17
As the village came into sight, it occurred to Katherine that she had never had this much fun with her own sister before. Romilly had always been so immersed in their father’s lessons and schemes that Katherine could not remember the last time they’d had any fun together. Now, it seemed, she had found a surrogate older sister in the form of Laird Alex’s wife. What a peculiar thing that was! Who could have predicted it?
Not Katherine, certainly. She knew she could never have foreseen any of this. Most of all, she could not have imagined herself feeling so happy and free while among these so-called “enemies of her clan.”
When they stopped in the main square of the village and tied up their horses, Katherine could not help but notice that the townsfolk stared at her with the same suspicion and distrust they’d displayed during her previous visit. She chose to ignore it.
To her surprise, Isla did not.
“Och, I am astonished at ye, friends!” Isla addressed the villagers loudly, her mouth twisted in a sardonic half-smile. “In all my time among ye, I have known ye tae be friendly,considerate, welcoming people. Yet here ye stand, being terribly rude tae one who has been accepted into our fold by none other than Laird Alex himself. Tae say nothing of his bride, and the Captain of his Guard!”
Katherine blushed a deep scarlet, wishing that Isla had not chosen to make an issue of it. Nevertheless, she was touched that her new friend was so intent on defending her, and she could not help but notice that Isla’s words were having an effect on them. Their expressions were softening, and their eyes were tinged with remorse and shame.
“This lass has given up everything tae help us,” Isla went on. “She has agreed tae do whatever it takes tae ensure that her people dinnae threaten our lands again. She has sacrificed more than any of ye can ever imagine, and I’ll nae stand here and allow ye tae make her feel like an unwanted outsider!”
The people stopped gawping and scowling. Most of them went on their separate ways, while a few among them even took a few steps toward Katherine and mumbled apologies before departing.
“There, ye see?” Isla asked, smiling at Katherine. “The Oliphants are a lovely and accepting people, truly. Every so often, they just need a bit of a shove in the right direction.”
As they continued to walk, Katherine noticed that the children of the clan were gazing at her—not with hostility, but with open curiosity, and even a touch of awe. The younger girls of the village seemed particularly intrigued.
“From what I’ve heard,” Isla confided quietly, “word has spread among the wee lasses that ye are a dab hand at sewing dresses and the like. No doubt they’re hoping ye’ll show them a thing or two. Do ye feel up tae it?”
“Aye, as a matter of fact, I do,” Katherine answered happily. “Do ye suppose they would mind if I gave them a few lessons in the town square?”
“One way tae find out, eh?”
The two women produced the cloth and sewing kits from the bags they’d brought along, and Katherine took a seat near the well at the center of the village. Within a few minutes, the children began to gather around her tentatively. Some of them gave questioning looks to their parents, who hesitated slightly, then glanced at Isla and nodded their approval. Some seemed to do so against their better judgment.
But they still did, all the same, and Katherine was touched.
They may not trust me fully yet, Katherine thought,but they certainly seem tae trust Isla, and that’s a start.They’re giving me a chance tae win them over.
Over the next two hours, Katherine demonstrated her best dress patterns to the children, helping them patiently as they tried to duplicate them individually with different fabrics. A few of them even found clever ways to customize these styles, and Katherine applauded their ingenuity.
By the time everyone had finished, each lass had at least one new garment to proudly show off to their parents.
Katherine looked over at Isla, who smiled and raised an eyebrow as if to say,See? They’re not such a bad lot once they’ve gotten a chance tae know ye.
Eventually, suppertime arrived, and the girls were called away by their mothers so they could wash up and help with the serving. All of them thanked Katherine for showing them how to sew new dresses, and a few of them even hugged her before scurrying off to their homes. These gestures deeply touched Katherine, and she found herself blinking back tears.
“Ye seem tae have impressed them tremendously,” a familiar voice croaked happily.
Katherine turned and smiled at Fiona, embracing her warmly. “How long have ye been standing there?”
“Och, I saw the whole blessed thing,” the old woman laughed, returning the hug and patting Katherine on the shoulder. “I stood away a bit, so I wouldnae interrupt or distract ye. ‘Twas a lovely sight, though, watching ye teach them. They’ll be playing with those patterns of yers for weeks tae come, I shouldn’t wonder!”
“I certainly hope so,” Katherine giggled.
Fiona offered a slow and creaky curtsy to Isla, who returned the gesture. “‘Tis been quite some time since I’ve had the pleasure of seeing ye, my lady.”
“The pleasure is entirely mine, Fiona,” Isla replied. “Have ye been well?”
The old woman shook her head wistfully. “We’re none of us doing as well as we might, my lady, now that we’ve had tae take in so many of our neighbors whose homes were destroyed by the McGregors. Meaning no offense,” she added to Katherine.
“None taken, I assure ye,” Katherine assured her earnestly. “I am mortified by the actions of my kinsmen, and have pledged tae do all that I can tae make the violence cease.”
“Aye, I’d heard something tae that effect.” Fiona searched Katherine’s eyes to gauge her sincerity, and nodded, clearly pleased with what she saw there. “Good. With ye on our side, we might just have a chance tae avoid bloodshed. For now, though, come with me. Let’s get some supper in ye, shall we?”
