Highland Christmas (2 page)

"Maither! Maither! My man is gone!" wailed Mary in her ear as she opened her eyes
groggily
.

"What are ye blabbering about, Mary?"

"My snow man is gone! Did ye nae hear me?" she cried even louder.

Stretching, she made her way down to the main floor and looked about. Sure enough, Sir William had left. It was just as well. He was not hurt badly and the skies had cleared. He would do well.

The snows began in earnest a few days later and continued for a week thereafter. Meg was beginning to worry as it became harder each day just to reach the stable and tend to h
er mare and chickens.
If only the wind would stop blowi
ng. Even that would be helpful.
She eyed her dwindling peat stacked in the corner. If they ran out of that then they would freeze. There was no way to gather more in this weather. With a heavy heart she returned to the task of kneading her dough.

"Michael, I wish ta play outside in the snow. Mayhap we can find my snow man again!"

He shook his head. "Nay, Mary. The snow is too deep." He gave her his best authoritative look. He
was
three years her senior, after all. "We will have ta wait until the sun comes out. Play with your doll til sup is ready while I see ta my chores."

Her lip stuck out in a pout for a brief moment. "Do ye think that he is well?"

He glanced up from his work
in irritation. "Silly bairn. Of course he is well...he is a knight, after all! He can look after himself."

Mary was silent for a few moments as she considered his words. Shaking her head, she replied, "He did nae do a verra good job of it when we found him."

Meg chuckled as she listened to their conversation. Sometimes her youngest was wise beyond her years. She felt blessed to have these children in spite of the treatment she
received from their father. He had been a harsh man...even in his reactions to his bairns. They were happier now without him around.

"Come children and wash for sup. It grows late."

The sun rose with the dawn scattering the storm clouds away toward the horizon. Michael had managed to clear a path to the stable and opened up a space so Mary co
uld venture outdoors, as well.
She
entertained herself by
twirl
ing
about repeatedly until she grew dizzy
,
then laughed at herself as she fell, unharmed in the snow bank. Her brother smiled while gathering eggs as he listened to her antics. It was only twenty minutes later that he noticed that she had grown quiet. He wondered if she had become chilled and returned to the fire but did not think it likely. Nearing the stable door, he heard voices speaking to her...men's voices. Alarmed, he peered around the door to see his sister conversing with a merchant and his helper.

Spotting her brother, she squealed, "Look Michael! I have found
two
snow men this time! Is it nae grand?"

The men turned toward him. The merchant smiled in greeting. "Young master! I am Angus MacInnes and this be Connor MacGee, my aide. I wish ta ken if I may impose on ye
?
My pack horse has turned lame and I need ta get my wares ta market. Would ye have a horse that I may borrow? I would pay ye well."

Michael studied the man. He looked to be around forty and a bit portly. He grinned as he thought
"Tis a wonder his own steed still stands".
His
aide
was another story. He was young...maybe thirty, with a strong build and broad shoulders. Some would call him handsome, he supposed.

"Ye will need ta ask my maither. Tis nae my decision ta make. Please come inside and warm yourselves by the fire, sirs. Ye may speak with her there about the horse."

Meg's back was turned when she heard them enter. "Mind ye ta wipe your feet afore ye traipse through and get everything wet." She spun around in alarm when she heard a man clearing his throat. "Who are ye?"

Before they could answer, Mary spoke up. "These are my new friends, Maither...Angus and Connor. I have found
two
snow men this time." She puffed up proudly at this accomplishment.

Flustered, she didn't know what to say. The portly man was obviously a m
erchant, but the other...? Her
heart began picking up speed as her eyes traveled the length of him, all six foot three of him, settling on the greenest eyes she had ever seen. He was taking measure of her at the same time and was well pleased.

The king did nae mention that she was beautiful as well! I think I am going t
a
enjoy this task.
His eyes twinkled as they locked with her own aqua orbs. She glanced away quickly, blood pounding in her ears.

"Please, sirs, warm yourselves while I fetch ye some ale. We do nae have much but I can offer some fresh bread and cheese...if ye are hungered."

Angus settled near the hearth as he replied. "Do nae trouble yourself, mistress. Ale will be fine." As they drank the refreshment Angus retold their predicament, while Connor continued studying her.

"I am sorry Angus, but my mare is nae strong enough ta carry your load. She is too auld and weak."

"I see. Then I will need ta take your
mount Connor. Ye can wait here
for my return."

"Nay!" she yelled. "He can nae stay here! Tis nae proper!"

"Proper or nae...he will stay. I must deliver my goods. If it bothers ye so much, he can sleep in the stable and help with the chores. I will pay ye with peat, food and his labor for the duration of his stay."

