A Highland Pearl (Highland Treasures Book 1)

by Taylor, Brenda B.

  Now, Andrew riding Scara, bundled up in a fur mantle and leading the horse of the smallest rider became recognizable. Maidie rushed out of the chamber, down the steps, and through the great hall to meet the riders. She waited patiently beside the door and heard Andrew giving orders to the stable boys for the care of the horses. Moments later, the large latch lifted, and Andrew opened the door, then ushered three others into the warmth of the castle’s keep.

  Maidie immediately recognized the maighstir. The priest brushed snow off his heavy coat, then turned to Maidie. “Feasgar math, good afternoon, Maidie. Seems I will officiate your wedding after all. I was certainly beginning to wonder if the snow would let me come.”

  Giving the priest a large hug around his chilled coat, Maidie returned the greeting, “Feasgar math, Maighstir Tam. I am so verra happy you came.” She looked at Andrew, who had pushed the hood of his mantle back and sported a large smile. “Thank you, M’Laird, for fetching the maighstir.”

  “Aye, my pleasure, Madam.” Turning to the others who were removing outer garments, he said, “I have other guests for our wedding.”

  Maidie could hardly believe her eyes. “Flora and Phillip. What a wonderful surprise.” She hugged her friend who returned the embrace. Maidie felt a surge of joy that Flora would come to be with her. She looked at Phillip. “Sven will be overjoyed to see you, Phillip. He’s missed you so.” A large smiled flashed across the lad’s face.

  Andrew spoke to the group, “Maidie, take Flora and Phillip to your chamber and I’ll get Maighstir Tam settled into his beside the chapel. We may have no other guests, but we’ll be married.” Andrew’s eyes twinkled and his fine mouth turned up in a smile.

  Maidie looked at her love with happiness. “Thank you, M’Laird. You’ve made me verra happy this day.”

  He bowed. “I will see you then, at the evening meal.”

  Maidie found turning her gaze away from his handsome, wind-chapped face to be very difficult. The love for him bubbled from her head to the tips of her toes. To think she would be this fine man’s wife in a few hours. She could hardly wait. Taking Flora’s elbow, she led her friend to her chamber and asked Nellie to secure a hot bath for Phillip and Flora, with Phillip’s to be taken in Sven’s chamber. While Flora made ready for the bath, Maidie took Phillip to Sven.

  Sven’s face lit up with excitement when he saw his friend. The two boys laughed and squealed. Sven immediately began to show Phillip his wooden sword. Neither boy saw Maidie when she turned to leave. They needed her no longer. The thought gave her pause, realizing Sven was growing up and would soon be his own man. Andrew assigned a gille named Ullas to be Sven’s attendant. The personal care she gave her son now belonged to another.

  When Maidie returned to the chamber, Flora reclined in the hot bath. Anne assisted Nellie while baby Randal played with his toes on a pallet. The wee lad cooed and laughed at his pink toes and put one in his mouth for chewing. Maidie laughed at the bairn. She reached down to tickle the plump stomach making Randal laugh and drool. Anne’s dimples creased when she smiled at her child.

  Flora rose from the water. Before Nellie wrapped her in a towel, Maidie noticed a bulge in Flora’s stomach. She watched her friend carefully step from the bath, discard the towel, then dress in clean garments from the castle’s store of guest clothes.

  Flora spoke while Nellie combed her hair, “Yes, I’m pregnant. No need to stare.”

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to stare. ‘Tis no’ my business.” Maidie felt heat rise to her face at Flora’s accusation.

  “You’ll find out soon enough. The bairn is Gavin Munro’s. He left me with a wee farewell gift, the rogue.”

  “Does the chief ken you carry his brother’s bairn?” Maidie tried not to show surprise. After all, she had known about Gavin’s affair with Flora for a long time. Even while the tanist flirted with her, he visited Flora.

  “Aye, he kens. I told him when he came asking about Lady Davina’s handmaiden leaving your cottage the day Randal was buried.” Flora sat across from Maidie and looked her friend in the eye. “He’s a good mon, the chief. He told me to have no’ a care. He’d take care of the bairn.” When Maidie nodded and smiled, Flora continued, “I was no’ sure about attending your wedding, but he said you would love for me to come. You have a verra forgiving heart, and you’ve already forgotten our quarrel.”

