When death had decided to leave the earl be, he awoke several days after the event. Delirious with fever and infection, it had taken several more days after that before he was able to confide in Edward what had taken place.
The earl would have nothing short of killing the young maiden with his own hands.
Some three weeks after the stabbing, the horse the maiden had stolen in order to flee had returned. The gray mare had come galloping in from a northerly direction and they had assumed that must be the direction in which she fled.
They had ridden as far north as they possibly could with no visible sign of her. Of course the many spring rains had washed away any trail she might have left behind. It was pure conjecture on their part in which direction she had gone.
Edward was convinced that either the maiden was dead or she had fled east and was now living quietly in London. He had tried sharing his thoughts with the earl but he could not convince him of it, therefore the search continued. The earl was possessed, consumed with finding her, and that made the ill man unable to think clearly.
Quite frankly, Edward had grown weary of searching for the maiden. He had no desire to return her to the earl if he did find her. He was simply doing what he must until the bastard finally succumbed to his own madness or whatever disease seemed to be attacking his body. Edward told himself that if he ever did run across the maiden, he would probably thank her, if not for actually killing the disgusting man, then for at least speeding up the process.
“Have you men been searching the south?” he demanded.
“Yes sire, we have.” Edward had answered that same question many times before. He hoped the earl did not see the distaste he held for him. It was true that the earl was too sick at the moment to fend off anyone, let alone to bring any type of physical pain to a person. But unfortunately, he was still the Earl of Penrith and certain customs must be maintained.
“Then go west, into the Highlands,” he said fighting back the urge to cough again. “I want that whore found and returned to me. Do you understand Edward? I want to feel her body grow cold as I take the life from it!”
“And what if we find she is dead, sire?” Edward asked.
“Then bring me her bones. I’ll grind them into a fine powder!”
Edward was convinced the earl had gone completely mad. He had even shared his thoughts with the king just days ago. But the king would not make a decision on who should replace the earl; instead the king chose to wait until death finally claimed the man.
“I want every village, every cottage and every castle from here to Ireland searched for her. I want her found and returned to me, do you understand that Edward? And if you come back again, without the whore --dead or alive -- then I shall hang you myself.”
Twenty-One
The official courting between Duncan and Aishlinn began at sunup the next morning. Duncan had met with Aishlinn outside her bedchamber holding a bouquet of tiny yellow flowers that he had himself picked. He had risen early in order that he might pick them without the scrutiny of his men. The needling and taunting would have been endless. When he gave them to her, she smiled sweetly before turning red. Casting her eyes to the floor she said, “Thank you, Laird McEwan.”
Shaking his head and rolling his eyes be pulled her to him and kissed her. Aishlinn felt as though she were a willow bending in the wind when his lips touched hers. She could not stop the shudder that flooded over her and it took several long moments before she could breathe again.
“That,” he told her as he kissed her forehead, “is the proper way to thank me.”
Aishlinn did not think she would ever have the courage to be so bold as to take a kiss from him. Although she enjoyed receiving his and felt he could kiss her nearly anytime the desire came to him, she was not certain she could ever be the instigator.
He took her hand and placed it upon his arm as he escorted her to the kitchens. “I would like nothin’ more than to spend the day with ya, Aishlinn, but I’ve much work to do this day,” he told her as he gave her hand a slight squeeze. “I trust however that ye’ll not allow anyone else to court ya before I’ve finished my duties,” he said.
She had not realized he was being playful with her. “Duncan! How can you even suggest such a thing?” She asked, horrified that he would even let the thought cross his mind.
Shaking his head and rolling his eyes again, he kissed her sweetly. “Mo chuisle,” he whispered in her ear. She had no idea what he had just said, only knowing that whatever it was, it sounded beautiful coming from his lips. Smiling, she turned from him and stepped into the kitchen to begin her day.
Her smile rarely left her face that morning as she peeled vegetables, washed dishes and swept. Each time she thought of Duncan, her smile would grow broader and when she thought of the kisses they had shared, she’d often turned crimson.