Her eyes widened in fear as they locked with his once again. A wide grin spread over his face as Mary danced around them chattering with excitement. How was she to resist such a temptation if he let loose his charms on her?

"Do we truly get ta keep him, Maither? Will he be here for Christmas Tide? First-footing? What wondrous luck ta have a tall, dark man for that!" Mary clapped her hands as she bounced from one foot to the other.

"Child, be still! We are most certainly
nae
keeping him!" Meghan snapped at her. "Ye can nae stay here! I will nae allow it!" She said as she turned her attention back to Connor.

His green eyes hardened as he spoke to her for the first time. "I am afraid it can nae be helped, my lady. Angus must deliver his wares on time. The king is one person
ye do nae wish ta disappoint."

She did not need to know that Connor and the supplies used for payment were the wares that Angus spoke about...and she was the recipient.
Such a stubborn lass! Still...I will assess her and make my decision then. She has a fine spirit...a mark in her favor.
Turning to Angus, he said, "I will transfer the packs ta my horse, Angus. Ye can be on your way in a short while." Giving her a stern look, he left with Mary hot on his heels, chattering a mile a minute.

"He is an honorable man, my lady. He will nae abuse his station here...or molest ye...if that be what ye fear. Put his strong back ta good use. Surely, there are some repairs that ye wish done." While Meghan fumed over the situation he finished his ale then joined Connor outside. His beady eyes darted about the yard to assure himself that the children were not about. In a low voice he queried, "Well, my lord, what think ye thus far? She is a real beauty, eh?"

Connor gro
wled at him. "Guard your tongue
man! The king would nae be pleased if his plans are revealed!"

"Aye, I ken. But he will want an accounting of your first impressions."

He was right, of course. Busying himself tying the packs on his steed, he gave it some thought. "She is very pleasing ta the eye but it takes more than looks ta capture a heart." He paused. "I do admire her spirit and it takes courage ta raise two young bairns alone in the woods...especially for a woman! Aye. She has intrigued me...ye may tell him that much. I will need ta see more before a decision is made but ye may tell him ta prepare a betrothal contract. If she be agreeable when the time comes, then we will sign it...but only if she agrees."

"Then ye must charm her, my lord." Angus chuckled to himself as he rode off to report to the king.

Connor enlisted the aide of the children as he began transporting the goods to the hut. Meg said nothing until their fourth trip inside. She was astonished at the amount of items as her cramped space
grew
even smaller.

"Must ye store all your goods here? Can nae some of it fit in the stable?"

Glancing at her, he shook his head. "This is your payment, my lady. If ye wish some of it stored elsewhere ye will need ta sort through it and decide that for yourself. I will be happy ta move whatever ye wish. There be one more load ta bring in but being as it is peat, I could store some of it in the stable."

Her eyes rounded. "Tis too much for such a short stay." Her mouth began to salivate as she spied a ham hock. She could not remember the last time they had meat...let alone pork! Resigned, she decided to endure his presence for her children's sake. The visit would only be as bad as she imagined it to be. "That would be welcome, Master MacGee. Thank ye."

So, she is a sensible woman, as well. Another mark in her favor.

The repairs to the stable were coming along nicely. Michael had worked right along beside him as Mary fetched materials for them. The children were enjoying his visit immensely...which was more than he could say about Meghan. She tolerated his presence but kept her distance. He needed to work on that. Connor had already made up his mind that he would wed her but he wanted a willing bride...not a king's edict.

King William, the Lion, knew that Connor was on a bride search but had found none to his liking after more than a year. Most were too young for his taste. The older
ladies
of the nobility were too false. He wished for a woman of good character who would not fear him...but stand as equal by his side. He cared nothing about her ancestry. It made no difference in who he chose
.
H
e was powerful enough to pick who
m
ever he wished. This lass pleased him. He would speak with her after the bairns retired for the eve. She needed to assess his character, as well, if he was to get in her good graces.

Meg felt her heart softening toward this stranger as she observed his interactions with her children
that eve
. They loved him already just because he treated them as if their opinions
held worth
. He seemed sincere when he dealt with them. She glanced up from her needlework as his deep v
oice thrummed through her
consciousness. He was holding a
drowsy
Mary in his lap with Michael at his feet as he recited a Christmas Tide
legend
from the Vikings. His voice was soothing to her soul as she allowed herself to release some of her worries. He had brought enough food for them to ride out the winter and the peat would last even longer. For once, since her husband's death, she could relax and simply enjoy the moment.

Suddenly she was locking gazes with this d
ark-haired stranger. She hadn't realized
that she had been staring until that moment. Meg cleared her throat nervously as her eyes darted away. "It is getting late children. Time for bed." She blushed as her thoughts shot to Connor in bed. How shameful of her!

