Rowan brought the children inside, handing all but his own off to their waiting mothers. He helped Lily into dry clothes and warm woolens before taking her back to the gathering room where she could enjoy the hot cider and sweet cakes Mrs. Fitz had waiting for them.
An undercurrent of excitement was beginning to build around the keep. Rowan was doing his best to keep the promises he had made to God by practicing patience and kindness.
Most of his people were excited about the upcoming wedding, especially the women folk. They were all a buzz and a twitter over the first wedding to be held inside these walls since Rowan’s last.
Life, he thought as he watched his daughter sipping cider and chattering happily to her friends about the fact that she, too, would soon have a mother, was perfect. His heart swelled with pride, with love and adoration, not just for his daughter, his future bride, or his clan, but for everything in his life.
Christmastide was just four days away and Arline’s birthday fell on the morrow. The gift he had arranged for her had not yet arrived and he began to worry over it as it should have arrived days ago. Hopefully all was well and he would be able to present Arline with a token of his love very soon.
They’d be married two days after Hogmanay and that day could not arrive soon enough for either of their liking. Soon, he’d be counting down the hours instead of the days.
Rowan, Lily, and the other children were all huddled around the fire, the excitement of Christmastide taking up the majority of their young conversations. The children were looking forward to the feast and the Yule log, but most of all, they could hardly wait for the games they would play.
Selina entered the room with Arline’s wedding dress in her arms. Arline had chosen the color, a soft, pale yellow, as well as the design. Rowan had asked for a lower neckline than Arline felt comfortable wearing. He hoped that Selina had responded to his request and not his future bride’s.
“Good day to ye, Rowan!” Selina said as she approached. “I was just headin’ up to show Arline the finished dress. I added the silver and gold thread like ye asked,” she told him. “But if she doesna like it, ye will have to answer to her!”
Rowan laughed in agreement. “Do no’ fash yerself. I am certain she’ll love what ye’ve done.” And if she didn’t he could easily placate her with more kisses.
He left Lily with the children and was heading up the stairs with Selina when Thomas entered from out of doors. “Rowan!” he shouted over the din of the chattering children and rushed excitedly to the stairs.
Rowan directed Selina to go ahead and to tell Arline he’d be along shortly. “What be the problem, Thomas?” Rowan asked as he climbed back down the stairs.
Thomas waited patiently at the bottom before he answered. He leaned in and whispered to Rowan, “The gift ye ordered fer Lady Arline?” he began. “’Tis arrived!”
Rowan let out a happy cry and slapped Thomas on the back. If Arline was at all upset with the added embellishments to her dress, the gift he was about to give her would give him at least ten years worth of getting out of any troubles.
“I do no’ understand why I must wear the blindfold, Rowan,” Arline with clear frustration. She sat blindfolded, in a large comfortable chair next to the fire. Rowan had wrapped not one, but two furs around her, professing his worry over her catching a chill.
“Wheesht, now,” Rowan said. “I told ye, ’tis a surprise.”
“Well I hope its more yellow silk to add to me dress, ye devil! The neckline is beyond scandalous!”
As she sat and waited, she pondered the beautiful yellow gown. Afraid to try it on just yet, for fear her healing wound might ooze even the tiniest amount of blood on it, the gown hung on a hook in Rowan’s dressing room. It was beautiful, even if the neckline was far too revealing. The gold and silver threads that Selina had added to the neck, sleeves and hem were perfect. Arline loved the way they sparkled in the candlelight and hoped that Rowan would find her to his liking when she wore it.
Moments passed when she heard a rustling of skirts, slippers and boots alike padding across the floor. She also heard a rush of whispers and Lily’s giggle. For the life of her, she could not understand what surprise Rowan had for her that would require so many people to attend.
Rowan came and knelt beside her. She only knew it was him for he had whispered in her ear that he hoped she liked her early birthday gift and mayhap it would earn him a kiss. She burned crimson, placed her fingers over her mouth to hide her smile and hoped no one in the room had heard him.
