Page 28 of Bride Takes a Charmer (Highland Vows & Vengeance #3)

The fields were blessed with the smoke from the peat and the pleas for abundant crops.

Many farmers and the families who worked on the land joined the men in celebration by raising their cups to God and in hopeful prosperity.

Shaw had left his warm bed and the sweet body of his wife early that morn to attend the duty but he’d wanted to stay put and to perhaps spend more time loving Sorsha.

Unfortunately, the important mission called to him and he spent the day preparing for the day’s festivities.

Before they sought the boughs to adorn the doorways and window casements of the fair lasses of their clan, there was much to see to.

Shaw always delighted in the rituals and meaning of the Beltane festival.

He’d always beheld family and the birth of bairns as the foremost important responsibility of his clan.

One day, his clan would swell in numbers and would rival any of the clans in the north. At least, that was his aspiration.

Shaw sat beneath a copse of trees whose leaves had yet to sprout and the sun shone through its thick branches.

He watched those who continued to walk the field with wads of peat, whipping them to and fro and sending smoke over the dry earth.

Soon, crops would flourish and bring them sustenance, food for their horses and other animals, and with hope extra coins to add to their coffers.

Walen approached and sat next to him. He tore into a rounded loaf of bread and handed him half. “Ye must be hungry.”

“Aye. I did not eat before I left this morn. My thanks.” He took a bite of the bread and even though it was hard, it tasted good.

Shaw washed it down with a chug of ale from a flask he’d retrieved from the satchel that hung by his side.

There was only enough to wet his throat and he groused about it. “Bollocks, there’s none left.”

Trey lingered nearby and joined them. He pressed a cup of ale into his hand. “Laird, here, I brought extra ale. Our clan has not been this gleeful for a long time. This night we will celebrate by dancing around the fires. I look forward to the gaiety.”

He chuckled to himself because by then most would have imbibed and the dancing would be rowdy. Shaw lifted his cup. “To ye both for sticking with me and protecting our clan.”

They raised their cups and drank deeply.

“Ye know we have yet to select a May Queen. Perhaps there is someone we can encourage to join us in the song of the Goddess?” Shaw’s question was pointed at Walen but his comrade groaned under his breath.

“Aye, brother,” Trey said with a chuckle. “There is a woman who would make the perfect May Queen and perhaps a Beltane bride?”

Walen scoffed and flapped his hand at them. “What say ye? Cosh, I suspect ye are going to try to get me to admit my feelings for the lass?”

“Do ye not think it is about time ye married? She will not await ye forever, and besides, she is probably the bonniest lass in the Highlands. Ye be a fortunate man to win the heart of that lass.” Trey grinned and took his flask, refilling their cups.

“I beg to differ, Trey, for I married the fairest lass in the Highlands,” Shaw said and tried to sound outraged but it did not affect his comrades.

“Och, ye did, Laird. I meant the fairest lass besides our lady,” Trey quickly supplied.

“Perhaps, Walen, if ye offered to be the May King, Niahm would agree? This night is for coupling with our loves. Will ye not offer her marriage? I fear if ye do not soon, ye will lose her and it would not bode well…” Shaw ceased his speech because he had never pushed his comrade toward marriage before. Still, it was a good thought.

“I have rethought my stance on marriage recently. Niahm is a worthy woman but I am…” Walen took the cup from his brother and drank before continuing, “unsure if I am worthy of her. She is a kindhearted woman and deserves better than me.”

Shaw shoved his shoulder. “Of course, ye are worthy of her. She could do no better because I know no more honorable man than ye, Walen. Ye have been my comrade for a long time and always supported me. Now, I give ye my support. I will tell the priest to make himself ready to perform the sacrament.”

Walen didn’t protest or offer a rebuke. “I suppose, then, I am getting married this night.”

They lifted their cups in congratulatory cheer and sipped at their ale.

Shaw laughed and said, “To the May King, may he reign supreme this night.”

Trey bellowed with laughter and Walen groaned.

“We should get back so ye can propose to your bride,” Trey said and rose.

Shaw enjoyed a leisurely walk back to the fief. He got caught up thinking about what else needed to be done before the bonfires would be lit. Then all would join the revelry.