Michael rose
,
taking
Mary's hand. "Come sister, we can finish the story on the morrow. Good eve,
M
aster Connor."

"Good eve, children."

After they had climbed to the loft, Connor settled before the hearth and began whittling on a block of wood as he considered how to begin the conversation. He had felt Meg's eyes on him earlier and knew she was warming toward him.
Ahh...and the blush! The blush said much about where her thoughts were wandering! I must admit that my own have traveled there more than once lately.
He glanced up as she broke the silence.

"The bairns like ye."

"As I like them. They are pleasing ta be around. I would wish for such a blessing one day soon...a family of my own."

"Y
e
have a wife?" Was her voice a bit strained?

Shaking his head, he returned to his carving. "Nay...nae wife. But I have been searching. What of your husband? Was he a good man?"

Meg did not like to speak of him but she decided to let her guard down this once. "My husband was cruel t
a
me...and the bairns. We are better off without him. I do nae miss the beatings."

Emerald eyes bore into her. "Nae man of worth would ever beat a woman! He was nae man! A lass is ta be nurtured and cared for...loved...naught less!" Connor knew then what he was up against. She did not trust men to be kind or gentle. He needed to prove her wrong.

Connor
lay awake staring at the ceiling as he considered the problem before him. How was he to gain Meghan’s trust when he was being deceitful about who he is and why he was there? Once she
discovers it
, everything that they will have built up will be torn down. He snarled in frustration. He would have to speak t
he truth and hope for the best.
One thing is
certain...she will nae be pleased, but there can be nae trust without honesty. I will have a sit-down with her on the morrow and explain all.
 
With that decided, he rolled over and slept.

Christmas Tide was upon them. Mary had been busy for the last seven days helping her mother with baking little black buns and shortbread for their meager festivities and the fast-approaching “first-footing”. Meg smiled down on her flour-covered industrious little daughter as she attempted to shape the black buns.

Kneeling before her, she began wiping the white
powder
from her face and hands.

“Why do ye nae rest this day, wee one, and go play afore all the snow is melted away? The baking is near done now.”

“I would like that, Maither.” She turned her innocent blue eyes to her. “What think ye of Master Connor, Maither? Do ye like him?

Meg gave her a startled glance before rising.
Whe
re did that thought come from?
"
Aye, he is a verra nice man...why do ye ask?”

“Do ye like him enough ta make him our Da?”

“What nonsense are ye spouting child? I am nae searching for a “Da”! We do just fine on our own, we need nae one else.” She did not need these temptations held out before her. The man would be gone soon and that would be the end of it! It was best to not let her thoughts stray to “what-if’s”.
Besides, he has shown nae desire for me, only a lustful look on occasion. I do nae need anymore fatherless children.

“Tis nae none sense!” she pouted. “Michael said
he
would like him for our Da and so would I!”

“Then it be a good thing that the decision is mine! Now run along and enjoy the rest of the day.”

“Alright...but I would wish it were so.” With a sad heart, she left to give Michael the bad news.

Meg could not get the discussion out of her head as she finished her baking and began preparing the sup meal. She was very attracted to the handsome man, she could not deny it. But Lachlan had pleased her eye as well...and look at where that lead. Almost nightly beatings! She could not bear that again! If she were to wed Connor, he might do the same. A man did not show his true colors until he gained control. She had found that out the hard way! She shook her head. Twas best to stay
a widow.
A deep voice rumbled through her causing her heart to speed up.

“It smells good in here, Meghan.”

She glanced up at his chiseled face...her gaze captured in his determined stare. Her breath grew raspy as she beat down her foolish desires.

“I would speak privately with ye, lass.”

Looking about, she replied, “Tis about as private as can be arranged.” What was he up to?

He cleared his throat as he came close. Brushing back stray blonde locks from her face, he peered deeply into her blue-green eyes. His own darken
ing
with desire as he leaned over, placing a
whisper-soft kiss on her lips.
She trembled. Why had she allowed him that privilege? But she knew why. In spite of her fears...she desired him. When he was near she lost her senses. Meghan jerked back suddenly, as if bitten.

“Forgive me, my lady. I forget my purpose here.”

“Twas naught! Do nae concern yourself.”

He smiled.
Mayhap that peck was naught, but what I would do...ahh. But first things first.
“I have come ta ye because I
have a confession ta make if ye are
ta trust me.”

“Trust ye?” She was bewildered. “What does that matter? I trust ye the same as any other man I meet. Besides, ye will be gone soon.”

Sighing, he shook his head. This was going to be difficult. “Nay, Meghan. I have been deceitful with ye about who I am and...my purpose here.”

She backed up a step, alarm flashing through her. “What mean ye? Is “Connor” nae who ye be?”

“Sit, my lady, and I will explain all.”