“These fabrics are greatly sought after. They bring a brisk trade with Denmark and the other northern states.”
Green-dyed fabrics hung on a line, drying, while several lengths of natural, undyed wool were spread on planks to catch the sun. “It bleaches them white,” the woman added, as Annora looked on with interest.
She entered the cottage, eager to meet with the spinners and weavers, and inspect their wares, leaving Edmund discussing trade with Lamend. Her heart jumped as she watched him talking so animatedly. It was clear the clan and its business as well as its landscape, were sparking his interest.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“What other goods daes Scorrybreac have fer trade?”
“There are salt farms along the coast, and there is a great demand fer it. We trade animals, sheep and cattle, at times, wi’ the smaller islands. We exchange honey and mead fer cheese made with cow’s milk.” Lamend grinned. “And there’s always a market fer our whisky.”
Edmund gave an approving nod. “It seems ye’ve already established some solid trading partners, especially with our friends tae the north. Our Viking forebears.”
“Aye. And as the son of Baldur, ye’ve Viking blood running inyerveins.”
“Ah yes. The Viking princes who first settled Scorrybreac.” Edmund shook his head in surprise. “This is a new discovery fer me. I’d nay kent me connection wi’ the Viking invaders until now.”
They entered the cottage to the clatter of looms and the murmur of women’s voices. Two lasses sat with wheels and baskets of wool and flax they were spinning into yarn. Another pair were laying out threads on a warping frame, while yet two others in the corner were quietly working the weft and warp. One with a great length of plaid fabric in the MacNeacail colors of blue and green and the other, working on what would become a brightly colored and detailed blanket.
Looking around, Edmund spied Annora, deep in conversation with a short and very round, gray-haired woman. They turned as he and Lamend entered, the woman smiling broadly in greeting.
Lamend introduced them. “This lass is the keeper of all our weaving patterns, Mistress Beatie.”
Beatie looked Edmund up and down with sparkling blackcurrant eyes and curtsied. “Welcome Laird Edmund.”
Edmund was taken completely by surprise, but he managed to return her smile. Hearing himself addressed as laird was something strange and new. But Edmund felt it sat well.
Beatie stepped into the middle of the room and clapped her hands once, drawing the women’s attention. The room grew silent and all eyes turned toward them.
“This is our new laird, Edmund, son of Baldur and his wife, the Lady Annora,” she announced.
Adding to Edmund’s discomfort, each of the women stood and curtsied. He looked to Lamend as if expecting him to explain that the lairdship was not yet his. But Lamend simply grinned, nodded, and said nothing at all.
“It seems the workings of gossip are alive and well at Scorrybreac,” he whispered through gritted teeth to Lamend as they moved on.
Stacked on shelves, by the wall, were many lengths of folded fabric in blue, yellow, red and green, which drew Annora’s attention. She was fingering a vibrant blue length of wool and gazing wistfully at several folded pieces of wool and linen in vibrant colors.
“D’ye wish fer these?” Edmund asked her. “Ye’re in need of new gowns.” He turned to Mistress Beatie. “Please make a package of whatever the Lady Annora wishes and bid one of yer men tae take it tae the castle.”
Annora gasped. “I cannae,” she whispered, “’Tis nae right.”
“Nonsense, lass. I wish ye tae dress as befits me goodwife.”
She huffed slightly as Lamend strolled over. “And when yer man arrives at the castle, please tell the Seneschal that these are a gift from us to the laird and his lady.” He turned to Edmund. “We’ll nae take yer coin, lad. Ye and yer lady are our guests and ‘tis our pleasure tae make yer stay with us as much tae yer liking as possible.”
Edward thanked him profusely although he still did not feel entirely comfortable accepting. He was beginning to regret the subterfuge he and Annora had entered into. Yet he could not yet disclose the truth.
After Annora had chosen her selection of woolens and linens, they made their farewells and strolled back to where they had left their horses.
“I’ve a mind tae show ye the Faery Glen, it’s nae far from here. ‘Tis a fine place fer an outdoor feast.”
They soon left the village behind, with a promise from Edmund to return and meet more of the villagers in the days to come.
Leaving the coast, they turned inland, journeying across-country, keeping to a well-worn track that the ponies navigated with ease.
All around them the countryside was cloaked in velvety green with the blooming heather adding bright touches of purple. The air buzzed with the sound of bees, scented with the honeyed, earthy aroma of the heather.
“Did ye ken that the fae reside on the Isle of Skye?” Lamend asked.