“I ken how much ye like to draw,” Rowan said excitedly. “So I had some supplies brought to ye fer yer birthday. I sent fer them weeks ago and they’ve just arrived by special delivery.”
A blindfold and a room full of people to witness him giving her drawing supplies? Would he arrange a three-day feast, bards, jugglers and acrobats if he gave her a broach? As he untied the blindfold, she was convinced he was tetched and was just about to tell him so when she opened her eyes.
She gasped, covered her mouth with her hands, in utter shock and disbelief. The tears flowed as instantly as they formed and for a moment, she could not move or speak.
“Morralyn! Geraldine!” she cried out her sisters’ names. They rushed to her, fell to their knees and hugged her.
They were here! With her! She cried, bewildered, elated, and confused. They cried right along with her.
They all began talking at once, professing how glad they were to see each other after all this time. “Och! Ye are a sight fer sore eyes!” Morralyn cried as she held Arline’s face in her hands. Geraldine was too overcome with tears to speak but nodded her head in agreement.
Selina stepped forward offering the women handkerchiefs. “I’m so verra happy fer ye, Lady Arline! Yer sisters as well!”
Arline thanked her, handed a handkerchief to each sister. Her joy was overwhelming and she could not stop the tears from flowing. She looked around the room for the man responsible. He was standing in the corner, next to Thomas. Thomas was smiling, enjoying the spectacle as it played out before him.
Rowan was smiling too, that beautiful, gleaming smile. He was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his green tunic. She could not find the words to express how happy she was at this moment. Were she at all able to jump up, she would run to him and fling her arms around his neck and smother him with kisses. As it was, her two equally happy sisters had her pinned to the chair.
Arline mouthed a “thank you” to Rowan, along with a warm smile. He simply nodded his head.
“How did ye do this? Why did ye no’ tell me?” she asked him.
“I knew how much ye missed yer sisters. So I sent fer them weeks ago.” He left out the part of how he had thought to use them as an inducement to getting her to stay here. He rationalized that it no longer mattered. Morralyn and Geraldine were here and his future wife was overcome with joy. That was all that mattered.
“Aye,” Morralyn said happily. “He sent fer us weeks ago. Two verra braw young men!” she laughed aloud. “They told us ye were here, and finally away from that awful fool yer da forced ye to marry. Rowan offered us the same safe haven as he offered ye. And now it appears as if he’s offered ye even more!”
Arline and Geraldine giggled along with Morralyn. “I am so verra happy that ye agreed!”
“Did ye see the two handsome men he sent?” Morralyn asked with a smile. “’Twas impossible to tell them no to anythin’!”
Arline’s face burned red. “Morralyn!” She knew all too well what Morralyn meant by that statement. Her sister hadn’t been raised by a very prim and proper maid, like Arline had. Therefore she hadn’t had the guidance on being a lady, even though Arline had tried countless times over the years.
“What?” Morralyn asked, pretending not to have any good idea why Arline would be embarrassed or feel the need to chastise her. “I’ve been tellin’ ye fer years that life be too short, Arline. And all that nonsense that Minnie put in yer head was goin’ to lead
ye to a verra dull and unhappy life.” She glanced over her shoulder to look at Rowan, smiled and wiggled her eyebrows at him before turning back to Arline. “And I swear if ye heed Minnie’s advice and no’ me own, I’ll be forced to use the good sense and feminine wiles God gave me and make that man of yers verra, verra happy.”
Arline burst out laughing. She knew Morralyn’s threat held no truth to it. Morralyn would never do anything to hurt Arline, but she was not above speaking her mind or making threats to get her point across.
“Ye needn’t worry, Morralyn. I’ve recently learned that most of Minnie’s advice was not exactly true.”
Morralyn rolled her eyes. “Most? Not exactly true? Och! The woman was tetched I tell ye, full of shi--”
Geraldine stopped Morralyn before she could embarrass herself or Arline further. “Morralyn!” she scolded in a whisper. “We’re no’ in a tavern. We be in fine company. Watch yer tongue!”
