Laird of the Mist (17 page)

Cat stood before the armoire mirror adjusting her green velvet bodice and its laces. She always had difficulty getting them to lace up the front equally and stay in place.
―Lace it from the bottom, and from the outside,‖ Olivia said from behind her. ―It lies better that way and laces more evenly.‖
―Oh,‖ Cat said, unlacing them to start again. ―I guess ye would ken it, what with wearing an Aboyne for dance and all.‖
Cat referred to the Aboyne costume Olivia wore as a Highland dancer. A velvet vest with a petaled hem and laces up the front. ―This is so similar to the Aboyne, but that won‘t come as a dance costume until the 1950‘s,‖ shecommented. ―Amazing how accurate theywere when theydesigned it, aye? Especiallysince Aboyne is so far from here. I guessthey wore it all over Scotland, not just in Aboyne.‖
―Aye, it seems ye‘re right about that,‖ Olivia agreed, reaching out to help Cat lace it up. The small silver ring on her third finger gleamed, but she wasn‘t about to bring it up. Not yet.
―Iwrestled with gettingit right for alongtime. Don‘t feel bad. It‘s a bit tricky. Are ye looking forward to the party tonight?‖
Cat stood still while Olivia did her up. ―It should be a nice break for everyone after all the troubles. They could use a bit of fun, I think.‖
―Iken Icould use some fun.‖Oliviafinished thelacing. ―There ye are,‖she said and plopped down on the bed, carefully hiding her ring hand within the other.She could have taken the ring off, but she couldn‘t bear to have it off her finger for an instant. ―Generous of ye and Carrick to do it for everyone.‖
―They did help with putting the new roof on the barn, after all.‖ Cat smiled.―I‘ve never seen anything like it. Neighbors and crofters working together to do the job. A real community and camaraderie, ye ken? Unlike our time where everyone keeps to themselves and does only for themselves.‖
―True,‖ she agreed. ―Will there be dancing, d‘ye think?‖ Olivia‘s eyes gleamed.
―Olivia…‖ Cat began to warn her sister. The look in her eyes spelled trouble.―No Highland dancing, ye hear? Promise me ye won‘t sneak it in. Ye‘ll scandalize the whole of theglen.‖
―I won‘t,‖ Olivia promised halfheartedly. ―But Jenny Douglas…‖
―Never ye mind Jenny Douglas. She won‘t be around for another hundred-fiftyyears at least,‖ Cat reproved. ―There‘s no need for ye to change the history of Highland dancing so ye can be the first woman to do it and break the male barrier, ye understand? No surprises tonight, aye?‖
―Aye, Cat,‖ Olivia still had that mischievous sparkle. Cat would certainly be surprised, but with the betrothal. Although the idea of Highland dancing did appeal…
―Iunderstand,‖ she lied. ―So, do ye think Fiona will dare to come?‖ She shifted the subject away from herself.―She wasna invited.‖
―Fiona would dare to do anything, even if we havena seen her in several weeks,‖ Cat sat to put on her hose and slippers. ―We should plan to see her just in case.‖
―Ye‘re right,‖ Olivia agreed. She rose from the bed and swiftly reachedthe bedroom door. ―I‘ll see ye later, then?‖
―Aye. Later then.‖ Cat nodded, slipping the second hose over her calf and up onto her thigh. ―Mind yerself.‖
―Oh,aye,‖ Olivia chirped. ―That I‘ll do.‖
Why do I have a bad feeling about this? Cat thought, then cast it aside to finish dressing.

The
ceidhli
began at dusk, the crofters and neighbors arriving as they could by horseback or their own two legs. Each brought a bit of something to contribute—a jug of whisky, a dish from an old family receipt, a slab of bacon from their smokehouse.

The tables had been set between the house and the newly roofed barn, and were draped in linens and bed sheets, surrounded by every available chair from the house and outbuildings. Carrick and Dougal had earlier laid long wooden panels on the ground, forming a perfunctory dance floor with an area for whichever musicians in the glen would care to play. Cat and Mary set torches around the perimeter and up the walk to light the way.

No longer able to wear their colorful tartans, the folk still managed to appear in brightly colored garb of every variety, although the men were heard to grumble about the t
riubhas
they now were forced to wear instead of kilts.

Ever frugal, some of the women had chosen to dye their tartans a dark color, so they could still be worn as shawls and wraps. Not a single soul was pleased with it, but no one wished to beg the English‘s attention.

