The Twisted Laird

by Cherime MacFarlane

  Sitting cross legged on the pad, she pulled a length of cloth over her head. Rocking back and forth, she cried silently.

  Daracha watched as Evina tried to get the young woman to eat something. Rhona pushed her mother's hand away and seemed to burrow deeper into the cloth. Rhona did not have any friends in the group. Her only friend was Hamish. Now that he was gone, Daracha wondered if the young woman would finally reach out to the rest of her family.

  Cai MacGrough had only one child, Rhona. Her mother was not well for some time after her birth, and did not bear any other children. As long as Evina was alive, Cai was not able to take another wife. Rhona paid for the unfortunate circumstance the man found himself in.

  Becoming angrier with each passing day, Cai began to spend more time away from the glen and in Glasgow. Then, he did not bother to return. Eventually, word came to the clan of Cai's death. He attempted to steal a man's sister and died in the fight.

  Rhona wished he had left in the beginning. She was slapped whenever she came too close to her father. She learned early to stay out of his way. If she was not able to avoid him, he pulled her hair or pinched Rhona so hard, the area he touched turned black and blue.

  She detested Cai MacGrough. Rhona often wished she could creep over to the bed and simply slit his throat. Hamish was her savior. He realized her need to lash out and let Rhona take her anger out on trees, other inanimate objects and on him.

  The weapons training gave Rhona an outlet for the anger she felt. Hacking and slashing at Hamish with the wooden practice sword was the perfect outlet for her rage. But when Hamish tried to bring Edan into their circle, Rhona angrily rejected him. She knew it was wrong, but did not want to share Hamish with anyone.

  To make sure of Edan's exclusion, Rhona began driving him away from them, verbally. She ridiculed the lad, made fun of his lameness and his bi-colored eyes. When Edan quietly asked why she disliked him, Rhona lied. She told Edan his eyes, one green and one blue, along with his lame leg, was the cause. She told him he was ugly. Edan never again attempted to speak with her unless he must.

  Now, alone and with child, she must depend on Edan to care for her and the babe. The situation was not an easy one to be in. She had created the climate of anger and hostility.

  Trying to choke back the tears, she burrowed deeper into the bedding. Her prickly nature had kept her from making friends. Hamish was sufficient for her. Times beyond counting, Hamish told her all in the glen were her family. No one pitied her. They felt concern for her situation, but not pity.

  Her pride kept her from reaching out to others. None in the glen went hungry. None went without shelter or clothing. All looked out for each other. And first Birk, then Hamish on Birk's death, looked out for all. Somewhere in the back of her mind, Rhona knew one reason Cai took himself off to Glasgow was Birk.

  When her father's treatment of Evina came to light, things changed. He beat her mother severely enough for it to come to the attention of Gara. The very next morning, Birk took her father away from the cottage for a time. When he did return with a bruise high on his cheek, Cai made a small bundle of things and left for quite some time.

  He did return many days later. Several times, her father slipped away in the night and was gone longer each time. Rhona recalled a short confrontation early one morning between her mother and Cai. When he left that time, he did not return.

  Fear was clawing at her. Had she goaded Edan to the point where he would take a bit of his own back? Did he truly hate her? Rhona could think of no reason why he should feel anything other than hatred. Very soon, she would be totally dependent on the man she had abused for years.

  She choked back a moan. It would not do to allow everyone else to know how frightened she was. A hand settled on her shoulder. Rhona jerked away with a low oath.

  "Easy, go easy! I've only brought ye ah cup of water. Ye need tae get somethin on yur stomach."

  Rhona recognized Daracha's voice. Curious as to why Edan's wife would be doing her a kindness, Rhona uncovered her head.

  Looking up into the bright blue eyes with a slight nod, Rhona took the cup of water and sipped at it. "Ye put sweetening intae it." she observed.

  Daracha knelt down in front of Rhona and leaned back against her heels. "Aye. Tha honey will help tae settle yur innards an nourish as well. Rhona, I ken ye're nae happy with me. I've ah better understanding of tha reason now."

  Rhona's dark eyes searched Daracha's face. Finding neither pity nor satisfaction, she took another sip from the cup before speaking. "Och! But, ye have Edan..."

