Legacy of the Mist Clans Box Set (103 page)

It had never bothered him to awake alone, far from him home, when he had been in service to his laird. But ever since Ina and William had died, he dreaded it. Perhaps it was because now, no matter where he was, in service to his laird or not, it was because his heart knew he truly was alone.

Except for Mairi. He realized now that Mairi and Adam were filling a void within him that desperately needed to be filled.

That knowledge made his desire for her all the more powerful. He thought about taking it next step—a marriage of convenience, it was called. She was a widow with a bairn, and he was a widower. If things had been normal, if they didn’t have the threat of death over their heads because of Adam’s bastard lineage, Connell probably wouldn’t have given it a second thought and would have married her. At least they seemed to get along well enough.

But a marriage of convenience seemed so hollow to him that he was loath to even propose it. He wanted more, and unless he missed his guess, Mairi did too.

What did the future hold for them? While he didn’t hold the bairn’s bastard linage against him, to all of them it was like the Sword of Damocles hanging over their heads.

We either live here or return tae running again. I’m done running, Connell MacGrigor. I’m done jumping at every little thing, and I’m most certainly done looking over m
y
shoulder.

In a very short amount of time, Mairi had displayed courage the likes of which he had never expected. It was with that courage that he found his hope blossoming again. She looked to the future, and he longed to leave his past behind him where it belonged and join her in that future. Seeing the changes were what truly ignited his blood.

Nay, it was not the medicant making him barmy that made his want for Mairi all the more powerful.

She was blossoming before his very eyes, and it was the woman she was becoming that breathed new life into the man he once was, who he had thought lost long ago, but who he now realized was only waiting to be rediscovered.

“Our pain brought us together, but the same kept us apart.”

~
Connell MacGrigor

O
ctober turned into November, and with it came the changing of the seasons along with the snow. Mairi kept the house shuttered and barred against the cold and the hearth fire at a constant temperature. As the air grew more chill, the large stones that made up the hearth radiated with warmth. Fortunately, Connell was very good at seeing to firewood and making sure she had plenty at hand when he was at work.

In the evenings after supper, Mairi often sat in her rocking chair and worked on her mending while Connell spent some time entertaining Adam.

Also with the new snow, Mairi began to notice a change in the marketplace. Small Christmas decorations began to appear on the merchant booths in preparation for Advent and the approaching Christmas season. They reminded her that she still needed to talk to Connell about the upcoming holiday. Many people started their celebrations on Christmas Eve, leading up to a grand celebration on Twelfth Night. Others didn’t do much until Twelfth Night arrived. She had no idea how Connell felt about the holiday or how he wanted to approach it.

She also had to admit she was growing quite frustrated with him. He had fully recovered from his injury, and after the time they spent talking about the guilt and loss he had suffered over the deaths of his family, she had hoped he would take a step forward and follow her suggestion of talking more about his family.

But he had not. Once again he appeared stuck and unwilling to move forward. He would surprise her with a kiss on occasion, and there had been several times when she thought it might lead to something more, but he always stopped, leaving her lost and confused, wondering where she stood with him, wondering what he truly wanted.

Mairi tried to dismiss her thoughts as she bundled Adam against the cold. It was time for her to go to market again. She didn’t miss the fact that she looked forward to escaping the house and visiting with their friends for a brief time. Sometimes Dugal’s wife was at his booth with him, and Mairi enjoyed chatting with her. She also wanted to visit again with Smith’s wife, Fiona, but unfortunately she hadn’t seen her since they stopped by to check on Connell.

Mairi lifted Adam into her arms as he squealed and made excited noises. “Oh, ho,” she chuckled. “Ye ken when we be leaving now, do ye?”

He looked at her, pursing his lips and blowing out his breath, which of course anointed her with baby spittle. “Adam,” she said with gentle reproach as she wiped her cheek.

He ducked his head as if suddenly bashful and giggled.

“Ye little ruffian,” she chided with a grin and stepped out, locking the door behind her. The snow on the ground had mostly melted except in spots that remained protected from the sun. Small rivulets of water trickled between the paving cobbles of the road, but fortunately, as long as she watched where she walked, the road wasn’t slippery. The wind was biting cold, and she though it smelled of snow. They would probably get another hearty dusting tonight.

Mairi passed the smith’s shop and looked for Connell but was disappointed when she didn’t see him. She continued into the market square and, as was her routine, stopped first at Dugal’s booth and bought her vegetables, chatting with him for a brief time.

She turned to go to Hamish’s booth when she spotted a familiar face. Fiona stood a pace away at a silversmith’s booth looking at jewelry. She chatted and laughed with the silversmith. She glanced in Mairi’s direction and grinned.

“Mairi, my dear,” she called and motioned her to approach.

