"Well enough."
Gideon knew that he was being short but could not entirely contain his exasperation.
Ailene walked over to turn her bulging sacks over to Boyd. She turned to put a hand on his arm. She gave him a slight squeeze.
"Tis good to see ye found your clothing."
Gideon knew it for the poke at his anger Ailene had meant it to be. With a smile at him she left the stable then went back into the hall. Gideon felt his anger drain away. It would do no good to rage against things. He turned to Cadell.
"A few weeks, no more. Then I will come and relieve you. Look for me then."
Cadell finished tying the bags on the packhorse then brushed off his hands on his kilt.
"Aye, lad I will."
Iver entered the stable then took the bridle of the packhorse to move it outside. When Iver came back inside, Boyd helped Iver to saddle another mount. Cadell and Gideon moved out of the stable to give them room to finish readying the animal. Boyd finished with Iver's mount then brought out Seumas' horse. Seumas due to his size needed the largest horse in the stable. Both Iver and Seumas would return to the clan after making sure Cadell arrived at his destination safely.
Fenella clung to Cadell for a moment before waving him off. The three clansmen rode off. Gideon watched as Cadell rode away. He felt shamed. Fenella came up beside him she took his hand.
"Gideon, dinna fash yourself over this. Ye would have gone for him. If ye had been wounded in battle it would have been no different. All of Scotland is at war Gideon. Tis all the same."
Gideon looked down at Fenella. His jaw was clenched tightly. Gideon had not expected Fenella's reaction. Her kindness caused him to choke up. Gideon hugged the small woman. His voice was gruff with emotion.
"Thank you. Thank you for your kindness."
Feeling somewhat better about himself and grateful for the people around him, Gideon went in search of Ailene. He had some amends to make with his wife. Ailene watched Gideon silently as he lazed around the hall. He had apologized for his shortness. Trying to stay busy, he sharpened his dagger then had Boyd bring his saddle so he could access the damage.
Gideon went out to the stable in the afternoon to brush his horse. The animal had helped to save his life. He wanted to make sure it had suffered no lasting harm. Pushing himself physically, he walked out to the burn. There he found a rock to sit on. The sun warmed him. He sat quietly for sometime. Gideon had many things to consider and deal with.
First he realized they might never have any real information regarding the incident and who might be responsible. That was galling. It poked at and irritated his need to be in control. He had to admit to himself that having a measure of control over his life was a need. The why of that was readily apparent. Never having had much control over his life previously, control may have assumed too great a roll in his mind. After all, how much control did he have over the war? Gideon acknowledged that only God was in control. He had forgotten that, he needed to put his need for control away.
All the years of living with the Templars and Sir David had taught him to be honest about his accomplishments and those things that needed to be changed. Had he not been able to do so he would not have been able to stay with them. They had also seen to his spiritual education as well. That was something else he had allowed to slip. God had answered his prayers. Davie and Ailene had been protected. He was alive and he knew who to thank.
Gideon sat in the sun as he thanked God for bringing him throught the trial. He thanked him for the family that had come seeking him. It did not matter if he might have been able to find his way home or not they had cared enough to come for him. Even being carried in Seumas' arms as embarrassing as that was to think about was made sweeter because the big man had done so without a qualm.
And he had a child, a healthy babe. A son, and God willing, he would live to see the lad grow and thrive. A slight smile curved his lips as he thought of the possibility of another babe. Perhaps two more. He would be grateful if they only had Davie. All else was joy on top of joy.
He had come to Scotland a stranger in a strange land. He had found a woman who loved him, a clan that had accepted an odd looking stranger into their midst. He was not just tolerated, they truly cared about him. Gideon pictured Cadell holding Davie in his big arms, congratulating the lad on a good belch.
So what was he doing? Did he have any reason to be ashamed or angry? The sun was warm but not too warm. The burn at his back burbled over the stones. A slight breeze brought the scents of the glen to him. He was alive and nearly well. Gideon closed his eyes then slid down into the grass. In, fact he felt safe enough to lie here, no weapon in his hand, basking in the sun. Gideon decided to take a nap.