  “Aye, ‘tis true, Flora.” Maidie reached to take her friend’s hands. “I forgave you long ago, and missed you so.” She hesitated a moment, searching the other’s eyes only to see tears of sad rejection. “I’m sorry Gavin left you, but the chief will keep his promise. He’ll care for you and the bairn.”

  Flora nodded; a faint smile turned up the corners of her mouth. Maidie rose and pulled her friend from the chair. She wrapped loving arms around trembling shoulders while smoothing the long russet tresses that fell to Flora’s waist. Maidie understood Gavin’s attraction for the comely lass. Nellie tied a white kertch on Flora’s still damp hair without pinning it up.

  “Come, let’s go to the evening meal. Andrew will be asking of our whereabouts.” Maidie led Flora to the door. Anne picked up wee Randal and followed with Nellie.

  Andrew seemed in high spirits during the meal. Maidie sat next to him with Flora on the other side of her and Alan next to Andrew. The chief drank a tankard of ale then called for his whisky. He toasted Maidie and their coming wedding. He had arranged for three bards to be present and spin their tales, along with a new ballad written for the grand occasion of the chief’s marriage to the fair maiden. Musicians and singers made music into the late hours while the castle staff danced. The feasting had begun, but with only three of many anticipated wedding guests. Andrew assured her more guests would arrive on the morrow. The ceremony was scheduled for two of the clock, so other guests had time to come.

  Andrew led Maidie in a waltz. He danced very little, saying he had never learned the art, because of being on the battlefield or performing his job as baron of a large estate, but tonight he danced with her. She relished his embrace.

  When she passed under his arm during the waltz, Andrew whispered in her ear, “Are you happy, Maidie?”

  She answered quickly, “Aye, verra happy, indeed.” Then during the next turn, she asked him, “Are you happy, M’Laird?”

  He smiled. “Aye, you ken I am.” He stopped dancing and took her to one side of the great hall. They stood away from the dancers in a quiet, dark corner. He pulled her close then put his hand under her chin to lift her face to his, “Are you having any second thoughts?”

  She looked into the silver eyes. “Nae. Never.”

  Taking her hand, he led her up the stone circular stairway to the door of her chamber. “Time you go in to prepare for the morrow. You need to be fit and rested for the day.” Then he kissed her with a soft caress that turned into excited passion. His lips pressed hard upon hers. She tasted the whisky he drank. His hands pressed her firmly against his chest. She felt his heart beating as rapidly as hers.

  He released her abruptly, looking directly into her eyes. “After the morrow, you will be mine and I wanna share you with anyone or anything. Do you hear me, Maidie?”

  “Aye, M’Laird.” He almost frightened her with his intensity.

  His hand framed her chin. He spoke directly into her face. “Stop calling me M’Laird. I am your husband.” He brushed her lips tenderly and whispered with his mouth close to hers, “On the morrow you’ll be mine and I’ll never let you go. Go now, while I still have the strength to let you.” Maidie could only nod. He opened the door of her chamber and pushed her inside. “Goodnight, a ghràidh,” he said, then closed the door.

  Maidie stood for a moment to slow her pounding heart. Flora lay asleep, so she quietly undressed and eased into bed. She went into a fitful sleep with her mind turning over thoughts of the past and future. Dreams of Andrew came and went through the night. She saw him wounded on a battle field, calling her name. She stepped over dead, distorted corpses trying to reach
him, but could not before the dream ended. Then she saw the two of them standing in the chapel—she wearing the beautiful blue silk dress with small pearls lining the neckline and he in his dress plaide. Suddenly he vanished. Her eyes popped open when the light of dawn cracked through her chamber window. Perspiration beaded on her brow, so she rose to watch the rising sun paint lines of pink and purple through the morning sky, then cast its brilliant beams on a bright winter landscape.

  Flora stirred and sat up in the bed. “How do you feel this morn, Maidie? Are you excited?”

  “Aye, that I am, Flora.” Yet, her heart felt heavy when she should have felt happiness.

  “You don’t sound much like you’re happy. Are you having second thoughts about marrying the chief?”

  “Nae, I love him.” Maidie continued to stare out of the window. Mayhap a small seed of doubt about marrying Andrew began to take root in her heart.