In an area near the barn, a side of venison roasted on a spit and on another, a side of Carrick‘s best Highland beef. The tables bowed heavily with smoked meats and fish, apples and pasties.
Near the makeshift dance floor, a fiddler struck up a strathspey. A few couples began a country dance, flowing in and out and behind each other in lilting steps and figures.
Everywhere geniality and good humor prevailed. Tankards and tumblers of ale and whisky flowed freely from Beinn Fhithich‘s own alehouse and distillery.
―Have ye seen Olivia?‖ Cat asked Ian, grabbing his arm and pulling him to her as he walked by. ―I‘ve no seen her at all tonight.‖
Ian‘s grin struck Cat as mischievous. ―Oh,aye, Cat,‖ he replied, pulling his arm away. ―She‘ll be out in a bit. She had to tend to something.‖
Cat folded her arms and stared hard at Ian. ―Tend to something?‖ She frowned. ―What might that be, Ian? She isnaup to one of her surprises, is she now?‖
―Sorry, Cat,‖ Ian said over his shoulder as he turned to make a hastyretreat. ―Idinna ken, honest.‖ He gave a shrug and hurried into the crowd,so that Cat couldn‘t question him further.
Exasperated, Cat stood with arms crossed, staring after him.
―What is it,
mo cridhe
?‖ Carrick asked as he placed his arms around her from behind. ―Yer wee sister giving ye fits again?‖
―Aye.‖ Cat nodded and wrapped her hand around one of his arms. ―She‘s up to something. I can feel it. And it‘s never a good thing when she is.‖
―Dinna worry about her, Cat.‖ Carrick turned her to face him. ―Olivia will do what she will. Ye canna be watching her like a child. Come,‖ he pulled her by the hand to the dance floor. ―Let‘s have a dance and ye can forget yer cares, aye?‖
―I suppose.‖ Cat smiled up at him. He always did know how to wipe away her worries.
They joined the other couples in a romantic waltz and after a turn about the floor, Cat began to feel the stress ease away. By the time the dance was over, Cat was laughing with Carrick and ready to sit and enjoy some food. Carrick led her to a table and seated her with Molly and Hamish, then went to bring her a plate.
As they sat eating venison, beef, and samples of neighbors‘ dishes, they talked and enjoyed the balmy weather and a starry sky.
The fiddler began to play again, accompanied by a bodhran. After the first few notes, Hamish and Cat‘s eyes met in alarm.
―The
Sean Triubhas
?‖ Cat whispered to Hamish.
―I‘m afraid so,‖ Hamish answered, apprehension thick in his voice. He began to rise from the table along with Cat, but it was too late.
Olivia stood in the center of the dance floor wearing a great kilt wrapped around her waist, belted, and the plaid draped and pinned over her right shoulder. A dark blue velvet bodice completed the thrown-together Highland costume.
With a defiant confidence, she danced the steps of the
Sean Triubhas
, a dance that meant ―Old Trousers,‖ and told the story of the prohibition of the kilt and the subsequent wearing of
trewes
, or trousers. And when the dance became freer and faster, the story of the Highlanders‘ right to wear the kilt again after the Act of Proscription was repealed.
―These people willna see this dance come into fashion for thirty years yet,‖ Cat commented to Hamish.
She could hear the shocked murmurs around her. The crowd sounded their stunned amazement at a woman wearing a kilt, let alone show her legs in such a fashion. They voiced their outrage that a woman would dance so in public.
But there were also remarks of awe that she would have the courage to do it at all. And how very well she performed it! The power, the stamina, the grace!
Cat and Hamish stood silently watching as Olivia finished the dance with an enormous leap and bowed.
The crowd immediately broke into wild cheering, whistling, and clapping. In the end, her would-be detractors gave whole-hearted and, in some instances, grudging approval for what she had done. Olivia may have begun the dance in scandal, but she ended it with acclaim.
Ian stepped to her side as the drummer did a quick roll, calling for silence.
―Dear family and good friends,‖ Ian began, now that he had their attention. ―A hearty welcome to ye all this fine night of joy and celebration. Please charge your glasses!‖
―What is he talking about?‖ Cat whispered to Carrick and Hamish, standing on either side of her. ―What are they up to now?‖
―I dinna ken,‖ Carrick answered. ―But I think we are about to find out.‖
―Tonight,‖ Ian continued, looking at Olivia, obviously enthralled with her, ―Olivia and I ask that ye join us in raising a glass to our betrothal. Olivia MacHendrie has done me the honor of accepting my proposal of marriage. I ask ye to be upstanding for my betrothed. To Olivia!‖ Ian raised his tumbler to her as she blushed a deep scarlet.
The guests responded in resounding
Slaintes
,
Ayes
, and various acclimations that astounded Cat, Carrick, and Hamish.
―Did ye ken about this?‖ Cat turned to Hamish.
―Aye, I did.‖ Hamish raisedhis tumbler toward the happy couple. ―He asked my blessing this morning, but I had no idea he would act so quickly. Ah well, Cat. Be happy for yer wee sister. ‗Tis time she has a man in herlife.‖
