“Aye.Theodore Stewart has the best wares.Let us begin there.”
With Daniel taking the lead, they tied their horses to the railing at the edge of Stonehaven village proper and dismounted.
Daniel bowed slightly to Mairi.“I must inquire with the wheelwright.Can ye manage on your own or do ye prefer to wait for me?”
Mairi lifted her green gaze to the partly cloudy sky.“’Tis a fair day,” she replied.“Ailith and I can manage on our own for a bit.”
Daniel bobbed his head.“I’ll come find ye when I’m finished.”
Mairi watched as he stepped away, veering toward the building that housed the wheelwright.Then Mairi turned her gaze to Ailith.“Let us go to Stewart's stall.He’s a talented silversmith and will have a selection for ye to choose from.”
As they wove their way through the crowd to the market stalls, Ailith had to wonder why Mairi was being so kind.Maybe it was manners because Ailith was getting married?Or joy at no longer having Ailith in her house?
Ailith felt a pinch of regret at assuming the worst with Mairi, but she couldn’t read the woman at all.She wished Angelina were here – her dark eyes took in everything and everyone.She could read people like an open book, a trait Ailith did not share, and could tell her what might be going on behind Mairi’s intense eyes.
With a deep sigh, Ailith decided to see this trip to the market as it was a kindness.Mairi was the chieftain’s wife, after all, and was well-mannered, no matter what slights Ailith might see.
The market itself was a crowded thoroughfare of vendors, stalls, animals, and people.Heady scents of livestock – goats and sheep – mixed with human musk and the odd spice hung like a cloud over the market.The low din of chattering market customers and vendors was a shocking difference to the quieter tower at Glenbervie.
Ailith was trying to look everywhere at once.There were many more options than Ailith had imagined.Some merchants were wealthier, with awning-styled pavilions, flags, and signs announcing their wares or guild.Others were simpler, with only the items for sale displayed on a table.The market was well represented.Most of the food vendors were to the right, with the fishmongers on the end and fruit stalls near the middle.On the left, weavers and their wool and fabrics filled the first stall, followed by woodworkers, spice sellers, and herbalists, then the smiths and other wrights near the end.The silversmith was the last in the intricate line of vendors.
“Hail, Theodore!How do ye fare this day?”Mairi called out with a wave of her hand.
Ailith tore her attention from the diversion of the different stalls to Mairi and the direction of her gaze.
The silversmith’s stall appeared to be connected to a larger building, where his hearth, anvil, and other larger tools were probably housed.There was a second story to the thatched-roofed building, where he most likely lived with his family.
On the table at the stall’s edge sat a variety of silver objects, ranging from buckles to cutlery and chalices to jewelry.
“Good Lady Gordon.Ye are a welcome sight this day.And ye have Ailith with ye!Ciamar a tha thu?”
How are you,Ailith translated in her head.So Theodore knew her.Ailith bit her lip to prevent herself from saying something problematic.
“We are well.As ye know, Ailith is to wed William MacDougal.”
Theodore clapped his hands.“Aye!Meal do naidheachd,milady.‘Tis something I can supply for the blessed event?”
Mairi stepped to the side and swept her hand from Ailith to the table.
Ailith brushed wisps of crimson waves from her face as she leaned toward the silversmith.
“A Lukenbooth, perchance?‘Tis thoughtful and practical.”
“Aye, that ‘tis,” Theodore agreed.“I have a selection of items here.”He moved to the edge of the table to a selection of rings and penannular brooches.Many were plain silver, crafted with images of stags or thistles.A few had more ancient Celtic patterns, knots or circles engraved into the face of the brooch, while others had brilliant gems.
So many to choose from!Which did she like best?And which would William prefer?
Mairi moved right behind Ailith.“Ye are the one to see it every day.Select the one ye most desire.”
Sound advice, but what would she like to see on William?
“Might I make a suggestion, milady?”
“Of course, please,” Ailith answered with a relieved breath.
Theodore lifted a brooch into the palm of his hand.It was a circular brooch with a long pin at the back.On the face, find interlocking lines woven around the silver, and at the center was a garnet the size of her thumb tip.
“The color nigh matches your hair,” he commented, holding the piece close to her cheek.