Before the morning was half through Mary had caught on that something was definitely different with Aishlinn. “A stoirin, what has gotten into ya?” she asked with a knowing smile. “I’ve never seen ya smile so much!”
Aishlinn blushed and said nothing, clamping her lips closed as she peeled more vegetables. She wasn’t sure if it was proper yet to let anyone know that Duncan was courting her. Mary studied her closely for a moment. “Tis someone yer in love with, isn’t it lass?” Mary said, winking at her. “Love be the only thing that can put a smile like that on a girl’s face. I’ll wager I ken who it is that put it there too!” she said, tossing leeks into a bowl.
Laren, one of the other kitchen workers, had overheard the conversation and came to them, anxious to find out more. “Love ye say, Mary?” She looked Aishlinn up and down before pulling a chair to join them. “I think yer right, Mary! Look how the lass smiles so.” She elbowed Mary. “Have ya kissed him yet?” she asked, winking at Mary.
Another flush of red came to Aishlinn, but she was resolved to remain quiet on the matter. Mary and Laren exchanged glances with each other before leaning in closer to Aishlinn. “Ya have kissed him!” Mary exclaimed. “How was it, lass?”
Aishlinn shook her head but could not contain the smile. The kiss was beyond anything she could have imagined but she would not share that thought with anyone. “Och!” Mary said, looking to Laren. “I think Aishlinn be one not to kiss and tell Laren!” The women giggled at each other.
“Who be it lass? Tell us!” Laren asked anxiously. Aishlinn shook her head and tried to concentrate on the task before her. Although it was rather difficult and she really wished she could shout to the world that Duncan was the one who had put the smile on her face, she remained quiet.
“Now, Laren!” Mary said, chastising her. “It’s apparent the lass dunna want to tell us, although I’ve a good suspicion as to who the beasty is,” she said leaning in to her friend and winking at her. She righted herself and looked back at the leeks. “Black Richard be a good man.”
“Nay!” Aishlinn said loudly as she shook her head. She leaned in and whispered, “It isn’t Black Richard!”
Mary knew full well it was Duncan. She was merely having fun pulling the secret from the young woman. “Nay?” she feigned surprise. “But he be such a fine, braw man!” she said, trying to look disappointed.
Aishlinn shook her head again and leaned closer to the women. “It is not Black Richard, Mary.” She looked to the two women unsure if she should trust them with her secret. “I’m not sure if it is proper to say who it is.”
Laren laughed at her. “Lass, whether ya tell us or not, everyone’s bound to figure it out sooner or later. Besides, Mary and I have our suspicions.”
“Yes and your suspicion was wrong when you guessed Black Richard.”
Mary chuckled. “Lass, we know it be Duncan.”
“How did you know?” Aishlinn asked bewildered.
Shaking her head, Mary said, “Och, lass! Everyone be seein’ the way he looks at ya, and ye him.” She raised an eyebrow. “Ya haven’t bedded him yet have ya?”
She blushed at such a notio
n. “Nay!” Aishlinn said rather offended by the question. “Duncan has been quite honorable in that regard.” Finished with peeling another carrot, she tossed it into the bowl before her. “He wants to court me first.”
“He wants to court ya? Did he tell ya that?” Laren said suspiciously.
“Aye. He asked me if he could.”
Mary looked quite shocked at the news. “My Duncan said he wants to court ya?” Aishlinn nodded her head and wondered why Mary looked so surprised.
“Duncan’s never courted a lass before,” Laren said breathlessly. “Though he has bed many of ’em in his day!” she laughed.
Mary shushed her when she saw the embarrassment in Aishlinn’s face. “Ye’ll be scarin’ the poor thing, Laren! But ya be right, he has bed many and not a one did he court. Must be love he has in his heart for her.”
