Page 64 of Bride Takes a Charmer
“I packed some garments for us both.”
Shaw helped her mount the horse and set his hand on her thigh. “We will reach the first crofter by early evening. Then we will make camp and set off early on the morrow for the next.”
“Did Edra send a sack of food? I asked her too.”
He grinned at her. “Aye, lass, she did. My thanks for thinking of it. Och, the soldiers attending us prepared our camp and brought plenty of food. There are two carts full of necessities for our journey.” Shaw mounted his horse and led the way to the gate.
When they reached it, there was an assembly of men awaiting them, about ten or so riders. Walen was amongst them, as well as Henny. Trey appeared put out that he wouldn’t make the trek with them but stood beside Clovis and assured Shaw that their clan was in safe hands.
They rode out and passed the bridge, the sweeping hills beyond, and then entered a sparse forest of trees. Sorsha was happy to be outside, riding in the cool air of the autumn day. That she got to be with Shaw too lightened her. They needed a little diversion to help them get over missing Mamo.
Corliss and her husband rode at the back of the procession, to her relief. Sorsha didn’t want to have to speak with her, certain the horrid woman would have something negative to say, as always. She wanted to enjoy the outing and hoped Shaw did too.
Throughout the afternoon, they rode westerly and only stopped once to rest. The sky was beginning to dim and she hoped they reached their destination soon. Someone from the front of the procession whistled and all came to a stop.
“Is something wrong?” she asked Shaw.
He shook his head. “Nay, we have arrived. This is the croft of Cadger. He produces the most goods of any of our farmers…wool, hay, and wheat.” Shaw nudged his horse forward and tilted his head for her to follow.
Sorsha rode between the soldiers who stopped and moved back to make a lane. As they got closer to the crofter’s home, her breath ceased in her throat. Before them sat a lovely two-story stone cottage with painted shutters and a short stone wall that surrounded the abode. It was an attractive home and idyllic. She could imagine being the wife welcoming her husband home there after a long day out in the fields. Then she wondered if Cadger was married.
Shaw stopped and dismounted. He hastened to her, set his hands on her waist, and helped her down from her mount. Sorsha shook her feet, trying to alleviate the needles that prickled her and made it impossible to walk.
A burly bald man opened the door to the cottage and bellowed to someone inside. “We have company.” He sauntered forward and reached Shaw. “Laird, ’tis good to see ye. I was not expecting your visit but welcome ye.”
“Cadge, ’tis good to see ye too. Ye look well. I needed to see ye and hope to make camp in yonder woods overnight.” Shaw held her hand. “And I also wanted to introduce ye to my wife. This is Sorsha. Sorsha, this is Cadge.”
The man bowed to her. “Milady, welcome. My wife already served supper och ye are welcome to what we have left.” Cadge turned and walked toward the cottage.
Shaw continued to hold her hand and gently pulled her forward. “We shall like anything ye have to serve. I could eat a bite or two.” Before he entered the cottage, he turned to Walen. “Have the men make camp and erect my tent. We will take our slumber when we return.”
Sorsha followed Shaw inside. The cottage was cozy, dimly lit with only a few candles alight and a fire in a small hearth with two chairs situated before it. A curvaceous woman with light hair appeared and carried a tray, completely filled with foodstuffs. There were sweetcakes, jellies, and other breads.
Cadger grabbed a jug from a nearby table and some cups. “Please, take the chairs. Wife, get us some more chairs so we can entertain our laird.”
She hastened from the room and returned with one chair. Then she hurried away and came back with another. They all sat now and Shaw picked from the tray. Sorsha ate a large piece of sweetbread which was the most delectable thing she’d ever eaten.
Cadge poured them each a cup of ale. “Milady, this is my wife, Anabelle. Wife, this is the laird’s wife, Milady Sorsha. Laird, I am gladdened ye came. We heard about Milady Maven’s passing and offer our condolences. But now do ye come with good news or bad?”
Shaw held his cup of ale with both hands. He wore a serious expression on his face. “My thanks, Cadge. It was a difficult time…losing my mamo. ’Tis the truth, I come with good news. I met with the king earlier this year and he offered me the hand of this lovely woman. If I accepted her, I also reaped the benefit of no tax for the year.”
“That was an offer I suspect ye had a hard time passing on.” Cadge chuckled and Shaw smiled at his clansman’s jest.
Sorsha smiled and her cheeks heated a little at their discussion.
Cadge grunted. “I mean who would give up the benefit of no tax? Ye be fortunate, Laird, that the woman was bonny too.”
She had to shift her gaze to her lap. Of course, the man would consider the tax ramifications more important than a wife. How foolish was she? But then she wanted to laugh because men were often misguided in their view of women.
“I tell ye, Cadge, I could have passed on the no tax… Lady Sorsha was prize enough and I vow that I could not lose her.”
Her heart melted a little at her husband’s words. Shaw was the most charming man she’d ever met and he proved it time and again.
“If ye say so, Laird. So why are ye here telling me this?” Cadge asked and his voice grew to a cantankerous tone.
“I want to return the tax that ye previously paid and I will not be collecting further tax for the rest of this year. Use the coins to buy supplies and make repairs to your croft and land. All I ask is that ye send us a good supply of crops and wool.” Shaw lifted his cup and took a good chug of his ale.
Cadge was speechless and his brows furrowed. “I cannot believe what ye speak. That is good news indeed, Laird. Aye, we will certainly put the coin to good use. We shall send ye plenty of goods for your stores.” The man struck his knee with the palm of his hand in jubilation. “Do ye hear that, wife? We can repair the plow and mayhap get ye a new spinning wheel.”