The hymn ended and Father Murphy raised his hands to the congregation. “What a glorious day, Clan Buchanan. ’Tis joyful to see ye here this day in God’s house.” He made the sign of the cross over them. “Let us pray.”
Father Murphy performeda delightful mass and after the last prayers were spoken, all began to exit the church. Eva smiled at the clergyman before she too left. Outside, she found Breckin waiting for her near a group of women. She took his hand and waited for him to move on, but he tilted his head at the women as if to give her a silent suggestion to speak to them. His encouragement gave her the mettle to do so.
She gave him a smile and turned back to the women.
Deena stepped toward her. “Eva, the women asked me to ask ye… Would ye be kind enough to join us on the morrow? We take singing practice just after the noon meal at my cottage.”
“I would love that. You all sing so lovely.”
As she and Breckin continued on the path, he kept his gaze ahead and said, “Ye see, lass, ye are well-liked here amongst your clan and well-loved by me.”
Eva couldn’t hold back the joy that came to her heart at hearing him say such. She smiled and leaned into him because that was all she had ever hoped for—to be loved, liked, and cherished.My clan, my family, and my friends.
Chapter Twenty-Four
The harvest celebrationtook place at the beginning of October. They had been late in planning it for several reasons. Fortunately, the women of the clan stepped in and handled most of the harvest and storing of the crops. Since it was stored away for the oncoming winter months, thanks to the aid of Eva’s carts, the gathering could go forth.
With the possible war with the MacLarens, they hadn’t considered getting started on planning a clan gathering because most of the soldiers were busy attending to arms. The MacLarens kept to their lands, likely licking their wounds from their traitorous acts against the Buchanans and others.
With the weather growing colder by the day, Breckin wanted to celebrate before it became too chilly to be outside. Throughout the morning, he met with his clansmen and had them assist in putting up streaming banners, building firepits along the lanes, and helping to hunt for the feast they would partake in before dusk set the sky that day. Fires now lit the pits and sent warmth to those who stood around the short, enclosed walls.
As he ambled along the lane and ran into Gideon. “Laird, all is readied. The children seem delighted and the younger soldiers set up games for them. There shall be competitions of fete this day. Why did we not have a harvest celebration before…? ’Tis good to bring the clan together.”
“My ma and da did years ago but then I suppose it was forgotten. We will hold it every year going forward och much earlier in the season, for ’tis too damned cold.”
“I am looking forward to the cold months and being inside and bloody warm.”
Breckin stopped him from leaving when he asked, “Are the men repairing the tailor’s hut as I bid? I promised James that we would rebuild it.”
Gideon bobbed his chin. “They started yestereve and should finish this day. Lawrence put all his builders on it so they might finish before the celebration begins.”
“Good. I certainly hope my brothers have learned their lesson about lighting fires. At least they seemed to have.” Breckin turned but then his comrade stopped him by taking his arm.
“Oh, here, before I forget,” Gideon said and pulled out a creature from inside his tunic. “This wee lad was keeping me warm. Ye wanted a kitten for Milady. Master Amos had a litter of them at his stall yestereve and I snagged one for ye.” Gideon chortled and handed him the pet, a red-haired tabby that was a good size. He pounded his back with force and walked away.
Breckin held the kitten gently in the crook of his arm and walked hastily to the longhouse as the tiny creature mewed and made small hissing noises as it dug its claws into his sleeve. “Wheesht, cat,” he soothed. “You’ll be home afore long.”
As he entered the longhouse, he saw Eva in the kitchen area making bread. She had a smattering of flour on the bodice of her overdress and a little on her nose. He kissed it away when he reached her.
“I have a gift for ye.” He pressed the kitten in her hand. “My ancestors used to give kittens to their brides. It was thought to honor the Goddess of Love and bring joy to the bride. Or perhaps that was because her larder would then be free of vermin.”
Her eyes rounded, then softened as she lifted the small feline toeye level. “Oh, what a sweet little thing,” she cooed. And then she turned to him. “Thank you, Breckin. I shall love it, just as I love you.”
“Perhaps ye can love me a wee bit more?” He laughed when she pinched his arm.
“Of course. You are the only man I love and far more important to me than a mere cat.” She set the kitten on the floor and it scurried off to hide beneath a table.
“Come with me. There is another surprise for ye.” Breckin led her from the longhouse and continued on the well-worn path.
Alton stood with his brother Aymer at the gatehouse. He stopped to greet his clansmen. Both glared and seemed disgruntled about something but that wasn’t unusual because his brethren were known to be cantankerous.
“What is amiss?” he asked them. “Oh, nay, does this have something to do with my brothers? Have they caused some mishap or commotion? Tell me now so I might think of a suitable punishment.”
Aymer chuckled under his breath. “I saw your brothers early this morn when they’d finished their rides and headed to the training field with Gideon. They wore serious miens, Laird, and I expect the commander is setting a hefty schedule for them.”
“I saw Gideon earlier and he did not mention my brothers attending to their training. Mayhap that is good news. What then is the trouble?”
Alton set his fisted hands on his hips. “Seems Hamish was seen leaving the stables a short time ago. When I entered, I found all the reins in the stable had been tied together in knots. It will take me most of the day to unfurl them. Bollocks, no one has time for that this day. The lad pulled a prank worthy of your brothers’ renown.”
