Page 61 of Bride Takes a Charmer
Sorsha lowered her head and was unable to look at her husband as he pulled her into his embrace and he wrapped her with his strong arms. With a deep sob, she let out her heartache. Fortunately, she regained her composure within a moment and wiped at her eyes.
“I was afraid she would pass… She spoke of nothing but dying in the last months. I shall go and bring her here for the clan will want to say their farewells.” Shaw released her and stepped away. “Walen, have two soldiers fetch Father James from the kirk. Mamo would want a clergyman to speak prayers.”
Sorsha watched the men depart. She walked almost numbly to the keep and just wanted to hold the children.
Chapter Twenty
The day theywere supposed to begin their travel, they laid Mamo to rest. Shaw had risen earlier but couldn’t bring himself to leave the bedchamber. Once he did, he’d have to bury his grandmother and say farewell forever. The journey to visit the crofters was put on hold for a time, at least until they’d gotten over the loss.
He stood at the window casement and peered at the somber, gray day. The door opened but he didn’t turn to see who had entered. The quiet of the chamber had allayed his sorrow until now and he took a deep breath to keep his voice from shaking.
The soft, familiar sound of Sorsha’s footfalls crossed the chamber and stopped when she stood behind him. Shaw didn’t want to turn around to face her, certain his mood would dishearten her as much as it had him. She hugged him from behind, placing her hands around his torso and pressing her face against his back.
“You are saddened. So am I. Why are you here alone?”
“I was thinking about Mamo.” Shaw turned and kept her from moving away by wrapping his arms around her. “My parents died when I was younger than Luthor. Mamo left her clan to come and care for me and Corliss.”
“She was a Chattan?”
He nodded. “Aye, she was married to the laird, my grandfather. He stayed on when his son, Rodick, took controlof the clan. She didn’t return. When my grandda passed, Mamo had him buried here so she could be close to him. Mamo was the only mother that I ever had or at least remember. She took good care of us and said she’d promised her daughter to look after us if anything ever happened to her.”
“Mamo was a good woman.”
“I am dismayed to admit that I shall miss her sound advice. Sometimes in the late evening before we sought our sleep, we would meet by the hearth and she would listen to my problems or whatever was troubling me.”
Sorsha leaned back and regarded him with her pretty brown eyes. “Shaw, you are not alone. You have me now…and the children, your clan, and your comrades. Many here care for you. You are surrounded by people who love you.”
“I know. ’Tis just…hard to accept that she is gone.”
“Time will heal our sorrow,” she said and clasped his hand. “Are you ready?”
Shaw reached for his grandmother’s shawl and the small pouch of items Mamo wanted buried with her, which he had placed on the bed. He would set them with her before she was taken from them.
“We should go. ’Tis time and all await us.” Sorsha stepped to a trunk and picked up a bundle of flowers he’d only just noticed. She held them and opened the door.
Shaw followed her, quiet and mournful, down the stairs to the outside. He hadn’t much family in his life and losing Mamo hurt deeply. But Sorsha was right, he had her, the children, his comrades, and the clan. He wasn’t alone and never would be. He took Sorsha’s arm and guided her past the gate where most of the clan who gathered. Many bowed their heads to them as they passed, saying without words their sympathies.
Mamo’s body was draped in the finest Mackintosh tartan and had been set upon a board for her to be carried to the graves.The litter was held by Walen, Tray, Clovis, and Jonah, and they slowed their pace when they came upon clansmen and women who wanted to add tokens of farewell to her body.
Sorsha had found some late-blooming aster flowers and picked a good bunch of them to set atop Mamo’s grave. She walked beside him and the rest of the clan followed. It was such a glum day with not only their sadness of losing Mamo but the weather seemed to turn. Autumn was bidding them farewell too.
A hearty wind blew at their backs as they progressed over the bridge and small hills before the burial ground. There, his clansmen set down the litter and stood silent in wait for the priest to begin his liturgy. Father James made the sign of the cross and spoke prayers for a good length of time but adrift in his memories of Mamo, he didn’t pay attention to them. He noticed Sorsha shift on her feet and he was gladdened that she hadn’t brought the children. They would not have been able to withstand standing still and quiet for so long.
Father James sprinkled Mamo’s body with holy water and said, “God, we ask ye to receive the deceased into Your loving embrace. We ask that ye allow her entrance into Heaven so that she can rejoin her loving husband. Amen.”
When he finished, the priest drew back and stood to the side. Shaw stepped forward to cover Mamo’s upper body with her favorite shawl.
Two soldiers placed the newly-etched cross bearing both his grandparents’ names as Mamo had requested. Shaw bowed his head in a final farewell and drew Sorsha to retreat with him. The men lowered Mamo into the hole next to his grandfather’s grave. Mamo was where she’d wanted to be. He hoped that she was happy in heaven and that she was at long last with his grandda and his parents.
Most left the area after the men began covering the hole. Shaw stood there for a while until Sorsha drew him away by taking his arm.
“Come, Shaw, we should get back to the keep. Edra is putting out a feast so we can celebrate Mamo’s incredible life. Many of the clan will attend.”
He was astounded. “Did ye plan this?”
“I did and hope you do not mind me taking the liberty. Mamo was important to me and I hardly knew her. I want to hear stories of her life, her kindness, and love.”
Shaw leaned toward her and kissed her cheek. “I am pleased that ye thought of that. Mamo would have loved a celebration in her honor.”