A gruff throat cleared behind them. Both had forgotten about Gavin and the other men. Andrew released her and motioned for her to go up the stairs. “I will see you later.”
Heat rose to Maidie’s face. He smiled at her blush. She turned and climbed the stairs to her chamber with warmth filling her heart to bursting. Home felt so very good. She loved everything about Fàrdach Castle including the clan chief who resided here. She intended to do her part to mend her relationship with Davina, and show forgiveness and kindness toward the lass.
The entire castle would mourn Tavish’s untimely death. Maidie’s own heart broke at the thought of the faithful warrior who treated Sven and her with such graciousness. A sad, dark cloud crept in to steal away the happiness of returning to Fàrdach Castle and Andrew.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Andrew answered the knock on the library door. “Enter,” he called. Gavin walked in with a swish of his great plaide and a brown leather bag clutched in his hand. “How are you this fine eve?” Andrew asked with the joy of being home spilling over to his greeting.
His brother gave him a questioning look. “Verra well. How are you after such a harrowing experience in Castle Lach?” Gavin moved to sit in the chair across from Andrew. He put the bag on the floor beside him.
Andrew eyed the leather parcel, but waited for his brother to mention it. “No worse for it. In fact, I met the Lord in the dungeon there,” he said matter-of-factly.
Gavin lifted his brows. “So I heard, Brother. Colin mentioned your experience to the luchd-taighe. Are you ready to tell me about it?”
“I met the Lord in the MacKenzie’s dungeon. He’s given me peace like I’ve never had before. I’ll tell you the story later. Right now, we have pressing matters to discuss.” He gave Gavin a half-smile, and his brother smiled in return. The two men returned gazes, then Andrew stared into the fire for a while before speaking. “How do you feel about Maidie and me marrying at Christmastime?”
Gavin hesitated, his face stoic. Finally he spoke, “I think it a fine plan, seeing how the two of you crave each other.” A small laugh escaped from lips firmly pressed into a line.
Andrew looked into hazel eyes pooling with emotion. “Do you love Maidie?”
“Aye, that I do, Brother, that I do.” Gavin cleared his throat. “I love her like a sister. She’s an easy one to love with her gentle ways and handsome looks. Seems everyone in the castle is taken with her since she delivered Anne’s bairn. All of the household maids love her now. The men ogle after her as well.”
“You think she’ll be out of harm’s way in Fàrdach now? Surely, no one would dare touch my wife.” Andrew lifted his hands, pressing long fingers together under his chin.
Gavin’s next words shocked him. “She wanna be safe while Davina resides at Fàrdach.”
Andrew dropped his hands and rose slightly in the chair. “Davina, you say?”
“Aye, Davina. She’s the culprit who’s been after Maidie. She’s jealous of our affection for the healer, and of Tavish’s attraction to her. Now that Tavish is gone, she’ll be more jealous of you, and blame Maidie for his death.”
Andrew searched his brother’s face to find a hint of an untruth to his words. “I canna believe such of our sister.”
“I would no’ present this to you, except Maidie returned to the castle. I found Gilda’s hair ribbon in Maidie’s house after Randal’s burial. I’ve been watching our sister for awhile.” Gavin rose to stand across from Andrew with the leather bag in his hand.
“The woman attended the mass for Tavish. How could the ribbon have been in Maidie’s house?” Andrew’s heart thumped. He swallowed hard past a lump forming in his throat.
“If you remember, she came in late and stood in back of the kirk. Flora saw the maid leave the healer’s house that morn.” Gavin placed the bag on Andrew’s lap. “’Tis Maidie’s bag that went missing from her chamber after she cared for your wound. Gilda brought it to me while you were imprisoned in Castle Lach. After Maidie saved Anne’s and her bairn’s lives, the maidservant took a liking to the lass and regretted her thievery. Davina told her to take the bag so Maidie would leave the castle.” Gavin walked to the fire and stirred the flames with the poker.
