possibly Sawney was out there somewhere lurking. It suddenly occurred to him Justin’s father might have built a secret passageway into the Keep. The possibility almost caused Neasan to tremble. He could easily be murdered in his bed if it was so.
Who would know if there was a tunnel or where it might be, he wondered. Carley would know, but she was a MacGreagor, and would not likely tell him even under the threat of death. No, there was no one left, no one at all.
He recalled a story about the MacGreagors digging a tunnel, which they used to escape a warring clan. That was long ago and before they came to the glen, but why not dig a tunnel here too, just in case? And why not hide all that wealth in the tunnel? That was it. It had to be. He quickly descended the two flights of stairs and began to look around his great hall for a hidden door.
STILL KEEPING TO HER bed the next day, Paisley was restless when Sawney came in to see how she was. Mackinzie had not come back and Paisley was worried something had happened to her.
Sawney rolled his eyes. “Must I go see about her?”
Paisley pretended to pout. “Must I do everything myself?”
“Oh, if you insist, but you will be forever in my debt.”
“As if I am not already.” She giggled when he winked before he closed the door. Paisley decided a little more rest would do no harm, yet sleep was not easy to come by. It was hard to admit it, but she missed being in love the way her brother was. She missed it very much. What was life all about without a husband and children?
IF PAISLEY WAS WORRIED, then so was Sawney. He had not seen Mackinzie all day either, and if she were around he would have seen her. He looked for her on the hill and by the waterfall, but she was not there. He looked for her on the shore on the way back to the courtyard, walked the paths between the cottages, and then took the one behind the castle to the river. Still he could not find her. Frustrated, he picked up a stone and tried to skip it across the river.
“I am Tavan,” said the man sitting on a rock just a few feet away.
Sawney immediately recognized him. “You are the lad who helped my sister.”
“Aye, how does she do?”
“Much better. Of course, you know that or we would have sent for you again.”
Tavan smiled. “True. My brother tells me your sister and Mackinzie have become friends. I am pleased to see it, very pleased indeed.”
Sawney found a rock to sit on not far away, made himself comfortable and got a good look at the old man’s elaborately carved cane. “‘Tis true, although she has not come to see Paisley this day. Is she unwell?”
Tavan shook his head, noticed him looking at the cane and handed it to him. “I was once a carver and sold my goods at market. Now I am too old.”
He handed the cane back and watched the old man’s face. “I fear I have frightened Mackinzie.”
“I doubt that. Mackinzie does not frighten easily. It is perhaps you who should fear her.”
Sawney chuckled. “I have heard the same is true of many a lass. Do you know where I might find her?”
“Rarely does anyone know where she is.”
Surprised to hear that, Sawney wrinkled his brow. “Does no one care for her?”
“Aye, many of us care, but she does not let us.”
“Why?”
Tavan had said too much already and decided not to say more. If Mackinzie wanted this MacGreagor to know, she would tell him herself. “She will come back when she is ready.”
Sawney didn’t find that answer very satisfying, but he did not question Tavan further. “If you see her, say my sister wishes her to come.” He stood up, nodded and took the path beside the riverbank.
When he still did not find her, Sawney decided to go to the hill one more time. Finally, there she was, looking just as striking, if not more so. The only thing missing was the horse. This time he walked boldly up the side of the hill and when she saw him and turned to run, he yelled, “Paisley sent me to find you.”
That made her stop and turn back. “Is she worse?”
He completed the distance between them before he answered, “Nay.”
“Oh.”
“May I sit?” It took her a moment, but she finally nodded. Careful not to sit to close to her, he crossed his feet at the ankles and sat down in the tall grass. Sawney took in the sight of the ocean for a moment and then sighed. “I can see why you come here, ‘Tis the most peaceful place I have ever seen.” He could feel her looking at him, but she did not respond so he had to think of something more to say. “My sister told you of our troubles, but I wonder...” he took a chance and looked up at her.”
“What?”
“I thought you might like to hear the rest of it.”
She looked perplexed. “There is more?”
“We have many stories to tell. My Father’s grandfather was married to a lass who loved an English king.” As he hoped, her eyes grew wide with disbelief. She did not say a word but she listened and at least she was not running from him. At length, he finished the story and began another. That one held Mackinzie’s complete attention too. It was not until he began the story of his grandfather’s wager, that she crossed her feet at the ankles, just as he had, and sat down.
