The Fox, page 16
Caelan nodded. “I am not sure there is a way to repair the rift between Glynis and I.”
“Possibly not, but ye will not know for sure unless ye try to win her back.” With an uncharacteristic grin, Duncan leaned forward. “Ye are a charmer, put it to good use.”
“Never thought to get romantic advice from ye,” Caelan replied getting up from the table.
Duncan frowned. “Strange what love does to a man.”
After wrapping himself in a thick tartan, he walked outside and waited for Creagh, who brought his horse. The man gave him a once over. “It is good to see ye out.”
“It is good to be able to walk without swaying,” Caelan said. “See that my trunk is taken to Keep Ross. I hope to see ye at Hogmanay.”
Mounting felt strange, but Caelan was determined to get stronger. It was strange how spending weeks recovering made it so hard to feel normal again.
His wounds had healed, although from what he could see in the looking glass, they’d left angry raised scars that time would soothe, but not completely erase.
In a way the scarring did not bother him, it was the reminder he’d have of fighting to live, for the rest of his life of the ordeal.
The sky was clear for it being winter. After raining for several days, it was a welcome reprieve. Longing for salty air, he planned to ride along the shore and take the long way to the keep. The preparations were beginning for the Hogmanay celebration and he looked forward to aggravating Greer, the cook, by visiting the kitchens often.
The ride was good. However, by the time the keep came into view, he was tiring. Both his back and legs ached, but he welcomed it. He planned to ride daily to get his body accustomed to the activity once again.
The salty air filled his lungs, the call of seabirds above soothing to his mind. Caelan pulled his horse to a stop and allowed his gaze to travel across the view before him. To the right the waves crashed against the shore, as if daring anyone to come near. To the left was a long inlet with softer waves that curved delicately just below the hills where Keep Ross stood.
The cool breeze blew across the inlet bending tall reeds sideways as if bringing messages from the sea.
His horse pawed the ground and lowered its head to graze as Caelan gathered his thoughts. All his life he’d lived there, in the eastern shore of the isle. Except for the four years he’d gone away to study in Glasgow.
Now he wondered what the future held. As bookkeeper for the laird, how would Darach react to him wishing to move closer to Stuart and Cait? Because wherever Glynis and his child went, so would he.
Just then his brother exited the keep gates and walked across the hilly ground with his dog. The animal raced in front and circled back, its excited barks carrying to where Caelan was.
He urged the horse closer until the dog saw him and began barking in warning. The hair on its back raised as he stood in front of Darach, protecting his master.
“It’s me Albie,” Caelan called out and dismounted.
Upon recognizing his voice, the animal raced to greet him, tail wagging and tongue lolling from the side of its mouth.
Caelan scratched the animal behind the ears until it deemed it enough and raced to find a branch to bring back to play fetch.
“Brother.” Darach smiled in a way that Caelan recognized as the laird being in a good mood.
He released the horse to graze. “I needed to come. I plan to remain here for the Hogmanay celebration and perhaps longer.”
“This is yer home, there is no need to inform me of yer plans.” Darach laughed when the dog dragged a huge branch toward them. “He never gives up. No matter the challenge,” his brother said giving Caelan a pointed look.
“I have waited too long, haven’t I?” Caelan let out a long breath. How he loved the smell of the sea. It was only because he didn’t want to continue living with their father and witness the cruelty that he’d left the keep. Later he remained away because of Duncan. His brother needed someone there with him.
Darach placed a hand on his shoulder. “Ye have been through an ordeal I cannot imagine. Everyone understands why ye have kept away. I do not agree that ye remained away from Glynis for so long. But like ye, I made a stupid mistake once, and almost lost Isobel because of it. If ye love her, then ye will have to work hard to gain her love again.”
“How is she?”
The laird leaned down broke a smaller branch and tossed it and Albie raced to retrieve it. “She is well. Seems happy and spending a great deal of time in the kitchen. Isobel says Glynis has asked Greer to teach her to cook her favorites.”
