She also knew that if she were to accept any offers of marriage there would be no guarantee that her new husband would allow her to keep all of her boys. In the end she would be forced to say goodbye to all but Liam. Her fervent prayer was that she would have some say in where they went and who would care for them.
Mayhap that was the best thing. Was she being selfish for keeping them all with her? How much had she asked them to sacrifice so that she could remain independent and free? Mayhap she should allow them to go, to be fostered and educated. But the thought of being away from her boys for any length of time tore at her heart. They were her sons. They needed her as much as she needed them.
It was a very long time before she finally succumbed to exhaustion. Her last thoughts before falling asleep were of her boys and the happy moments they had shared over the past few years.
~~~
Findley woke before dawn. He had slept, but not as soundly or as comfortably as he would have liked. He was careful not to wake Maggy for he had heard her tossing and turning most of the night. He decided that what she needed most was uninterrupted sleep.
He stared at her while he quietly donned his plaid. She was curled into a little ball in the middle of the bed and had the blankets pulled tightly around her chin. Her auburn hair was loose and tumbled out over the pillows. The smell of lilacs still hung in the air. He took in a deep breath and held it as a smile came to his face. What he wouldn’t give to wake up beside her each morning.
He quietly stepped from the room and closed the door carefully. Patrick had traded places with Wee William in the middle of the night and now sat in a chair between the doors of the lads’ rooms.
“How did the lads sleep?” Findley whispered.
Patrick stretched and stood. “Liam woke a few times from bad dreams but all in all, I’d say it went well.”
Findley gave him an approving nod. He imagined it would be quite some time before any of them would sleep soundly.
“We’ve much to do this day,” Findley told him.
“Aye. Richard is below stairs breaking his fast. Should we let the lads sleep a bit longer?”
“Aye.” Findley agreed. “And Maggy as well. Richard and I will see to trading the supplies. We’ll wake the lads when we return.” He turned to leave when Patrick stopped him.
“Findley,” he began. “I’ve not much coin but I’d like to buy the lads a pair of boots. They canna get too far with bare feet or boots with holes in ’em.”
Findley agreed. They made plans to take the boys for new boots. Findley knew that clothes for the boys had been packed in the wagons. He remove those as well as anything else they might need for the days ahead before trading the rest for coin. He made a mental list of all the things that would need to be done as he headed down the back staircase and into the kitchen.
Richard was sitting at a small table eating eggs, ham and fresh bread. Fiona’s daughter-in-law, a very comely lass around the age of ten and eight Findley guessed, offered him the same breakfast.
“How was yer weddin’ night?” Richard asked with a wry grin.
Findley nearly choked on his eggs. He shot his brother a look of warning. The lass brought him a mug of ale and smiled down at him before returning to the basins.
“Was it everythin’ ye hoped it would be?” Richard needled.
“My weddin’ night be none of yer business, brother,” Findley answered before taking a pull of the ale.
“Aye. A gentlemen does no’ kiss an’ tell.” Richard grinned.
Findley made a silent promise to pummel his brother senseless once they were away from the inn.
Before they were finished eating, Beyton entered the kitchen from the back door. Close behind him were one of his older sons and a son-in-law. Findley saw the advantage of having many sons; there were plenty of hands and strong backs to help when needed.
“I’ve yer messengers fer ye, Findley,” Beyton said with a proud smile. “They can be in Dunshire within four days.”
Findley studied the two young men. Beyton’s son took after his mother for he was tall and fair. The son-in-law was a bit shorter, but just as well built and both looked as though they could hold their own if needed.
The young lass brought Findley a parchment and quill and within a quarter hour he had his request written and the messengers on their way. He prayed the weather would hold and that Angus would send the help he so desperately needed.
It wasn’t long after that Patrick and Wee William came down the stairs with four hungry young boys in tow. So much for letting the boys sleep in. The lads devoured their breakfast with a fervour that resembled scavengers on the carcass of a dead mule deer. Though Findley realized having many sons had its advantages, he wondered, as he watched them eat, how on earth anyone could afford to feed them on a regular basis.