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br /> Sawney was surprised she sat as close as she did, although she stayed far enough away so he could not grab her. She seemed completely absorbed in the stories and it was fun to glance at the constantly changing expressions on her face.
Suddenly, she interrupted him, “I am a good hunter.”
Her comment had nothing to do with the story, but he ignored that in favor of having a real conversation with her. “I like to think I am a good hunter too.”
“You are not a hunter, you are a laird.”
“True, but it was not always so. First I was a laddie who learned to hunt.” He wasn’t certain he should ask any questions, but perhaps if he did not ask anything personal. “Do you fish as well?” He waited for a reply, but she only nodded. “We do not have such large fish as yours. Ours are small and very hard to catch.”
“How small?”
He held his hands apart and smiled at her disbelief. “It takes many fish to feed a family in the MacGreagor glen.” Sawney waited for a response and decided he might be pushing his luck. “We should go back. Paisley will think we are both lost.” He got up and held out his hand to her, but Mackinzie only stared at it.
“I will not harm you. Paisley would have my head if I did.” At last, Mackinzie smiled. It took her a moment more, but she finally put her hand in his and let him pull her up. She let go quickly, but it was a start and more than he hoped for.
“Come.”
“Come where?” he asked.
Mackinzie did not answer. She wasn’t certain why, but she decided to show him the shortcut from the hill to the village. She was pleased he followed without asking more questions and showed him how to find the rocks so he could cross the creek without getting wet.
Just before they reached the village, Sawney asked her to stop. “Mackinzie, if we are attacked will you bring our women and children this way? I will be comforted if I know you are caring for them.”
She nodded. “I am a good fighter.” With that, she hurried away leaving him standing at the edge of the village.
TRUE TO HIS WORD, LAIRD Campbell furnished new clothing for the MacGreagors. Wearing all new things, the women asked for chores, which pleased him very much and Brin was happy to supply them with plenty of mending, a task she sorely hated.
He kept Logan and Flora with them in the great hall. Laird Campbell had a very fine Slype-Groat board complete with smooth coins and at five, Logan was eager to learn how to play. Flora was more than content to play with balls of spun wool, and feeling better, Paisley came down to join them.
As usual, Amos and Joel went off to take their daily ride, but not before Joel specifically nodded to Senga, the meaning of which did not go unnoticed by anyone in the room. Soon the women began to talk about men and Laird Campbell got an ear full, which he enjoyed immensely.
BEHIND THE KING’S CASTLE, shepherds and their collies began to herd sheep down out of the hills to be sheered. The MacGreagors, together with several Campbells, stood in a row near the back of the castle to try to catch them. It looked so simple Sawney was certain the process wouldn’t take long at all.
Nevertheless, try as he might, Sawney could not get the hang of catching the sheep, and the sight of his failure was something the Campbell men found thoroughly amusing. He lay flat on his belly in the mud and watched the third ewe sprint out of his grasp.
All the other MacGreagors were catching them, even Hew and Sawney could not have been more chagrinned. “‘Tis hopeless,” he muttered. He sat up, tried to brush the mud off his kilt, and only succeeded in smearing it. Just then, a border collie barked and forced the ewe to run back toward Sawney. He quickly hopped to his feet, crouched down and got ready to catch it. First, the ewe veered left and as soon as Sawney lunged that direction, it veered right causing him to slip and fall in the same puddle of mud. As if that were not enough, a woman behind him started laughing.
Frustrated beyond words, Sawney turned over, sat up and glared at Mackinzie. “Have you a better way?”
She held a large basket in her arms and her green eyes sparkled when she spoke. “The lasses wash; the lads sheer.”
“Are you always so helpful?”
Mackinzie grinned and nodded.
He started to remove the mud from his arms and sling it away. When he looked, her grin seemed even wider and more mocking. “Have you nothing to do?”
She quickly curtsied, walked to the river and set her basket down.
One of the Campbells shouted. “Take better aim, Sawney. ‘Tis a hoof the lads try to grab. Take care it does not kick you,”
“A hoof?” he whispered still watching her. “I had forgotten that.”
Again the dog chased the ewe his direction, he lunged and at last, managed to grab hold of a hind hoof. Just as he was warned, the ewe tried to kick him but he was able to avoid it. Now what should he do?
“Put your hand under the chin,” another Campbell yelled.