A strange feeling of nervousness filled him. It was childish to feel that way about entering his childhood home, but he couldn’t stop it. “I best go in,” he said, the words sounding like a question rather than a statement.
Darach didn’t reply, instead he waved him off and ran after the dog. It was the laird’s daily routine that he’d done since young. Darach loved dogs and often collected several of them. Currently, he only had one and spent several hours a day out walking with the happy animal.
As Caelan rode through the gates, the guard called out greetings. He couldn’t help but grin when one waved with both arms from atop the wall.
“Oy, cousin. ’Tis about time ye come around.” It was Artair. With the huge bow and quiver across his back, he walked closer and peered down. “Have ye tried to shoot an arrow yet? Want to try it?”
Caelan chuckled. “Later, aye. Not sure how good I will be.”
“Ye never were any good at it. But it will be good to stretch yer back.” Artair crouched down and studied him. “Ye look good. Pale, but good.”
“If ye are trying to have yer way with me, flowery words will not work. I prefer whiskey,” he called back.
At his cousin’s barks of laughter, Caelan couldn’t help but chuckle.
A pair of lads greeted him, waiting to take his mount. One looked up at him, the freckled face lad looked to be about ten and five. “Yer trunk was delivered a few moments ago, Mister Caelan.”
“Thank ye,” he replied. “I do not know ye. What is yer name?”
“Bram, sir,” the lad replied. “I am son of Athol, the baker at the village.”
Caelan met the young man’s gaze for a bit. Something about him touched him, the earnest desire to be of help and the bright reaction to Caelan speaking to him. “I am glad to meet ye,” he finally said and remained standing for a moment before walking inside.
There had been plenty of time for someone to alert Glynis of his presence. He’d purposely taken his time arriving and entering to keep from surprising her. It was best that she don her armor and be prepared for him to be there.
What she probably wasn’t aware of was that he planned to remain this time. The last time he’d given up too easily. Tried to speak to her and then returned to his house. Not this time.
The great room was busy. Ewan sat at the highboard looking on as two men complained, yelling at one another. Caelan almost laughed when Ewan looked over to him and waved.
His brother would wait for the duo to realize he was not going to speak to them while they argued.
Caelan walked to the highboard and sat next to his brother. It seemed the men were arguing over sheep constantly getting into the fields of the other and eating his grain. It was understandable for the farmer to be angry. What didn’t make sense is why the sheepherder was.
“He killed two sheep and his family had a grand feast,” Ewan explained.
“Ah,” Caelan said before nodding at the servant who poured ale and placed a cup in front of him.
While the men argued, he scanned the room. Over by the fireplace away from all the commotion were a trio of women and bairns of several ages. Some toddled attempting to walk, while a younger one crawled. Glynis sat in a chair knitting, while Catriona, Ewan’s wife, sat on the floor with the crawler. In another chair was Isobel. His stepmother was not there, and he wondered where she was.
“Where is Stuart?” he asked Ewan, who scanned the room.
“I do not know.”
“What about Stepmother?”
“Probably in the kitchen. I believe Uncle Angus and Aunt Iona are arriving soon to spend the Hogmanay here with us.”
“Artair must be glad not to have to travel between here and his parent’s home to celebrate with both families.”
Just then the herder swung and punched the farmer, who toppled backward and fell across a table.
Everyone in the room stopped talking and turned to see what happened. It was then Caelan realized Glynis had not been aware of his presence.
Her eyes widened at seeing him. For a scant moment, their eyes locked before she turned to look over her shoulder. Probably seeking a way to escape. He would not approach her.
Forcing his attention away from her, he spoke to the herder.
“Why did ye hit him?”
“He roasted two of my sheep and had the gall to invite me to come and eat.” The man spat out the words, his face turning an alarming shade of red. “I want him to pay for it and replace my sheep.”
