Page 58 of A Promise of Love

She consented to leave the hardest work to the others, not bothering to tell Malcolm - who had stood in front of the door and would not let her leave until she promised - that she had accomplished her goal and that spending the time in the weaving hut was what she wanted anyway.

Yet, her determination and constant presence among the women had broken down their reserve, brought them closer.

At first, only Meggie joined her in the weaving.

Then, Grizzelle appeared one day, followed by Sara.

By the end of two weeks, most of the women of the clan were occupied with wool, in one form or another, and by the talk and laughter in the weaving hut, no one would have guessed that there had been dissension between Judith and the other women .

She began to realize what Alisdair’s sacrifice had meant to the lives of these people.

If she was not loved by them yet, with the fierce love they reserved for their laird, at least she had finally been accepted, enough to be grumbled at by the older matrons and to be scolded by the younger ones.

She listened to their advice and she heard their stories and she began to feel as if she were a new member of a large and loving family .

Judith had found acceptance in this strange land.

First, from its laird, who had taken one look at her past and not fled in horror.

Instead, he had surrounded her with his love, his humor, his strong arms. Then, the clan MacLeod had reached out to her.

She didn't feel alone when she walked through the glen anymore, her smile was readily received and just as easily answered .

Although the clan structure of the Highlands was gradually and inexorably being swept aside due to the rule of the English and economic conditions, here it was still in force and Judith suspected it always would be, as long as there was a MacLeod at Tynan .

The crowded huts had been torn down and replaced with structures that boasted windows. Small, yes, but still, they let the light in, and were airy and comfortable due to the fact that the chimney smoke was now diverted into corner hearths .

Alisdair had arranged for a hospital of sorts to be devised. Their village numbered over three hundred people, now, and never a day passed that some injury or another was not reported .

The children were being educated by a young teacher hired from Edinburgh. Before his first class, however, Judith removed the birch and paddle from his collection of teaching implements and threatened him with being dismissed summarily from Tynan if he ever thought to use them .

Tynan seemed to be the likeliest spot for the unlikeliest of men, traveling north in search of work.

Alisdair hired these sheep men, young men who labored in the fields and did not seem overwhelmed by the pace he set for them.

Meggie was planning on marrying a MacLared, and Sara had her own plans for Malcolm.

Even Fiona had ceased to be a burden, choosing to reside with her aunt in Inverness while she shopped for a husband .

Judith did not miss her .

She did miss Sophie. A small brick enclosure had been erected around the cairn stones, and Judith went there often in the first days and talked to Granmere, not noticing the swift, compassionate looks directed her way.

Somehow, it eased her mind to be there, as much as the tears she shed when no one saw .

This was a strange place, Scotland, full of rolling hills and tall peaks etched with snow, and the sea which never remained the same color.

There were pines which seemed to scratch the sky itself so tall were they, green gorges of valleys, layered hills of slate and rain which fell continuously, making the Highlands a gray and black place, warmed only by courageous hearts .

Judith learned to love the chill days, and the stark beauty of the sea flowing into the cove.

She stood on the top of the moor and welcomed the change of seasons with joy, anticipating Alisdair's warmth in the coldest winter nights, the spring beauty of an awakening landscape, the summer smells of rich, fertile earth, and the poignant farewell of autumn .

She began to love this land, and with each passing day she began to realize something else .

It was home .

When the wagon finally pulled into the courtyard a few days later, more than one prayer was answered. Judith was ecstatic, Malcolm was jubilant .

Alisdair threw down the first of the trunks lashed to the top of the wagon.

There was barely enough room in the courtyard for the second wagon, he thought, but somehow he would manage it.

Both conveyances were filled to overflowing, accompanied by a menagerie that looked to have come straight from Noah's ark .

Malcolm greeted him with an almost hysterical fervor.

He flung his arms around his laird and squeezed Alisdair tightly, which was as effusive a greeting as he had received in his lifetime from his dour clansman.

He insisted upon shaking his hand, too, and it was only Alisdair's insistence which finally ended their clasp .

"Is everything well, Malcolm? " Alisdair asked. That set Malcolm off again .

"Aye, now that the laird is home, it is," he chortled. "Aye, aye." He would wait until later to inform Alisdair of how unruly his wife had become, even rounded with child. Stubborn lass .

A new litter of border puppies barked at a cage filled with spitting cats, pets of his companion. Alisdair yelled at both sets of animals. Judith only laughed as she carefully descended the steps, and threw herself into her husband's arms .

Granted, his eyes were shadowed, as if he had not slept much, and his face needed a shaving, but he looked tall and strong and fit, clad in his usual attire of white linen shirt and black trousers. She sniffed the air experimentally. Clean, soft linen .

"What are you doing, wife?" He picked her up and whirled her around in his arms .

She laughed, bending down to meet his kiss .

Malcolm leaned against the bronze doors, shook his head at the sight, prudently closing his eyes.

He opened them long moments later, but they were still kissing and the young lass sitting primly on the wagon seat looked more than a little lost. He sighed, went to her and held out his arms and she allowed him to help her down .

"Elizabeth!" Judith screamed, as she disentangled herself from Alisdair's embrace. She hugged her sister, turned her round and round in inspection, and then hugged her again .

"Oh, Alisdair, how? Why?" Judith's overbright eyes were brimming with tears, Malcolm snorted in disgust. He'd seen enough of those these days .

"I share Malcolm's feeling about your father, love," Alisdair said, noting Malcolm's disgruntled look.

He could just imagine what his old mentor was thinking.

But Elizabeth wasn't just one more English woman, she would always be a child, incapable of understanding more than a child would, but with an innocent's grace and charm.

But, Squire Cuthbertson was still a stupid man and had bargained once again with the Scots.

David and Daniel would be arriving in a few days, with more free sheep and the MacLeods had been blessed with another of his daughters .

Malcolm turned away from all of them, shuffled up the stairs burdened by one of the heaviest trunks.

The puppies swarmed around him, raced in search of the kittens.

“I’ll not handle this on my own,, man," he roared at his laird.

"Give me a hand! How am I ta wrestle with this bunch of surly creatures ? "

Alisdair could not prevent the grin that touched his mouth. The normally quiet courtyard was marred by hissing, spitting, and barking .

"If you will look to that green trunk, Malcolm," he called out with a broad smile, "you will find a store of brandy and other spirits which once belonged to Judith's father." He didn’t bother telling Malcolm he’d bought the lot, somehow purloined brandy tasted better .

Malcolm brightened, his ire transformed magically into rapture. Aye, things were looking up after all .

Alisdair had been home five hours before he was able to be alone with his wife.

There was a welcome to be had and that small matter of a rounded belly to investigate.

But Elizabeth needed to be settled, and while Judith took on that responsibility, Alisdair apportioned the supplies, then reported to the elders as to their profits.

When, finally, every question had been answered, every duty either performed or delayed, Alisdair went in search of his wife .

He found her in the laird’s room, bending to fluff the covers on the bed.

When Judith saw him standing framed in the doorway, she straightened, the sheet still clutched in her hand.

The dazzling sun entered the windows, shone brightly over the large bed, the chair in the corner.

The air wafted in from the sea, forever chilled, laden with heavy moisture and a salt taste .

He did not coax her into his arms, but pulled her there impatiently.

She laughed as he jerked her closer. She raised her face and drank in the sight of him with wide eyes.

Her hand smoothed over his bristly cheek, her palm gently abraded by the touch of it.

He closed his eyes at her touch, and that one small gesture deepened the blue of her eyes and caused her tremulous smile to shift a little .

Her tears made slow, delicate tracks down her cheeks .