“I agree with that,” Duncan said as he shoved Agatha up on his horse then mounted behind her. “Laird, ye best not challenge yer lady to a shootin’ match. No sure ye would win.”
“Oh, aye, I think ye could be correct, Duncan.” Roderick pulled Siena back against him. “She might best me with the bow and arrows.”But she was still a woman, he thought andneededhis protection.
* * *
As the sunlowered in the sky, the lower bailey began to come alive as the clan members gathered in groups laughing and drinking as they waited for the pigs to be done.
The children were kicking a ball and chasing after it. Giggling filled the air, making everyone smile.
With the lighthearted mood, she didn’t feel like an outsider tonight. People were not turning away from her as they once had when she first arrived. The men were all talking in groups, laughing and slapping each other on the back. Kegs of whisky had been carried outside so that everyone could drink and enjoy themselves.
The roasting boars smelled wonderful as she walked beside Roderick who paused to talk to a few of his men. The soldiers raised cups of ale to her for providing the meat.
Fergus was grinning from ear to ear. He brushed the ale off his red beard and held his cup up. “I think the lass needs one more toast. To the lass who has bested all of us in huntin’, probably why the laird married her, so we’d always have food on the table.
Siena bowed her head. “Thank you, Fergus for the high praise. I assure you I was merely lucky today.”
Siena held Roderick’s hand as they moved down the path. “It is a good thing we went real early this morning for the herbs, so they had time to roast the pig.”
“Aye. We also split the boar down the middle so it will cook faster and with our days growing longer that has also helped the feast.”
They stopped at a place on the hill and spread their blankets where others had done the same. There was a huge tree blocking them from the others, so it offered a little privacy. “Is this a good place?” she asked.
“Aye,” Roderick said. He sat down leaning against the thick tree trunk, and then he pulled Siena in front of him so she could lean back against him. “Watch the hill.” He pointed. “’Tis time for the fires.”
The hill in the distance could be seen clearly in the setting sun. Suddenly, two large fires burst orange and red until the flames were leaping high in the air. She gasped. She wasn’t sure what she had expected, but it sure wasn’t such a big fire. The clan members cheered. She wondered what the fires meant.
“I hear cows,” Siena said. And sure, enough in the distance, she saw the herd marching up the hill single file.
“Aye. ’Tis time to lead the herd to summer pastures, but before they can be led into the field there has to be a rite of purification.”
“I don’t understand.”
“The coos will walk between the two fires.” He pointed at the hill. “I should say they will be herded between the two fires because they would no go willingly.”
She loved to hear his accent when he said cows, but she still didn’t understand. “Why? Isn’t it dangerous for the animals?”
“Dinna worry, lass. There is plenty of room for the animals. The white coos will walk between the two fires and `twill singe their fur turning them brown. Therefore, it will signal they have moved from winter to summer.”
Siena started laughing. “You made that up.”
“Nay, I’ve seen it done many times since I was a wee bairn. We’ve many rituals and superstitions here.”
“I believe you.” She turned so that she could see him. He propped up a leg so she could lean against it and face him while they talked. “And things I never have thought possible do happen.” She reached into her pouch and pulled out the small piece of white heather.
“Ah, wull. Here’s proof. ’Tis said to be verra lucky that if ye take white heather into battle then ye’ll no lose yer fight.”
“Well, when I picked the sprig,” she paused and gathered her courage before she continued, “I heard Michael ask when he was going to see his father.” She grabbed Roderick’s arms. “I believe Michael is alive, but I don’t know where he is.”
For a few minutes, Roderick didn’t say anything. He appeared stunned. And this from a man who never showed any emotion. “Ah, lass. I want it to be true and can only hope that ye’ll find my son.”
Since they were secluded by the big tree. Roderick enfolded Siena in his arms and gently kissed her. Then he deepened the kiss and kissed her hungrily. His tongue coaxing her lips open so he could taste all of her sweetness. His tongue stroked and mated with hers until he felt her tremble in his arms. It took all of his willpower to not go any further.
For a long moment she felt as if she were floating. The kiss was exhilarating, but they were at a celebration, so she pulled back. “Keep the heather until we find Michael.”
After the bonfire merry making they made their way back to the keep, they smiled at each other. “I think everyone is enjoyingBeltane.”
“Aye, they are. ’Tis always nice to have winter behind us and you made it special, lass, with the two boars. They have never had that much meat at one time.”