When Caelan looked to Ewan, his brother’s right eyebrow lifted in challenge.
The farmer regained his stance. “He owes me more than two sheep for all the damage his deranged animals caused.”
“Stop speaking,” Caelan shouted, his deep voice causing the men to freeze and look between him and Ewan.
“A shepherd’s purpose is to look over his flock and keep them safe,” Caelan said meeting the herder’s gaze. “Ye failed to keep yer sheep from harm. Now ye expect this man to pay for yer lack of responsibility?”
The man glared at the farmer. “He killed them.”
The farmer seemed uncertain when he spoke. “It was my right. They were in my fields.”
“Ye are right,” Caelan said. “But this man is yer neighbor. Yer duty is to keep watch over yer fields, to ensure the plants grow and produce grain for the clan. Ye failed as a farmer and as a neighbor.”
The confused men looked to one another and then back to him. “What do ye expect us to do?” the farmer asked. “I cannot stand out in my field all day and night.”
“I cannot keep watch all day and night,” the shepherd said almost repeating what the other one said.
“In that ye are both right,” Caelan said. “That is why as members of this clan, we help one another.” He met each man’s gaze. “Dogs would keep sheep from harm and will protect land boundaries if trained and treated well.”
After a long moment, a man called out from the back of the room. “I have well-trained dogs and pups that will soon be old enough to work for ye.”
“Do not return to me with the same complaints,” Ewan stated, his gaze going to the back of the room as Darach walked in and gave the two men a scorching look.
The men hurried to find the man who had dogs.
“That was a good idea, what made ye think about it?” Ewan asked watching the trio of men begin to haggle over the price for the dogs.
“Darach and his dog. Just before I came in, he was out there spending time with the dog. The dog protected him until recognizing me.”
When noticing that Glynis walked out and went toward the kitchen, he stood and followed. She wasn’t in the corridor, or in the kitchens. When he walked out, he saw that she was in the garden standing near the shed with her arms around herself to keep warm.
Thankfully he had his plaid, so he neared and placed it over her shoulders. Glynis bristled, but did not remove it. “I am not prepared to speak to ye.” Her voice trembled just enough to let him know she was as nervous as he was.
“Then listen to me,” he replied. When she didn’t turn, he hated to not look at her face. However, the fact she remained gave him a glimmer of hope.
“I will never be able to convey why I kept away from ye. Never was it my intent to hurt ye. It was more to protect myself.”
“There is no need for explanation,” Glynis replied. “I understand yer reasons although I wish ye would have allowed me to be with ye.”
“I beg for yer forgiveness.”
When she did not reply, he continued. “Glynis, marry me. My intent is to give ye a home, wherever ye wish to live and for us to raise our child together. That he or she grow up with two parents who love him dearly.”
“I cannot,” Glynis dropped the tartan and rushed from the garden.
Caelan bent to pick up the discarded item grimacing at the pull it caused to his back. He rose up slowly, letting out a long breath.
When he looked to the doorway, he noted that Glynis watched him for a moment and then disappeared inside.
Chapter Twenty
The aroma that wafted up to the sitting room made Glynis’ stomach grumble. When Agnes announced that last meal was to be served, she hesitated about whether to go to the dining room or not.
After his last visit, she’d promised herself not to change her routine when Caelan came for a day or two. He would not have the power over her that she’d allowed before. It was best to be strong because over time it would be easier to be around her child’s father.
After all, she would remain with Clan Ross and he would be an integral part of the bairn’s life. The sooner she became accustomed to his presence, the better.
She stood and put down her knitting. It was the third blanket she’d made for the babe and she planned to make several more pieces. Her aunt had taught her to wash linens several times to make the fabric soft enough to make dresses for the bairn. She’d also planned to ensure to have enough nappies and such.
The corner of her bedchamber had a basket filled to the brim with different things she and her aunt had made. Her lips curved as she walked out, only for her smile to falter at seeing Caelan.