Ailene had given Davie to Fenella grateful to be able to give him to the care of his grandmother. She searched for Gideon. Finally Ailene found him lying on his good side in a grassy area alongside the burn. Dark lashes lay on his sun darkened cheek. By the slow rise and fall of his chest she knew he was sleeping.
Whatever he had gone off to turn over in that brain of his had been settled to his satisfaction. Had he not come to some conclusion Gideon would still be awake and gnawing on the matter as a hound on a bone. His anger this morning had come as no surprise. Gideon took his responsibilities more than seriously. Once he descided he must handle a matter, he did not let it go until all was satisfied. She turned and walked off. Gideon was perfectly safe where he was. She would let him sleep. If he had not returned by the time the sun was low she would send a lad to wake him.
Ailene had been watching for Gideon. He came walking up the valley with that easy stride she loved to watch. The nap in the sun had done him good. He saw her waiting for him with her hand shielding her eyes. Ailene watched the smile light his face. The time had been good for his soul as well. There was no shadow in his eyes. She breathed a sigh of relief. Gideon had come to terms with himself.
That night he was insistent. When Ailene would have been content to make love quietly, Gideon was ready to have fun. He teased and tickled her. Ailene rolled in the bed trying to avoid his searching fingers. Gideon straddled her and licked evey ticklish place he could find and some that were not ticklish. Those places drove her over the edge of want and need. At one point she pulled a pillow over her head so that no one would hear her squeals of passion and delight.
Satiated, they lay in the bed. Gideon pulled her close to his side. He stroked a finger down her nose then ran it around the curve of her lips feeling the smile she wore. Gideon kissed the side of her mouth then went to sleep.
Chapter 24
It was as if the King's army could no longer make a mistake. Gideon relieved Cadell then sent his father in law home. Gideon was with the army for the battle of Brander Pass. The pass lay where the River Awe cut through the southern slope of Ben Cruachan to Loch Etive.
The small folk of Scotland had rallied to The Bruce. They often sent word to the King of the movement of his enemies. It was in this manner that he had intellligence of the ambush laid for him in the Pass of Brander by the Lord of Lorn, John MacDougall.
A trap had been set for the King. Robert Bruce was an expert in warfare of the hit and run style by the time MacDougall thought to take him by ambush. The King was well aware of the danger the pass presented. Dividing his force, The Bruce sent a second small force to flank the MacDougall's men. High above those who sought to take The Bruce by stealth, The Black Douglas waited with an ambush of his own arranged by the King.
The Bruce's troops lightly armed and throughly prepared for battle entered the Pass of Bander. The MacDougall who had been ill and was recovering, waited on a galley in Loch Etive. The King's troops assaulted the waiting MacDougall forces with a fury.
At the moment the Bruces' forces attacked, The Douglas unleashed his attack on the rear of MacDougall's men. The result was disorder for the MacDougall forces. They fought as well as they could but in the end, lost the battle. The MacDougall was forced to watch, as his men were utte
rly defeated.
MacDougall fled to his castle at Dunstaffnage. The Bruce unleashed his army on the lands of Lorn. Then he laid seige to the castle itself. The Lord of Lorn ultimately surrendered his castle to The King and swore to support The Bruce. The Lord of Lorn's son, John fled to his ships then made his way to England.
Tired and battle worn with several new wounds, the MacGrough clansmen made their way home under the leadership of Gideon. All of them had various injuries, none of which were enough to keep them from riding home. Gideon was determined that this winter the clan was not going to war. The MacDougalls were in disarray. Gideon would not spend time harrying Lorne.
Reed's wife Sheena was due to give birth shortly or had already done so. All the clansmen were tired. They had all done double duty. Those at home had to work harder to make up for those at war. They had swapped back and forth and it had worn all of them out.
