Elayne closed her eyes, lost in the sudden memories of that night. “I smelled the acrid smoke and saw the ashes in the sky. Everyone was shouting, fighting, or crying.” She shivered at the memories.
Opening her eyes, she focused on the ground. “It was the last I ever saw my parents, my little brother, or my home. I don’t know where I’m from or my real name. My father—the man who has looked after me ever since—was alone and took me in and cared for me. So I am very grateful to him for his love and care, but every so often, I remember my mother’s face.”
Cailean pulled her to him and embraced her. “I’m sorry, Elayne. I thought ye had been born in this clan. It is awful what happened to ye and yer clan. Yer father doesna ken where ye were taken from?”
“I dinna think so. He never talks about it. Perhaps the laird knows where the people who were forced to flee their homes came from. I am lucky to have the father I do. Mrs. Logan, a young widow in the village, cares for us, cooks dinner, washes, and mends our clothes in return for money. My father says my time is more valuable working for him than cooking or cleaning. Mrs. Logan has been kind and like a mother to me.”
Elayne’s revelations left Cailean with many questions and thoughts. “Thank ye for sharing with me, lass. Let’s go riding and fishing tomorrow if ye like?”
“Aye, thank ye. I’d like to do what ye would like. There are many things I have never done. And I wish to learn. I have never shot a bow, gone hunting, or been to a dance.”
“We will do as many as possible. I’m happy to teach ye. Do ye ken how to dance?”
“Nae. Nae one ever taught me. I never had a nice enough dress to wear to any dance.”
Her comments gave him pause as he thought about what she said. He recognized from her thoughtful comments that he needed more interaction with his clansmen, nae just the warriors. “Come.” Cailean held out his hand to her. “Let’s ride again if ye like.” He gathered their things, hoisted Elayne onto the horse, and leaped up behind her. Cailean kneed Night into a canter. Elayne enjoyed the rest of the afternoon wrapped in Cailean’s strong arms and his captivating masculine scent.
After their ride, he lifted her off his horse again and reluctantly watched her walk away from him and through the village. Cailean raced his horse in the meadow beyond the village and kept Elayne in sight as she walked through the gate to the castle.
Where did she live in the keep? Only a handful of merchants lived there. Cailean needed to find out soon.
Later that evening, at dinner, he asked his father about the time that Elayne had described.
“Father, I heard that over ten years ago, during clan wars, a nearby clan had been attacked, and their castle set afire.”
“Aye, since when haven’t there been clan wars? I hope to prevent that by yer work and our future alliances.”
“I understand what is at stake, Father, and I will do my best. I have business ideas; if the others agree, that could benefit our clan. But what of the clan I just mentioned? What clan were they? What happened to them?”
“The laird, his lady, and their family were all killed. Members of their clan suffered the same fate unless they were lucky enough to run away, and still others were taken prisoner. We saved those we could and brought surviving clan members here. The survivors are grateful for the opportunity to live here and flourish. I saw the devastation myself and will never forget it. My men and I buried the bodies ourselves. The attack stands as a testimony to the folly and greed of men.”
“What clan was it?”
“The Grant clan was attacked and set on fire.”
“Ye said the laird and his family died in the battle and fire. How many children did he have?”
“That I couldn’t say. Warriors found an injured small boy holding onto his mother, with his father’s body nearby. As if he had tried to reach them even though mortally wounded. I was saddened and sickened by the sight. It filled me with disgust at those who had done this. It is one reason I stepped up training and made it more relentless and intensive. I never want to see it ever again. Especially not in my clan.”
“Battle between trained soldiers is one thing, but killing innocent women and children is totally different,” Cailean agreed. “But I heard children from the Grant clan were adopted here. How many of those were there?”
“I’m nae sure. I would need the steward to search through the castle records. Families took the children, and they moved away to other clans. A few children remained here. But I do not remember more. Ye can ask the steward to check for ye when he has the time. After ye return from yer duties in the fall, he may have the answers ye seek.”
“Do ye recall the names of the laird and his lady?”
“They were James and Catherine Grant. A handsome and good laird, he was known to be honorable, hospitable, and charitable, and his generous wife was well-loved, a kind-hearted beauty.
“It was such a tragedy. I wish we could have arrived in time to prevent their enemies from setting fire to the castle and taking the Grants’ lives. It is one of my regrets in life. By the time the messenger arrived, it was already too late to save them. We were fighting our own wars with other clans then too. It was a sad time for all. I’m glad we could save some, but I wished we’d saved more.”
“I ken it was devastating and a tragedy.” Cailean’s thoughts turned to a scared little barefoot girl dragged away by that devastation from her home and family. “I will ask the steward for more information. Mayhap we can help them even more now, along with others in our clan.”
*
The next day, Elayne awakened early, eager to start her day and chores. After talking to Cailean, her plans for her family and her clan had expanded. She was determined to get more chickens and goats and to enlarge their garden to have a greater variety of plants. Elayne felt a compelling need to help others. Now, with fresh determination after her discussion with Cailean, she could take action to help them and improve their conditions. But she would not give up on her goal of having one beautiful dress for herself.
Mrs. Logan arrived late in the morning and showed Elayne the material she had found for two new work dresses. “I’m sorry, lass, I ken how much ye wanted a pretty dress, but this is all I could find. There’s no fine material at the market yet. We have to wait until the summer fair. I will keep looking. These willlook nice on ye though. Do ye want them like yer current work dresses? Would ye like a ruffle here?”
“Thank ye. I appreciate ye could find this much fabric for two new dresses. Thank ye for continuing to look for pretty fabric. Someday I hope to have a dress I can dance in and not be ashamed of my appearance.”
