“We will see. Hurry, children,” Mari called out to the youngsters who she and her sister had guided into the woods. They had come here to find holly and mistletoe to use as decorations in the great hall in preparation for the Christmas celebration.
Duncan’s mother was too distraught to do anything to prepare for the holiday so Mari stepped in to help and to keep the morale of the clan high. But it wouldn’t be a happy time without Duncan. The last thing Mari wanted to do was celebrate. Still, she did it for the children and for Duncan’s mother. She needed to help the clan stay optimistic even though so many of them had lost loved ones lately. Life was not the same anymore with Eideard in charge.
They weren’t far from the castle, so it hadn’t seemed treacherous to make the journey without an escort. When they’d left the courtyard, it was sunny and it wasn’t even snowing. But now the sky darkened and filled up with threatening-looking clouds. The wind had picked up and was starting to become relentless. “There is a storm brewin’ and we need to get back to the castle at once,” she shouted, once again starting to worry. “Everyone, hold hands and stay together in a group. Dinna wander off.”
The children ran to them as instructed. There were a half-dozen boys and girls, ranging from four to ten years of age. Mari’s sister, Tillie, gathered the two youngest girls to her, wrapping her long, woolen cloak around them. Mari felt close to her sister since they had no other siblings. After the death of their mother when they were young, her father had never remarried.
“Mari, ye seem sullen today,” remarked Tillie as they turned to make their way back to the horse and cart that they’d left on the road. Tillie was the mother of the two youngest girls that she was protecting from the cold. Ilona was five and Ava was four. “This is Yuletide and a time for joy and celebration. Ye need to smile.”
“How can I celebrate or smile when my heart is broken?” Mari held the hand of the six-year-old boy, Artair. In worry, she fingered the locket she wore on a chain around her neck with her other hand. The locket had been a present from Duncan when they’d first been betrothed. Two doves were etched into the metal, reminding her of the two turtle doves he’d given her right before he left for battle.
Mari missed Duncan more than ever, and loved him with all her heart. Every day, she’d wake up and hope to find that he had returned. But every day when he didn’t come home, it only got harder and harder to cope with reality. Poor Emmaline barely ever came out of her room anymore, so saddened by the deaths of her loved ones.
“Ye need to stop worryin’ about Duncan,” warned Tillie under her breath so the children wouldn’t hear her. “There is nothin’ we can do. Instead, focus on helpin’ his poor mathair.”
Tillie lost her husband in battle last year and had not yet remarried. Her poor children, who were young, no longer even remembered their father. Mari’s hand went to her stomach and she felt as if she were going to retch. What if Duncan truly was dead? The thought scared her. How could she ever live without him?
“I canna live like ye, Tillie, raisin’ yer children by yerself,” she whispered.
“Mari?” Tillie cocked her head and narrowed her eyes. Her gaze flashed down to Mari’s hand on her stomach. “What’s the matter? Is there somethin’ ye are no’ tellin’ me? Are ye bairned?” Her eyes opened wide as she waited for Mari’s answer.
“Nay,” scoffed Mari. “I am still a virgin, if that is what ye are askin’. Although I had a weak moment and would have given in if Duncan hadna been the strong one in the end.”
“Children, go get in the cart and wait for us there.” Tillie sent her girls off and Artair ran after them to join the others. Then Tillie turned back to Mari and crossed her arms over her bosom. “Mari, I dinna ken how to tell ye this, but I overheard some of the women gossipin’ at the well.”
“About me?” Mari’s hand flew to her chest and she started rubbing her locket between her fingers. “What did they say?”
“Well, I heard gossip that ye are bein’ foolish, holdin’ out for Duncan when he’s never goin’ to return. The strumpet of the clan, Laria, said Duncan never really wanted ye in the first place.”
“Laria said that, did she?” Mari waved her hand through the air, dismissing the thought. “She is no’ only jealous, but a liar. Dinna listen to a word she says.”
“But she said ye are goin’ to be marryin’ another by Hogmanay.”
“That’s a lie,” spat Mari. “The only person I’m goin’ to marry is Duncan.”
“But . . . what if he’s dead? Dinna ye think he’d want ye to marry another man? Wouldna he want ye to be happy?”
“I’ll never be happy with anyone but him. Now, I’ll no’ hear another word about this. Duncan and Angus are goin’ to return. I ken they will. And when they do, Duncan and I will marry just as we’ve planned all along.”
“I hope ye are right, Sister.” Tillie flashed her a smile that didn’t meet her eyes. “I hope ye are right.”
When they rode into the courtyard, Mari saw Eideard coming from the keep accompanied by that gossiping Laria. There was a frown on his face.
“Go on inside where it’s warm, children,” Mari called out, getting out of the wagon, followed by her sister.
One of the older boys ran by with ivy clasped tightly in his fist. He was followed by the rest of the children coveting their woodland treasures.
“Wait!” she cried out, causing the older boy to turn around. The rest of the children did the same.
“What is it?” he asked in question.
“Children, let me see what ye found to help decorate the great hall for the festivities.” Mari peeked into the bag that Ava carried. “I see holly and pinecones and some branches from the fir trees. Very nice.”
“I even found some mistletoe so everyone can kiss,” said one of the older girls, holding a sprig above her head and making kissing motions with her mouth. The boys made faces and groaned while the girls giggled.
“No one wants to kiss ye,” said Lucas, the eldest boy, motioning to the other three boys. “Let’s go.”
“Whatever ye do, dinna bring that ivy into the castle,” Mari called after the boy, but he didn’t hear her. Everyone knew that ivy needed to stay outdoors. Bringing it into one’s home only meant a death would occur in the near future. Right now, with all Mari’s worries about Duncan, the last thing she wanted to think about was another death.
Mari and Tillie made their way back to the castle, meeting Eideard and Laria at the bottom of the stairs leading to the entrance of the great hall. Mari never liked Laria since she always had her eye on Duncan. And just seeing Eideard made her stomach turn. She despised him taking control of the clan in Duncan’s absence. He’d always been trouble and never got along with Duncan. Since Mari’s arrival at MacLean Castle, she had tried several times talking to him about Duncan, but he always pushed her away. He’d told her Duncan and his brother were dead, and not to question him about it again.
“Where were ye?” growled Eideard, talking to Mari and Tillie. “Laria tells me she saw ye leavin’ the castle unescorted.”