Chapter 3
Kirsten remained quiet throughout the meal and was glad that the conversation settled into something a little more normal after Neil’s question.
Neil seemed to have acknowledged Ramsay’s glare and didn’t ask anything else that could be construed as rude, although Kirsten feared what Marcas thought.
She wanted to make a good impression on him, and hoped that he would not hold her brother’s actions against her.
While they ate, Roderick carried the conversation.
Kirsten felt as though she wasn’t really welcomed there.
She and Marcas were quiet and more like strangers than anything else.
She continually glanced up at him, trying to catch his attention, but he remained impassive and gazed into the distance.
She hoped that this was just his reaction upon meeting her for the first time and that he would relax once they had the opportunity to know each other better.
He seemed more focused on his meat and dog than any of his guests.
Roderick glanced at him desperately and spoke of anything that came to mind.
He boasted of the Monroe clan’s history and how he hoped it would play a strong role in the future of the Highlands.
Kirsten couldn’t help but feel the notion that if the Monroes did have such a distinguished history, then Marcas deserved a nobler wife than she.
Her clan was small and there was not much they could offer in terms of military might or wealth, so she was forced to wonder if she had even been their first choice.
“Kirsten, let’s leave the men tae talk about all this boring stuff. Come with me and we’ll pick out a dress for ye tae wear taemorrow,” Moira said, tugging at Kirsten’s arm. Kirsten glanced at Ramsay, who nodded. Roderick didn’t seem to mind either. Marcas didn’t seem to care.
The young women strode away from the hall.
Moira walked quickly. Their feet rapped against the stone floor until they left the hall.
The floor of the estate was covered in long rugs that muffled the sounds of their footsteps.
The estate was like a warren, with corridors twisting around and away in almost every direction.
Moira led her down a twisting path; Kirsten was sure it was going to take her a long time to learn how to navigate the place.
When she mentioned this, Moira giggled and told her not to worry because she had the rest of her life to learn.
They eventually ended up in a large room that was filled with all manner of dresses, all in different sizes.
“This is my wee collection,” Moira said, blushing slightly.
“I send servants out all across the land tae get me all kinds of dresses. I always want the women here tae know they can come tae me for a pretty dress when they need one. I think life is tae short nae tae be pretty. We can always use a wee bit of color in our lives,” she offered Kirsten a weak smile.
She went up to the dresses and started leafing through them.
She gestured with her arm, beckoning Kirsten forward to join in.
Kirsten had never seen so many dresses in one place before, and she was spoilt for choice.
She began to examine the dresses, amazed by some of the color and softness of the fabrics.
There were dresses of all types and lengths and shapes, and she was quite in awe.
Moira was a girl of light spirits, and unlike her brother, she was not shy with words. “I’m sae glad ye hae arrived. I hae been anticipating this day since the agreement was first arranged. I hae always wanted a sister, and now ye hae been brought tae me!”
“Was a brother nae enough?” Kirsten replied quickly, arching an eyebrow.
Moira smiled. “I’m sure that ye know what haeing a brother is like since ye hae two of yer own!”
“Oh, aye, they were terrors, especially when they were younger. I dae hae a cousin named Islay, though. We were like sisters, although she is married now and I dinnae see her as often.”
“Then I’m glad I’m here tae make things better.” She picked out a dress and walked over to Kirsten, holding the dress against her. But after a brief look, she shook her head and placed the dress back where she found it, and then resumed her search.
“Yer brothers must care about ye a lot tae bring ye all the way out here,” Moira said.
“Aye, although Da would be angry with them if they let anything happen tae me. But over the years, they have grown a wee bit kinder. What about Marcas? Did he torment ye?”
Moira tilted her head as her thoughts turned to the past. “I wouldnae say that exactly. When we were younger, I suppose we did tease each other, but I always knew that Marcas would protect me. That feeling only grew stronger after our father died.”
“I’m sorry tae hear that,” Kirsten said solemnly.
She had been told the story of how the previous laird had been killed in a battle outside the walls of the castle, and she could not imagine the sorrow or horror that must have occurred during that time.
