Chapter Fourteen #2
“Ye labored at great sacrifice to free the laird’s son and his warriors. Does the laird now ken what ye did for him and the clan?”
“Aye, when Cailean announced our betrothal and me as Lady Grant, he told them the hours, days, and months I labored in order to free the men and avoid war.”
Her father hugged her again. “I always kent ye were a brave and courageous lass when ye walked into the castle without tears the day ye arrived, barely five years old. Do ye still wear the ring of yer father around yer neck?”
“Thank ye, Father. I wear the signet ring of my father, although only recently I discovered it belonged to the laird of the Grant clan. If I had known, perhaps I could have spared Cailean from visiting there to determine my identity.”
“It was a sacrifice he was willing to make. In retrospect, an important journey for him to make alone to assess the clan himself. Cailean needed to ascertain the political climate to determine if ye would be safe if ye returned. He forged new bonds that will help ye in the future as ye lead yer clan. Mrs. Logan and I, and Thomas, too, would happily journey to see ye established or any time ye need us to come.”
“Thank ye, Father. Come, let us go eat, for I’m sure ye and Thomas are hungry for yer dinner after yer hard work today.” As they ate together, Elayne asked about what had happened in her absence and what Thomas currently worked on.
“I want to show ye the swords and dirks I made. I can make horseshoes, nails, and many tools now. It will take me a long time to be as great a blacksmith as yer father or ye though. I am grateful for everything ye taught me. I have new ideas to talk to ye about for the summer fair. There will be more clans attending than last year since Cailean secured alliances for the clan.”
“I would love to talk to ye about yer ideas. It will be well attended and present a greater opportunity to make a lot of coin. Mrs. Logan, what are ye working on this year to sell?”
“I have sewed and embroidered pillowcases, ladies’ handkerchiefs, and knitted baby blankets. When ye have time, I will show ye.”
“I will need to have many dresses made to bring with me to fulfill my role as laird. Cailean will arrange for the castle’s seamstress to work on my wardrobe for my wedding, the summer games, and afterward.
” Addressing Mrs. Logan, she said, “I would love for ye to come with me and help with designs for my dresses and yers. Ye have an expert eye for design and style, and ye ken what I like. Papa, ye and Thomas will need to meet with the seamstress. Ye need new clothes for the wedding and the dinners in the great hall at the summer games and fair.”
Thomas said, “It sounds like we will be even busier than we were last year getting ready for yer wedding and the summer fair.” They all laughed, recognizing the truth in what he said.
Elayne’s time was no longer her father’s or her own, for now she had obligations to Cailean and his family and in preparing to welcome elders from her clan.
They finished their dinner, and Mrs. Logan and Thomas showed her the designs they had made and asked her for her recommendations.
“These are wonderful, and I ken they will sell well at the market. Ye have vastly improved yer eye for detail, Thomas, under my father’s watchful eye and patient teaching.
Ye need to make many more lanterns. Plenty of the warriors bought lanterns to use in their tents last year.
Those returning will look to purchase more.
Those here for the first time will also buy. ”
Thomas nodded in agreement.
“We can use a wagon wheel with a length of chain to make a hanging lantern this year for a new design. We could make many dirks, but with an insignia of the games. What do ye think, Papa? Do ye think the men would like a trophy of the games, even if not the champion of the event?”
“Aye, they will. We will need to make several designs and discuss them with the laird.”
“I cannot help ye tomorrow, but after that, I hope I can return to the forge to help ye prepare for the summer market.”
“What does yer betrothed say about ye working in the forge?” her father asked her soberly.
“Cailean supports my working in the forge, as time allows for my duties and responsibilities. He said he wilna allow me to work to the point of exhaustion, and he wants to dine with his wife every night.” Mrs. Logan smiled at her response.
Cailean was a kind, thoughtful, and understanding man, and he understood Elayne’s need to contribute her skills and talents for the benefit of the clan.
The next morning, Cailean escorted Elayne to meet with the laird.
