A Medieval Christmas Novella by Lane McFarland

Author:Lane McFarland
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Amazon
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

Morna rubbed her sleepy eyes and trudged down the stairs to break her fast. After she’d returned to the bedchamber yesterday afternoon, Mangus once again made it quite clear ’twas her duty to comply with his wishes and he fully expected her to do so. He reminded her how diligently he’d worked to build and strengthen relationships for the good of the clan. He would not abide her disobedience in this important matter.

His plans blanketed her in despair.

Her stomach twisted over her dismal future without Kendrick. She’d spent a restless night tossing and turning, with visions of his soft brown eyes saddening when she’d left him in the barn last evening. Heavens. She practically ran when he’d asked to see her in Inverness. She couldn’t bear to hurt him.

Loud conversations, squealing bairns, and clicking utensils on wooden bowls and trenchers met her before she entered the great hall. She slid onto a bench between Catriona and Lindsey at an oak trestle table with Mangus and Alec sitting across from them. Her brother scowled at her then resumed his discussion with the other laird. No doubt his ears still chaffed over her less-than-kind words to him.

The aroma of stew and freshly baked bread normally made her mouth water. Today, her appetite had all but vanished. Ladies from the kitchen carried bowls of porridge to the men, women, and children who’d gathered. A serving lass placed a platter of small mince pies on the table. The little square pastries lightened Morna’s spirits. When she was a young lass, Mum always insisted the pies be baked during the holiday season. How she missed her.

Morna selected one, then briefly closed her eyes and savored the tasty mixture of meat and sweet fruit seasoned with cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. It was her family’s traditional favorite. It must also be special for the MacDougalls as Heather ensured everyone ate one on each of the twelve days of Yuletide. ’Twas considered good fortune.

Humph. No amount of luck will change Mangus’s mind about me marrying Kendrick.

As if he read her thoughts, the man of her dreams strode into the chamber.

Her breath caught. Kendrick was so verra handsome in his tan tunic and gray trews.

He scanned the room. With more people arriving for the first meal of the day, the place bustled with activity. When his gaze landed on her, she waved as if her hand had a mind of its own.

He smiled and started toward her.

“Now ye’ve done it,” Catriona whispered. “I thought ye were going to discourage his attention?”

Dear heavens. How could she dissuade him when all she wanted was to bask in his company?

He stood beside the table and tipped his head to her and the others. “Good morn.”

“’Tis a verra fine morning, Kendrick.” Lindsey wiped her mouth with a linen cloth. “Logan and I will be taking the horses out for a run. He thought ye might want to join us.”

“I appreciate the invitation, but Heather asked if someone would gather more greenery to place around the keep for this evening’s Yuletide celebration.

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