“I’d rather watch Eldon’s tongue!” Morralyn said with a laugh.
“Morralyn!” Arline and Geraldine exclaimed in unison.
Arline leaned in to her sisters. “Who is Eldon?”
“Och! He was one of the verra braw men yer Rowan sent us!”
Arline sat back and place a hand on her chest. She hoped Morralyn hadn’t done anything that would make Rowan regret his offer.
“Do no’ fash yerself, Arline,” Morralyn said. “I’ve done nothin’ to be ashamed of.”
“That’s because ye have no shame!” Geraldine said, adding a curt nod for emphasis.
“Yer right! I don’t!”
It was next to impossible to insult Morralyn. Geraldine however, had softer skin. She wore her heart on her sleeve was generous to a fault, but not completely above jesting or engaging in more tawdry conversation. However, Geraldine knew there was a proper time and place for such things.
Rowan stood quietly observing the three sisters. While they all shared the same father, they each had different mothers. No one could tell by looking at them, however, that they shared any bloodlines.
Morralyn was a very tiny yet buxom woman, with long golden blond hair and big hazel eyes. Geraldine was more than a head taller than Morralyn, even though she was a good three years younger. Geraldine had dark brown hair and hazel eyes that leaned toward green, and like Arline, she was as thin as a tree sapling.
They chatted away excitedly, reliving the events of the past year. Morralyn and Geraldine had grown increasingly worried for Arline’s safety after they stopped receiving letters from her. They had learned of the annulment and were preparing to leave the little cottage where Arline had hidden them, fearful that Orthanach would find them.
Rowan listened intently. The more he learned of the three women’s father, the less he liked the man. Arline was nothing more than a bargaining tool, a means for him to amass more wealth. Her younger sisters meant nothing to him other than as a means to control Arline.
Rowan swore to himself that when Orthanach learned of the wedding -- and he had no doubt that he would -- he would do everything within his power to keep the man away from these three women.
The three women were soon lost in stories of their childhood, memories of better days and worse. Rowan saw that the world around them fell away and nothing mattered but each other. He quietly ushered Thomas, Lily, Selina, and Ora out of the room. He would have refreshments sent to the room and allow them time to reacquaint themselves with each other.
Silently, he slipped out of the room, the sounds of giggling women following him out. He could not help but feel a bit triumphant. He’d done the right thing.
Twenty-Eight
Christmastide came and went peacefully, without attack or interruption. The clan’s children enjoyed their feast, the stories that were told and the games that were played. It was one of the better Christmastides that Rowan could recall.
Arline could not remember ever enjoying a Christmastide like Clan Graham’s. Her father had never believed in celebrating much of anything. No Yule logs had ever burned at their keep. Greenery had never been displayed, no feasts, no music, no games. She had enjoyed them later in life, with Carlich. But the Lindsay festivities were smaller, more intimate affairs.
Rowan had carried Arline down the stairs and placed her in a big chair next to the fireplace so that she could enjoy and participate in the festivities. Her sisters were never far away from her side, though Rowan did take note that Morralyn and Thomas had disappeared for more than an hour. When the two had returned, Thomas wore a smile that Rowan could never remember seeing on the man’s face. Morralyn looked proud and happy. He pretended not to notice.
Several of his younger men tripped over themselves to spend time with Geraldine. They fought over who would bring her mulled wine or sweet cakes. They nearly came to blows over who would have the first dance with her. Rowan came to her rescue by dancing with her first, much to Arline’s delight and gratitude. Geraldine was an exceptionally quiet young lass, quite bonny and sweet. He could well understand the younger men wanting to spend time with her.
There were moments throughout the day and night when Arline would touch his arm and with tear-filled eyes express her gratitude. His heart swelled with pride for having made her so happy.
Arline was healing quite nicely and had been moved into Kate’s auld room. At first, she had protested, explaining that it didn’t feel quite right to have her move into Kate’s room. Rowan explained that Kate would have wanted it this way. Besides, it was only temporary. Once he and Arline were married, she’d not be spending much time in her own room. He fully intended on holding her prisoner in his, at least until they were much, much older. Eighty or ninety sounded appropriate.