Andrew remained silent. He studied the leather bag, opened it, and pulled out a neatly wrapped packet of herbs. Returning the herbs to the bag, he placed it on the floor, then stood and walked to Gavin. He put a hand on his brother’s broad shoulder. Feeling the muscles bulging with tension, he said, “I think it would be good for Davina to visit our aunt at Dunrobin Castle in Sutherland. Lady and Laird Huntly will welcome her. They invited her last year when they visited Fàrdach. I’m convinced she will no’ be a good match with the MacKenzie’s son.
“Aye, she hates the MacKenzies more than we do. She blames them for Tavish’s death now.” Gavin turned to face Andrew. The light of tenderness for their young sister softened the tanist’s eyes.
Andrew understood Gavin’s feelings. Davina had no mither to guide her during the growing up years, only two hard-nosed brothers. “She’ll go to Sutherland soon, and I want her handmaiden to go with her. I’ll inform Davina of my decision, and you talk with her also. No harm must come to Maidie or Sven.” The two men stared at each other. “Do I make myself clear, Gavin?”
“Aye, Andrew. I understand. I’ll talk to Davina and put a watch on her.” Gavin hesitated. “I have one more thing to say.” Andrew nodded, so Gavin plowed on. “I’m leaving Fàrdach.”
The shock of Gavin’s words hit hard. Andrew must hear what his brother said again. “What? You’re leaving?” he asked.
Gavin nodded then looked into the fire. “I have a need for adventure of a sudden. The last I was in Edinburgh, I heard of a new world beyond the ocean the Spaniards discovered. I plan to travel to Spain and find a ship sailing there. They say the climate is warm, the trees grow lush fruit for the picking, and the bens are filled with gold.”
Andrew searched Gavin’s face. He understood the real reason his brother desired to leave Fàrdach Castle. “How long have you been planning this?”
“Since I heard of the new land. I thought it only a dream, but now I must go.” Gavin placed his hand on Andrew’s shoulder.
“I’ll miss you. When do you plan to leave?” Andrew rested his hand on Gavin’s arm.
“Now that you’re home and have plans for the future, this night, after I speak to Davina and tell her goodbye.”
Andrew sighed. He knew naught he said would change Gavin’s mind. “Go with God, Brother.”
The two men embraced. Gavin looked Andrew in the eye. “Be happy.”
The chief nodded. His eyes moistened. Gavin pushed away and walked toward the door then turned to look back. God, he loved the tanist, and may never in this life see him again. Gavin bowed. Andrew returned the salute before his brother left the room, closing the door of their life together as Clan Munro chief and his second in command.
***
The great hall looked festive, decorated with boughs of holly and cedar. Tables were set for the wedding feast with pewter tankards and wooden trenchers, then decked with holly. The pleasant smell of freshly cut tree limbs permeated the air. For several weeks, tenants arrived at the castle in a steady stream, bringing great quantities of food to be prepared for the guests. All of the villagers had been invited along with the lords and ladies of surrounding estates. Although the land lay wrapped in winter snow making travel difficult, Andrew planned several days of Highland games, hunting, feasting, and cèilidh. He said Christmastime now carried a special meaning with the celebration of the Savior’s birth, the celebration of his new life with the Lord, and marriage to his beloved.
Maidie asked for a wedding ceremony on Christmas Day in the chapel of Fàrdach Castle with Maighstir Tam presiding. They would celebrate High Mass at a most fitting time. Andrew planned for Alan, the new tanist, to stand with him, and Maidie asked for Nellie. Although he said naught, Maidie knew the chief’s heart carried the heavy sorro
w of Gavin’s and Davina’s absence. She felt the same after receiving her father’s refusal of the wedding invitation, but determined not to let the cloud of gloom overshadow their happiness.
Maidie and Andrew sat before the fire in the chief’s library, while Sven and Briana stretched on their bellies atop a bearskin rug looking at a book with pictures of animals. Sven pointed to an animal then faced Briana, who watched his lips as he spoke the name. She tried to mimic the lip movement, but made incoherent sounds.
“Sven’s good with Briana. He’s a patient teacher,” Andrew said while watching the exchange between the children. He paused, and then added. “Mayhap Sven would make a good teacher. He could attend university at Edinburgh and learn to teach the deaf to speak. I’ve heard of a language using hands and fingers to communicate with the deaf.”
Maidie looked at her betrothed unable to hide the delight she felt with his words.