―And you?‖ She turned to Carrick who gave a shrug and a shake of his head.
―Nay, Cat,‖ he answered. ―But I canna say I am no well pleased. They are a fine match to my way of thinking.‖
Cat let out a long sigh and resigned herself. ―Well then,‖ she said, taking each by an arm. ―Let‘s go and congratulate them. I supposed ye‘re both right. I just wish she had confided in me is all. That girl…‖ Cat trailed off as the three made their way to Olivia and Ian, who were busy accepting congratulations from everyone.
Finally, the crowd thinned and Olivia broke through to hugCat‘s neck. ―I‘m so verra happy, Cat!‖ she exclaimed. ―Can ye believe it? Isn‘t it wonderful?‖
Cat loosened Olivia‘s hold on her and gazed at the blissin her younger sister‘s alabaster face. She could not deny Olivia the very happiness that had brought her and Carrick—all of them for that matter—to this place and time.
―We will talk later, aye?‖ Cat hugged Olivia tightly. ―I want to hear it all, sprite. I am so glad that ye found yer true love. He
is
yer love, is he no?‖
Olivia pulled away and gave Cat an enormous, contented smile. ―Oh, aye, Cat.‖ She beamed. ―He is that and more. And I will tell ye everything and we can plan the wedding together, you and I!‖
Cat hadn‘t thought as far as the wedding. Realization dawned quickly and she said, ―I supposed we must, at that!‖ She laughed with delight. ―We‘ll begin in the morning, aye?‖
―Oh,aye!‖ Olivia grabbed both of her sister‘s handswith enthusiasm. ―And ye must play the violin for it, please?‖
―Well, we‘ll see...‖
―So the Queen of the Fey found a consort, did she?‖ Fiona‘s sarcasm cut through the air like a broadsword as she edged her way in to stand next to the sisters. ―I can‘t for the life of me understand the boy—and he is a boy—but,‖ she said, taking a sip from her tumbler and raising it to Olivia, ―to each their own.‖
―Now, Fiona…‖ Cat began, but Olivia cut her off.
―You filthy witch,‖ Olivia spat, taking a step closer to the smirking woman. ―How dare ye come here and spread yer shite around decent folk? How dare ye come at all, uninvited and unwelcome as ye are?‖
Olivia was turning red with a rage that Cat had never witnessed in her sister. Shegrabbed Olivia‘s arm to pull her away as she rapidly scanned the crowd for Carrick and Ian.
―Come away, Olivia.‖ Cat pulledon her arm. ―Dinna listen to her. She just wants to ruin it for ye, and ye willna allow her the satisfaction…‖
―That‘s right, Cat.‖ Fiona laughed, a high-pitched cackle that reminded Cat of the Wizard of Oz. ―Protect your baby sister. Just like old times, isn‘t it?‖
―Nay, Fiona,‖ Carrick said from behind the woman. A hush fell over the guests as they witnessed the escalating scene. Every single soul knew who Fiona was, and not a one would speak for her.
―Nay. In old times, ye wouldha run off with some rich gent and be gone,‖ Carrick said, taking Fiona‘s arm and pulling her up in front of him to meet her eyes, loathing streaking through his own eyes like lightening. ―Ye spread yer hatred while living on yer daughter‘s mercy. I suggest ye leave immediately. Ye havena right to be here,and today of all days. Get ye gone, Fiona.‖
Fiona set her jaw and glowered at him in defiance. ―I will leave when I wish,‖ she said through clenched teeth.
―I‘ll see to her.‖ Ian was suddenly at Carrick‘s side. His face was granite and his broad shoulders set for a fight. ―Ye‘ll leave with me now, Fiona, if I have to carry ye.‖
Seeing that she would not get anywhere with her games this night, Fiona shrugged, handed Carrick her tumbler, and eyed Cat and Olivia.
―All right then.‖ She sighed prettily. ―I only wanted to congratulate my daughter on her upcoming nuptials. Let me know when you begin planning the wedding,‖ she said over her arrogant shoulder as she turned to join Ian. ―Every bride needs a mother‘s hand, after all,‖ she tossed out as Ian led her down the hill to her carriage.
―I think ye‘d best get out of that kilt,‖ Cat said gently, but firmly,to Olivia. ―Who kens the trouble Fiona will make of yer dancing tonight, let alone wearing tartan.‖
Olivia‘s eyes widened in fear. ―Ye dinna think she‘d go to the Sasunnach, do ye?‖
Cat put her arm around her sister‘s shoulders and began leading her toward the house at a brisk pace.
―Idinna ken, but we canna take the chance. Ido wish ye hadna given us reason to worry. But it‘s done now, so let‘s make the best ofit, aye?‖
―Aye,‖ Olivia agreed meekly as they hurried up the stairs. ―I‘m so sorry, Cat. I dinna think of it. I assure ye,‖ she said, turning to look her sister in the eye, contrition etched on her face. ―I willna be so foolish again. I swear.‖
―I do hope ye mean it.‖ Cat smiled to reassure her. ―Let‘s get ye changed and back to the
ceidhli
. It is yer betrothal party, after all.‖ Cat patted Olivia‘s shoulder with affection and encouragement.
I hope she‘s learned her lesson, Cat thought. God alone knew what would come of Olivia‘s exhibition this night. Perhaps her betrothal to Ian would turn out to be the best thing possible for Olivia. Perhaps he could keep a hand on her. But she doubted it.