“Aye, I was amazed at how much Thomas can eat at every meal. Thomas eats as much or more than my father.” They both laughed and sauntered back to her home.
Cailean cupped her face in his hands and tenderly kissed her before they entered the forge. “I love ye, Elayne.”
“I love ye, Cailean. I look forward to seeing ye tomorrow morning.”
Cailean invited her father to their betrothal feast the next evening. “The laird had requested to meet with us in the morning to discuss arrangements with the elders for the Grant clan. I will return to escort Elayne to the castle to meet with the laird.”
“Aye, I imagine ye have much to discuss and set in motion. We all look forward to celebrating yer betrothal tomorrow evening. Congratulations Elayne. I am so happy for ye.” Cailean kissed Elayne’s hand and gazed at her with longing before leaving the forge. Elayne accompanied Mrs. Logan inside thehouse to talk before dinner. Later, Elayne washed and changed into a dress and helped prepare the meal. While they worked, she explained what had transpired and that her identity had remained a secret because of her diligence and self-imposed isolation in the Cameron clan.
After dinner was prepared, Elayne walked into the garden, which delighted her. She was thrilled to find that the male and female goats had two babies early this year while she was gone. The heather shimmered in the afternoon sun and its fragrance floated on the breeze. Her father sought her out in the garden's privacy and asked how the Cameron's laird and clan had treated her.
“They treated me well, Papa, considering that they kent me as a lad. I had my room among the servants, so I could keep my privacy and identity secret. Although I dinna ken what would have happened if they learned I was a woman. I am most grateful to ye for all yer training and teachings so I could use the skills ye taught me to free Cailean and his warriors, avoiding war and bloodshed. I shudder to think what could have happened if they remained prisoners.”
“I am grateful ye are back home and safe and that ye were nae harmed. I wanted to come free ye but was concerned that we would jeopardize yer safety and welfare further.”
“I tried to negotiate a shorter period with the laird, but I am fortunate he agreed to six months of work in exchange for the freedom of seven men. When he saw my workmanship, he kent he could make more money off me in six months than waiting for our laird to secure the high ransom he was going to demand. I believe his son captured Cailean and his men and did not truly ken who he had captured. I ken his father was embarrassed by his son’s actions, but when he realized the error, it was alreadytoo late. So he sought to make a profit for his clan. I worked from sunrise to sunset every day and could nae ride or leave the castle. I ate my meals in the great hall but kept to myself to hide my identity.”
“Ye labored at great sacrifice to free the laird’s son and his warriors. Does the laird now ken what ye did for him and the clan?”
“Aye, when Cailean announced our betrothal and me as Lady Grant, he told them the hours, days, and months I labored in order to free the men and avoid war.”
Her father hugged her again. “I always kent ye were a brave and courageous lass when ye walked into the castle without tears the day ye arrived, barely five years old. Do ye still wear the ring of yer father around yer neck?”
“Thank ye, Father. I wear the signet ring of my father, although only recently I discovered it belonged to the laird of the Grant clan. If I had known, perhaps I could have spared Cailean from visiting there to determine my identity.”
“It was a sacrifice he was willing to make. In retrospect, an important journey for him to make alone to assess the clan himself. Cailean needed to ascertain the political climate to determine if ye would be safe if ye returned. He forged new bonds that will help ye in the future as ye lead yer clan. Mrs. Logan and I, and Thomas, too, would happily journey to see ye established or any time ye need us to come.”
“Thank ye, Father. Come, let us go eat, for I’m sure ye and Thomas are hungry for yer dinner after yer hard work today.”As they ate together, Elayne asked about what had happened in her absence and what Thomas currently worked on.
“I want to show ye the swords and dirks I made. I can make horseshoes, nails, and many tools now. It will take me a long time to be as great a blacksmith as yer father or ye though. I am grateful for everything ye taught me. I have new ideas to talk to ye about for the summer fair. There will be more clans attending than last year since Cailean secured alliances for the clan.”
“I would love to talk to ye about yer ideas. It will be well attended and present a greater opportunity to make a lot of coin. Mrs. Logan, what are ye working on this year to sell?”
“I have sewed and embroidered pillowcases, ladies’ handkerchiefs, and knitted baby blankets. When ye have time, I will show ye.”
“I will need to have many dresses made to bring with me to fulfill my role as laird. Cailean will arrange for the castle’s seamstress to work on my wardrobe for my wedding, the summer games, and afterward.” Addressing Mrs. Logan, she said, “I would love for ye to come with me and help with designs for my dresses and yers. Ye have an expert eye for design and style, and ye ken what I like. Papa, ye and Thomas will need to meet with the seamstress. Ye need new clothes for the wedding and the dinners in the great hall at the summer games and fair.”
Thomas said, “It sounds like we will be even busier than we were last year getting ready for yer wedding and the summer fair.” They all laughed, recognizing the truth in what he said. Elayne’s time was no longer her father’s or her own, for now she had obligations to Cailean and his family and in preparing to welcome elders from her clan. They finished their dinner, and Mrs. Logan and Thomas showed her the designs they had made and asked her for her recommendations.
“These are wonderful, and I ken they will sell well at the market. Ye have vastly improved yer eye for detail, Thomas,under my father’s watchful eye and patient teaching. Ye need to make many more lanterns. Plenty of the warriors bought lanterns to use in their tents last year. Those returning will look to purchase more. Those here for the first time will also buy.”
Thomas nodded in agreement.
“We can use a wagon wheel with a length of chain to make a hanging lantern this year for a new design. We could make many dirks, but with an insignia of the games. What do ye think, Papa? Do ye think the men would like a trophy of the games, even if not the champion of the event?”
“Aye, they will. We will need to make several designs and discuss them with the laird.”
“I cannot help ye tomorrow, but after that, I hope I can return to the forge to help ye prepare for the summer market.”
“What does yer betrothed say about ye working in the forge?” her father asked her soberly.
“Cailean supports my working in the forge, as time allows for my duties and responsibilities. He said he wilna allow me to work to the point of exhaustion, and he wants to dine with his wife every night.” Mrs. Logan smiled at her response. Cailean was a kind, thoughtful, and understanding man, and he understood Elayne’s need to contribute her skills and talents for the benefit of the clan.
The next morning, Cailean escorted Elayne to meet with the laird. Together, they drafted the letter with their questions to the elders of Clan Grant as well as inviting them for Cailean and Elayne’s wedding in two weeks’ time. Elayne asked the laird what he thought about commissioning engraved dirks as trophies for the summer games for warriors to purchase. Laird MacPherson favored the idea.
For the first time, Elayne ate lunch in the great hall beside Cailean at the high table. She could tell by Cailean’s attentiveness that he was proud to have her seated beside him. After lunch, Elayne met with Mrs. Logan, Cailean’s mother, and the seamstress who would work on her wedding gown after taking Elayne’s measurements. The ladies selected fabrics for the creation of other gowns she would need.
After several hours, Elayne and Mrs. Logan returned to the forge so they could prepare for the feast. Cailean would later escort Elayne to their betrothal feast. Mrs. Logan helped her to dress and fix her hair. She had a coronet of small braids, with the rest of her hair loose and flowing down her back and past her hips.
