Chapter Sixteen #2
Later, the laird and lady of the MacPherson clan arrived with their family and steward at the merchants’ tables.
The steward carried his book and quill to mark the items the housekeeper wished to purchase for the castle.
Merchants were quite pleased to sell to the laird and his family, for they always paid in coin.
The laird and his family stopped to speak to everyone at Elayne’s table.
“Daughter,” Laird MacPherson said, “I ken ye hide the best swords until I come to see them.”
At his request, Thomas jumped in to show him the swords William and he had crafted in addition to the trophy dirks to celebrate the games.
Elayne pointed to the sword on the table that she’d made, then removed another sword partly from its sheath to allow the laird to withdraw the weapon the rest of the way for his inspection.
“Lass, this is a beauty.” The laird admired it as he removed it from the leather sheath and held it up to the light, feeling its weight and balance, and inspecting the hilt, blade, and design.
“I will purchase yer sword, William, for the champion of the games, and three of the trophy dirks from ye. Elayne, I will purchase yer sword for myself.”
“Nae, my laird. Ye must accept my sword as a gift from me,” Elayne said.
“After ye saved my son’s life, his men, and countless others?
Hardly. Besides, ye will need this coin as ye assume yer duties to shore up defenses, purchase materials, and secure extra food stores to see the clan through winter months.
” Laird MacPherson placed a large quantity of silver coins in William’s hands.
“I will leave it with ye, William. Thank ye. Ye, Elayne, and Thomas make our clan proud of ye and yer work.”
Cailean’s brothers each bought trophy dirks, and Marion and Katherine lingered over the linens and soaps that Elayne and Mrs. Logan had created.
Cailean’s sisters bought both items and also lanterns to surprise their husbands with later.
They placed their items in large baskets and were accompanied by guards as they strolled to the other tables.
Later in the day, lairds and ladies of other clans shopped at their tables and purchased many items.
Elayne left the market tables to prepare for dinner. Her father and Mrs. Logan would join her and Cailean later. After she had dressed, Cailean came to their chamber and pulled her into his arms.
“I missed ye, Elayne. How did yer things sell?” Elayne watched the play of his muscles as he washed at the basin and changed into his liene, tartan, and kilt.
Extra guards had been posted on the castle and castle grounds.
The watches were shared with warriors from their allies.
But Cailean took his duties seriously as a warrior, sworn to protect his family and clan.
“The sales were good. Yer father bought three trophy dirks and a sword from my father to award to one of the champions. He bought one of my swords for himself. I tried to give it to him as a gift, but he insisted on paying. Yer sisters bought linens and soaps, which pleased Mrs. Logan.
“Thomas is happy he can keep his hard-earned coins since this year he can eat in the great hall. I ken he wants honey cakes tonight at the food tents. What of yer meeting with the lairds?”
“The lairds are pleased with the business deals we struck. We are talking tomorrow about the expansion of the agreements and other clans we may wish to engage in business with. Ye should join us. It is yer rightful place.”
“Aye, I ken, but I wish for ye to continue to shoulder those responsibilities for the clan. If we need to change it later, we can discuss it, but the men already know ye and trust ye. Since the guests will retire early, I hope we can have an early night.”
“Aye, I have in mind to barter ye for yer kisses this eve after dinner.”
“Ye nae need to barter for my kisses, Cailean. My kisses are free for ye.”
“I have a few wicked ideas to engage in with ye, wife.”
Elayne arched her brow in speculation at her husband. “Ye? Ye could never be wicked, husband.”
“Ye may think differently later when I ask ye for yer favors.” Cailean teased, and kissed her lips, using his tongue to ignite her desires. He wanted her to burn for him the way he did for her. “Come, we must leave to join my family in the great hall.”
“I look forward to introducing ye as the laird of the Grant Clan to the lairds and their ladies. It will be priceless to see their reactions. If it becomes too painful for ye when they ask ye questions about what happened to yer parents, let me ken. If ye become too fatigued, I will escort ye back to our chamber.”
“Aye, I will.”
Cailean escorted his beautiful wife to the great hall. “Have I told ye how stunning ye look tonight, my love?”
