Page 25 of Highland Dove

“Oh, Mari, that’s awful.” Tillie’s smile turned into a frown and her hand went to cover her mouth.

“Nay, it’s a guid thing because now Eideard doesna want to couple with me.”

“Hello, Tillie,” said Angus in his female forced voice.

Tillie’s eyes shot up and she answered cautiously. “Who are ye and how do ye ken my name?”

“I was told ye were goin’ to feed me,” he said in his regular voice, causing Tillie to jump in surprise.

“Angus? Is that ye? Ye’re alive?”

“Shhhh,” Mari whispered. “It’s him but he’s in disguise.”

“I’ll say. He’s the ugliest woman I’ve ever seen, no’ to mention the biggest.” She started to laugh.

“Keep yer voices down so Eideard and his men dinna hear ye,” warned Malmuira.

“I’ll fill ye in on everythin’,” said Mari, scratching her back and making a face. “But first, can we all get somethin’ to eat?”

“Of course!” said Tillie. “Actually, the meal is ready and I helped to make the Christmas feast. Is Duncan goin’ to be comin’ to join us?”

“No’ yet,” said Mari. “But it willna be long. Right now, he’s gone to see Faither who has been hurt and left for dead by Eideard.”

“Och, nay, tell me that isna true,” gasped Tillie.

“The longer we talk, the more they are goin’ to think somethin’ is goin’ on,” warned Malmuira, her eyes scanning the guards on the battlements.

“Let’s go and celebrate our guid fortune,” said Mari in a low voice. “Duncan and Angus are alive and I willna have to couple with Eideard tonight.”

They turned and headed to the great hall to forget their troubles for the time being and enjoy the Christmas celebration.

Itching like crazy, Mari stood in the corner of the great hall, drinking in the beauty of the decorations.

“Look, Mari,” said Tillie, balancing her daughter, Ava, on her hip. She held her daughter Ilona’s hand. Both girls had bows in their hands attached to strings.

“We’re goin’ to attach them to the Yulelog and make wishes,” said Ilona.

Angus shuffled up just then to join them, still wearing his gypsy wench disguise.

“It’s the old hag,” said little Ava, pointing at Angus.

“What? Where?” Angus turned a full circle, stepping on his gown and almost falling.

Tillie laughed. “Why, Annabel, she means that ye look just like the face of the old hag that was carved onto the Yule log that will take away all the bad luck when it is burned.”

Mari chuckled. “I do see the resemblance,” she said, loving the way Angus’ chin jutted out.

“I’m no’ that ugly,” he whispered in his own voice.

“Mathair, Annabel sounds like a man,” said Ilona.

“Girls, I think we need to go attach our bows to the Yule log and make our wishes now before they throw it into the fire.”

“I dinna want mine to burn.” Ava held hers closer.

“But it’s supposed to burn,” explained Mari. “That way, when the string and bow burns, yer wish will come true.”

“Where is yer wish, Aunt Mari?” asked Ilona.