  With a sigh, Daracha leaned slightly forward to place a hand on Rhona's shoulder for an instant. "I ken. Truly, I do. If I was in yur place, I would be none tae happy over tha matter. Hamish sent him back. It was his way of providing for us all. Hamish trained Edan as his second in command from tha beginning."

  "Aye. 'Tis tha truth, I ken. But it nae makes it easier tae bear." Rhona wondered where the conversation was headed. That it was Daracha who instigated it intrigued her. Rhona suspected the other woman had a motive and she thought she knew what it might be.

  "Rhona, if ye leave off baiting Edan, it would be better for all. It is far better for the bairn if ye try tae concentrate on tha new life ye carry. Focus on luvin what ye have left of Hamish." Daracha reached out for the cup Rhona had drained. "Give it ah bit of thought. See if it dosnae feel right." Pushing herself upright, Daracha smiled at Rhona and left.

  Her dark eyes followed Daracha. Rhona turned her head to stare as the young woman left the building and went outside. The request to stop baiting Edan had been expected. The other comments were unexpected. Lowering herself back into the bedding, Rhona rolled over onto her side. Daracha's words were worth considering.

  But right at this moment, the thought of being unable to do anything to help herself for the long months to come, was frightening. The immediate effect of that thought was a return of the tears. Rhona felt much as she had in her childhood, helpless. Pulling her knees up against her chest, Rhona was unable to stop crying.

  Chapter Thirteen

  As the days slid past, Edan and the two lads developed a rhythm, as they worked in the cooperage. The long days they put in making barrels for Ian, dawn to dusk, wearied them. Food and bed were their main concerns, as soon as they returned to the warehouse.

  Edan was grateful for both boys. Eager to learn, Adie and Blane didn't complain and listened quietly when given instruction. Edan watched over Blane especially, as the lad was really quite young, for all his willingness to work.

  Learning from Jean, she was unable to get very far in teaching the boys, due to the birth of her daughter, Lias, Edan decided the matter must be addressed. Once they were permanently settled, he would discuss it with the others. A tutor was out of the question, but something needed to be done.

  Abed with Daracha early on Sunday morning, they talked in whispers of Edan's plans for the following day. He intended to be finished at the cooperage by day's end on Monday.

  "Aye. Are ye thinking of going tae tha kirk?" Daracha's long fingers wove their way through the hair on Edan's chest.

  "Nae. We'll wait until we've set on ah place before dipping ah toe intae that pool. One bog at ah time." Edan's hand stroked the firm curve of her shoulder, as he sighed contentedly.

  No one was going to work. The clan would rest on this day. There were those of the church who would raise a great cry if they found anyone working on the Lord's Day. Ian had grudgingly told him to stay at home on Saturday eve. Even Smith did not wish to cross the church elders. They could chase a sinner out of town for violating the Sabbath edict.

  He was able to stay comfortably abed with his wife. The mothers with children were not able to do so. The others were beginning to stir. Muted voices and the rustle of cloth could be heard in the early morning. Lying on his side, Edan's bulk shielded Daracha from any glances turned their way.

  The adults would leave them alone. It was the children, not yet fully understanding the need fo
r privacy, who would look longer. Edan wanted to do something more. Making love to his wife slowly, appealed to him. Even as he considered the thought, Edan put it aside. It was his problem, of that he was very aware. Daracha would eagerly join in. He could not bring himself to trust to the courtesy of others.

  Instead, he cuddled with her. Edan pulled her tightly to his body as they lingered in their nest of bedding.

  "Ye're nae going to do aught else?" Daracha whispered the question.

  Edan knew he had a great deal to learn about women, in particular, this beautiful woman lying warm in his embrace. "I did think on it, but..."

  Daracha pushed her rounded bottom into his groin and Edan felt his body respond.

  "I'll be happy tae help ye, husband. If we were tae pull tha covers ah bit over our heads, we could stay abed ah while longer."

  "I...I didnae wish tae be caught out." Edan whispered into her ear. The soft lobe of her ear caught his eye and Edan fought the urge to suck it into his mouth for a moment, before giving in.

  It was a very short leap from her ear to the soft skin of her neck. Daracha turned her chin up to give him easy access.

