Page 63 of Bride Takes a Charmer
Sorsha agreed and recited the story again. The children were enthralled by it and she loved the message the story conveyed—that no matter how big or small you were, you were just as important as anyone else.
She regarded Shaw across the great hall. Walen had entered and quietly conversed with him. His comrade handed him a folded parchment. With a wave of his hand, Shaw invited Walen to sit at the table. Shaw opened the missive and his brows lowered as he read it. Whatever the message conveyed wasn’t pleasant. He and Walen continued to talk but Sorsha couldn’t hear them. A short time later, Walen nodded at whatever Shaw told him. He bowed to her and left the hall.
Shaw stood and approached. “Sweetheart, Walen and I were just talking about taking the trek to the crofters. If ye do not wish to go, I can take some men with me and be quick about it.”
Sorsha lifted Gillian from her lap, setting the child on her feet before she herself stood. The children ran off and chased each other at the other end of the hall. “I thought you wanted me to come along.”
“I do,” he said.
“Then I shall go.” She watched his face as he seemed to consider her request.
“I am supposed to meet with my allies soon so there will be no time to meet with all the crofters. We shall visit only a few and return home. I will send the sentry to convey the tax situation to the others.” He nodded as if he’d seemed to come to a reasonable conclusion.
“You did not mention that you needed to meet with your allies again so soon. Is there a reason? Can it not be delayed so that you can visit with your clansmen? I recall you saying that you met to reaffirm alliances. Was there another reason for a gathering so soon?” Sorsha hoped he’d explain that there was no intent to war.
“I, ah…forgot to tell ye that we planned to meet at the end of October. I thought I would be finished visiting the crofters och with Mamo’s passing…”
She grabbed his hand and held it. “I understand, Shaw. Was that the message you received, from your allies regarding the meeting? Are they insistent on you joining them?”
Shaw hastily shook his head. “Nay, the message was from Tor but I cannot attend to it right now. I will meet with my allies after the visit to the crofters. They will await me. We shall leave this day in a short time. I would prefer it if ye stayed here.”
Sorsha released his hand and stepped back. “There is plenty of light left this day and we can at least journey to the first croft.Perhaps we can fit in more than a few and then you can make the journey to meet with your allies. I still want to come though if you will allow me.”
Shaw took hold of her hips and pulled her body toward his. He embraced her tightly and leaned his head against hers. She hoped he didn’t disappoint her because she so wanted to go and meet his clan. As the laird’s wife, it was important to her.
He drew in a sigh and said, “I shall make ready for the trip and prepare the men. Trey will stay with most of the soldiers to protect the fief. Ye should have Enid stay with the children whilst we are away. We will leave shortly. Meet me at the stables.” He kissed her passionately, pulled away, and turned but stopped when his sister and her husband entered the great hall.
“Did I just hear ye say that ye will be leaving? Are ye going to travel to the crofters? Ye said we could come. I really want to go and it would be good for Idris to see how ye deal with your people.” Corliss stood before Shaw and waited for him to reply. “Please, Shaw, it is important to me.”
“Aye, go then and get ready. We shall leave hastily because I cannot afford a delay in our return.” Shaw passed Corliss and left the hall.
Sorsha called to the children. “Come, we are going to the kitchens. You will have your supper there this night.” She didn’t speak to Corliss and shuffled the children from the hall to the back entrance of the keep. At the kitchen entry, she opened the door and found Edra humming while stirring a heavy pot on the fire in the cooking hearth. Enid sat at the worktable and appeared to be slicing vegetables.
“Good day. Enid, I must travel with Shaw and wondered if you would watch the children for me?” Sorsha glanced at the children and warned, “Do not get too close to that fire. Sit yonder by the shelf.” Luthor flinched and turned away from the flames.
“Oh, Milady, I would be pleased to. I shall take them back to the keep and we will play games until ’tis time for supper. Mama has me toiling away here slicing vegetables but I would rather not.” Enid chuckled. “Mama, Milady needs me.”
“Hmm. Very well, go, lass.”
Before Enid collected the children, Sorsha approached them. She had taken two sweet rolls from the worktable and handed them to the children. “Gillian…Luthor… I am going to leave the keep for a few days. Mistress Enid will take good care of you. You must listen to her and be a good lad and lass.” She hugged them gently and pressed her hand on their heads. “Go on. I want to hear nothing but good things on my return.”
The children nodded and followed Enid from the kitchen. They seemed to enjoy being with the maid. Perhaps because Enid was fun and often spoiled them with treats. Sorsha didn’t like leaving the children, but she needed to support Shaw.
“Ye look like you are about to weep, Milady.”
“Leaving them is difficult.” She returned to the worktable and stood near Edra.
Sorsha smiled. “Will you pack some food for us? We do not need anything lavish. Some ale, bread, and fruit. I am sure the men will hunt on the journey.”
“Aye, I will have one of the soldiers take a sack filled for the laird. I am sure ye must have lots to do to get ready. Safe journey to ye, Milady.” Edra slightly curtseyed and dipped as low as her aged body would allow.
“I shall see ye soon.” Sorsha left and hurried to her bedchamber. There, she packed garments for herself and Shaw. She added a heavy woolen tartan and grabbed cloaks for them both. Although the day was warm, the nights might grow cold. After she stuffed everything inside a satchel, she practically sprinted to the stables.
When she got there, Shaw stood holding the reins to his horse and another’s. “Ye can ride this mare or travel in the cart.”
She took hold of the reins and smiled. “I would love to ride on the mare. It has been a while since I rode. How far do we ride this day?” She handed Shaw the satchel filled with their garments and he tied it to his horse’s saddle.
“What do ye have in there? ’Tis bulky.” He chuckled.