Page 37 of Highland Sky

Chapter Eleven

“We owe this sumptuous feast to Lady Spring Gordon and her bow and arrows,” announced Ciaran, raising his hands in the air to get everyone’s attention before the meal began. It was already night, but it had taken a while to clean the food and cook it. Still, it didn’t matter. Everyone was just happy to have a good meal, no matter how late it was.

“I’m so hungry, I could eat it all myself,” said North, being greedy and reaching out for some food before it was offered. Nash slapped his brother’s hand away.

“Och, what did ye do that for?” complained North.

“The chieftain and the lassies are first.” Nash held out the platter to the chieftain across the table, who took some food and gave it back.

“Lady Spring?” Nash held the food out to her. Spring sat next to him on one side and North on the other. Kellina was across the table, next to her uncle.

“Give yer wife first choice,” said Spring, turning to talk to someone else at the table.

“Of course.” Nash held the platter for Kellina. “What would ye like, Wife? There is plenty of catch here for ye to choose from.”

“I’d like ye to stop callin’ me Wife and start usin’ my name is what I’d like.” Kellina scooped a little food onto her plate.

Nash looked down to the tiny bit of food and shook his head. “Lady Spring has graced us with enough food that ye dinna need to be modest. There is more than enough for everyone. Have some more,” he said, but Kellina shook her head and looked the other way.

“Tomorrow, I will hunt for the clan and bring just as much food to the table as our guest,” she said softly.

“I see. Ye are jealous,” replied Nash, still holding out the platter. “Does Lady Spring’s skill with huntin’ upset ye that much, lass?”

“I am no’ jealous, and I dinna want more food!”

North kept trying to reach around Nash to get his share, but each time his hand came near, Nash moved the platter away from him.

“Everyone has their skill and place in the clan,” Nash explained. “Lady Spring’s place is no’ only as wife of Laird Gordon and mathair to his children, but also as a hunter of the clan. It’s what she’s guid at. Ye, however, Kellina are a thatcher. Ye dinna have to feel inferior because of it. The skill is an admirable one.”

Her head snapped up and she scowled at him. “I dinna feel inferior.”

“I’m feelin’ a little inferior right now,” said North over Nash’s shoulder. “I’ll take some of that if ye dinna mind.” Once more, North reached out for the food. Nash turned his back to his brother and continued to talk to his wife.

“Kellina, now that we’re married, I’ll hunt for food. Ye dinna need to do it, or feel like ye have to. It’s no’ yer job.”

“Well, then what is my job besides thatchin’ roofs?” she demanded to know. “Is it just sittin’ around and waitin’ for my husband to take care of me? Because if so, I dinna like that.”

“How about cookin’?” mumbled North from behind Nash. “Can ye cook at all? I hope so. If ye can do that, then at least the rest of us might get a chance to have some food at a meal.”

“Sorry, Brathair.” Nash took some meat for himself and then handed the platter to his brother.

“I dinna need a man to do anythin’ for me.” Kellina took a bite of food and smiled wickedly at him.

“Aye, I suppose no’,” he mumbled, thinking of what other skills he’d taught her lately. Skills in the bedchamber that didn’t include him.

Nash turned to North and spoke in a soft voice, keeping his back to Kellina. “I think I must have done somethin’ to make her angry, but I’m no’ sure what. Tell me, what should I say or do?”

“Why dinna ye show her how much she really needs ye after all,” said Spring softly, standing right behind him. Nash hadn’t even known the woman had left her seat and come up behind him. “Do what ye ken needs to be done. Give her a reason to want ye near her. Dinna give up so easily, Nash.” Spring stabbed her knife into a hunk of venison on the platter and plopped it onto the plate in her hand.

“It sounds to me as if my wife has been possibly spillin’ some family secrets.” Nash took a bite of the meat and chewed, glaring at Kellina from across the table. There was no doubt in his mind now that Kellina had told Spring they’d never consummated the marriage.

“Sometimes, a newly married couple just needs to relax and spend a little time away from the rest of the clan,” Spring continued.

“Hah!” Nash stabbed his eating knife into a hunk of venison and sawed. “That’s never goin’ to happen. I’m forced to stay here at the MacKenzie camp until my punishment is over. I canna be accepted back into the clan before then.”

“Try bein’ accepted back into the bedchamber first.” Spring grinned and sat back down next to him. “Laird MacKenzie, I’ll be leavin’ in the mornin’,” Spring told the chieftain.

“Thank ye for all ye’ve done, Lady Spring,” answered the chieftain.