Page 44 of Highland Sky

Chapter Thirteen

After a quick bite to eat, Kellina went back to the wagon to get her thatching tools, accompanied by her sister. The skies had cleared up, and it was proving to be a beautiful day. Her sister walked with her as they took in the sights of the castle. It was far different than their little, broken camp. This was a place bustling with Scots, every one of them knowing their job and doing it without complaining.

In the bailey of the castle, the Gordons had small thatched-roof buildings that consisted of the mews, the kennels, the blacksmith’s shop, the stables, and more. They even had their own orchards, and fields of crops. Life here seemed so safe and happy. She was sure when they raised the drawbridge at night and lowered the portcullis, they had no fears of being attacked. Back at the MacKenzie camp, Kellina never got a good night’s rest. She felt as if they were always vulnerable, and that was a feeling she would never get used to.

“I like it here,” said Caitlin. “Everyone is so friendly. The castle is elegant, and they have no need for anythin’.”

“Aye, it’s nice, I agree. I could get used to livin’ like this.” Kellina looked at the outbuildings dotting her surroundings. They were all tidy, and everything was clean. There was no soot and ash or anything broken littering the area like back home.

Women of the clan kept busy cooking in the kitchen, or weaving or washing and mending clothes. She watched the falconer of the clan leave the mews with a beautiful red-tailed hawk on his arm. The clinking and clanking of the blacksmith’s hammer and anvil filled the air, making everything sound so busy. The kennel groom walked by with six dogs on leads, all barking because they saw a squirrel.

Shaw and Spring’s daughter, Colina, and her younger brother, Leith, were showing the other children how to not only shoot, but construct bows and arrows made from hickory and ash saplings. They’d told her earlier that Spring and their father had shown them how to do it not long ago. Shaw’s father had been a fletcher. Shaw had made bows and arrows as a child, learning the skill from the man.

Children ran around chasing a stray goat, while the older men of the clan gathered at the loch, fishing. Everyone seemed to love Shaw and Spring. Even Shaw’s lazy brother, Leod, had a lovable quality about him that made the children as well as the lassies follow him wherever he went.

“Jamie is makin’ his own bow and arrows, and he’s so excited about it,” said Caitlin. “I’m actually glad he sneaked into the wagon now. He’s smilin’ again, and that is somethin’ he hasna done in a long time. It’s nice to hear him laugh.”

“Now if only we could get Uncle and the rest of our clan to be happy like everyone is here,” commented Kellina.

“What about ye and Nash?” asked her sister. “Ye two dinna seem happy together at all. Are ye?”

“Caitlin, the reason I wanted ye to come with me to see the Gordons’ castle was because I wanted to confide in ye about somethin’.”

“Really?” Her eyes opened wide with excitement. “Sister, ye never confide in me.”

“I ken, and that’s wrong of me, and I am sorry. Ye are of marryin’ age now, Caitlin. Since we dinna have a mathair, I want to be here for ye. In case ye have any questions that need answerin’.”

They stopped just outside the stable, next to the wagon with their things.

“Oh, I’d like that. There is somethin’ I want to ken, and I hope ye can answer for me.”

“Of course. Anythin’. What is it, Sister?” asked Kellina.

Caitlin giggled, looked around and then leaned in and spoke in a hushed voice. “Can ye tell me how it feels to make love to a man?”

Kellina felt a knot forming in her stomach. “What?” she said, stalling, not knowing how to answer since she had never coupled. Right now, she would have gladly answered anything but this.

“Ye ken.” Caitlin looked around and giggled again. “I heard ye and Nash on yer weddin’ night, moaning and squealin’ and all. Was it as guid as it sounded? I’m sure with the handsome Nash MacKeefe, it was even better than I can imagine. Tell me, tell me, Sister. I have to ken everythin’ about it. How did ye do it, and how did ye feel? Was it really that guid?”

“Ye’d be surprised,” she said, not able to tell her sister now what she’d planned on confessing. She didn’t want to lie to her, but neither did she want to disappoint Caitlin by telling her that she was married and, yet, still chaste. Her sister would be horrified to know how naughty Kellina had been. Just thinking about the excitement she’d felt and the height of her peak as she’d found her release had her feeling lusty all over again. Not coupling with Nash was worse than if she’d coupled with a man before she’d married. Oh, what was she to do?

“I hope someday I’m as lucky as ye, Kellina, to find someone as handsome and as guid in bed as Nash MacKeefe.”

“Caitlin,” yelled Jamie, sounding excited. “Come see what I’m doin’. Ye can make yer own bow and arrows, too.” He held up an arrow made from a stick, waving it over his head.

“Oh, I’d love to learn that.” She looked over to Kellina, but didn’t move. “I’m sorry, Sister. What was it ye wanted to confide in me about?”

“Oh, it’s nothin’,” said Kellina, trying to make light of the situation. “Why dinna ye join Jamie and have some fun?”

“Ye come with me. Please. We can do it together,” her sister begged.

“Nay, I canna, I’m sorry. I’m goin’ to be busy repairin’ roofs that dinna really need it.”

“What?” Caitlin made a face. “Then why are ye doin’ it? That makes no sense at all.”

“I’m doin’ it in exchange for the thatch that the Gordons will give us.”

“They said they’d give it to ye for free. Take them up on the offer and then ye’ll have time to make bows and arrows.”