He smiled. “I ken of your wish for Sven to be an educated mon, not a warrior. Tam told me of your desire.”
“Aye, I long for Sven to be a teacher and a physician. He could save lives, not take them in battle.” Maidie’s heart overflowed with love for the man sitting across from her. She saw a tenderness and caring for others growing daily. Peace between the clans would come with Andrew as the peacemaker.
The day before their wedding, Maidie stood at the small window of her bedchamber watching large flakes of snow fall to the already white ground below. The snow began falling two days prior, and the large flakes fell sideways in thick masses from the gusting cold wind. At times she could not see the tree outside her window through the thick snow. The white blanket blotted out the little sunlight shining in the winter sky. Soon, the earth would pass the winter solstice and rejoicing resound throughout the Highlands. The solstice marked an end to the long winter and the beginning of new life. The days would gradually become longer and longer with more and more sunlight. Christmastime would be a time of celebrating the birth of the Savior, the new birth of the sun, and her marriage. ‘Twill be a glorious Christmastime this year.
Drifts of white powder banked high against the walls of the castle and on the land. Everyone remained indoors. Even the warriors practiced in the great hall. Maidie expressed her wariness to Andrew that they would spoil the decorations for the wedding feast. He reassured her if his men spoiled the adornments, he would have them replaced. Looking out on the white landscape, Maidie’s heart filled with fear no one would be able to attend the wedding. The snow drifted deep enough to cover a horse in some places. Travel came to a halt. None of the villagers ventured out of their cottages to bring food to the castle. Whatever they had on hand now, must suffice for the feast.
Maidie voiced her concern that no guests would travel to the castle for the wedding. Andrew smiled, gave her a large kiss and said, “Who needs guests to be married? We have all who reside at Fàrdach and they are plenty. They are our family and all we need.”
She felt much better for his words, but knew in her heart, Andrew yearned for Gavin and Davina to be present at his wedding. He had sent word to Laird William in Sutherland, asking him to send Davina for the wedding, but Davina refused to come. Andrew tried to hide the hurt of her refusal, nevertheless Maidie could tell his heart ached for his sister. They had no word from Gavin. Andrew said he supposed the rogue was in Spain seeking a passage to the Americas when the ships sailed in the spring. Gavin was always one for adventure.
The absence of Davina and Gavin played heavily on Maidie’s mind and heart also. She was the reason for their leaving, and someday, Andrew may wish he had made different choices. When she told Andrew her thoughts, he said, “You did naught to make the two of them leave Fàrdach Castle. Their minds were made up to go long before you arrived.” He took her into his arms and kissed her with fervent passion. She placed her arms around his neck, returning his kiss with equal intensity. His lips left hers, but stayed close. He spoke softly into her ear, “Don’t let me hear you say such a thing again, a ghràidh. I’ll never regret choosing you. Davina and Gavin must make peace with my choice in their own ways.”
Maidie smiled. His bright grey eyes flashed with love and desire, while his warm body pressed close to hers. She could feel the beat of his heart against her breasts and longed for their wedding night as she knew he did also.
***
Maidie turned from the frosty chamber window and made her way to break the fast in the great hall and speak to Andrew. She needed his assurance all remained well with him and he had no second thoughts about their marriage. He sat at the table with Alan at his side. They were in deep conversation, so Maidie quietly sat down and took a boiled egg from a platter. Her meager appetite eating difficult. She took a large drink of cold spring water instead of ale to wash down the egg. Maidie sat quietly for awhile before Andrew turned to her with a large smile.
He took her hand and searched her eyes. “Good morn to you, a mo ghaoil.” Looking around the great hall, he said, “I’m having the adornments repaired and there wanna be practice in here today. The place will be ready for a mighty celebration come the morrow.”
“Aye. I pray ‘tis so. The snow is still falling verra hard.”
Andrew pressed her hand to his lips. “Come lass. Who cares about a wee snow at a time like this? I’ve slept outside in larger snowdrifts than we have today.”
“No one will venture to the castle in this cold for our wedding, and what about Maighstir Tam? How will you fetch him?” Maidie could not hide the worry in her voice.
