Page 6 of The Trials of Neilina MacKai (The MacKai Brides #5)
“Aye, that much is accurate. Specifically, that Laird MacFearann was my many times over great grandfather. He was a patron of an abbey at Beannachd Na Mara, a small village on the western border of MacFearann holdings. The abbey was very near the sea and was often attacked by Danes. With enough warning the monks and others living in the abbey would take shelter in Castle MacFearann. The raiders were never able to breach the Castle defenses. My clan would always help the abbey rebuild after such attacks.”
“This does not sound like the work of a Clan as hated as MacFearann is supposed to be.”
“It will, I assure you. It will.”
“Shortly after one of these raids, when my ancestor was in his prime, a new bishop was appointed. This bishop believed the church had precedence over all people regardless of rank. He wished to build a new abbey, in an attempt to avoid the cycle of Viking destruction, and the land he chose to build on was a prime piece of MacFearann territory. He chose it because it was surrounded by a forest so thick it could not be crossed. He saw this natural barrier as a distinct advantage. However, because he believed the church to be above all others, he did not bother to ask my ancestor if he could build on that land.”
Rhuad’s voice had taken on the spellbinding tone of the best story tellers. Each word pitched to the greatest effect.
“The church is above all others, as it is closest to God,” Seona responded, despite her growing fascination with the tale and the man. “However, that does not excuse rudeness, nor disobedience of earthy law. I know from experience those laws protect the ownership of lands.”
“My ancestor thought the same, “Rhuad continued.
“He went to the bishop to ask him to stop the construction. The bishop refused. Laird MacFearann then insisted that the bishop on behalf of the church pay rent for use of the land. The prelate refused this as well and warned the laird that any interference with the construction or operation of the abbey would be punished with excommunication.”
“He threatened to put your ancestor’s soul in jeopardy when he was in the wrong?” The bishop’s actions amazed her nearly as much as Rhuad’s willingness to relate the truth.
“There are some who would argue the bishop had the right to do as he’d done.”
“I disagree with them,” she stated. It was important that her husband know she thought the bishop in the wrong.
“So did my ancestor. Since he would most likely be excommunicated and spend eternity in Hades, he made a plan to ensure the bishop would be condemned to the same fate.”
“We are taught to turn the other cheek when someone offends us.”
“Very few listen to that teaching.”
“True. What did your ancestor plan to do?” she asked, eager to learn how the story ended.
“He invited the bishop to dinner in three days’ time.”
She wrinkled her brow. “I’m confused. How would that condemn the man to Hades?”
“My ancestor had a savory stew prepared along with bloodred wine and comfits.”
“Now I’m even more confused. He served costly sweets to a prelate he most likely despised?’”
“I expect you’ll not be confused when you learn that Laird MacFearann did not partake of the meal.”
“No, that information is equally confounding.”
“I suppose you are confounded because I did not mention that the stew was made from the bodies of the abbey monks whom my ancestor ordered his clansmen to capture and kill in the days before the dinner.”
Seona’s skin went clammy, and her stomach clenched. She put a hand over her mouth to keep from vomiting.
Rhuad waited patiently while she recovered herself.
“That Laird MacFearann forced cannibalism on that bishop,” uncertain which disgusted her more the laird or the prelate.
“An unforgiveable sin, as you know.”
“I’m uncertain that God would not forgive a cannibal who did not know what he was eating.”
“Possibly, however, my ancestor’s personal papers state that whether for the cannibalism or the cruelty of the threatened wrongful excommunication, he believed the bishop would be condemned along with himself.”
Sir Dougal interrupted momentarily to inform them that the men were ready to continue on to the castle.
“We’d best start riding then. The fog has thickened, and while I know the way, I wish to take care so that no one gets lost.”
“Very well.” She gave her mount the office to walk. “Your story is truly horrifying.”
“Aye, and those events earned Clan MacFearann the hatred of all who had benefited from the kindness of the monks in the abbey.”
“And now, hundreds of years later, your clan is still hated?”
“Aye, every laird since the one who disputed with the bishop has sought to clear the clan of that guilt. However, every laird has failed. Some trouble always befalls them and causes them to renew the disgust of every other Scot.”
“That’s what happened with your brother, isn’t it?”
“Yes, he spied for the English in order to gain the release of our mother and sister. He and the clan are hated for that. Worse, though, he failed to gain their release.”
“He must have many regrets.” Now that she understood the reasons, she empathized with both Rhuad and his brother.
“Ranulf told me he did, before he was banished, and begged me to succeed where he had failed.”
“Do you think you can restore Clan MacFearann’s honor in the eyes of the people?”
“No, I think that will have to wait for a different laird and a different time. My aim is to succeed in rescuing my mother and sister.”
“I and the MacKai men at arms will help in any way we can. ’Tis wrong for your womenfolk to suffer because Edward of England is greedy to own Scotland.”
“I agree with that.”
“Perhaps, if the story of your family’s suffering at the hands of the English is told, the common folk will forgive Clan MacFearann.”
“Perhaps. However, I beg you to say nothing as well as order your men to keep silent. Great harm could come from telling the truth of the MacFearanns’ current difficulties.”
“How so? Your womenfolk have been in a convent all this time, have they not?”
“To the best of my knowledge. However, anyone hearing that they were captured by the English will assume that both mother and daughter were ruined at the hands of the Sassenachs.”
“I see your point.”
