“Dè a..” Elene stumbled over the first two words, forgetting the rest. Mairghread whispered each one, giving Elene a chance to say it in her head before saying it aloud.
“Trì sgillinn,” the merchant responded. Elene turned to Mairghread, who interpreted and said three pennies. Elene nodded with a smile. The man waited, but when Elene made no move to pull out the required payment, he muttered something in Gaelic. Mairghread’s response was immediate and harsh. Elene watched as her mother-by-marriage glowered at the man. She watched as Mairghread pulled out a handful of coins, turned around, stepped across the aisle to another merchant with ribbons, dropped the coins on the makeshift counter, and scooped up a handful of laces and ribbons. She came back and handed them to Elene, her eyes narrowed at the offensive man.
Elene looked at Siùsan, whose authoritative voice made the man blanch. He shook his head but said nothing. Siùsan continued to issue an order Elene couldn’t possibly understand. The man fumbled as he reached for a crate and pushed his wares into it. Elene realized he was packing his goods. She looked at Siùsan, who continued to stare at the man.
“Are you sending him away? Please don’t. Whatever he said couldn’t be that bad. He probably has a family who needs what he earns.” Elene didn’t know what else to say or where to look. She couldn’t meet the man’s eye, and it embarrassed her in front of her new family.
Mairghread led Elene and the others away, while Siùsan remained behind to ensure the vendor left without further trouble. Elene trembled as she looked back and caught the man staring at her. Siùsan said something more, making the man jump. Elene noticed that Siùsan had her hand on the hilt of a dirk.
“What did he say?” Elene whispered.
“He used an unkind word for foreigners.” Mairghread spoke with finality, so Elene didn’t press. She repeated in her head what she’d heard him grumble. She would ask Liam later. But as she looked at the four women around her, then glanced at the guards who’d reached for blades during the verbal altercation, she realized it would be wise not to involve Liam.
When they reached a stand with meat pies, Mairghread and Deirdre ordered enough for the women and their guards. While they paid the merchant, Elene whispered to Ceit. “I need to know what he said. I don’t dare ask Liam. But I can’t go around not knowing what people are saying about me. It’s not safe for me or my brother and sister.”
Ceit nodded. “He called you a foreign whore.”
Elene sucked in a breath. She didn’t appreciate the insult, but she didn’t understand why it was enough for even the guards to become defensive or why Siùsan ordered him to leave.
“Elene, you’re with Lady Mackay and, for all intents and purposes, Lady Sinclair,” Brighde spoke up. She’d been silent throughout the exchange, but Elene didn’t miss her aunt-by-marriage shifting to stand between Elene and the merchant. “You’re with the laird’s three other daughters-by-marriage and the laird’s daughter. It’s obvious you are of importance to our family. You’re shopping with us, and the quality of the gown you wear speaks to your nobility—which you are now. Not everyone may know you’re Wee Liam’s wife, but they will soon enough. The man’s lucky Mairghread didn’t skewer his bollocks and Siùsan didn’t sever his tongue.”
“Elene, as angry as they are, they likely saved his life,” Ceit said. “The guards won’t say aught to Wee Liam unless we tell them they may. But other people heard, and they will repeat it. Wee Liam will see red when he finds out. The merchant would be wise to put as much distance between him and Dunbeath as he can.”
“But he didn’t threaten me.” Elene worried her upper lip as she looked back at the man as he pushed a handcart in front of him.
“Not in so many words.” Mairghread handed Elene a meat pie as Siùsan handed one to Deirdre, Ceit, and Brighde. “But to allow him or anyone to think they can speak such foul things about Clan Mackay’s tánaiste’s wife will endanger you. Elene, you may not understand this yet, but you married into an exceedingly powerful clan, and you married a man who will one day be as powerful as his father. I’m not saying this to frighten you, but I want you to understand.”
Elene nodded but remained quiet for the rest of the time the women visited the village. Mairghread offered her a warm embrace that Elene leaned into, appreciative to finally have the maternal figure she’d always missed. As the women entered the keep, Elene spotted Liam, who changed course and came to greet her. He took her hands and press a soft kiss to her lips. As he watched her, his brow furrowed.
“What happened?” Liam whispered.
“Naught.”
“Elene?”
Elene glanced at the women moving around the Great Hall, returning to their duties. She sighed, knowing Liam would eventually learn what happened. She supposed it would be better if he heard it from her.
“A merchant said something unkind that I didn’t understand. Your mother and Siùsan handled it. The man left.” Elene shrugged and made to step around Liam, but he didn’t release her hands. Instead, he led her to an alcove.
“What did he say?”
Elene repeated the words she’d heard. She watched fury unlike anything she’d imagined wash over Liam. His entire body tensed, his hands fisted, and the anger practically vibrated from him. She took a step back and shook her head.
“I really wasn’t that offended. It was annoying, but naught to get this angry about.” Elene’s gaze swept over Liam. “You’re scaring me.”
Liam immediately relaxed, repentant that he’d intimidated Elene. “I never want you to fear me. I would never hurt you, Ellie.”
“I know that. I’m not scared that you’d hurt me or blame me. I’m scared you’re going to murder this man.”
“Beat him to a pulp.” Liam sighed and looked at the floor before he met Elene’s gaze once more. “What did my mother tell you he said?”
“It was Ceit actually. She said he called me a foreign whore.”
Liam squeezed his eyes closed and shook his head. “Ellie, it was a lot worse than that. I need to talk to Grandda about this. He won’t allow a clan member to say such to any woman.”
“He wasn’t a clan member. He didn’t wear your plaid, or the plaid of the Sinclairs. What did he say?”
“He called you foreign. But he didn’t just call you a whore like a tavern wench. He called you a woman who services many men at the same time. He implied I would share you or that you’ve already been shared. I can’t let that stand.”