Clan Graham was all a flutter with the excitement of Rowan and Arline’s upcoming wedding. Guests began to filter in the day before Hogmanay. The first to arrive were his friends, Nial and Bree McKee, along with their four wee ones.
Bree and Arline became instant friends while Lily fell instantly in love with seven-year-old Jamie. When Arline tucked Lily into her bed that night, Lily professed that she would marry Jamie McKee some day for he was not like the other boys. “He gave me his sweet cake!” Lily informed Arline. “Robert never gives me his sweet cake, even when I ask politely. Jamie gave it to me without me even askin’!”
Arline didn’t have the heart to tell her that Jamie had just been getting over a stomach ailment. She’d not crush the dreams of a four-year-old little girl.
More guests filed in on the following day. Nora and Wee William of the Clan MacDougall, along with their six children and Nora’s beautiful fifteen-year-old sister, Elise, arrived in the late morn. Elise was positively stunning, with her long strawberry blond hair and vivid, bright blue eyes and the younger lads immediately took notice.
Her brother-in-law, Wee William, stood nearly seven feet tall. Arline remembered him from her journey to Stirling when she helped to keep his chief and friend from hanging. He hadn’t changed much. He was still the biggest man she’d ever laid eyes on. His brown hair was beginning to gray at the temples. He had a few more wrinkles around his eyes. Still, he was a most formidable man. All he need do was cast a stern glance at any young man who happened to come within ten feet of his young sister-in-law.
Part of Arline felt sorry for the young lass. She’d never be allowed to have any fun as long as her large brother-in-law was around. The other part of her envied Elise. Arline wished she had been blessed with someone like that, so protective and caring, when she was that age.
She supposed her life now would be decidedly different had she not experienced all that she had. There was also a very strong possibility that she would not now be just a few short days away from marrying Rowan.
Findley and Maggy McKenna, auld friends of Rowan’s, arrived late in the evening with a small army made up entirely of children. Arline could not hide her surprise when Rowan informed her that Findley and Maggy hadn’t brought all of their children, just the youngest seven. They had three older
boys, all married, who had stayed behind to watch after their keep.
Duncan and Aishlinn McKenna arrived the following day, along with their four children -- three boys and a girl. Duncan was now the chief of Clan MacDougall. Angus had retired the past year.
“Angus and Isobel send ye their best wishes,” Duncan told Rowan and Arline as they stood before the fire in the grand gathering room.
“They would have loved to have come, but Angus broke his leg a few weeks ago. He was chasin’ our wee ones in the courtyard and slipped on the ice. He was mighty angry that he could no’ travel here, but Isobel would no’ let him out of bed,” Duncan told Rowan as they drank tankards of ale.
Rowan laughed aloud. “Och! ’Tis good to ken that Isobel is still in charge of the auld man!”
Duncan agreed. “Aye. Angus may have been the chief of the clan for all these years, but we all ken the truth. Isobel was Angus’ chief!”
Before the day was out, Áit na Síochána was near to bursting with clan chiefs, their wives and children, as well as the warriors who helped escort them here. Arline had never witnessed so many people under one roof. She fretted over each and every one of them.
Although she was recovering quite nicely, Rowan still fussed over her. He’d not allow her to take the stairs without assistance. He would insist that she take frequent naps so that she’d not wear herself out before their big day. While Arline reveled in his attentiveness, there were moments when his constant hovering annoyed her. She knew his intentions came from his adoration of her and that he only worried because he cared a great deal for her. Still, there were moments when she wished he would give her just a few moments alone.
The eve of Hogmanay arrived and the excitement level inside the keep was palpable. Lily followed Jamie McKee around like a puppy. As the oldest, with two little brothers and a wee sister, Jamie had much experience with smaller children. He was kind and patient and didn’t seemed at all annoyed that Lily followed him everywhere.
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