Page 81 of Bride Takes a Charmer
Dearest Daughter, if you are reading this missive that means that I am gone. I want you to know that I despaired the day you were taken from me. However, I could not rebuke your father’s will when he bade you to marry the Chattan laird. Know that I held you in my heart for all my days. I pray that you have found a happy life and that you have borne your own children, to give you the joys that you had brought to me. I give you everything I cherish. ~Your devoted mother, Lucia, House of d’Avranches
Aela rose from her seat across the hall and watched them. Her hand rested on her chest and she appeared to have shimmery eyes.
Edmund pushed a small trunk across the table. “She wanted you to have this trunk but I fear there is no key to open it. Perhaps your husband can have his blacksmith open it for you.”
Aela gasped. “Sorsha, here,” she said and pulled a key that hung on a golden-woven rope from around her neck. “Your mother told me to hold on to this for you and to give it to you when the time was right. I suspect that she knew that one day you would receive the trunk.”
Sorsha held out her hand and peered at the key. She placed it inside the ornate plate where the lock was held within and turned it. A click sounded. Sorsha turned and glanced at him.
Shaw approached to stand beside her. “Go on, sweetheart, open it.”
She pressed the lid open and her eyes widened. Inside were jewels and trinkets that her mother had collected throughout her life. There was a small piece of parchment. Sorsha held it and read:Within are the memories of my life. Some belonged to your grandmother. Keep these treasures in the family and I hope one day you give them to your daughter. LD
Tears gathered in Sorsha’s eyes and Shaw set his arm around her to offer comfort. She leaned against him and wiped at her eyes, unspeaking and full of distress. Gently, her fingers perused the objects within the trunk.
“Well, now that task is handled, I can be on my way,” Edmund said.
“Has the king decided what he shall do about his quest to expand our lands? Has he declared war against Norway yet? I am beholden to send him soldiers when that time comes,” Shaw said readily.
“The king and queen returned to Scotland in early spring to get back to their royal duties. I am certain Alexander will eventually go ahead with his plans but as yet he has not spoken of the matter.” Edmund rose from his seat and stood next to Sorsha.
“Chamberlain Edmund, I invite you to join us for a feast this night. Rest a day or so before you head back out.” Shaw put forth his words as a directive rather than an invitation.
Edmund rejected his offer by shaking his somewhat flabby chin. “I am afraid I cannot stay for entertainment, Laird Mackintosh. I have other news that I must deliver here in the Highlands. I must travel to Buchanan land. God help me.”
“What news do you take to the Buchanans?” Shaw asked. “I hope it is not unpleasant.”
“I can only divulge my news to Lady Eva, I’m afraid. Nay, I must go to her at once. She will be distraught to learn what I must tell her. That is if I make it past the ornery Buchanan sentry to deliver it.”
Shaw understood. Not many confronted the Buchanan soldiers. Though the Mackintosh soldiers were fierce, the Buchanans were practically barbaric in their fighting tactics. They allowed no one to pass through on their lands, even their allies. He commiserated with poor Edmund because his task was of a most difficult nature.
“I shall go. I bid you both my wishes for good health and I shall tell Alexander how pleased you both are with your marriage. He will be gratified to hear such. Pray for me that the Buchanans welcome me.” Edmund bowed to them and hastened from the hall with his attendants following.
Shaw helped Sorsha to a chair and lowered her into it. “Are you all right, Sorsha? The news ye received was most troubling. I am sorry to hear what happened to your parents and they are really gone. I had hoped the report was false.”
She sniffled back her tears and nodded. “I am well but sad to know they are really gone too. There is only one thing that consoles me, Shaw, and that is I am now here…with my family, with the people I love, with my charming husband, and the Mackintosh Clan.”
“Aye, but, sweetheart, we are the fortunate ones.” A smile widened on her lips and he leaned back admiring her bonny face. “What are ye smiling about?”
“I just remembered… On the day that Rodick died, Gillian and I were at the Yule festival in Blarmacfoldach. We visited a fortune teller and for once, the seer spoke true.” She looked far off and laughed.
“Why what did the seer say?”
“She said that something dreadful would happen to me that day and it did…Rodick died. She also said that I would be reunited with someone from my past—you. I thought that I was destined for hardships for the remainder of my days, but I only hoped for prosperity.” Sorsha raised her eyes to his. “I think our lives are destined for goodness going forward.” With a press to her stomach, her eyes shone with love.
Shaw leaned toward her and placed a gentle kiss on her face. The Mackintosh Clan would thrive, not only from the wealth they received from Sorsha’s family but with the love that would endure for a lifetime. Prosperity would be theirs.
The End