“Please let it go, Liam. I don’t want more people to know. It’s embarrassing enough.”
Liam opened his arms to Elene, and she didn’t hesitate to step into his embrace. She found comfort from his gentle touch, especially after glimpsing what Liam was like as a battle-hardened warrior. They had hidden her in the cellar when Liam fought the Norse.
“Only this one time. If it happens again, then I have to say something. These are issues that are bigger than you and me. They’re leadership issues for Grandda.”
“I understand.”
“Ellie, did it scare you? Did you feel threatened?”
“No. Insulted, but not scared. But your mother explained how it could be threatening to me. I would just like to think that this is a single incident and not something that’s going to be bigger. He was just a rude man who now can’t carry out his business on Sinclair land.”
Elene shrugged and pecked Liam’s cheek, hoping that was the end of the discussion. When her stomach rumbled, Liam laughed and gestured for her to lead the way out of the alcove. They took their seats among their family as the meal began. Everyone spoke Gaelic as they joined the others, but they immediately switched to Norn. Elene understood they wanted her to feel included, but it embarrassed her when they accommodated just her. She didn’t want to inconvenience the others.
Mairghread, Tristan, Laird Liam, and the Sinclair brothers all spoke like native Orcadians, and the wives spoke near perfect Norn. It would have felt perfectly normal if it weren’t for the people at the lower tables staring at the Sinclairs and Mackays. Elene wanted to slide under the table. She was hardly fitting in when her lack of Gaelic drew so much attention.
“I don’t want your family to feel like they have to change to suit me. They should continue as they were. If they wish me to join the conversation, then they can use Norn.”
“We wish you to join in. That’s why they’re speaking Norn.”
“I just don’t feel comfortable with this much attention. Everyone is staring.” Liam watched as Elene's gaze darted to the clan members assembled for the evening meal. He nodded and looked to his mother, who sat to Elene’s right. Three seats down was Laird Liam. Tristan sat between his wife and father-by-marriage, a position of honor at the laird’s left hand. Callum sat to the laird’s right.
“Bhiodh mo bhean nas comhfhurtail nan leanadh a h-uile duine sa Ghàidhlig.” Liam told his family, “My wife would be more comfortable if everyone continued in Gaelic.”
With a few smiles flashed to Elene, the lairds’ families reverted to the Highlanders’ language. When a servant brought a platter with roast duck, Elene smiled at the offer.
“Liam, how do you say thank you?”
“Tapadh leat.”
Elene stumbled over the words, but the serving woman offered her a warm smile, acknowledging Elene’s effort. In return, the servant offered her, “S e do bheatha.”
Elene looked at Liam with confusion as the woman moved on. He explained, “That means ‘it’s your life.’ It’s our way of saying you’re welcome.” When Elene looked no less confused, Liam continued. “It’s like we’re saying that your life needed whatever the person did, so of course they helped.”
“That’s a rather beautiful sentiment. It shall take me a while to master it, but I will try.”
Liam rested his hand on her thigh and leaned to whisper so only she could hear. “It warms me to know you wish to learn even a little Gaelic. I shall teach you a few other phrases, but no one else needs to know you learned them.” He winked as he straightened. “Would you go for a walk after we finish? The sun shouldn’t set for a little while.”
“I’d like that.”
The meal continued with ease, and Elene relaxed. People switched to Norn when they wished to talk to her directly, but otherwise, she happily chatted with Liam and Mairghread quietly. After the meal, Liam guided her toward the keep’s massive, iron-studded wood doors. He placed his palm on the wood before he opened the door, then pointed to it.
“Doras.” When they stepped outside, Liam pointed to the steps. “Ceumannan.”
Elene attempted the new words, doing better than she expected. When they reached the top of the battlements, they held hands as they strolled to the eastern corner. From there, they had views of the loch and the cliffs beyond. Liam pointed to the setting sun.
“Grian. When the moon appears, that’sgealach. I think that’s enough for now, but if you’d like, I’ll teach you a little more each day.”
“Liam, why haven’t I met your brothers or your sister?” Elene had wondered about that the night they arrived, but then they’d barely seen any family for a sennight. She’d supposed Liam’s siblings might be busy during the day, but they weren’t at the evening meal.
“You haven’t met too many people because I’ve kept you locked away in our chamber where I’ve feasted on you every meal of the day.” Liam waggled his eyebrows. “Alec, Hamish, and our cousin Thormud are away hunting. They left the morning after we arrived. Do you remember the couple I pointed out? The lady with hair as white-blonde as Aunt Brighde, and the man who sounds English? Isabella and Dedric Hartley’s son, Kirk, is also with them. My sister, Ainsley, and Thormud’s twin, Rose, were already visiting our Sutherland cousins. Thormud’s and Rose’s younger sister, Shona, is with them. They should all return within a day or two. I think we will leave for Varrich within the sennight.”
“There are so many names to remember.” Elene grinned. “Is anyone in the Highlands not related to you?”
“One or two.” Liam chuckled. They turned to look down to the bailey when they heard children’s voices. Elene spoke to Katryne and Johan that morning, and she was happy to discover that between their Norn and the noble children’s Scots, they were all able to play together. The Sinclair children interpreted for the Isbisters, so they could play with the clan’s children who only spoke Gaelic.
Elene wished adults made friends so easily and cared so little for language barriers. While she and Liam were sequestered during their honeymoon, Mairghread and Liam’s aunts gladly welcomed the two younger Isbisters as though the children had always been part of their clan. Now Elene's lips twitched as she watched Katryne saying something to a child she believed belonged to Magnus and Deirdre. The girl turned around and scolded a village child in Gaelic.
“They seem to have worked out a system. They didn’t ignore whatever displeased Katryne.” Elene leaned forward to hear her sister, but she couldn’t make out anything specific. Katryne and the other girl linked arms and dashed away. “What will happen at Varrich when they don’t have your cousins to play with?”