Liam was the first to finish eating. He excitedly jumped up and came to Findley. He pulled on Findley’s sleeve and motioned with his finger for him to bend so that he could whisper in his ear.
“Are we goin’ after Ian now?” he asked.
The lad looked positively forlorn when Findley shook his head nay. “But dunna worrit, lad. We’ll be spendin’ our day preparin’ for our battle against the Buchannans.”
That seemed to lift the lad’s spirits. He was ready to do whatever he must in order to get his brother back.
“What do we do first?” he asked anxiously.
Findley smiled. “First, we must get ye into proper battle gear,” he said as he glanced down at the lad’s bare feet.
“We’ll need to get ye boots and some new clothes.”
Liam nodded his head and crossed his arms over his chest. “Aye,” he said very seriously. “I dunna suppose it would do to go into battle with bare feet.” He thought on it for a moment before adding, “Do I get a hauberk and broadsword as well?”
Findley had to bite his tongue to keep from laughing. He had to admire the young boy’s tenacity and eagerness.
“I dunna think there is time to have a hauberk made to fit ye lad, but we’ll see about a sgian dubh.”
A sgian dubh might not be as grand as a sword in the eyes of a small boy. But knowing he was trusted enough to have a weapon at all, was enough to bring a smile of pride to his face.
“But ye’ll have to keep it secret from yer mum,” Findley told him. While he didn’t like the idea of keeping secrets from the lad’s mother, he knew Maggy would have a fit if she found out Findley was actually arming her sons.
Under different circumstances he would not have considered anything other than a wooden sword for such a small boy. But desperate times often call for desperate measures. Without knowing what lay in store for them over the next days he would feel better knowing each of the lads had some way of defending himself if the need arose.
When the rest of his men and the lads were finished breaking their fast, Findley led them out of doors and to the stables. Once it was determined the stables were free of any unwanted eyes or ears, they huddled together and made plans for the morning.
In order to keep from drawing any unnecessary attention, each man would be partnered with a lad. For the remainder of their journey, each would be considered father and son. Their journey would take them to towns and cities and Findley knew that the larger the group the more attention it would draw.
At first, each of the lads wanted Wee William to act as their da and guardian. They were impressed not only by the man’s size but his personality as well. Wee William had apparently entertained the lads to tears the night before with stories filled with battles well fought intermingled with winning the hearts of more than a few fair lasses. While the younger lads weren’t quite as anxious to win the heart of any lass, they were all quite eager to learn how to be as fierce a warrior as Wee William.
Wee William would stand out in any crowd. Not wanting to disappoint the lads any further, they decided that Wee William would act as uncle to each.
Patrick and Andrew were paired together for th
ey looked the most alike. Richard would be father to Collin and Findley would be father to both Robert and Liam.
“Can I call ye da then, Findley?” Liam asked.
A breath caught in Findley’s throat. “Aye,” he answered with a nod.
If the truth were told, Findley would have liked to be a father to all the lads. His thoughts turned to the beautiful woman who was sleeping peacefully in a small, warm bed on the third floor of the inn. He wished that they were truly married and that he was lying in the bed with her instead of making plans for laying siege to a castle.
“Da,” Robert tested the word a time or two. At first he felt guilty for saying it. His parents had been good, decent people. The pox had taken them, along with his two younger brothers and baby sister, and he missed all of them more than he would ever care to admit.
It had taken Robert more than a year after losing them before he could begin to think of calling Maggy mum. He dealt with the guilt by understanding that his mum and Maggy had been friends. Under the circumstances, he doubted his mother would have been angry over it.
But to call another man da? That would take some getting used to. He decided that because he was only pretending in order to keep their identities safe and to get their Ian back, he could muddle through it for now. But once their mission was complete, he’d go back to calling the man Findley.
