Highlander's Sword (37 page)

   Gavin blanched and returned back the way he had come, presumably to change clothes.

   "Yer mother certainly knows how to strike fear in the hearts o' many," commented MacLaren dryly.

   "Including my dearest husband?" asked Aila. They had responded to her mother's demand they visit with the family, since she claimed she had not seen her grandchildren for so long she would not be able to recognize them anymore, though in truth, it had been only one month since their last visit. MacLaren had grumbled about being manipulated but had made arrangements to go to Dundaff. Lady Graham had a full day planned for the family, and everyone was expected to participate.

   The servants swooped in to take the children to dress, and Aila and Padyn found themselves alone for a few precious moments.

   "We should dress," said Aila, but Padyn pulled her close.

   "That would be counter to my desires."

   Aila shrugged against him. "And mine, as well, but 'tis for family."

   "Family? Are ye saying I am related to that she-devil?"

   "Aye, 'tis true, and perhaps ye'll find one in yer own bed if ye dinna watch what ye say about my mother," exclaimed Aila.

   She struggled against him briefly, but MacLaren held her tighter. "Aye, ye are my family," he said, looking down at her. "I have been blessed more than I e'er thought possible."

   Aila sighed. "I do love ye, my husband."

   "And I ye." Padyn started pulling up her chemise, and he kissed her gently from her temple down to her lips.

   "But we'll be late." Aila broke away. "Mother will be furious."

   "She'll be angry at us whate'er we do. At least this way we'll have a really good reason for her fury."

   "What will we say to my mother?" Aila wrapped her arm around his neck.

   "Tell her we were working on her fourth grandchild."

   "I canna say that!"

   Padyn covered her mouth with his, and Aila found she was not going to be saying anything for quite some time.

A great lover of history and kilt-wearing, sword wielding men, I nestled this story into the intrigue of 14 century Scotland. In 1346, while England was theoretically busy fighting France in what would later be known as the Hundred Years' War, young King David of Scotland decided to invade northern England and took the town of Liddesdale. Unfortunately, King David underestimated the English response, aided by the superiority of the Welsh longbow, and he was captured in a bloody battle at Neville's Cross. According to legend, the leader of the Grahams urged King David to order a charge into the English archers, shouting, "Give me but a hundred horse, and I will scatter them all." Unfortunately, none followed Graham except his own clan, who were slaughtered by the longbow. This story picks up where history leaves off, imagining what happened next to the Grahams.

   Aila Graham in this tale is destined for the convent and, as such, receives far more education than was stan dard for that time, particularly for a woman. Though not much survives, we still have some writings from women of that time (all nuns) proving at least a select few received extensive educations. Since one of the main fields of study would have been the Scriptures, Aila is familiar with the Latin Bible.

   During the 14 century, no English translations of the Bible were available, since the Church had decreed anything other than the Latin was heretical. John Wycliff was the first to produce an English version of the Bible in the 1380s. This irritated the Pope so much that, even forty-four years after Wycliff's death, his bones were ordered to be dug up, crushed, and scattered in the river. One of Wycliff's followers, John Hus, was burnt at the stake in 1415, using copies of the English Bible as kindling. Lady Aila translates the Latin verses into English in her head, but never would be so bold as to put that translation down on paper. Thankfully, we live in more enlightened times, so I have listed the verses Aila pondered during her great adventure for the modern-day reader (including chapter and verse, which she also did not have in her day), just in case your Latin is a little rusty.

   Aila's verses, translated using the
New International
Version
of the
Holy Bible:

   Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17

   The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righ teous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10

   For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this? Esther 4:14

   A noose is hidden for him on the ground; a trap lies in his path. Job 18:10

   Proud men have hidden a snare for me; they have spread out the cords of their net and have set traps for me along my path. Psalm 140:5

   Rachel said to her father, "Don't be angry, my lord, that I cannot stand up in your presence; I'm having my period." So he searched but could not find the household gods. Genesis 31:35

   But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 7:14

   Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth—for your love is more delightful than wine. Song of Songs 1:2

   But no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. James 3:8

   Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6

   Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value a man who speaks the truth. Proverbs 16:13

   Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27