  Several small figures made their way up the road to the castle. The villagers were on their way to the wedding after all. Her spirits lifted.

  Flora joined her at the window. “See how the people of the village love you.”

  Maidie slipped her hand through her friend’s arm. “I thought they despised me.”

  “Only for a short while. They’re forgiving people too. Nae one can despise your tender heart for long.” Flora kissed Maidie’s cheek. “Nae one.”

  Maidie turned to her friend. “Thank you for being my friend. I love you, Flora.”

  A knock sounded. Maidie said to enter, and Nellie opened the door, balancing a tray of food with her other hand. Flora rushed to help.

  Nellie placed the tray on the table. “Laird Andrew had your food sent up this morn. He said you needed time to prepare for the wedding.”

  “Aye, thank you, Nellie.” Maidie and Flora took their seats, one on either side of the table. Maidie bowed her head while Flora and Nellie did the same. She said a short prayer of thanksgiving for the food, then asked for a special blessing on the wedding.

  Flora bit into an oatcake. “I have the appetite for two these days.” Maidie smiled. Flora washed the bite down with apple juice. “I heard your conversation with the chief outside the door last night.” She said no more, just continued eating.

  Maidie put her food down. “I’m sorry we disturbed you. I don’t understand the chief. At times he’s so patient and kind. Other times he’s hard, even severe, with no patience at all. Sometimes he frightens me.”

  Flora looked up and caught Maidie’s eye. “He’s a mon. Who can understand them? Be happy he loves you enough to wait for you. Most men wouldn’t. Andrew has a good heart.” Flora took another bite of oatcake.

  Maidie thought on Flora’s words and knew her friend to be right. Her betrothed did have a good, kind heart. She could tell he loved her, and he had changed since encountering the Lord. They would have a wonderful marriage with His help.

  Anne came to assist Nellie with Maidie’s preparations for the wedding. A tub of hot water arrived from the kitchen. Maidie soaked for a long time in the rose scented water, while Flora told her the latest news in the village and played with baby Randal. Maidie looked at her wrinkled fingertips and decided to get out. She didn’t want to look like a wrinkled old woman on her wedding day.

  Nellie combed her hair, braided the long tresses, and pinned the braids to the top of her head. She brought a few strands from under the braids to frame her face. Maidie put on a white silk chemise that felt wonderful close to her body, and then Nellie lifted the wedding dress over her head. Maidie carefully smoothed the dress over her waist and hips. She ran a hand down the front while Anne straightened the train in the back. Nellie carefully placed the wreath of dried heather and rowan on Maidie’s golden hair, then pinched her cheeks to make them blush.

  Flora stood beside her. “You’re a beautiful bride, Madam.” She kissed Maidie’s cheek.

  Maidie grasped her friend’s hand and squeezed. “Thank you, Flora. Thank you for being with me this day.”

  All heads turned toward the door when a hard knock rang out. Nellie rushed to answer the knock, and held the door open for Andrew to enter, then curtsied. Flora and Anne followed Nellie’s lead, curtsying to the laird.

  “Leave us.” Andrew motioned with his hand toward the door.

  The three women looked at Maidie. She nodded and they hurriedly left the chamber. She smiled at Andrew when he stood before her. He looked dashing in a great plaide of Munro colors—muted red with stripes of dark blue and gold—and a wide leather belt girded around his hips holding the plaide in place. The long end of the plaide passed under his right arm then over a cutaway blue wool jacket that reached his waist with a matching waistcoat, and bound together on the left shoulder with the large crystal brooch. A sporran made of black leather with a gold buckle hung from the belt. White wool stockings held up by black garters reached his knees with black brogans covering his feet. His ebony hair, tied in a queue at the back of his neck, sparkled with drops of water from a recent bath and washing. He looked every bit the chief of Clan Munro.

  “’Tis bad luck to see your bride before the wedding,” Maidie managed to say while watching him walk closer.

  “I don’t believe in luck.” Andrew’s eyes searched hers and then moved down the length of her body and up to her face again. They seemed to take in every detail. “You’re beautiful, Maidie. The most beautiful thing I’ve seen in a long time.” He held her arms and put his nose close to her neck. “Aye, you smell of roses. The odor I crave now.” He raised his eyes to pierce hers. “I have no’ said this to any mon or lass in a long while, but I apologize for my rude behavior of last eve.”

