Marking Time
In the days that followed, Ewan spent countless hours in meetings with Kendric and the clan elders, but Shona was never far from his thoughts. He enjoyed sharing an account of the deliberations with her on the rare occasions they had time to themselves. They’d agreed it would be deemed inappropriate to meet alone in their private apartments, so a quiet corner by the window of the sickroom became their trysting place. They sat in separate chairs until they were sure her uncle was asleep, then she moved to sit on his lap.
The warmth of her lovely bottom pressed to his arousal was sweet torture, but it was better than no contact at all. It seemed like the day of their wedding would never arrive.
“Yer uncle is a more reasonable man than my father,” he admitted in a whisper, but acknowledged privately that was perhaps just the way of the world. Kendric’s ready acceptance of many of his ideas for the future of Clan MacCarron caused him to wonder. Had Duncan Mackinloch deliberately rejected some of his suggestions because he was afraid his second son might plot to usurp Colin’s right to succeed as laird?
While Ewan hadn’t seen eye to eye with Colin and knew in his heart he’d make a better leader, he would never have challenged his brother’s birthright.
“We settled on preliminary plans for the improvement of defenses and the refurbishment of the hidden chamber,” he told his betrothed. She laughed when he mentioned discussion on both topics was liberally sprinkled with good-natured jests about the diminished threat of the Mackinlochs. Her genuine amusement warmed his heart and caused him to realize Kathleen’s tittering seemed false in comparison. Shona enjoyed his company, and they shared a similar sense of humor. Gratifying, too, was her interest in matters concerning the future wellbeing of the clan, and she wasn’t shy about offering suggestions.
“Tempers frayed during discussions regarding raising money to pay the agreed-upon installments for the purchase of Loch Alkayg,” he conceded.
His frustration ebbed when she replied, “Is there a Highlander anywhere who doesna balk at the prospect of spending coin?”
She grimaced at the news they’d discussed improving all the castle’s cesspits after it came to light the entire drainage system hadn’t been cleaned in living memory.
In an obvious effort to change the subject she asked, “Did ye remember to bring up the library?”
He nodded. “The elders looked at me curiously when I spoke of it. It was clear some had never set foot in the place and others admitted they didn’t know of its existence.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m nay surprised. It’s a well-kept secret.”
“Weel, they ken about it now. Kendric mumbled a promise to be more conscientious about recording recent events.”
She lowered her voice. “Ye should have pointed out he has time at his disposal now he’s lying injured.”
All in all, he was pleased with the way the Clan Council supported him taking Kendric’s place until he recovered. Mayhap when the older man passed on, the clan might consider naming him The Camron.
He chuckled at his own folly. As if the MacCarrons would choose a Mackinloch.
*
Ruadh loved a lazy life, yet he soon insisted on hobbling about on unsteady legs. Shona worried he might loosen his stitches, but the ostler assured her he’d be fine. In his opinion, exercise was good. She laughed when the dog gave the old man a baleful look, as if he’d understood the word exercise.
She appreciated his company when she went for a walk in the kitchen gardens.
Ewan was involved in many discussions with Kendric and other clan elders and she deemed it a good omen for the future that he shared his impressions of the meetings with her. He respected her. It never occurred to most of her fellow clansmen that a woman might have worthwhile opinions.
Rumor had it Ewan, Fynn and David were spending many hours watching over the aging of the deer meat and assembling the ingredients and equipment needed for the cooking.
“It sometimes seems the three bridegrooms are more interested in the food to be served at the banquet than in the ceremony itself,” Jeannie complained one day as she watched the seamstresses working on yet another fitting for Shona’s wedding gown. “Mackinlochs must think the MacCarrons have never roasted a deer before.”
They fell into the habit of taking turns with dress fittings. As soon as the lasses were satisfied with the progress on one gown, they moved across the hall to the next fitting, Ruadh dawdling behind.
Kendric declared it was more appropriate the maid’s marriage to David take place the day before Shona’s wedding. “Her family will want to be in charge of those festivities,” he pointed out. “It’s their right.”
Moira was openly relieved by the decision.
The laird’s health improved. Cummings cut away the top part of his cast and he was able to walk a few steps each day with the aid of crutches tucked under both armpits. He didn’t conceal his frustration with the crutches, but conceded they were a necessary evil. He still complained of pain in the hip and the physician acknowledged it might never go away. “Fyking Morleys,” Kendric often muttered. “I suppose we’ll have to convene a trial for Mungo soon.”
Shona suspected he was delaying the inevitable until he could preside without anger getting the better of him. She toyed with the notion of suggesting Ewan act in his stead, but her betrothed wasn’t exactly impartial when it came to Mungo Morley. Still, she felt the matter should be resolved before her wedding. She didn’t want to be worried about it during the festivities, but was reluctant to raise the issue with her future husband.
Donald assigned servants to clean every nook and cranny of the hall. Banners were taken down, aired and repaired when necessary. Boys crawled along rafters on hands and knees sweeping away cobwebs. Hunting trophies, shields, swords, tapestries: all were removed, cleaned and put back in place. The hearth and chimney were scrubbed and pumiced. Ivy was ripped from the castle walls and festooned from the rafters.
The laundresses worked overtime. Apparently, every MacCarron wished to wear clean garments to the nuptials.
Extra scullery workers were hired on from the village and Cook had them scrubbing every dish, pot, utensil and plate. Jeannie remarked that the man seemed relieved not to have to worry about the venison.
All this feverish preparation for her wedding thrilled Shona. She thought the day would never arrive. The memory of the intense sensations Ewan’s touch evoked was never far from her thoughts. His promise there were more delights in store haunted her dreams. Still, deep in her heart, a worry gnawed that she had no notion of how to be a good wife. She prayed her betrothed was a patient man.
*
Ewan enjoyed participating in the preparation of the stag. He’d never taken much interest in such things before and discovered Fynn was an endless source of lore regarding the aging and roasting of venison.
Even the spencer seemed impressed by his insistence on keeping the larder neither too cold nor not cold enough. Ewan deemed it overzealous to check the degree of coldness several times a day, but wasn’t about to argue with the expert.
Cook deferred to his judgement as to which parts of the deer he might use for pies and stews and grudgingly contributed a goodly amount of costly allspice.
David hung on Fynn’s every word and made it his mission to track down some of the more elusive ingredients his kinsman required. His elation was evident when he returned from finally unearthing a store of juniper berries in the castle’s undercroft. Cummings insisted on holding back part of the supply for medicinal purposes and warned William the Butler would be livid at the loss of fodder for his still. Though it was hard to believe, some clansmen apparently preferred gin to whisky.
On the journey from Roigh, Ewan had been afraid David and Fynn might end up coming to blows, and was pleased to see the camaraderie developing between them.
The stag also kept the men busy and out of the way of their womenfolk.
Every clan member was agog with news of the grand preparations for the roasting, pie making, boiling and stewing, slated for the day before the wedding.
That was also the day of David’s marriage to Moira, scheduled early in the morning so he could spend the afternoon assisting with the great work.