They rode into the glen from the north late in the day. The sentries raised the alarm. Gideon was happy to hear the alarm, the MacGrough war cry, echo around the glen. From the sound of the voices Gideon realized the younger lads were now doing sentry duty. They had been alert; they had seen the horsemen. He was happy with their performance.
When they rode up to the stable Gideon's assumptions were verified. Craydon was there to help with the horses. That meant that Boyd was on sentry duty. Likely Bram was as well. The horses were quickly delt with. Ailene met Gideon at the door with a hug and a kiss. She led him inside to the table. Without a word she got him a tankard of ale.
Cadell greeted him but did not rise from the table. Recognizing Gideon's need to just sit before the fire and drink his ale, Cadell let him be. There would be time enough for questions and news later.
Gideon took a good deep drink then set the tankard down. He knew all were anxious for news. He appreciated their kindness in not immediately clamoring for information.
"The Lord of Lorn had surrendered Dunstaffnage to the Bruce. We demolished the MacDougall's army in the pass at Brander. They thought they set up an ambush, Jamie Douglas taught them about flanking. The King is a happy man."
Gideon went back to his tankard of ale. Everyone was satisfied with the news. They let Gideon relax, eat and drink. Ailene put meat before him. When Gideon began to eat, she stood behind him and massaged his shoulders. He mumbled his thanks between bites of meat and gulps of ale to wash it down.
He nearly fell asleep sitting at the table. Ailene kissed the top of his head then whispered a soft good night in his ear. Gideon drank the last of the ale, rose from the table then turned to give Ailene a hug. He went up stairs. He was barely able to undress before he fell into bed.
When Gideon woke it was morning. Ailene was in bed next to him. He heard a sound then leaned over Ailene to peer into Davie's cradle. His son was making burbling sounds and happily entertaining himself. Gideon smiled, lay back down and went back to sleep.
The second time he woke Ailene was gone. The crib was empty; she had taken Davie with her. He stretched then wiggled into a more comfortable position. Gideon considered leaving the comfort of the bed then decided against it. There was no reason for him to move immediately. For once he could lay here and do nothing.
Gideon put his arms up, his hands behind his head. He did not move for a while. Eyes closed, Gideon listened to the noises around him. There was no shouting, no rattle of arms and he could not hear horses. He did hear softly muted sounds of people moving about below. He smiled, glad to be home. The prospect of being home for the balance of the year caused him to laugh happily.
His eyes were still closed when he heard the slight swish of Ailene's skirt as she entered. Gideon kept his eyes closed. He felt the bed move slightly as she put one knee on the bed next to him. The covers were lifted from his chest. Still he kept his eyes closed. Ailene's hands stroked his chest, he could not help the shiver that ran through him.
"Lazy my love?"
Ailene's fingers danced across his ribs.
"Ye have ah few more scars gradh."
She bent her head to place a kiss on his forehead. Gideon opened his eyes then pulled her down on top of him.
"Ailene, none of us will be absent this winter. The King will now have to deal with political maneuvering. Nothing the rest of us need to be involved with. So, my beauty, I think that we will try to make an addition to our own little empire. I am going to devote my energy to getting you pregnant. I want another child. What do you think of that?"
Ailene nuzzled his throat as she pushed her fingers through his hair.
"I am in agreement with ye. Another bairn would keep Davie company, mind?"
Gideon began to undo the laces of her gown.
"Excellent! We must make a start right now."
Much later, they descended the stairs hand in hand. Ailene marvelled at the change a good long sleep had made in her husband. She also suspected that the prospect of having an extended time at home free of war had also improved his outlook on life.
She had not seen a battle first hand but from the shuttered look that came to the eyes of both Gideon and her father when that topic was mentioned, she knew it was hell for them. Both of these men were happiest when dealing with fields and animals. They enjoyed hunting, bringing food home for their people. That gave them a feeling of accomplishment.
Smoothing down her skirt over her belly, Ailene thought about Gideon's question to her before he began to undo her gown. She did indeed want another child and the getting of that child would be enjoyable indeed. The fact that Gideon would be waking with her in the morning made Ailene so happy that she went about her day humming to herself.