  She smiled with love for him filling her heart to brimming over. “You’re forgiven, M’Laird. And you’re verra dashing this day.”

  With a broad smile, he stepped back, took a small green silk bag from the sporran, and placed it in Maidie’s hand. She considered the small heavy bag.

  “Open your gift.” He kissed the tip of her nose as she opened the bag and pulled out a shining gold necklace. Holding the beautiful ornament up to the light, she observed it carefully. “What say you of your wedding gift?” Andrew’s handsome face glowed as the corners of his mouth lifted.

  He took the necklace from her hand before she could answer, walked around, moved the train of her dress, then fastened the heavy gold chain around her neck. On the chain lay a large teardrop-shaped pearl. Maidie felt the pearl. She had never seen anything so beautiful. Andrew planted a kiss on the back of her neck, sending chills down her spine, then walked back to face her.

  “’Tis beautiful, M’Laird. Where did you find it?” she asked while watching him and fingering the smooth pearl.

  “Someday, I’ll tell you, a ghràidh, but not now. ‘Tis Christmastime and our wedding day. We have guests waiting, only a few, but those who count the most—our friends and family. My heart overflows with love for you, and I am in a hurry to make you mine.”

  He moved closer, wrapping his arms around her waist. Her lips longed for his kiss, but instead of a kiss, he spoke. She felt his hot breath fan across her face and inhaled the freshness of his scent. “I’ve searched all my life for you, Maidie.” He looked into her eyes with shards or light flashing through his. “I have indeed found the pearl. Maighstir Tam read the story to me from the abbey’s Bible. He said Jesus considers each of His own a pearl of high value, but I consider you, Maidie Munro, the pearl of great price.”

  Glossary of Gaelic and Other Terms

  1. An t-Seabhag Dubh Ferrarann Dhàmhnaill - The Black Falcon of Ferindonald

  2. A mo ghaoil - My love

  3. A ghràidh - My love, my dear, a term of endearment. Sweetheart, lovely young female

  4. Claidheamh - Short sword

  5. Cachot - A dungeon consisting of a deep hole with a grill covering as the opening. The only way out is by a rope let down through the opening.

  6. Cateran - A band of fighting men of a Scotland Highland clan

  7. Caist
eal Fàrdach A Chaoidh - Castle Fàrdach Forever

  8. Cèilidh - Celebration

  9. Falchion - A short, broad sword with a convex cutting edge and sharp point

  10. Fàrdach - Home

  11. Fealty - Loyalty

  12. Feasgar math - Good afternoon

  13. Gille -Young man-servant

  14. Ionar - Heavy leather jacket or mantle used for protection

  15. Lach - Wild Duck

  16. Leann fraoich - Heather ale

  17. Léine - Man’s long shirt or smock, with billowy sleeves

  18. Luadhadh - Waulking of cloth

  19. Luchd-taighe - Household men or bodyguard

  20. Mo Rothach deas mìleante thu.

  Mo sheabhag fhìorghland uasal thu.

  Mac an Rothaich cruaidh cinnteach thu.

  My handsome Clan Munro warrior are you.

  My truly pure and noble falcon are you.

  My Munro tough and sure are you.

  21. Oidhche mhath, a nighean mhaiseach - Good night, my beautiful lass

  22. Sgian dubh - Black knife. A small knife that could be concealed

  23. Sluagh - People, army

  24. Tanist - Second in command

  Acknowledgements

  While engaging in genealogical research I discovered my ancestor, Duncan Munro, left Scotland in the early 1800’s and emigrated to America. He first landed in Cape Fear, North Carolina. There Duncan married and had children, but the desire for land ignited a flame, moving him and his family to Alabama. Duncan’s son, John Anthony Munro, ventured to central Louisiana after the Civil War, and settle there. John Anthony’s daughter, Catherine, married Julien B. Young. The couple are my great-grandparents. They helped tame the neutral territory of Louisiana known as “no man’s land”.

  A large thank-you goes to the chapter of Romance Writers of America, the Celtic Hearts. Their influence inspired me to write a story about my Scottish heritage. Courses were offered through the chapter that helped my research and understanding of early Scotland. The members hold a wealth of information about Celtic life, and are willing to share.