A sudden blow caused Shaw to land with a thud on the ground and he grunted from the force and groaned as pain throbbed in his shoulder. He shut his eyes briefly but when he opened them, he scoffed at the feeling of cold metal pressed against his throat.

“Damnation, Henny, get the hell off me.” Shaw shoved his comrade’s chest and Henny fell back a step.

Henny’s eyes crinkled with laughter as he pulled back his arm, and re-sheathed his dagger.

When he stood, he held out his hand to help him rise.

Shaw got to his feet, brushed himself off, and glared at his soldier.

Yet he couldn’t be irritable with Henny.

It wasn’t his soldier’s fault that he wasn’t paying attention this time and had left himself open to an ambush.

“Ye were not ready, Laird.” Henny tapped his head. “Something keeping ye unawares?”

“By my faith, Henny, aye, something like that.” But Shaw wasn’t about to admit to his soldier that he’d let his guard down.

“Ye never know when an evildoer will strike, Laird. Best be ready for attack at all times.”

“I did not know on this day of all days that ye would continue your efforts.” Shaw moaned and rubbed his shoulder, suspecting that he would feel the ache for the next day or two.

“Go on with ye and get back to your duty.” Before Henny walked away, he called to him.

“And my thanks, Henny, for the reminder.”

“Every day, Laird, is the perfect day for the reminder. Beltane or nay…” Henny whistled as he marched off and disappeared beyond the trees.

Shaw continued toward his keep, crossed the bridge, and gave a silent signal to Clovis.

Seeing his brethren prepare for the night’s festival brought him a sense of pride.

His clan delighted in participating in celebrations.

They always ate too much, drank to excess, and danced well into the next day.

His happiness for Walen lightened him too and he looked forward to his friend’s wedding. That was, until he spotted Sorsha sitting on the wall outside the keep. Her face reflected her grimness with a small pout to her usually bonny lips. He approached her.

“’Tis almost time to light the fires. What are ye about out here by yourself?”

Sorsha rose and embraced him. Her hold of him told him that something wasn’t right but until she told him what, he couldn’t imagine what troubled her so. Instead of pressing her, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close.

After a long moment, she pulled back. “I have had a day.”

Shaw motioned to the wall and bade her to sit with him. He made sure there was enough room for her and took her hand. Sorsha sat and kept her gaze on his face. He smiled to hopefully alleviate whatever bothered her.

“I am worried.”

“I can tell,” he said and bumped her shoulder with his. “Tell me what ye are so worried about? For we are blessed this day and shall celebrate.”

“I do not feel like celebrating because…” Sorsha squeezed his hand and nodded. “Well, I shall tell you. Poor Niahm is… ah , she told me that she is expecting a bairn. I suspect who the father is but there is no way to persuade him to take her as a wife. What should we do?”

Shaw tilted his head and almost laughed. “ Ah… Ye see, sweet wife, there is no need to despair because I have it on good authority that Walen plans to propose to Niahm this day. When the fires are lit, the priest will bless their union. All will be well.”

“However did you work that miracle?” Her smile was splendid.

“Trey and I forced Walen to admit that he loves Niahm and this is the perfect day to form a marriage union for they’ll be blessed by God and our ancestor’s Goddess herself.”

She clapped her hands and her eyes shone briefly until she lowered her face. “There is something else…”

“Are ye worried about Gillian?”

Sorsha sighed heavily and nodded. “I am. She was always a serious lass even before… Seeing her father murdered has affected her and I was not there to comfort her in her time of need. I fear she will never speak again. How can I help her?”

Shaw pulled her to stand before him and set his hands on her hips.

“She will speak when she is ready. Och, I know she must have been distraught because of what she saw and that ye were taken from her. Once she realizes that she is safe and ye are here for her, she will come around. Our daughter will find joy, I make that promise to ye.”

“Our daughter? I like the sound of that, Shaw.” Sorsha used the back of her finger to wipe away an errant tear.

“Aye, our daughter. When I took her from Tor, I made a vow that I would be a good father to her, that I would protect her, and that she would find happiness. I meant my promises, Sorsha, and will do everything I can to make them certain.”

She pressed her mouth to his and he felt her tremble as he wrapped his arms around her.

“You are a good husband, Shaw, and I am in awe of your goodness.”