Andrew shook his head. “You worry too much. The maighstir will be here. I’ll fetch him myself on the morn. Naught will stop us from being married. Naught.”
She believed his promise and smiled. The snowfall ceased before noon. Andrew did not attend the noon meal, and Maidie saw nothing of him during the afternoon. She busied herself with the final preparations to her wedding frock. Anne and Nellie came to her chamber to assist with the last minute details. Anne brought Randal, who now had plump red cheeks with dimples like his mother. Maidie recognized a strong resemblance to the lad’s father around the eyes and forehead. A shock of dark hair stuck out in every direction from the top of the small round head.
She reached out to take the baby. “He looks like his da, Anne, except with your dimples.”
“Aye, he favors his da for sure.” Anne smiled as she handed the wee bundle to Maidie.
She tickled under the chubby chin, making Randal laugh and coo. “He’s a fine fellow indeed.”
Nellie and Anne picked up the sewing basket and began attaching seed pearls to the center of white silk rosettes. The rosettes lined the low-cut neckline of the matching silk gown. Andrew had the beautiful material brought from Inverness to Fàrdach Castle when they first arrived home. Maidie, Nellie, and Anne began sewing the wedding garment soon afterward.
“’Tis finished,” Nellie sighed when the last rosette was sewn in place. “You must try it on, one more time.”
Maidie gave Randal back to Anne, and began removing her dress. Nellie assisted in carefully pulling the silk gown over the lady’s head, smoothing it on her slim waist, and fastening the buttons down the back. Maidie looked at her reflection in an oval mirror on a floor stand. She smiled while trying to see the long train that ran from her waist to the floor in the back. A bouquet of pearled rosettes nestled at the top of the train where it met the dress. Nellie gently straightened the fabric of the train. Sleeves fit snugly from the shoulders to the elbow, and then billowed with ruffles. The skirt curved over her hips in smooth lines to the floor, and the bodice fit closely with only her cleavage showing slightly. She wanted the dress to be of a modest style. The pearled rosettes set the bodice off beautifully, giving the gown a rich appearance.
Nellie went to Maidie’s trunk and brought out a beautiful wreath of dried heather and rowan. She placed it on Maidie’s golden hair and then stood back for a more complete view of her mistress. “You’re a beautiful bride, Madam. Beautiful.”
Anne remain
ed seated with a nursing Randal, but commented, “Laird Andrew canna ask for a prettier bride. You’ll make him very happy, Madam. He’s been such a sad, lonely fellow, ever since his wife left.”
Nellie turned quickly to Anne. “Hush, Anne. Dinna mention such things on this grand occasion.”
Anne ducked her head. “So sorry, Madam.”
“’Tis no matter, Anne,” Maidie said to the embarrassed maid. “All of that is behind him now. I pray I’ll make him happy so he can forget all the sadness in his life.”
“Yes, Madam. You will make him verra happy.” Randal finished nursing and Anne covered herself to leave. “I must go and help prepare for the evening meal.” She curtseyed to Maidie and then left the room with wee Randal sleeping in her arms.
Nellie assisted Maidie in taking the wreath and wedding gown off. She laid the gown over a chair and the wreath on the seat beside it. “It shouldn’t be folded, Madam,” she said, smoothing the wrinkles from the bodice.
“The gown will be fine until the morrow. I pray Maighstir Tam will be able to come to the castle through the snow.”
“Laird Andrew will find a way to fetch him, of that you can be certain.” Nellie smiled at Maidie. “I’ll take my leave also, Madam, and see you at the evening meal.” She curtseyed to Maidie then left the room.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Maidie returned to the window. The snow had stopped falling, and the afternoon sun shone brightly on the white expanse, causing her to squint in the glare. All lay still beneath the blanket of white. Nothing moved, until Maidie spotted four horsemen making their way on the village road toward the castle. Her heart raced. Guests were arriving for the wedding. Andrew and she would have guests to help celebrate their marriage. She watched the riders slowly pick their way through the snowdrifts to the castle gates. Some of the drifts rose to the horses’ flanks, covering the rider’s legs. The animals stumbled several times, but managed to plod ahead.
A Highland Pearl (Highland Treasures Book 1) Page 21