Perhaps it went some way to explaining the way Marcas was, and perhaps she should be a little more sympathetic and patient with him.
“Aye, thank ye. It haes been a long time now, but sometimes it is difficult tae forget. Ye try nae tae think about it, but then ye feel guilty for pushing the memories away. Sometimes life can be hard,” she said while breathing heavily.
“It was worse for us because we were watching the battle as it happened. Marcas tried tae stop me from watching, but it was tae late. We saw everything.”
“I cannae imagine what that was like.”
“At the time, it didnae seem real. I always thought that he would get up again, pull the arrow out, and continue fighting. But he didnae. He just lay there, and then was carried back. Even when he was being buried, I still thought he was gaeing tae come back.” Her voice took on a faint reedy quality.
She stopped looking through the dresses for a moment, and Kirsten could hear the emotion catch on her voice.
Moira shook her head and blinked tears away, resuming what she was doing.
“And what about yer mother?” Kirsten asked. All Kirsten knew about Marcas and Moira’s mother was that she had died the previous year.
“Ah, yes, that is a sad story. She mistook monkshood for lavender and flavored her tea with it. After drinking it down, there was naething that could be done. I fear that she haed been losing her mind for a long time after Da died. There were times when she would get mine and Marcas’s names mixed up, or she would forget where she was gaeing through the estate.
Sometimes it seemed as though she haed forgotten how tae smile as well.
Even though I miss her, I wonder if she’s in a better place, with him.
She was never happy after she died, and I didnae think she would ever be again. ”
“I’m sorry tae hear that,” Kirsten said, and almost wished that she had a tale of sorrow to share.
Her parents were still alive, and while Neil and Ramsay had teased her, they were not evil, and she trusted them with her safety.
She had been sheltered from the world and wondered if she was actually worthy of being Marcas’s wife.
Would she be able to heal his wounds? Would she be able to understand?
“I suppose losing yer parents must hae affected Marcas as well?” Kirsten asked, trying to get more information about her betrothed.
“Aye,” Moira said heavily. “Da more than Ma, I think. Marcas always wanted tae be like Da. He used tae pretend tae be like Da all the time. Then Da died, and Marcas was left as the man of the house. If ye ask me, he was tae young tae be made laird, even with Uncle Roderick’s help, but that is the way of things, I suppose.
The son haes tae take the father’s place.
Marcas haes always struggled with the burden, but I’m sure that will change now that ye are here. ”
“I’m nae sae sure,” Kirsten confessed. “I dinnae think he likes me. I fear he was expecting someone different.”
“Dinnae worry yerself about that,” Moira said immediately. “That’s just the way Marcas is. He’s quiet and he doesnae like people very much. He prefers tae be out in the fields, working on the crops. He’ll be fine, and I promise ye that he is a good man when ye get used tae him.”
“Can I ask ye a question?” Kirsten said. Moira nodded. “Am I the only woman that has been offered to him?”
Kirsten knew the answer by the way Moira turned away.
“I want us tae be friends Kirsten, sae I am gaeing tae be honest with ye even if it’s nae what my uncle would want me tae say.
The truth is that arrangements were made with other clans, but Marcas was always unwilling, and eventually, they decided that Marcas wasnae the kind of man they wanted marrying their daughters.
” Moira looked up at Kirsten imploringly; her voice took on a desperate tone.
“But please dinnae hold that against him. He is a good man, and I know the world would be a worse place without him. Please give him a chance, Kirsten. I know that he can make ye happy, and I know that ye can bring out the best in him. He may nae be what every woman dreams of, but he’s a good man.
He’s just…he’s just a wee bit lost, that’s all. ”
Kirsten wasn’t entirely sure what to make of Moira’s words.
Her father had been excited to marry his daughter to one of the most historic and prestigious clans that existed in the Highlands, but the legacy of a name could only do so much.
Marcas sounded more like a project than a husband, and was Kirsten ready for this?
She knew her duty was to do as her father asked, but she harbored her doubts, and they would not go away easily.
Her thoughts were interrupted as Moira exclaimed loudly and ran up to Kirsten, holding a green dress.
Moira pressed it against Kirsten’s body, and she smiled widely.