Aishlinn increased the pace and energy with which she worked so that she might flee this room and these women quickly. The more the women talked the more she worried that there might be only one thing Duncan had in mind and she was not certain she could take it. Could it be he was only going through a courting ritual in order to obtain that which he wanted? Doubt began to creep into her heart with regard to Duncan’s attentions.
Mary read the doubt on Aishlinn’s face. “Lass! Don’t look so forlorn. ‘Tis a good thing, him wantin’ to court ya.”
“Aye,” Laren said. “If Duncan’s wantin’ to be takin’ his time to court ya, then it won’t be long before he’s a proposin’.”
“Tis true.” Mary smiled. “I know me Duncan. Just this winter past I asked him when he was goanna to quit beddin’ lasses and marry one of ’em and settle down.” She smiled across the table at Aishlinn. “He told me, ‘Mary, if ever ya find me a courtin’ one, then ye’ll know she be the one whose stolen me heart. Ye can plan on preparing a marriage feast within a fortnight or two after that.’” She nodded her head to Aishlinn.
Of course, Mary left out the part where Duncan adamantly told her twould never happen for why should he settle for one woman the rest of his life when he can have as many as he wanted. There were far too many young women willing to share his bed, married to him or not. Mary had worried for a long time that the lad would ever settle down.
“I knew it would take a very special lass to settle that lad down!” Mary said with a smile. She looked to Laren. “So I suppose this means we have at least a fortnight or two to plan a marriage feast.”
Aishlinn sat in stunned silence. She had not dared let herself to think, even for the briefest of moments, of the future. He had thrown her completely with his kisses last evening and again this morning, making her knees buckle and her stomach ache with want for him. “Marriage?” she murmured.
“Aye,” said Mary as she eyed Aishlinn. The girl had paled at the thought. “Ye’d marry him if he asked, wouldn’t ya?”
She had been so caught up in the fact that he had kissed her, had told her he wanted her and had wicked thoughts of her. He said nothing of a future.
“Well would ye?” Mary began to wonder if the lass was becoming ill at the notion of marrying Duncan. Perhaps marriage was not on the lass’ mind.
“I don’t know,” Aishlinn whispered. “I had not thought of it.” The truth was she had not allowed herself to think it.
“Och!” Laren said. “Of course she would, Mary!”
Mary studied Aishlinn for a moment. “Maybe it not be the weddin’ of him she’s worried after, that causes her to go pale, but it be the beddin’ him part!” Both women looked at each other before they burst out with more laughter.
Aishlinn’s mouth fell open, embarrassed and shocked that these women would say such a thing. Mary was old enough to be Aishlinn’s grandmother! While Laren was not nearly as old, she had been married for many years and had three children. Aishlinn thought that a mother would know better than to speak of such things.
“Aye, that be it!” Laren said, laughing again when she saw the look of horror on Aishlinn’s face. “She be innocent, ya can see that, can’t ya Mary?”
“Ye’ve not bed a man before, have ye lass?” Mary smiled.
Aishlinn bristled. “I do not see where that is any of your concern, ladies.” She was appalled to think of speaking of such things in a room filled with so many people. She couldn’t imagine discussing it in private either.
“Tis as I thought.” Mary glanced at Laren before turning back to a very red Aishlinn. “That be what worries ya, aye lass?”
Isobel’s voice came from the doorway of the kitchen. “What worries her?” she asked.
The three women sat upright as a look of dread came to Aishlinn’s face.
“It be nothin’ important, Isobel,” Mary said as she winked at Aishlinn.
Aishlinn prayed the women would not share the conversation they’d just had over Duncan with Isobel.
“Just a matter of the heart,” Laren offered as she bit her bottom lip. Aishlinn sank into the chair.
“Ah. I see,” said Isobel. “And whose heart are we discussing?” she asked, looking straight at Aishlinn. “Duncan’s?” Aishlinn wanted to slide of out of the chair and crawl away.
“Tis all right, Aishlinn,” Isobel said smiling. “Everyone can see how he feels about ya.”