In the evening the family sat in the hall after finishing their meal. Candles lit the hall along with a fire. Cadell and Gideon were battling it out on the chessboard as Neill offered advice to them both. When it became Gideon's turn to move, Cadell took Davie and bounced him on his foot. The two men were taking turns keeping the lad entertained. Davie was busy making noises in appreciation of the attention he was getting.
Cadell's two foster sons were idly playing with several new puppies. Ailene had insisted that the puppies be confined to an area near the door. Both Boyd and Caelan knew that any puppy messes must be taken care of immediately. She did not wish to clean the entire hall floor simply because they wished to play with the puppies.
Birk was happily involved with one particular puppy. Finella was laughing at Birk and the puppy, having laid aside her sewing. Birk had grown. He was filling out well He was a happy child.
Ailene had helped Idelle set the kitchen to rights for the morning. Christal, supposed to be helping, had been so distracted that Idelle had finally shooed her outside where Ainsley waited. Ailene stepped out into doorway then looked at the wonderful sight of the family she loved enjoying each other. There would be no leaving for quite a while. Ailene was suddenly overcome with joy.
She turned back inside the kitchen door where she threw her apron over her face. Ailene did not want anyone to see the tears that were streaming down her face. Strong hands pulled her away from the wall. Ailene was in Idelle's embrace.
"Ah lass. It has been ah long time, I ken."
Ailene was unable to get control of herself. She buried her face in Idelle's shoulder where she gave in to the tears. Idelle continued to hold her until she was finally able to wipe her face with her apron and put a halt to the tears.
"Foolish, that was foolish."
Ailene knew that Gideon would be concerned when he saw her face.
"Come lass, wash ye face. He will no say anything if ye say the smoke caused ye crying."
Idelle drew her over to the bucket of water near the door. She held a basin for Ailene and handed her a towel when she was ready to dry her eyes.
"Are ye with child again?"
Idelle was teasing her. Ailene found she could laugh at that.
"Nay, not yet. But no for lack of trying."
Idelle's hand flew to her mouth as she laughed.
"Well I k
now it! If that wa all it took, I wa have too many bairns to count."
The two women walked into the hall laughing at their private joke. Ailene walked over to the table where the men sat. She took Davie from Cadell then began to bounce him on her knee. Pondering his next move, Gideon noted Ailene presence. Gideon reached out and his fingers trailed lightly over the back of her hand. Ailene turned her hand over to entwine her fingers with his for a moment. Suddenly, she had to release Gideon's hand to grab Davie who almost dove from her lap. Ailene played with Davie as she waited for Gideon to finish his game so they might go to bed.
The morning brought clouds. A few at first, scudded across a sky that quickly turned gray as more clouds moved in. Gideon was helping several of the young men to muck out the stalls before the rain came. The last of the straw and horse manure was being forked out onto the sledge. The previous day had been spent turning the old muck pile and moving the manure to various garden plots. In the spring the turnips and kale would grow the better for it. Ian was at the horse's head holding its bridle as Crayton pitched the last of the muck onto the pile. Ian clucked at the horse. The animal began to pull the sledge. They would take the manure to the place behind the stable where it would remain until next year.
Ailene wanded into the stable. She watched as Gideon put the tools away. He hung the mucking fork up. They had already spread new straw in the stalls. The horses had been moved back in to the stable. He had his shirt off. He was working in a very old pair of trews. Ailene knew Gideon had grown a bit again. This time it was not in height. His chest was bigger she had let out the side seams of his shirts to accommodate his growth. His legs filled out the trews in a way that made her lust after him.
She put just a bit more sway in her walk as she strode up to him. Ailene licked her lips then watched Gideon's eyes light with the same want she was experiencing. Taking her skirt and petticoat in one hand, Ailene flipped them as she walked toward him. Ailene watched the slow smile widen his mouth. She wanted a fresh taste of that mouth.
Highland Light Page 21
