Chapter 20
Violet had always hated big gatherings.
At first, she was usually excited to get introduced to many new people, but the novelty wore off as the events proceeded.
The spaces became suffocating, her head filling with the pressure of the noise, the air a toxic mix of perspiration and strong perfume that quite easily made her faint, and she always found herself sidling towards the balcony for a respite.
But because of London’s ridiculous rules on propriety, she could not remain out there for long, lest a man go there for the same purpose and accidentally get caught in a scandal with her.
The ton only needed to see her alone on the balcony with a man to jump to conclusions.
She did not want to imagine a future where she was forced to marry a man simply because she sought serenity away from an overcrowded ballroom.
Eventually, this caused her to view social events with mixed feelings.
Here, she didn’t need to.
The Highlands games were set up outside the castle, which meant it was safe enough to accommodate all that would come with zero chance of suffocation, since it was an open-air setup. The men—lairds, farmers, and hunters alike—came in droves, obviously happy to participate in the games.
“That is Laird McGleann,” Keira said from beside her, jolting her out of her reverie. She motioned to a blonde giant who had on a black and blue tartan and was carrying a broadsword on his back.
He looked dangerous at first glance, but then he turned to them, waved, and Keira waved back enthusiastically.
“He is Brian’s da. Me friend from the neighboring clan. He won last year’s sparing. Da swears he will win this time.”
Ruaridh with a competitive streak? Violet would love to see that.
“Do ye think he will win?” she asked with a smile.
“I daenae ken. Da is very good at the caber toss. He has always won in the past years, but sparring… I am nae sure.”
Not a very confident vote of confidence.
She would make sure to tease him about it when she next saw him.
Ruaridh had been quite busy these last few days, helping her learn some skills for the games.
While he had accepted the tug of war, he had insisted she attempt other games and had endeavored to teach her, and in his pragmatic way, he ensured that Keira and Sienna were always there as chaperones to save them from themselves.
That did not mean that the heat between them did not become almost uncontrollable.
The tension between them seemed to have climbed to an all-time high since they had not had the chance to ease it in any other way.
At this point, the briefest touch might set her off, so it was probably better that she avoided him entirely.
“I would have thought ye would be practicing with Ruaridh for the games,” Davinana called from behind her, causing her to turn around. Sienna was in tow and waved enthusiastically.
Violet waved back with a wide smile.
They looked beautiful as usual, and she was grateful she had taken more care with her appearance. Davina’s red hair caught the light of the morning sun, and her emerald-green dress set off her olive complexion, while Sienna looked elegant in her simple brown walking dress.
“You look beautiful, dear Davina,” Violet complimented. “And you as well, lovely Sienna.”
“I could say the same about ye,” Davina chuckled, patting her shoulder. “Where is Ruaridh?”
“And have ye seen me brother anywhere?”
“They went with Logan to cut more trees for the caber toss,” Violet answered. “They are rather excited if I may say.”
“I can never understand whoever came up with the idea of throwing small trees around,” Davina said glumly with a sigh.
“Well, it is a game,” Sienna answered. “Most games do not make sense. Especially the ones the men favour.”
The three of them chuckled conspiratorially.
“That is true, but it doesnae sound fine that they go to the forest to cut trees simply to throw them around,” Davina added.
Violet simply laughed because she knew Davina was taking a dig at her brother, who took pride in his ability to throw those trunks of wood even farther than his peers.
In his defence, throwing such heavy weights needed both strength and precision, so it was no easy feat, even if it made little sense.
“What about yer husband? What game does he play?” Violet asked curiously.
“He loves to spar and hammer throws, and he is quite good at it,” Sienna replied with a fond smile. “Even though he makes me heart troubled when he returns with injuries—a missing toenail, a nicked finger or toe. It is a miracle the man hasnae maimed himself.”
“Is he going to play today?” Siennaasked.
Davina lifted her hand to shade her eyes as she looked at the horizon. “It is still early yet. I do believe he will come. He has vowed to win the sparring contest, after all.”
