Forgiving Hearts: Duncurra 1-3 by Ceci Giltenan

Author:Ceci Giltenan [Giltenan, Ceci]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B017X2ZLAQ
Goodreads: 27825884
Publisher: Duncurra LLC
Published: 2015-11-11T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

The Christmas celebration began at midnight with the Angel’s Mass followed at dawn by the Shepherd’s Mass and finally the Mass of the Divine Word later in the morning. Then the feasting began early in the afternoon. As many of the clan as possible attended the celebration. After the feast, minstrels provided music for dancing. After dancing to exhaustion, Mairead sat with Tadhg watching the celebration. “The musicians are wonderful, Tadhg, thank ye.”

“’Tis my pleasure, sweetling. I think dancing may be my second favorite thing to do with my lovely wife.”

Mairead blushed but whispered, “Mine, too.”

“It looks like we aren’t the only ones enjoying the music. Rowan seems to have his pick of dancing partners. I’ve seen him dancing with Meriel, Gallia, Finola, and countless others. Now it seems Eavan has her eyes cast on him.”

Mairead glanced around the room looking for her brother. Extremely tall and broad shouldered, with dark eyes and dark wavy hair, he did seem to be causing a stir among the unmarried Matheson women. At the moment he was indeed dancing with Eavan, who flirted boldly with him. When the dance ended, he accepted a tankard of ale offered by yet another Matheson maid before joining Tadhg and Mairead where they sat.

Tadhg grinned broadly at him. “Enjoying yerself, Rowan?”

“Oh, aye, Laird, the food and drink are the finest.” Rowan laughed and saluted his host with the tankard in his hand.

“I don’t think it is the food and drink which has ye so merry,” scolded Mairead good-naturedly. “Don’t forget ye are to be married soon.”

“But I’m not married yet, little sister. Do ye begrudge me the company of these fine Matheson lassies for a wee dance or two?”

Mairead laughed. “Not I, but yer betrothed might not look so lightly on it.”

“Ah, Mairead, he will have many years to dance with Eara Fraser, let him have his fun tonight.”

“Just don’t break any hearts, brother. These are my clanswomen now.”

“Aye, Lady Matheson, I promise ye I will take care.”

~ * ~

Clan Matheson, like most Highland clans, celebrated several holy days between Christmas and the Epiphany twelve days later, during which time Mairead and Flan enjoyed Rowan’s visit immensely. Rowan regaled them with new stories about the goings on at Carraigile and the antics of their young nieces and nephews. It wasn’t until the day before Epiphany that Mairead finally asked why Rowan was going to Duncurra.

“I know ye trained there under Laird MacIan’s father, but ye have been home now for two years.”

“When he was here for yer wedding, Niall MacIan asked me if I would be interested in returning to Duncurra as one of his guardsmen. I said I would consider it, but now King David has summoned Niall and Fingal to court. They must leave immediately after the holidays. With the MacLennan’s in such disarray, Niall is worried about leaving Duncurra shorthanded and asked if I would come, at least temporarily. I agreed to. Da also sent twenty of his men-at-arms to bolster MacIan’s ranks.”

“When Rowan leaves, thirty Matheson men-at-arms will go with him, as well,” Tadhg explained.

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