Together, they drafted the letter with their questions to the elders of Clan Grant as well as inviting them for Cailean and Elayne’s wedding in two weeks’ time.
Elayne asked the laird what he thought about commissioning engraved dirks as trophies for the summer games for warriors to purchase. Laird MacPherson favored the idea.
For the first time, Elayne ate lunch in the great hall beside Cailean at the high table.
She could tell by Cailean’s attentiveness that he was proud to have her seated beside him.
After lunch, Elayne met with Mrs. Logan, Cailean’s mother, and the seamstress who would work on her wedding gown after taking Elayne’s measurements.
The ladies selected fabrics for the creation of other gowns she would need.
After several hours, Elayne and Mrs. Logan returned to the forge so they could prepare for the feast. Cailean would later escort Elayne to their betrothal feast. Mrs. Logan helped her to dress and fix her hair.
She had a coronet of small braids, with the rest of her hair loose and flowing down her back and past her hips.
Elayne was excited to wear her new green dress for the first time, as this was the fabric she had spent her hard-earned money on at the summer fair.
The style skimmed over her hips and hugged her generous breasts.
Unlike her work dresses, the gown had a low-cut neckline, which felt strange, but a ruffle of lace around it helped her feel more comfortable.
A knock sounded at their door, and her father admitted Cailean inside.
Cailean looked handsome in his liene, kilt, and tartan, with his clan brooch pinned to the sash across his chest. The dirk Elayne had made for him gleamed from his belt at his waist. Cailean studied Elayne from head to toe and smiled at her.
He extended his arm to her. “Ye look beautiful, Elayne. The other men will be jealous, seeing such a stunning woman at my side. Let us join our guests with yer father and Mrs. Logan.” Cailean and Elayne strolled to the castle and into the great hall.
As the guests of honor, the two sat at the head table.
Bessie’s extensive dinner included roasted venison, salmon, duck, roasted potatoes, and spring vegetables, followed by assorted tarts and sweet puddings.
Family and clan members toasted to their betrothal and happiness.
After dinner, a piper played the bagpipes, musicians played instruments, and everyone joined in the dancing and celebration.
Elayne especially enjoyed dancing in Cailean’s arms, as he exhibited grace and spirit as a dancer. The celebration went on for hours.
Cailean walked home with Elayne since her father, Mrs. Logan, and Thomas still lingered at the celebration. He took her into his arms and ravished her mouth, neck, and decolletage as he grabbed her hips and pressed her close.
“Elayne, ye have nae idea how ye affect me. I hate to be away from ye. I can’t wait to be wed to ye. I wish we were being married tomorrow instead of in two weeks.”
“Aye, I ken. I wish that too.” She smiled at him and then changed the subject to distract them both. “To prepare for the summer games, I will help my father in the forge. And we need to make items to take to the Grant clan after we wed. There is much to do to prepare.”
“Aye, I ken yer father will be glad of yer help. I will pick ye up in the evening to dine with ye.”
“I will be ready when ye come.”
Cailean kissed her again, not wanting to let her go. “Sleep well, lass.”
“I will dream of ye, Cailean.”
Cailean surprised Elayne at the well the next morning. Not wanting to be away from her for so many hours, he simply kissed her and said, “I’ll see ye later, Elayne.”
Elayne smiled as she carried the last bucket of water inside the forge.
She stoked the fire and, putting on her protective clothing, grabbed the pliers and removed the hot iron.
With her trusty hammer, Elayne pounded the hot metal on the anvil, shaping it into the beginning of a dirk.
One of many she would craft in the next weeks.
Elayne returned to the castle each evening with Cailean and met several more times with the seamstress.
Cailean’s sisters, Marion, Katherine, and mother asked Elayne about the decorations she envisioned for the wedding.
“Thank ye. A few green boughs and heather would be pretty. The decorations need not be lavish or elaborate. I am just happy Cailean and I can wed.” Later, his sisters met with Cailean and asked for his preferences, and he echoed what Elayne had said.
“I plan to pick her a bouquet of wild flowers to give her the day of our wedding. Elayne loves flowers of all kinds.”