Violet let out a chuckle.
“It seems Ruaridh has more competition,” she explained, when Davinana gave her a questioning look. “I heard that he has sworn to win the sparring contest over Laird McLeannen, and with your husband in the mix, it’s going to become even more difficult.”
“And don’t forget me braither as well,” Sienna added. “He has talked nonstop about finally beating Ruaridh this year.”
“Nae to disparage me braither,” Sienna snorted. “He is a very good swordsman, but when it comes to competitions like this, his strength lies more with caber toss, hammer toss, and hand-to-hand combat.”
“I know he will be unhappy to hear that,” Violet remarked with a laugh.
It seemed his own family knew his strengths even more than he did.
“He will live. Without his giant ego in his path,” Davinana quipped.
“Are ye going to join the archers today?” Violet asked.
In the last week, she had learned that Davina had a talent with a bow and arrow.
Apparently, she had always had an interest in archery, but that interest was now nurtured by her husband.
In the last week, she had learned that Davina had a talent with a bow and arrow.
Apparently, she had always had an interest in archery, but that interest was now nurtured by her husband.
Both Davina and Sienna had tried to teach her, but it had ended woefully. Somehow, Violet couldn’t seem to shoot straight. She was a hazard that might get innocent people injured if she attempted to participate in archery today.
“I will. Just as soon as I can find me husband. The archers daenae display until midday,” Davina replied with a faint smile. “What about ye, Sienna?”
It seemed she was hoping that her husband would be there to cheer her to victory.
“I am,” Sienna answered. “I cannae let ye win now, can I?”
“We’ll see,” Davina said with a wink, rising from her seat. “I will go now to practice. See ye when the event begins.”
Violet and Davina nodded in reply.
In one corner of the courtyard, she could see Keira with her friends, conversing and playing. At that moment, she was happy that the little girl was with friends her age. She would wager it was not easy for her to be with adults all the time.
Olivia left her with her friends to return to her practice.
In no time, the tables were filled, and the games were set to start with a speech from Ruaridh, welcoming them to his clan for the year’s Highland games.
The people sat in groups, and Violet found herself beside her father. He had been sitting alone, and she had decided to sit beside him so he would not feel alone in a sea of Highlanders.
“I didn’t know the Highlanders had such grand festivities,” He said, looking around wide-eyed.
“Don’t you like it, Papa?” she asked reluctantly, her eyes tracking the men as they arranged the small tree trunks. It seemed the first game was going to be caber toss.
“No, I do. It is definitely airy,” her father replied. “What do they intend to do with all that wood?”
“Throw it,” Keira said from beside him.
“Why?”
“It is a game,” she said with a shrug.
“Seems senseless to me,” he muttered. “Who throws it?”
“McGregor, the man standing over there,” Keira replied in a cool voice, pointing at a redheaded man who stood beside the huge metal gong, which served as a bell. He was the moderator. “He will decide who carries the wood. He likes to choose older men.”
“Why?” Horace asked, alarm evident in his tone. Violet almost pitied him. “Why does he not choose younger men?”
“He says older men have more experience,” Keira explained, her tone somber.
“What happens if you do not throw it properly?” he asked with all seriousness. Violet had to fight to keep her mirth in check.
“Well, that is a very big problem,” Keira answered, clearly enjoying his discomfort. “Ye will have to be flogged.”
“Flogged?” Horace exclaimed, drawing the attention of the people nearby. His face was red with disbelief. “You cannot mean it.”
“Aye, I do.” Keira said with a curt nod. “They will place ye on yer stomach and paddle yer backside. Most folks arenae able to sit for weeks.”
“That is barbaric,” he scoffed.
“Ye just have to pray that ye arenae chosen then,” Keira said, fighting back a devious smile.
Violet had to disguise her laughter with a cough.
Her father looked pensive now. It was funny, but considering the pain he had put her through, he deserved a spot of discomfort.