“Aye, I ken, but I wish for ye to continue to shoulder those responsibilities for the clan. If we need to change it later, we can discuss it, but the men already know ye and trust ye. Since the guests will retire early, I hope we can have an early night.”
“Aye, I have in mind to barter ye for yer kisses this eve after dinner.”
“Ye nae need to barter for my kisses, Cailean. My kisses are free for ye.”
“I have a few wicked ideas to engage in with ye, wife.”
Elayne arched her brow in speculation at her husband. “Ye? Ye could never be wicked, husband.”
“Ye may think differently later when I ask ye for yer favors.” Cailean teased, and kissed her lips, using his tongue to ignite her desires. He wanted her to burn for him the way he did for her. “Come, we must leave to join my family in the great hall.”
“I look forward to introducing ye as the laird of the Grant Clan to the lairds and their ladies. It will be priceless to see their reactions. If it becomes too painful for ye when they ask yequestions about what happened to yer parents, let me ken. If ye become too fatigued, I will escort ye back to our chamber.”
“Aye, I will.”
Cailean escorted his beautiful wife to the great hall. “Have I told ye how stunning ye look tonight, my love?”
“Nae until now. Ye are handsome, husband.”
A mixture of emotions crossed the faces of the lairds and ladies when Cailean introduced his wife. It was an amazing tale that may have been hard for some to believe. But as they spoke to Elayne, her modesty, genuine caring, and charm won them over. She enjoyed her interactions with the lairds and their ladies.
Many lairds commented on the commemorative dirks, which they sported on their belts. The ladies remarked on the linens, soaps, candles, and lanterns they had already purchased. The couple received invitations to visit the other clans. Many lairds already were well acquainted with Cailean. The lairds were happy he would support his wife as the new laird of the Grant clan.
There was merry feasting and drinking in the great hall. Cailean and Elayne snuck away to their chamber afterward to finish what they had started before dinner. Passion consumed them, and soon their clothes were torn off and flung to the floor in their haste.
Cailean and Elayne arose before dawn the next morning and broke their fast before assuming their duties and responsibilities. Cailean left to train and warm up before the sword fighting games began. Elayne returned to the forge and helped prepare their tables with the wares, tools, and weapons for sale. She greeted her father, Mrs. Logan, and Thomas, happyto be reunited. With Mrs. Logan in the courtyard, Elayne worked on embroidery.
Soon, the courtyard filled with the smells, sounds, and sights of people awakening and beginning their tasks for the day. Lads led cows and goats into the barns to be milked. Chickens squawked and scattered as people walked by, and tantalizing smells of food cooking permeated the air. More people sauntered through the sellers’ stalls and purchased items for themselves, family members, or their clan. Later, children raced across the courtyard, shouting and laughing on their way to see the games.
Elayne strolled among the merchants and explored their merchandise. Later, she assessed the wares of the new merchants who had arrived. She returned to the rug merchant, disappointed to learn they’d sold the blue rug she loved. There weren’t any with the same colors. Elayne watched the women spinning wool on their spinning wheels into balls of yarn to be used to weave tartans, blankets, and other items. Infinitely curious, Elayne inquired of one of the older women of a different clan who had a kind smile, “How many balls of yarn do ye need to weave a blanket? How long does it take to weave?”
“It depends on the design and how many colors ye need for yer tartan. It is faster if ye are only using one or two colors. I can weave a blanket of two colors in a couple of days. Have ye ever woven any cloth?”
“Nae, I’m a blacksmith. That has taken time to learn and master. There’s much to master in yer trade. I ask so that I ken what my clan will need in the future. I am Elayne, the new laird for the Grant clan. I havna been there since I was a bairn and am concerned about the supplies I need for my clan to be prepared for the winter months.”
“I am Catherine. That is wonderful, my lady. I ken ye will do much good in supporting the people of yer clan. Ye have an advantage few lairds and ladies have, since ye have undoubtedly worked hard yer entire life and understand the challenges that other working people face. What is yer favorite color?”
“My mother’s name was Catherine.” Elayne smiled at the woman. “I like many colors but am entranced by lovely blue colors. I want to surprise my husband with a blanket for our new home. The colors remind me of the loch, which is a special place for us. I wanted him to have something to remind him of his home, as he is leaving his clan to journey with me to the Grant clan.”
“Yer husband will appreciate yer thoughtful and warm gift. When were ye married, my lady? If ye pick out the colors ye like, I can weave ye a blanket for ye to take with ye. My friend who lives here has a loom in her home. I can use it to weave the blanket for ye by the end of the fair. For the blanket and the yarn, it will cost two pieces of silver. After ye inspect it and ensure it’s what ye had in mind, ye can pay me.”
“Ye can? That would be wonderful! Cailean and I have been married for a couple of weeks.” Elayne searched through the yarn and selected many balls of complementary colors, the main one being a bright cerulean blue. “When I see the loch in my mind, I see it surrounded by the green hills, wildflowers, and pine forests.”
“What do ye think about green edging?”
“Aye, I think it would look lovely.”
“What about these colors together?” The weaver picked out skeins of yarn in two shades of green.
“Aye, I like these together, and it looks manly and I ken he would like it. Cailean loves the outdoors—hunting, fishing, swimming. Especially he enjoys looking at the stars in the sky at night. He taught me about navigating by the constellations.” Elayne smiled with a dreamy look as she related to the worldly older woman.
“I can tell ye are in love with yer husband. Ye are fortunate to find love. I have a distant cousin in the Grant clan and I occasionally visit her. I will stop by to see ye when I visit, and perhaps I can weave ye anything else ye need.”
“Thank ye for all yer help and willingness to weave a blanket as I described.” Elayne thought for a moment. “I enjoy embroidery, and ye just gave me an idea for embroidery on a pillowcase. I will see ye in the next couple of days. Please stop by the blacksmith’s table, who is my father, if ye have time. I am going now to watch my husband fight with swords at the games.” Elayne blushed, thinking about her handsome husband and watching his muscles flex and tighten.
The ladies bid each other farewell. At the field where the games were held, Elayne searched for Cailean until she found him standing under a pine, flexing his shoulders to prepare for his match against another warrior.
On the field, banners flapped in the breeze as if waving a greeting. To Elayne, it was thrilling to see her husband fight, compelling to see him compete and excel in his matches, easily overcoming his challengers. She shouted and cheered for Cailean exuberantly before, during, and after each match. His gaze locked onto hers right before he engaged each opponent. He felt gratification That his wife enjoyed watching him compete and win against worthy opponents.