“I came to escort ye to last meal.”
His newly washed hair was brushed back from his face. He’d shaven and was dressed as impeccably as always.
When her heart skipped several beats and something fluttered in her stomach, she almost whirled around and went back inside the sitting room.
Instead, she forced a blank expression and turned to walk down the corridor. Thankfully, he did not make to touch her. Instead, he fell in step and walked alongside.
“How do ye feel?”
Glynis rolled her eyes. “I am well.”
“The bairn?”
“Everything is fine.”
They continued to the end of the corridor, turned left, and then went down the stairs. It was at the top that he took her elbow to assist her down. Glynis almost snatched it out of his grasp but allowed it until her foot touched the ground floor. It was then she removed her arm from him and hurried to walk ahead of him toward the dining room.
“What is that?” Glynis sat up in bed the next morning when Agnes walked in with a tray that held a bowl and a small pitcher.
“Mister Caelan said ye liked warm bread pudding with cream.” Agnes placed the tray on the side table and helped her to sit up.
Glynis pulled pillows behind her back and Agnes placed the tray on her legs and poured the cream over the hot pudding.
Her mouth watered and as much as she wanted to return the offering, Glynis could not bring herself to do it.
“Thank ye,” she said meeting Agnes’ gaze. “Did he speak to ye directly?”
Agnes nodded and smiled. “He came to my room and knocked. Apologized for bothering me and then asked if I could bring ye this.”
“Greer must have gotten up very early to make it.”
“I suppose,” Agnes said with a shrug. “She and Mister Caelan are often sitting in the kitchen early mornings drinking tea together.”
Reluctantly, Glynis tasted the offering. It was mouthwateringly delicious. Greer was an amazing cook.
As she finished her dessert, there was another knock on the door, and she let out a sigh. “Enter.”
This time it was a different maid. She brought a beautiful cloak and hung it in the wardrobe. “Mister Caelan said to ensure ye knew he had it made for ye.” The girl practically ran from the room. No doubt, Caelan told her to leave immediately so Glynis wouldn’t force her to take it back.
She studied the cloak. It had a fur-lined hood and was made of a thick green wool. It was indeed beautiful. Once again, she was reluctant to return it as it would come in handy when she moved to live with Cait and Stuart where the weather was a bit colder.
Moments later Agnes returned. “Are ye ready to get up?” The maid stopped and gawked at the cloak. She walked to it and slid her hand over it. “This is beautiful.”
After dressing, Glynis walked by the sitting room where her aunt and Isobel were. They’d obviously not gone down for first meal yet.
“There ye are,” her aunt said. “I am famished but was waiting for ye.”
“Why?” Glynis asked. “Ye did not have to.”
Her aunt smiled. “It is the first day of Hogmanay, we should go down together.”
They went down the stairwell to find that the great room had been decorated. The floors and tables had been thoroughly scrubbed and gleamed. There were sprigs of evergreen branches in pictures on the tables and sprays over the doorways and mantels.
The smell of mincemeat pies filled the air with spice and sweetness. Every seat was filled by guardsmen and local clan people.
The festive air made Glynis smile as Cait stood proudly with Catriona at the large round table where the women usually sat.
She dared not look to the highboard until passing. At it sat Darach, looking every bit the laird, flanking him were Ewan and Stuart. Caelan sat on Stuart’s right side and Gideon at the end.
Just as they sat and were served, there was a loud bang at the front door.
Everyone clapped when Duncan walked in holding up the traditional offerings of First Footing. Which were a coin, coal, bread and a wee dram of whisky.
The handsome man grinned when a woman tugged at his tunic, and he gifted her with the shortbread.
Once again everyone clapped, and he went to the highboard and sat at the end seat.
Beatrice and the newborn were ushered through the back entrance and sat in a comfortable chair in front of one of the fireplaces that flanked both sides of the great room.