Once the temporary fatherhood was established and missions assigned, fathers and sons stepped out the stables. Wee William would stay behind to guard over Maggy.
“We’ll meet back here within an hour’s time,” Findley told Wee William.
“If there be any trouble, I’ll send one of Beyton’s sons to fetch ye,” Wee William said.
“Let’s pray there isn’t any,” Richard said.
With that, the new fathers left with their new sons. It could be said that none was more proud at the moment than Findley. Even if it be for a short time. Mayhap I can prove to Maggy that I would make a good father to her lads. She might begin to see me in a different light then.
Chapter Nine
Maggy woke to the sound of stifled chuckles and whispers. She knew those sounds well and she tried to suppress a smile. What were her boys up to now?
She feigned sleep, pulled the fur over her head and burrowed deeper into the soft bed. She knew her boys were up to something. The sweet giggles and wheests led her to believe her lads were trying to surprise her with something.
“Mum,” Liam whispered as he climbed onto the bed and over her.
She felt the weight of someone else sitting at the foot of the bed. Very slowly she opened her eyes and smiled. She found the room filled not only with her sons, but with Findley and his men as well.
This must be what pickles in a barrel feel like, all crammed in together, she thought to herself. The room seemed infinitely smaller with all the men and boys crowded in.
“What is this?” she asked as she tried to sit. Suddenly she was grateful that the weight of the boys on her fur kept her from doing just that, for she remembered that she was naked underneath it.
They were all smiling at her, even the men. Her brow creased quizzically. It felt very strange to have so many men staring and smiling. A sudden bout of dread washed over her. They’re probably tryin’ to marry me off to one of them again.
“We’ve presents fer ye!” Liam said proudly. Oh, how she loved that boy’s smile!
“Presents?” she asked. “What kind of presents?”
She imagined they must be flowers and pretty stones and the like, for her boys didn’t have a coin to their names.
Robert came forward first and held out his hand. Not expecting anything other than some small token he had found out of doors, she smiled and held her hand out.
She was delighted to tears when he placed a tortoise shell comb into the palm of her hand. It was exquisite! It seemed an eternity had passed since she had owned anything so fine.
“Where on earth did ye find it?” she asked breathlessly. Instantly she began to worry that her sons, who had proven in the past they weren’t beyond reiving something in order to impress her, might have obtained the comb through less than honest means.
“We bought it.” Robert’s beaming smile perplexed her.
“How? Ye’ve no coin!” she eyed them all suspiciously.
“Dunna worrit, mum,” Robert said. “We did no’ steal it! We earned the money mucking stalls fer Beyton and Fiona.”
Maggy’s shoulders fell and she felt guilty for assuming the worst. “Och!” she whispered. “Ye shoulda spent yer hard earned coin on yerselves, lads!”
There were so many things that her sons needed that she could not give them. Her guilt increased tenfold with the thought, for her sons needed boots, clothes and food. She had no clue how she’d be able to provide those things for them.
They had mucked stalls to earn coin and then spent it on her instead of something they needed. Tears formed in her eyes as she stared down at the beautiful comb. It was a small thing, just a comb, but the sentiment behind it was immeasurable.
“Lass, why do ye cry?” Findley asked, his voice laced with confusion.
Maggy wiped a tear from her cheek. “Because me boys need boots and clothes more than I need a comb!”
She tried to hand the comb back to Robert. “Son, ye need to return it and get yer coin back. We’ll be needin’ that to get ye some boots!”
She yanked on the fur and was able to gain enough to cover herself and sit.
Robert shook his head. “Nay! We’ve got boots!” he smiled down at her as he lifted a foot up and sat it on the edge of the bed.
“See?” he said. “We’ve all got new boots, thanks to Findley.” Robert had a very proud smile on his face.
“And we’ve new tunics and trews!” Collin offered as he held his arms out as wide as he could in the cramped quarters. The other lads followed suit.