“Nae until now. Ye are handsome, husband.”
A mixture of emotions crossed the faces of the lairds and ladies when Cailean introduced his wife.
It was an amazing tale that may have been hard for some to believe.
But as they spoke to Elayne, her modesty, genuine caring, and charm won them over.
She enjoyed her interactions with the lairds and their ladies.
Many lairds commented on the commemorative dirks, which they sported on their belts.
The ladies remarked on the linens, soaps, candles, and lanterns they had already purchased.
The couple received invitations to visit the other clans.
Many lairds already were well acquainted with Cailean.
The lairds were happy he would support his wife as the new laird of the Grant clan.
There was merry feasting and drinking in the great hall. Cailean and Elayne snuck away to their chamber afterward to finish what they had started before dinner. Passion consumed them, and soon their clothes were torn off and flung to the floor in their haste.
Cailean and Elayne arose before dawn the next morning and broke their fast before assuming their duties and responsibilities.
Cailean left to train and warm up before the sword fighting games began.
Elayne returned to the forge and helped prepare their tables with the wares, tools, and weapons for sale.
She greeted her father, Mrs. Logan, and Thomas, happy to be reunited.
With Mrs. Logan in the courtyard, Elayne worked on embroidery.
Soon, the courtyard filled with the smells, sounds, and sights of people awakening and beginning their tasks for the day.
Lads led cows and goats into the barns to be milked.
Chickens squawked and scattered as people walked by, and tantalizing smells of food cooking permeated the air.
More people sauntered through the sellers’ stalls and purchased items for themselves, family members, or their clan.
Later, children raced across the courtyard, shouting and laughing on their way to see the games.
Elayne strolled among the merchants and explored their merchandise.
Later, she assessed the wares of the new merchants who had arrived.
She returned to the rug merchant, disappointed to learn they’d sold the blue rug she loved.
There weren’t any with the same colors. Elayne watched the women spinning wool on their spinning wheels into balls of yarn to be used to weave tartans, blankets, and other items. Infinitely curious, Elayne inquired of one of the older women of a different clan who had a kind smile, “How many balls of yarn do ye need to weave a blanket? How long does it take to weave?”
“It depends on the design and how many colors ye need for yer tartan. It is faster if ye are only using one or two colors. I can weave a blanket of two colors in a couple of days. Have ye ever woven any cloth?”
“Nae, I’m a blacksmith. That has taken time to learn and master.
There’s much to master in yer trade. I ask so that I ken what my clan will need in the future.
I am Elayne, the new laird for the Grant clan.
I havna been there since I was a bairn and am concerned about the supplies I need for my clan to be prepared for the winter months. ”
“I am Catherine. That is wonderful, my lady. I ken ye will do much good in supporting the people of yer clan. Ye have an advantage few lairds and ladies have, since ye have undoubtedly worked hard yer entire life and understand the challenges that other working people face. What is yer favorite color?”
“My mother’s name was Catherine.” Elayne smiled at the woman.
“I like many colors but am entranced by lovely blue colors. I want to surprise my husband with a blanket for our new home. The colors remind me of the loch, which is a special place for us. I wanted him to have something to remind him of his home, as he is leaving his clan to journey with me to the Grant clan.”
“Yer husband will appreciate yer thoughtful and warm gift. When were ye married, my lady? If ye pick out the colors ye like, I can weave ye a blanket for ye to take with ye. My friend who lives here has a loom in her home. I can use it to weave the blanket for ye by the end of the fair. For the blanket and the yarn, it will cost two pieces of silver. After ye inspect it and ensure it’s what ye had in mind, ye can pay me. ”
“Ye can? That would be wonderful! Cailean and I have been married for a couple of weeks.” Elayne searched through the yarn and selected many balls of complementary colors, the main one being a bright cerulean blue.
“When I see the loch in my mind, I see it surrounded by the green hills, wildflowers, and pine forests.”
“What do ye think about green edging?”
“Aye, I think it would look lovely.”
“What about these colors together?” The weaver picked out skeins of yarn in two shades of green.