Sawney did as he was told and soon had control of the sheep. Two men quickly came, set their large baskets down and helped lay the ewe on its side. With two holding the animal still, the third pulled his dagger, began to shear the wool and put globs of it in the basket.
“The wool is dirty,” said Sawney.
“Not as dirty as you.” The Campbell smiled and then continued shearing. “We can finish this, best try to catch another.”
Mackinzie could not help but watch Sawney’s next attempt, which put him right back in the same mud hole. She had not laughed so hard in all her life.
Sawney got up, but instead of getting ready to take another try, he ran to her, grabbed her around the waist, pulled her body against his and smeared mud on the side of her face.
Startled, Mackinzie caught her breath. He did not look angry. In fact, he was smiling and she had no idea how to react. He was, after all, Paisley’s brother. She was about to decide on a course of action when the expression on his face changed and he kissed her full on the mouth.
Just as quickly, his smile was back. He picked her up, waded into the shallow river and abruptly dropped her. “You need a bath!”
She landed on her bottom, watched him turn his back and walk away. “I hope you can swim,” she heard him say. “Better than you,” she muttered.
Sitting on his usual rock, Tavan saw the whole thing and grinned. “Are you hurt, lass?”
“Nay.” She touched the side of her hair, discovered mud was in it too, and puffed her cheeks. As long as she was all wet, she might as well wash. Mackinzie began to unbraid her hair, stopped and looked at Tavan. “Why did he do that?”
“‘Tis only play, child.” He was not surprised she had nothing more to say. Tavan watched her unbraid her hair, wash the mud off her clothes and face, and then lean forward to wash her hair. What he would give to know what was going on in that head of hers.
MACKINZIE DID NOT GO to see Paisley that evening, she was too confused. She ate a good meal and after, set up her weaving loom and tried to concentrate on the soft blanket she was making for the baby she hoped to have one day.
Nevertheless, she could not get Sawney’s kiss out of her mind. She realized she messed up the last row of yarn, pulled it back out, started again and it wasn’t long before her mind wandered back to his kiss. “Tis my own fault,” she muttered. She put her weaving away and sat down on the bed to consider what she must have done wrong.
He was a laird and perhaps she should not have laughed at him. Yet even now, the sight of him sitting in the mud made her smile. How could she not laugh? Her thoughts shifted from why he kissed her to the sound of her own laughter and she tried to remember the last time that happened.
Just as quickly, her attention turned to the way Sawney held her against his body. The truth be told, she had not let anyone touch her since she was nine. Everyone knew if they touched Mackinzie, she would scream until her throat was raw. Nevertheless, when Sawney held her she did not scream; she did not think to and she found that perplexing. She let Paisley touch her too and did not protest.
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Mackinzie Campbell’s world was changing far too quickly and she was not quite certain if that was a good or a bad thing.
IN HIS BED, SAWNEY thought about it too. Paisley would have giggled and tried to smack him if he rubbed mud on her face, but Mackinzie looked disturbed and even a little frightened. The last thing he wanted to do was make her fear him. He should apologize and resolved to do so the next time he saw her. Tired after chasing sheep all day, he turned on his side and went right to sleep.
The next evening, neither Sawney nor Paisley had seen Mackinzie and he wanted to apologize. He looked for her, again without results and finally decided to ask Tavan. A man on the path pointed the way to Tavan’s cottage and when Sawney knocked on the door, he was glad to find Tavan at home. He was so tall, he had to duck down once he was invited in. “I came to see if...”
Tavan grinned. “I am guessing you cannot find Mackinzie again.”
“You guess well.”
“It was you who kissed her, was it not?”
Sawney slowly nodded. For a moment he feared he stood before MacKinzie’s father who might not be pleased. Have I frightened her this time?”
“I assure you she fears nothing but a wildcat. Do you fancy her or do you kiss many a lass?”
“I do fancy her.”
Tavan smiled and offered Sawney a chair. “Sit, there is much you should know about that one before you have your heart set on her.”
Sawney listened intently and the more he heard, the more he understood the reactions of the woman he now greatly admired.
Tavan finished by saying, “She may not let you near her again. She will likely run and hide just as she has since she was a wee one.”
“I will find her.”
“Perhaps, but for her sake see that you feel more than fancy. See that you truly love her first. Her feelings are tender and I do not wish to see her hurt.”
Sawney stood up, walked to the door and turned back. “I give you my pledge, I will not hurt her. I intend to marry her instead.”
A Time of Madness Page 14