Maggy studied each of her boys. She had not noticed their new clothing before. “Findley!” she said as she cast him a confused look. “Ye should no’ have done that!”
A broad smile came to Findley’s face. “Dunna worry yerself over it lass! We had most of the clothes in the wagons. They be used, but clean and in good repair.”
“But the boots be new!” Andrew said. “I’ve never had a pair of new boots before. They feel odd, but good.”
“That’s because they fit ye,” Robert told him.
Andrew nodded his head in agreement as he wiggled his toes inside the boots.
“We’ve more gifts fer ye, mum,” Liam said excitedly. “Collin, give her yers and Andrew’s!”
Collin had been sitting at the end of the bed. He reached behind his back and pulled out a pair of new boots for Maggy.
Her hand flew to her mouth as she gasped. “Boots fer me too?”
Collin and Andrew nodded in unison.
Maggy doubted the boys earned enough coin mucking stalls to purchase both a comb and a new pair of boots for her. She started to say something when Findley stepped forward and bent down to whisper in her ear.
“Maggy,” he said as his warm breath brushed over her ear. “Allow yer sons this moment.”
He pulled away and gave her a pleading look. Maggy looked into his brown eyes and understood. She then turned to look at the proud faces of her sons. This moment meant as much to them as it did to her, mayhap more. She nodded her head and decided to keep her protests to herself.
“I couldna be more proud of ye boys. I thank ye all. No mum was ever blessed with finer sons!”
“There be more, lass,” Richard said as he stepped forward and handed her a bundle. “This be from me and Patrick.”
Maggy didn’t know if her heart could withstand many more acts of kindness and generosity. “Och! Lads, ye should no’ be doin’ this!” she protested as she took the bundle and began to unfold it.
It was a new dress made of fine green wool! She could not suppress the smile. “Och!” she exclaimed, her heart overflowing with joy and gratitude.
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Wee William stepped forward next and presented her with a new grey cloak made of warm wool. “This’ll keep ye warm fer a long time, lass,” he said as he stepped away.
It wasn’t the gifts that overwhelmed her heart with joy. It was the thought and kindness that had gone into each one.
Liam could no longer contain his excitement. He smiled as he crawled onto her lap and thrust two ribbons into her hand. One was green the other made from a fine fabric the colour of ice.
“These are from me and Ian. I ken he woulda wanted to get ye one too, so I picked one out fer him.”
Large tears formed in her eyes and trailed down her cheeks. Ian. Oh, how she wished he were here! His smile would have been as bright as Liam’s and he would have held the same bright twinkle in his green eyes. He would have enjoyed presenting a gift to her.
Liam wrapped his arms around her neck and she buried her face into his hair.
“Wheest mum,” he whispered. “We’ll get him back, I promise.” He patted her back gently. “I didna mean to make ye cry.”
Maggy shook her head. “No worries, Liam. I ken we’ll get him back soon.”
She righted herself and forced a smile to her face. “Thank ye fer thinkin’ of yer brother. That was a fine thing to do!”
He scurried off her lap and sat next to her.
“We saved the best fer last,” Collin said as he looked to Findley. “Close yer eyes!” Collin told her.
Maggy shook her head, let out a happy sigh and closed her eyes.
Findley smiled as he stepped forward and placed the item on her lap. “Ye can open them now,” he instructed her.
A gasp caught in her throat when she opened her eyes. It was a magnificent gown, made of fine silk damask. It was ice blue with silver embroidery around the sleeves and bodice. There wasn’t an ounce of practicality to it but that mattered not. It was beautiful! She could not imagine ever having a place or time in which to wear it.
Findley bent to whisper in her ear again. “When yer sons’ saw that in the dressmaker’s window, they refused to buy new boots. They insisted on gettin’ it fer ye.” He stood back a bit so that she could see his smile. “We had to buy it, elst they would have gone all winter with bare feet!”
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