Page 20 of Beware A Wallflower's Wrath
“Och, ye wouldna give up the task for all the faerie dust in Scotland,” Annis said, looping her arm with her father’s. She turned to Fin. “Will ye jump the fire?
“Aye,” he said, bending to scratch Mac behind the ears. “Here comes my friend, Liam the younger. He’s upset with his da for no’ letting him jump with me. I tried to tell him he’s too little.”
“I’m sure that helped his disappointment,” said Annis’s father.
A young redheaded boy of about six ran up to the group, followed by his da, Liam the elder. The father, tall and lanky, had the same shade of hair as his son, hinting at what the boy would look like as an adult. The MacNaughton chief and his family appeared over the hill, in a coach with the clan crest.
Calum MacNaughton, a robust man of at least sixty, stood before the bonfire, surveying the growing crowd. His coppery hair glinted in the dancing light as he stood with his arm around his wife Peigi. “May these bonfires this night provide enough energy for the sun to shed its light on our crops throughout the summer and ensure a bountiful harvest.” He waved toward the trestles laden with the dishes brought by the families, then the meat roasting on spits. “May we always be so blessed. Let the festivities begin!”
The villagers cried out in agreement. A line began to form around a smaller bonfire. “Ma, I’m going with Liam to watch everyone jump. We’ll be back.” It was said that leaping over the flames brought good luck to lovers and chased away evil spirits. The highest jump recorded was also a sign of how high the crops would grow.
“Fine,” she called after him. “But if ye scare away a demon, dinna send him this way.”
Earlier, Jamie Craigg had led a procession through the village. The thatched cottages were decorated with the protective St. John’s wort on the doors. Everyone held torches to ward off evil spirits. The children had scoured the woods for blooming ferns which were said to bring good luck.
Annis and her father mingled, enjoying good food and drink as bagpipes and violins struck up a reel. She was assailed by anyone who had not yet been able to welcome her home and given early farewells by those who would not see her again.
A group near the smaller bonfire began laughing. Annis saw Fin complete his jump, but on the other side a tug of war was playing out between Mac and little Liam. He appeared he’d tried to follow Fin over the fire, but Mac had grabbed the lad’s breeches with his teeth and pulled the opposite direction. Liam pulled against the Scottie, his arms swinging to keep his balance and his forward momentum. But Mac won, and Liam landed with a thump on his arse. The boy scowled at the dog, who promptly licked Liam’s face. He began to laugh, and Mac ran around him barking and wagging his tail.
“It seems young Liam has made two friends since yer arrival.” Glynnis MacNaughton, the chief’s daughter and Lachlan’s mother, brought her a cup of elderberry wine. The elderberry plant, which peaked at this time of year, was said to protect against witchcraft. “I’ve barely had a chance to speak with ye tonight, Cousin. Ye seem to be the guest of honor with all the visiting.”
Annis’s paternal grandfather had been Calum MacNaughton’s brother, making Glynnis and Annis’s father Jamie cousins and Annis a second cousin. She was proud to be related to the chief’s family by blood.
The MacNaughtons had saved some of the smaller clans once the English lords had turned much of the farmland into grazing pastures for livestock. Many of the Highlanders had been forced to leave for the coast to try fishing for a living or had moved to Canada. When Calum struck a deal with his English son-in-law to start the textile mill in Glasgow, he had been able to put everyone to work. Most of those left in Dunderave either helped with livestock or provided custom handwoven items that could not be produced on the mechanical looms. Others had moved to Glasgow or rotated the single family members to work at the mill.
“I wanted to thank ye again for the lovely dinner the other night. Fin and I had a wonderful time. It was good to see the rest of yer brood.”
Along with Calum and Peigi, Glynnis’s youngest son Brodie and his new wife had dined with them. Brodie was a slightly shorter version of his grandfather, and the most likely choice to succeed Calum when he stepped down as chief.
“So ye saw my daughter, Brigid, when she was in Glasgow?” asked Glynnis.
“Aye, and we met her fine English husband-to-be.”
“They’re legally wed now. I’ve received several letters from her. I miss her something terrible, but she’s verra happy at his estate. They’ve promised to visit before the snow falls.” Glynnis pointed at Fin. “My, he’s growing. Such a handsome lad.”
“I think so,” Annis said, grinning. “I saw the elder Liam with ye earlier. He had stars in his eyes as he looked at ye.”
“Och, stop,” Glynnis said with a blush. “I’m too old for the mon.”
They watched the younger Liam run around Fin and leap up, trying to grab the ball the taller boy held above his head. They saw Fin bend his knees a bit, so Liam could get it. Then he proceeded to hold it up, laughing as Mac leapt up and down to take it from the boy. “There isna so many years between ye.”
“Five, and I’d rather speak about someone else’s romancing. I never got to ask if anyone is courting ye in Glasgow. Ye’ve been a long time widowed.”
Annis shook her head, but her mind was on Rabbie. “Nay, I’m quite busy with Books and Bits and Fin. Perhaps when he’s older and has a family of his own.”
“Dinna wait too long, or ye’ll find yerself alone. Ye’re much too young and lovely for that.”
“Ye should take yer own advice. Ye’ve been widowed as long as me,” Annis quipped as the long-limbed Liam approached.
“I see Fin and his dog are keeping my lad occupied,” he said to Annis. “That leaves me with a wee time to myself. Glynnis, would ye care to dance?”
Glynnis blushed but nodded. He held out his hand, and she placed her smaller one in his. Before long, there were dozens of couples dancing around the huge bonfire. Annis wondered what it would be like to be here with Rabbie and spin about in his arms. Would he be accepted?
Watching Fin again, she wondered the same about her son. Would he accept Lord Robert when she told him? Her grandmother’s response to the letter had been loving but adamant that Annis tell the truth. She had already decided it would be her course of action when they returned, but it was comforting to know Granny agreed.
Now she had to find the words.
CHAPTER 9
