Page 54 of Bride takes a Scot
“Why are you startled so easily? Is something wrong?” She stood next to the elder woman and was concerned.
“Nay, nothing is wrong. I just was not expecting anyone to be there. And I just finished the surprise I made for ye. Here,” she said and handed her a folded cloth.
“So that is why you didn’t want my help with your sewing the other day.” Isabella pressed her hand over the soft material. “What is it?”
Marian smiled widely. “I know ye lost the tartan that Declan gave ye, for he told me so. He said he suspected ye discarded it. I wanted to make ye a shawl with our clan’s plaid on it because ye have been so kind to Noah and to me. Here, put it around your shoulders. Ye are slighter than me and so I made sure it was notoverly large.” She opened the fabric and then spread it over her back.
Isabella took hold of the fabric and pulled it together at the front of her. The shawl was perfectly stitched and would keep her warm when the weather got colder, which from what she’d heard, tended to happen much sooner in the north than it did by the border. “It is perfect.” She wanted to weep at the woman’s kindness. “My thanks.”
“Wear it, lass, in good health,” Marian said and smiled.
“I shall. Might I leave it here? I will pick it up when we return from our sojourn. We are off on an adventure this morn. Is it all right if we take Noah with us?”
Marian chuckled. “He has been itching to get outside. Aye, go on, lads and lassie. Enjoy your adventure. I shall make a wee bit of stew for the midday meal, so come back when ye gets hungry.”
Isabella took hold of Noah’s hand when they exited the cottage. On the way to the cave, they veered around the loch. It was peaceful at the loch as if everything stopped. The water was still, no wind or breeze stirred the trees, and no birds chirped. She wondered briefly at the silence, and Lorcan seemed irritated that they wanted to go afar, but she kept walking as Claude guided them to where he thought the cave was located.
On the other side of the loch, the forest grew thicker. They traipsed through the tall oaks, pines, and the elms whose leaves shaded and darkened the forest floor. It was much cooler beneath the canopy of the trees. Isabella breathed in and smelled the thick permeation of sand and soil. The outdoors engulfed her senses and she smiled.
“I think the cave should be yonder, there near that huge rock.” Claude marched forward and turned. “There is a mark on the map that looks about right. I see an entrance.”
Isabella took the parchment from him and nodded. “There is an indication that alludes to an entrance.” She had searchedthrough the pamphlets she had but found nothing to help her discern some of the language used on the map.
Lorcan called them to halt. “We will go no farther than that cave.”
“We don’t plan to, Lorcan.” Isabella hurried forward and stopped before the entrance. “It looks deep and dark inside.”
“Be cautious, I warn ye, because we know not if any animals have made this cave their home. The last thing we want to come across is a pack of wolves taking their slumber,” Lorcan said and walked ahead of her, but Isabella didn’t mind because the darkened cave was daunting. It was best to allow the brawny soldier to enter first.
Claude pulled the wooden torch from his satchel and used the flint to light it. Lorcan took the torch from him and waved it inside the cave. Within moments, the bright flame lit up the confines of the cave. The ceiling moved and shimmered from the torchlight. A bat left its perch and made screeching noises. Isabella jumped back and almost knocked poor Noah to the ground. She disliked the vile creatures and hoped this one flew back from whence it came.
Farther into the cave they trekked. Isabella held tightly to Noah’s hand. She was beginning to become fearful and wanted to suggest they leave the cave when Claude gasped.
“What is it?”
He took a few more steps forward and knelt. “Here is the exact rock that was on the map. It is similar in shape and a good size. It must be the same one.”
Isabella remembered that the rock on the map had almost appeared heart-shaped. “Is the treasure there?”
Claude removed the spade from his satchel. “I will dig a little and see if I can find anything.”
She moved back and sat on another rock with Noah. Claude dug furiously for a good bit of time until Lorcan insisted hetake over. They waited with bated breath until Lorcan stopped digging. Claude turned and grinned at them.
“Have you found something?”
“Aye, there is something wrapped in cloth not too far down.” Claude dug a little more and pulled out the cloth-wrapped item. He placed it on the ground and stared up at her. “What do ye think it is?”
She shrugged. “Open the cloth. Let us see.”
He did as she suggested, and the glow of gold shone on the cave’s ceiling. All four of them, Noah included, drew an awed breath.
“’Tis a chalice and a cross.” Claude held up the items which were larger than she thought they would be. Both objects were at least a foot tall. The cross had markings scratched into it and the chalice was rimmed with small red gems.
“They are beautiful and look ancient,” she said and ran her finger over the ornate carving of the cross.
“Come, let us return. I don’t like being in here,” Lorcan said. “We can view them closer later when we get back to the safety of the walls.”
Isabella waited for Claude to rewrap the items and put the items in his satchel. They hastily made their way back out of the cave. Lorcan fell behind them and as always was ever watchful. He was being overprotective, but Isabella didn’t mind and was thankful Lorcan was there.