Mairi smiled and walked to the booth. “Fiona, how are ye?”

“Just fine,” she said, but her gaze locked on Adam. “Bless! I finally get to see the young lad. Oh, please let me hold him just a bit.” She held out her hands.

Mairi had always been hesitant about allowing just anyone to hold Adam, but Fiona was so open she found herself giving Adam over without a second thought.

“Aren’t ye a braw laddie,” Fiona said delightedly. Adam gazed at her wide-eyed. “My sons are all grown,” Fiona said to Mairi. “Both married not verra long ago, and my eldest has a six-month-old bairn. But they live a good distance from Edinburgh, so I’ve only seen the bairn twice since he was born.”

“I’m sorry tae hear that.”

“Och, lassie, dinna mind me. I just hope ye understand when I start spoiling wee Adam rotten.”

Mairi laughed. She couldn’t fault Fiona for wanting to dote on her grandchildren. Well, she could dote on Adam anytime. After running for so long on the trail, Adam deserved to know love in his life.

“Ye be Connell’s lassie?” the silversmith, watching their exchange, asked.

“Where be my manners?” Fiona said. “Forgive me. Aye, Ross, this be Mairi, Connell’s wife, and his wee bairn, Adam.”

“Ross,” the young merchant said, inclining his head.

“Ross was my husband’s apprentice for a time,” Fiona said.

“Really?” Mairi asked.

“Aye,” Ross said. “Not all ken Smith does fine work with silver, but he has little patience for fragile trinkets, as he calls them, so the most he works with it is for decorating swords, but he has no small talent.”

“Ross is a wonderful silversmith. If you ever desire any jewelry, a special carafe, or any decoration, he be the person tae talk tae.”

“Thank ye, Fiona,” he said and smiled. “Ye are too kind.”

For the first time, Mairi allowed her gaze to travel over the pendants, necklaces, and rings on display in the booth. She had passed them almost daily on her trips to market but never allowed herself the luxury to look because she knew they really couldn’t afford an expensive trinket.

Several medallions caught her eye. All of them appeared to be of various saints. She recognized the Holy Mother immediately, of course, and Saint Michael the archangel, along with several others, but there were many she did not know.

“Och, the medallions. Ye have good taste, lassie. They be extremely popular,” Ross said, following her gaze. He reached out and picked up two. “Ye would probably be interested in these. The first be Saint Martha, and the second be Saint Clement.”

She knew Saint Martha was the patron saint of the lady of the household. “Forgive me,” she said, a blush rising on her cheeks. “But I dinna ken Saint Clement.”

Both Ross and Fiona stared at her, their jaws slack. Mairi’s blush burned brighter, and she ducked her head.

“Forgive me,” Fiona said. “I didna mean to be rude, but with Connell . . . Mairi, Saint Clement be the patron saint of blacksmiths.”

Mairi almost smacked her forehead. Of course! She remembered the celebration in her own village. His feast day was quite grand. “How can I forget something like that?” she asked, absolutely mortified with herself.

“Dinna worry,” Fiona said, patting her shoulder.

Mairi took the medallion from Ross and examined it. The craftsmanship was extraordinary. The oval medallion was about as wide as two of her fingers put together. It was heavy too; no doubt it had a great amount of silver and was quite expensive.

“Speaking of Saint Clement, perhaps I should warn ye since his feast day is rapidly approaching. We have something of a tradition in our little corner of Edinburgh. My husband and I, along with all of the merchants here in the square, hold a grand feast on his day. It’s a wonderful celebration that lasts well into the night.”

“Now that be a feast,” Ross said, nodding. “It’s become something of the announcement of Christmastide for us. Of course, with Smith and Fiona being such a part of our community here, we canna have a small celebration. Every year, we work tae outdo the previous, and it grows even grander.”

“That sounds delightful but also like a lot of work.”

“Aye,” Fiona said, studying her intently. “But I see ye dinna understand. The Feast of Saint Clement be a celebration of those who work a trade that be a valuable asset tae our community. Now that ye and Connell are here, yer husband along with mine will be the center of attention on that day. Because it marks the beginning of our Christmas season, we often give gifts tae our smiths. For that one day, they are regaled and honored as if royalty.”

Mairi blinked. She realized they could not dare refuse to attend. To do so would insult everyone. Oh, dear, she had no idea how Connell would react, but he would probably be decidedly uncomfortable.

“Does Connell ken this?”

“I would imagine so since it be the feast for his patron saint.”

“Nay. I mean does he ken ye have such a grand celebration and he will be in the middle of it?”

Fiona frowned, then her eyes widened. “Nay, I dinna think he does. And from what I’ve seen of yer man thus far . . . Mairi, ye’d best prepare him, and the sooner ye start, the better. I’d hate tae see him vexed at the feast. The lad works so verra hard, he deserves this one day tae have as his own.”