  Edan found he was unable to resist her. "Ye're nae going tae bite me again, are ye?"

  Daracha chuckled in response. "Nae. I've ah bit of the bedding I can chew on when tha time comes. I've ah need here, an I wish it satisfied."

  "Och, I do love ye most terribly, wench. Demanding bit of woman that ye are, ye're mine."

  An idea came to Edan and he turned her face to his for a kiss. Then he put a fingertip on her lips. "Ye moisten my finger, sweeting, so I might ready ye ah bit."

  Her blue eyes sparkled up at him in pleasure. Cupping her tongue around his finger, Daracha sucked it into her mouth. She did not immediately let his finger go, but sucked on it tightly.

  Edan could not believe the sensation her mouth on his finger produced inside him. He stiffened immediately. Eyes smiling up at him, Daracha was fully aware of what he was feeling. Turning, she slid a hand up his chest. When she sharply plucked a nipple, Edan sucked in a breath. On opening her mouth to release his finger, Edan's wife wore a wide smile.

  Rolling over onto her back, she spread her legs for him. Edan leaned slightly over her and Daracha pushed the bedding up, so he could reach her easily. When his fingertip found what he was reaching for, Daracha sighed and her eyes closed.

  Carefully and quietly, the couple made love in the tangle of bedding. Edan found having to be as quiet as possible somehow added spice to the experience. Cuddling his wife in his arms afterward, Edan realized Daracha felt the same when she laughed softly against his shoulder.

  "Husband, did it tickle yur fancy as much as it did mine? I dinnae think we were noticed, did ye?"

  "Ye're ah bit on tha wicked side! It seems I've ah loose woman on my hands."

  "Nae!" Daracha licked a patch of skin on his chest. "Ye do up my stays quite nicely, MacGrough, I'm nae loose." Then she began to suck on the place she was licking.

  "Ye're going to give me a bruise!"

  With a slight sucking sound, Daracha pulled back to look up into his face. "Aye. Ye're ah marked man. Ye belong tae me. Touch another, laddie, an see what that fetches ye."

  Edan pushed a few wisps of her bright hair away from her face. "Och, gradh, there's no other woman in tha world I've ah wish tae bed."

  The smile left her face. Her beautiful blue eyes filled slightly when she reached up to stroke his cheek. "I ken. ‘Tis tha same for me. God kens how much I love ye, Edan. I hate yur being gone from me, for even ah day. I was so worried when ye left with Hamish. I thought I might never see ye again an so wished we might have made luv before..."

  Silencing her with a kiss, Edan put all the love and tenderness he felt for her into it. When he released her, Daracha stoked her cheek across his bare chest. They lay still for a moment before she pushed away from him.

  "Are ye ready tae rise, my lad?"

  When he grinned at her, a broad smile tugged at her mouth. With a slight shake of her head, Daracha chuckled. "Mayhap we can take ah walk today. Per'aps along tha river bank, we might find ah place for another rising of that sort. But for now, are ye ready tae be out of tha bedding?"

  "Well, if I must. Ye are ah most headstrong wee wifie. Mayhap, had I kenned tha wee wifie I was taking tae my bed, I might have thought better of it."

  "Ha! Nae, I'll never purchase that bit of tale. Now, let's get yur shirt ontae ye. Then ye can help me intae tha shift. I'll help ye slide intae tha trews after an ye can help me with my clothing."

  Edan did as ordered with a chuckle. She was truly all he needed. Edan did not mind Daracha knowing it.

  Someone had a fire started in the pit outdoors where the huge kettles full of water from the burn were usually heated. One kettle had been pulled to the side and Nessa was seated on a stool near the fire.

  Gently stirring a pot of oats which sat over the flame, she was talking with Jean. No one was prepared to gallop into the day. It had been a difficult week and the rest was needed.

  Edan could hear the children shouting as they splashed about in the water of Gruggie's Burn. The early morning fog was giving way to the warmth of the sun. There were mare's tail clouds high in the sky to the west. Edan thought rain might blow in later in the day.

