Page 69 of Bride of the Wicked Laird
Aileen clasped her in a firm hug. “I would love that, Davina.” She thrust a square of linen into her hand. “Now wipe away yer tears, bring yerclàrsachtae the hearth and entertain me with yer lilting tunes. ‘Twill be me delight.”
Davina took her seat by the fire, placing theclàrsachon her knee. For the next while, until the maids brought them a midday meal of cheese, bannocks and cold chicken, both Davina and Aileen were lost to the lilting music.
Davina rested theclàrsach, her heart beating in time with the soft rhythms her fingers had played. Now was the time to ask Aileen to reveal the mysteries of lovemaking.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Everard ignored the grumbling members of the Clan Council as they took their seats in the feasting hall. He’d welcomed them with a handshake and a smile before Maxwell escorted each of them to their seats. Plentiful jugs of ale stood on the table.
He was pleased to see Fergus from Vatersay. At least there was one friendly face among them.
Starting with an apology for having recalled them so soon after their previous meeting, he was rewarded with at least a few approving growls, although there were still those who sat with grim-faced and arms folded.
Where tae begin?
He’d not mentioned the presence of Mistress Davina at Kiessimul, having kept his previous meeting focused on theissues with trade, Alistair MacDougall and Hugo MacRae’s mission to France.
“I’ll start this meeting with a story. After me meeting on the Isle of Mull with MacDougall, with the help of me crew, I rescued a young lass from drowning. Tae cut a very long story short, I extended hospitality tae the lass and she’s been with us at Kiessimul ever since, assisting our healer.”
“Why dae we need tae hear this, Everard?” One of the frowning grey-hairs asked. “Is there some point tae this?”
Everard forced a grin, and gestured with his hand. “In good time. I have much more tae tell ye before the point of the tale is reached.”
He continued, relating the events that had led to the Council meeting: Davina’s escape from the Priory where she’d spent her years from the age of eleven and her lost memory. All of this he mentioned, keeping the order of the events that had led to her encounter with Dùghall MacKinnon, and, finally, the terrible drama that unfolded after Davina went alone to the midwife’s house in the village, ending with the death of Murchadh MacKinnon’s men and his struggle with the MacKinnon.
The Council listened in silence as he relayed the details to them, but now, as he drew the story to a close, he was assailed with a babble of voices.
One of the men from the north of Barra hammered his large fist on the table for attention and got to his feet.
“It seems this lass is the source of a possible clash with Clan MacKinnon. Ye’ve told us little of who she is, only that she’s a convent-raised lass. Can ye nay pack her up and send her tae MacKinnon?”
Maxwell, who’d been leaning against the wall behind Everard, keeping his eyes on the Council members, stepped forward and spoke for the first time.
“And let MacKinnon finish what he’d started? Murder the lass? Were ye nae listening tae what me braither told ye?”
The man sat, shaking his head, and another man raised his hand.
“What have ye found out about this lass? Ye’ve nay told us who she is and why it is that MacKinnon was hunting her on Barra.”
Everard stood. “The point of the story, is that the lass we are keeping safe now at Kiessimul, is the daughter of MacKinnon’s late wife. It seems that her birth resulted from infidelity. MacKinnon wishes to rid himself of the sight of her and the constant reminder she brings of his cuckolding.”
Everard heard muttered expletives and the words “Cannae blame a lass who was married to that brute.”
He brought them to order. “Yer remarks are all very well, but I’m proposing that the lass be kept here under me protection. I havenay intention of returning her tae Mull, tae meet a bloody fate. D’ye nae understand? The MacKinnon wishes tae kill her.”
Another grey-hair spoke up. This was a distant cousin from one of the outer islands who Everard had little knowledge of.
“So, what ye’re asking us is tae enable ye tae bring upon us all a clan war waged by the MacKinnons against the MacNeils?”
Once again, voices broke out among the assembly. Everard allowed them to talk among themselves. It was obviously a matter which required discussion among each and every one.
He circled the table, refilling tankards and answering questions.
As the talk continued, Mildred came into the hall and walked quietly to Everard’s side. “Methinks this would be a good time tae provide some nourishment tae the Council.”
Everard nodded. “Thank ye. Mayhap some scran in their bellies will mellow their agitation.”
The maids entered with platters of bannocks, oat-bread, cheeses, apples and honey-cakes and the arguments continued, much subdued, while the Council members ate and drank their fill.