“What day is it again?”

“November twenty-third. Us lasses set the decorations early in the morning. With the dawn, revelers will be arriving.”

“That early?”

“Aye, that early. I vow, Mairi, sometimes I need tae use my husband’s forge tae cook all the food for the feast. Fortunately, all of the lassies here help cook, and the men roast the boar over the bonfire. That reminds me, Ross, do ye ken if Hamish will supply the boar again?”

“Aye, Fiona, he has mentioned he found a source for a good one. Promises it will take four men tae heft it onto the spit.”

“Wonderful, I shall begin the collection so we can gather the coin tae pay him for the beast.”

Coin.

Mairi looked at the medallion she still held. She had been trying to think of a Christmas gift for Connell, but now that she knew of Saint Clement’s feast, giving him a medallion of his patron saint on the day of the feast would be perfect.

But how could she possibly afford such a thing? She would never ask Connell for the money to buy his own gift. Nay. She had to think of something and quickly.

“Ross,” she said softly, “I would very much like tae get this for my husband, but I fear I dinna have the coin right now. Would ye put it away for me? As soon as I can, I will purchase it from ye.”

Ross smiled and nodded. “Of course, lassie.” He took the medallion from her and wrapped it in undyed silk. “In fact, as a professional courtesy, the price for ye will be only what it cost me tae make it.”

“Oh, thank ye, but ye must have something for this fine work.”

“Dinna worry over it. I will keep this for ye until ye can purchase it.”

“Thank ye again.”

“Mairi, it will be a fine gift for yer man,” Fiona said, smiling. “I am certain he will treasure it.”

Mairi returned Fiona’s smile, but her thoughts scrambled trying to determine exactly how she was going to obtain the coin she needed.

HHH

Connell arrived home cold, tired, and hungry. Normally his work before the forge kept him quite warm, but he had neglected to remove his tunic while he worked this afternoon, and it was now soaked through. With the icy wind and snow starting to fall, the short walk home after closing up the shop had nearly frozen it to his skin. He stepped through the door and quickly closed it behind him, but a few snowflakes managed to follow him inside.

The scent of roast venison reached him and made his mouth water. The warm fire burned merrily in the hearth, and the house, as always, was as neat as a pin. But he was surprised not to see Adam playing on his blanket. The lad had gotten into the habit of greeting him with a toothless, drooling grin and holding up his arms when Connell walked through the door. Connell could not deny him and always kept him entertained so Mairi could finish supper. Connell removed the broach holding his plaid closed about his shoulders and looked to the kitchen.

Mairi, supporting Adam on her hip, adroitly worked to finish their meal. She looked up at him and smiled, an action that always made his heart skip a beat.

Adam spotted him immediately and made a cry that was not quite a wail but not quite a delighted squeal either. He held out his arms to Connell and kicked against Mairi.

“Peace, Adam,” she said, shifting awkwardly as she was forced to drop her spoon and hold Adam more securely.

Connell removed his plaid. “What’s wrong, lassie?”

“He’s fussy today. I dinna ken why.”

Adam grunted in frustration, still holding his arms out to Connell.

“Give me a moment, then I’ll take him so ye can finish.” He took a step toward the bedroom.

“Ye dinna have tae. I—”

Wee Adam let out such a wail that it caused both of them to stop in their tracks and look at him in shock.

Adam’s face was bright red, and huge tears rolled down his cheeks. He still held his arms out but looked from Connell to Mairi and back again. Connell recognized his expression. The bairn was furious that he had arrived home and promptly turned his back. His lips lifted. “It seems that I do have tae take him if both of us wish tae have a peaceful dinner this eve.”

Adam, still displeased that Connell was not moving in the proper direction, howled again.

“Adam,” Mairi scolded. “Peace, laddie, ye act so rotten sometimes.”

Connell darted into the bedroom and hauled his tunic off over his head, cringing when he heard Adam’s enraged cry grow even louder. Aye, he was helping to spoil the bairn, but all the lad wanted was to greet him and be held when he came home from work. Connell couldn’t find it in his heart to tell him nay.

He quickly tugged a clean tunic over his head and returned. Mairi certainly had her hands full. Adam was growing stronger and now acted as if he wanted to escape Mairi’s clutches. He still cried, his face an even brighter red.

“Peace,” Connell rumbled as he approached. His deep voice silenced Adam’s wails but didn’t stop his tears. Connell took him from Mairi. “Enough of that, laddie,” Connell said sternly.

Tears still trickled down his cheeks as he looked up at Connell. He stuck his fist in his mouth and chewed on it but then settled his head against Connell’s chest with a long-suffering sigh, as if to say,
This be all I wanted. Was that so hard?