  Daracha pulled one of the rough benches close to the fire and nodded toward it. Edan knew she meant for him to sit. He caught Jean's eyes and motioned toward it with one hand. With a smile, she declined his invitation. Edan sat and placed his folded hands between his knees. Daracha flattened her skirts and sat beside him.

  On hearing the noise level near the stream increase, Edan looked up at Jean. "Tha weans ken tae stay away from tha Clyde?"

  "Aye. They do. I gave strict instructions tae tha lot. Adie an Blane asked if they could fish in tha burn. I nae think there's fishing goin on. I believe 'tis more of ah water fight."

  "Tha lads deserve ah bit of fun, they've both worked hard." Edan told their mother.

  Daracha got up from the bench. When Edan would have stood, she pushed him down with one hand. Standing behind him, she began to massage his upper back and shoulders.

  "Ah!" Edan sighed in response. "Aye, luv. I recall why I married ye now."

  She recognized his reference to their teasing conversation earlier and the other things which had taken place. Daracha tugged on his hair which was tied back into a 1queue. It was an unspoken message and a promise.

  After a particularly loud shout and a scream, which caused Edan to jump to his feet, the children came barreling out of the stream bed. Adie had Isa, Glynis' daughter, by the hand. Lara and Blane brought up the rear, with Lilas firmly in tow.

  Edan listened quietly as Glynis and Jean sorted the matter out. The small girls, only a year apart were arguing over a pretty stone. With a grin, he watched the two mothers go about clearing the matter up and firmly admonishing the little girls to take care of each other.

  Then the women told both little girls they had come to his attention and he was not pleased to see MacGroughs fighting among themselves. Edan felt his spirit shrink when both little girls turned anxious eyes toward him. He did not want to be seen as someone the children would be frightened to come to, if they needed help.

  Edan called the girls over to him. Both needed to be pushed forward by Jean and Glynis. Knowing he did need to be able to wield some authority over what was left of the clan, Edan hurriedly sought for the proper words, as both children shuffled toward him.

  Heads down, they stopped just out of arm's length. On realizing he might well be the only father either child had, Edan swallowed hard.

  "Isa, come here, lass." The little girl took two small steps closer. Edan took her hand and tugged her up against one knee. "Ye as well Lilas, come tae me."

  When he had both little girls leaning against either leg, he lifted Isa's face first. A younger copy of her mother, the child's hazel eyes were shimmering with moisture. Fear stirred in her gaze.

  "Are ye n
ae elder here, Isa?" Silently, the child nodded agreement with the statement.

  "Ye told yur mither Lilas grabbed it away from ye? True?" Nodding again, she tried to lower her head. Edan did not allow her to do so. "It made ye angry an ye hit Lilas because of ah worthless stane from tha burn. Is that tha straight of it?"

  "Aye, MacGrough, 'tis true."

  This time when she tried to look away from him, Edan allowed it. He turned to Lilas who was already crying quietly. As much as he wanted to put an arm around her to comfort her, he could not. No infighting could be allowed. They were in a strange place and would all need to cooperate to survive.

  He lifted the small heart shaped face. The child favored her dead father, Dalziel. Bright blue eyes, the color of a cloudless day over the glen, were overflowing with tears. The drops spilled down her lightly freckled cheeks onto his hand.

  Edan sighed. "Lilas, why would ye fight with yur kin over ah miserable rock? Explain it tae me."

  The child took a hiccupping breath. "I had pretties at h...home. I couldnae take them, there was nae room."

  The enormity of their loss was again brought home to him. Edan shook his head to clear away the hopelessness trying to settle within him. "Och. Lassie, I had tae leave things behind, ken? All here did, Isa as well. I ken ye want pretties, an pretties ye shall have again. But, ye cannae hurt Isa tae get what ye want. Isa is family. Ye're tae protect yur family. Family, once lost, is gone forever. Things can be acquired again, nae people."

  The silence around the fire was filled with a sorrow so evident, he heard a sniffle or two from the women listening. They were all waiting to hear how he was going to handle these two children. It was a test which had suddenly come upon him, on this fair Sunday morning.

  Edan looked at the other children gathered around. "An where is this rock? I would see tha thing which has caused so much difficulty this Sunday."

  "Here." Adie stepped forward. Holding out his hand, a small, rough, grayish-white stone rested in his palm.