“Would ye share a whiskey?” William offered.
“Aye, thank ye, a whiskey would be most welcome.” Cailean followed him into the kitchen and greeted Mrs. Logan and gave her the bouquet intended for Elayne.
“Thank ye for the flowers.”
William gave him a generous pour of whiskey in a cup and took one for himself. Mrs. Logan set out bowls of stew for the two men for lunch.
“Cailean came to see Elayne, but her unexpected departure to visit family surprised him,” William explained to Mrs. Logan.
“Do ye ken the name of the woman who claimed to ken Elayne and her parents?” Cailean asked.
“Nae, I do nae recall. But Lady MacPherson may ken of more relatives if one wrote to her.” Their discussion reminded William of the necklace and the ring Elayne wore around her neckwhen she arrived to the clan. He had hidden it for safekeeping, concerned that if discovered, she would be in danger.
“I find it strange she left ye a note, months later, after this woman left. Did Elayne receive correspondence from this woman?” He made a note to ask Bessie later.
“Nae, she did nae receive any letters that we were aware of. She did nae put much store in what she said. Elayne told me, ‘All my family were murdered. I can’t change what happened to them or to me.’”
The men ate the delicious stew and warm bread, during which Mrs. Logan shared more with Cailean. “Elayne followed yer journey and worked many days with Bessie while ye were away, making candles and soaps for the castle. At the same time, Elayne worked diligently in the forge to create items to sell at the fair. Ye should have seen the tin lanterns with candles she made, and flint, horseshoes, nails, and her oilskin pouches. Everything she made was in high demand, with many remarking on the superior craftsmanship.
“The laird bought the sword she crafted and awarded it to the champion in the sword competition at the games. Many warriors admired her workmanship. Elayne saved her money to buy fabric to make a new gown, which she hoped to wear to the winter solstice dance and celebration this year. She missed ye, Cailean.” It was the only small comfort she could share with him.
Cailean finished his meal and thanked William and Mrs. Logan.
“Yer pen is great. Elayne wanted to thank ye for the goats. Thomas enjoys milking the female as it reminds him of his home on a farm. The garden has been productive, and with themeat Elayne and Thomas shot, we smoked plenty for the winter months. Thank ye, Cailean.”
“Aye, thank ye for the work ye did,” William said. “The animals and garden brought joy to Elayne every day while ye were gone.”
Cailean nodded. “I am happy to help ye and the others in the clan. Ye do so much for those in the clan every day. Thank ye for the fine lunch. Will ye let me ken if ye hear from Elayne?”
“Aye, we will.”
Cailean left the house and greeted Thomas. “I am pleased to meet ye, Thomas. Elayne told me what an excellent apprentice ye are. She was proud of yer work.”
Thomas grinned, happy Elayne was proud of his skills and that she had shared it with the laird’s son.
“Thank ye. I am happy to ken ye.”
“I am keen for any news of Elayne. Should ye receive any, let me ken.”
Thomas nodded and resumed hammering the sword. He knew he’d deceived Cailean through omission, but he kent what would happen if Elayne’s secret came to light. It was not his secret to divulge. Thomas missed Elayne, who had been a good and patient teacher, and they’d had fun when they hunted and fished. She was like a sister to him and made living away from his family easier. Still, it hurt to see the sorrow reflected in Cailean’s face. It was the same sorrow he had seen mirrored on Elayne’s face before she left to rescue Cailean and his men.
Cailean strode purposefully to the castle’s kitchens in search of Bessie. He found her, busy in preparing dinner and baking bread. He picked her up in his arms and swung her around ina bear hug. She giggled like a young lass. “Cailean, I’m happy ye are home, safe and sound. I heard great things about yer accomplishments with the alliances ye made.”
“Aye, I secured many contracts that will be good for the clans. How have ye been, Bessie?”
She made him tea and served him an apple tart. Bessie not-ed he appeared tense. “As ye ken, I was tremendously busy getting prepared for the summer fair, with many visitors to feed. Lots of preparations were needed for the feasts and the expected guests. We had to prepare for winter too. Elayne worked with me numerous days from before sunrise to sunset, helping me make candles and soap. She worked hard to help her father and Mrs. Logan make items to sell at the market.”
“Aye, I can imagine. Thank ye for the tea and tart, Bessie. Nae one’s tarts can compare to yers. Have ye talked to or seen Elayne recently?”
“Nae, I have nae seen her. Have ye been to see her?”
“Aye, I tried to see her, but she is nae home.” He directed his gaze deep into her eyes.
“I ken how disappointed ye must be to have missed her, but she should return soon from hunting or the village.”
“Elayne is nae hunting nor in the village. She is nae in the clan at all. Elayne left after the Cameron’s captured my men and me and took us to their dungeons. Her father said she left to visit family. But she dinna ken any family. My father and hers told me of a woman who visited during the summer fair and claimed to have known her mother and Elayne when she was a bairn. Did she say anything about it? Do ye ken where she is?”
Bessie appeared shocked, and her face turned ashen. Cailean thought she kent Elayne had left. Grabbing whiskey from the counter, he poured her a cup of whiskey and one for himself.