Aishlinn sighed. “Then why didn’t I know of it?” She was frustrated. It seemed everyone else had seen it coming but her. She suddenly felt quite immature and far too inexperienced.
Isobel laughed along with Mary and Laren. “Because ya didn’t think such a thing could happen,” Isobel offered. “Ya still be thinking yer plain and no’ worthy of a man’s affections, am I right?”
She had her there. Until Duncan had kissed her for the first time last night, she never would have thought such a thing could have happened to her. Aye, she may have wished it and dreamed of it, but to think it could actually happen, that was where her heart had failed her.
“You’re right,” Aishlinn said, sitting straighter in her chair. It was as if a bolt of lightening had suddenly hit her. The awareness that she had let four selfish, mean and ugly men who did not love her rule her life, even now when she was no longer anywhere near them, gnawed at her.
“My brothers, my step-father, they were just mean, selfish twits.” She stood and took the vegetables to the sink. “I am not plain and I am not stupid.” Looking at Isobel she said, “I may not be as beautiful as you are Isobel, but I be not a pigling either!”
The more she thought of all the harsh things her father and brothers had ever said to her, the angrier she became.
“I may not be very educated yet, but I will be soon enough.” Stewing silently for a moment, she thought of her life thus far while Isobel, Mary and Laren looked at her with proud smiles on their faces.
“I promise you this, you’ll not hear me say I be plain or I am not good enough ever again.” She put her hands upon her hips as a scowl came to her face. “It be them, my brothers and my stepfather who are ugly, mindless fools and I promise you this as well, I’ll never let another man say or do those things to me again.”
She walked out of the room, uncertain from where her newfound courage came. Resolved to take a firm hold of her life, she left behind three women who could not be more proud of her than they were at that very moment.
“God’s bones, it’s about time!” Isobel said. “I wondered how long it would take the lass to figure it out.”
“Aye,” said Mary. “I pity the fool that crosses her! He might come away missing something dear to his heart!” The other women agreed as they laughed themselves silly over it.
******
There had been very little time to meet privately with the McDunnah the day before. At first Duncan had been glad for the arrival of Caelen and his men, but once he’d seen the way Caelen looked at Aishlinn, all good feelings were flung out the window.
After having time to think on it, Duncan realized he could not hold the McDunnah’s behavior against him forever. He needed to keep the good relations between
his clan and theirs for a multitude of reasons. Every Scot loyal to King David would be needed to in order to free him from the hands of the English. It would do no good for the clans to waste precious resources fighting amongst each other. They needed their strength to fight against the English.
There was still a good chance that the English would seek out justice for the murder of the Earl of Penrith. The Clan MacDougall had given refuge to the person responsible for the earl’s death and he knew the English would use that fact against not only his clan but all of Scotland. The English would use the earl’s death as a means of seeking retribution against them. It was just the excuse the English needed to attack and invade.
Duncan would need every able-bodied man he could get his hands on to help defend against the English. He knew the McDunnah was loyal to King David and hated the English as much as Duncan’s own clan did. What he did not know, however, was whether or not the McDunnah would fight in order to defend Aishlinn’s honor and life.
While the McDunnah was loyal to King David and to Scotland, he was also a very shrewd man. There was a very strong possibility that he would chose not to waste his clan’s precious resources if there weren’t something in it for him. Had Aishlinn been a nobleman’s daughter the situation would be much different. A nobleman might be more willing to pay for the protection of a daughter. But as it was, Aishlinn was a peasant, a scullery maid and an orphan. To date, the only value ever given her was the two sheep her brothers had traded her for.
After leaving Aishlinn at the kitchens, Duncan headed off to meet with the McDunnah. The only thing Duncan had going for him at the moment, was the fact that the McDunnah liked to fight. Caelen McDunnah it seemed had been born for it. Duncan had personally witnessed a time or two where the man had picked a fight just to say he’d fought it and won. Hopefully Duncan could appeal to that side of the man for help if or when the English might come for his Aishlinn.
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