He chuckled and leaned his forehead against hers. “I am only good because ye are here with me. Ye make me a better man.” The honesty of his words somewhat humbled him.

“I’m concerned about Luthor though. I am unsure whether he is trying to befriend Gillian or if he means to torment her. Earlier in the kitchens, he swiped half his pottage on her face.”

He tried not to laugh but felt the edges of his mouth tug as he resisted. “He did? Why would the lad do that? I suppose I should have a talk with him about wasting food and being a good example for the lass.”

“Perhaps we should allow him to train with the younger lads for a short time each day. That might keep him occupied and out of trouble.” Sorsha pressed her hand to his face and smiled.

He leaned into her touch and breathed in her bonny scent. “Now, is there anything else that worries ye?

“Only one more thing… I found your grandmother at the graves again. Clovis told me that you had left before he could tell you that she left the holding early this morn. I worry, Shaw, that she will die there by the graves, alone, cold, and… She is such a good woman.”

He took a deep breath at hearing her last worry. “Aye, it concerns me as well. Och, there is naught we can do but to ensure she is recovered each time and returned to the keep.”

“I will do my best to keep watch of her, especially when you are attending your duties.”

“That is all I can ask, love. Just be sure to take a guard with ye. We know not what Geoff plans or if he is angered that ye are now my wife and not his.”

She scrunched her lips at his request. “Clovis sent a guard with me when I fetched Mamo earlier. Geoff will not retaliate, will he?”

Shaw shrugged. “It matters not. Geoff is more concerned with keeping me as an ally rather than a rival for now so we should not be too concerned. Come, let us join in the festivities. We will eat, sing, and dance because I have more to celebrate than I ever have.”

Shaw held Sorsha’s hand and guided her along.

Outside of their home, the children awaited them with Enid by the entrance.

His gaze lingered on their wee faces and Shaw was astounded that he was now responsible for them.

He’d always held himself accountable for all the members of his clan but with his direct family standing near to him, an extreme sense of protectiveness overtook him.

Sorsha took Gillian’s hand and together they walked ahead of him and greeted the other women of the clan. He hung back a little and stopped Luthor from proceeding.

“Lad, Lady Sorsha told me what ye did to Gillian earlier… Why did ye do that?” He knelt in front of the lad and watched his face for a sign of honesty.

Luthor swiped his tunic sleeve across his face. “Laird, I…I was trying to get her to speak. She does not talk. Why does she not?”

He leaned his arm on his bent leg and nodded. “She witnessed something so terrible that she does not wish to speak.” Shaw ruffled the lad’s hair and smiled. “So ye thought, by doing something rash it would evoke her to respond? Is that it?”

Luthor’s head bobbed. “If I make her mad, she might talk.”

He had to give credit to the lad because it was a fair idea. “Gillian has had a difficult time, lad, and shall speak when she is ready. Try to be understanding with her.”

“Do I gots to be kind, Laird? If I do, she will not speak to me then.”

Shaw chuckled and nodded. “Aye, do not worry about the lass. But being kind would gain her friendship and since ye will live here with us, ’tis important.”

“More important than getting her to speak?”

He grunted at the lad’s question. Maybe he should allow the children to go on as they had and not intervene. Shaw wasn’t too knowledgeable about children and why they did the things they did. But Luthor was shrewder than he’d thought.

After a quick supper, the clan gathered near the largest fire.

The priest performed a short liturgy and sacrament of marriage for Walen and Niahm and other couples wishing to join in matrimony.

All the clan celebrated the unions with cheers and shouts of glee.

Shaw kept his gaze on Sorsha and the serene joy in her eyes as she witnessed the weddings with him.

He was gladdened too for Walen and hoped his friend found the happiness that he had.

Before long, Sorsha mentioned putting the children to bed and took them inside the keep.

The sky darkened until the firelight shone on the faces of his clan.

Dancing began and when Sorsha returned, he snatched her in his arms and forced her to skip in line with the others.

Her merry laughter was infectious and he found himself laughing too.

The spring rites were the beginning of newfound happiness for them all.

Shaw gave his silent appreciation for the blessings and stopped in the center of the dancers to kiss his wife.

Whoops and hollers caused him to stop his kiss and the shine in his wife’s eyes was well worth the teasing banter from his clansmen.