Perhaps it was the inability to see the castle clearly as they approached that made entering the inner bailey feel more like arriving at a home than the huge pile of stone she’d seen from the other side of the valley.
Her growing regard for her husband, and the hope that he returned that regard, may have added to the sensation.
Rhuad helped her dismount. Sir Dougal performed the same office for Mistress Auchmuty.
“Dougal, please see the men settled in the barracks then escort the cook to our kitchens where she may help my own cook with the meals. Make clear that she is to be treated as an equal with my cook,” Rhuad instructed.
“Aye, I will do that.”
“Come, Lady Seona. I will introduce you to my aunt, Lady Cairstiona Staunton. She was widowed when her English husband died in the Battle at Berwick. She has graciously consented to act as Chatelaine at Castle MacFearann until my mother returns, or until I marry. I sent word ahead of our handfasting, thus she will no doubt treat you as she would my wife.”
“You are fortunate in your relatives.”
A brief frown crossed his face.
“I am glad to provide a home for her, since a distant cousin of her husband’s inherited and she was left with nothing.”
“Her husband did not provide a widow’s portion for her?” The woman may not have been consulted over the marriage contract, Seona reminded herself.
Foolish of Lady Staunton not to insist . I’ll not have a marriage without a say in my own fate. If Rhuad, or any other man, doesn’t like it, he may wed someone else .
“No. Nor was provision made in the marriage settlement. For that I blame my grandfather, who was too busy carousing to see to his daughter’s security.” Her husband held out his hand.
Seona placed her palm in his and walked at his side into the castle’s great hall.
His aunt and a man, most likely his steward, stood at the head of a long line of servants.
“We are glad to see you home safely, nephew. I gather from the men at arms we saw entering the bailey that your mission was successful?”
“It was, Aunt. However, Laird MacKai could not leave. He sent his seneschal in his place.”
Lady Cairstiona peered past Seona. “You should have brought the man in with you, nephew and not sent him to the barracks.”
“I have...”
His aunt waved a dismissive hand. “The man stands for Laird MacKai, and thus deserves the same courtesy as we would offer his laird.”
“Aunt,” Rhuad spoke sharply.
The lady jerked her head backward and blinked rapidly. “I beg your pardon, nephew?”
Indeed, she should beg his pardon, Seona thought.
Nephew or not, Rhuad is Laird here and should not be treated so rudely .
“Allow me to present Lady Seona MacFearann, to you aunt. She remains the MacKai seneschal and speaks for her brother. I apologize for failing to mention this in the message I sent to you about our handfasting.”
Lady Cairstiona eyed Seona askance, but evidently thought better of voicing any opinion on the MacKai seneschal’s gender or the wisdom of trusting such a responsibility to someone who’s loyalties must be divided between her handfasted husband and the clan of her birth.
“Lady Seona MacFearann, may I present my aunt Lady Cairstiona Staunton. She will guide you in any responsibilities you wish to take on as my wife. My aunt will see you made comfortable and send for you when supper is ready.”
“I am pleased to meet you, Lady Staunton.” She wondered idly how many years the lady had spent in England. She pronounced words like the English, yet had been born a Scot. Seona made a gracious curtsey.
Lady Staunton dipped a small curtsey in return. “We are pleased to welcome you to Clan MacFearann and the castle. ‘Tis past time the laird had a wife.”
She neither looked nor sounded pleased.
“The handfasting is only temporary,” Seona reminded.
***
D OES SHE WISH TO REASSURE my aunt that she will not contest her for control of the castle management . I almost wish she would. I’ve had more than enough of my aunt’s sour criticisms and the English style speech she seems to prefer .
“Nonetheless, it is at present a fact. Allow me to introduce you to the staff so that you will know to whom you speak when you give an order.”
“By all means,” Lady Seona responded. “However, I believe Laird MacFearann wished to consult with myself, his steward and the captain of his guard. Meeting the servants may have to wait.”
Lady Staunton’s gimlet eye turned on Rhuad.
He sighed as quietly as possible. The last thing he needed right now was to deal with one of his aunt’s temper tantrums. She did not yell, scream, or even weep.
However, she made certain everyone knew she was unhappy and generally did her best to ensure that anyone within earshot was as dissatisfied as she was herself.
“No, go ahead and introduce the servants. We are all tired from our journey.” He turned to Seona. “I think tomorrow, after breaking our fast, will be the best time to make plans. Now I really must leave you to discuss with my steward any events occurring within Clan MacFearann during my absence.”
“I’ll bid you adieu, husband,” said Lady Seona.
“Yes, yes,” his aunt made a dismissive gesture and took his wife by the arm. “This gentleman is Sir Buidealair. You may ask of him anything you would ask of me.”
A thin, older man of short stature, he bowed over her hand. “Delighted to meet you, Lady Seona. I regret I cannot linger to speak longer with you. There is urgent business I must bring to my lord’s attention.”
“Perhaps later, Sir Buidelair, you may tell me of how to manage a holding such as Castle MacFearann. From what I can see, my own home, Dungarob Keep, is significantly smaller.”
“I will do so happily, my lady. Now if you will excuse me, Laird MacFearann grows impatient.” He smiled as he spoke.
Seona might not realize that Buidealair was joking.
I have never been in a hurry to attend to the business of the holding. Being the second son was a great blessing. Ranulf should have been the one to deal with the tedious business of running the clan and holdings .
“Until later, then,” said Lady Seona. “Laird MacFearann, I will see you anon.”
“Of a certainty.” He gave a single nod and walked off with the steward.