Chapter 10

Later that day, Jane had the option of returning to her room, but she asked Catrina if she could keep her company instead. Catrina said yes and added, "But I will be everywhere. Dinner, the servants can handle, but when there are decisions tae make, I am the one tae make them!"

"Do you enjoy this?" Jane asked.

"What?" asked Catrina.

"This," Jane said. "Running the castle, essentially. As a laird's wife would."

"Nay," Catrina said frankly. They were approaching the kitchen, and the temperature was becoming hotter.

"No?" Jane aid incredulously.

"Nay," Catrina said frankly. They entered the kitchen. It was a vast space with many things going on at once. "Wait here," Catrina instructed, and then she heaved a breath and entered. The smoke from the inside made Jane begin to cough, and she stood away from the door. Two servants, who were carrying a hefty, cooked lamb on a skewer, looked at Jane curiously as they passed her. In that moment, Jane was struck by the oddity of the situation. What was she doing hanging around a Scottish castle's kitchen when she should be-

A mental image of Commander Pierce pawing her body flashed in her mind. She shook her head to dispel the image. She would rather enter a thousand Scottish pots. Catrina emerged, seemingly unruffled by the smoke. She patted down her dress. "Did ye see the lamb that was just carried out of here?" she asked Jane.

"Why, yes, I-"

"That was nae the one I picked fer the laird's table. They think I am blind. And Fiona, the good woman, she is efficient, but she needs at least six more eyes and ten more arms to supervise them efficiently. Come away" She took Jane's hand and led her to a balcony that overlooked the west wing. "I heard you cough. Are ye all right?"

"Yes," replied Jane. "Thank you."

"I ken I said ye could keep me company, but I am afraid that will nae work. I am needed downstairs. It would be better if you went back tae yer room and prepared fer the feast. I have nay idea what English festivities look like, but I am sure that tonight will top them all." She smiled.

"Of course," Jane said. "Before I go, why did you say you did not like playing matriarch?"

"Playing matriarch, that is a good way to put it. And maybe the most fitting. The laird's mother died before his father did, you see. An exceptional woman. Her kind appears perhaps two times in ten generations. When she was alive, this castle shone. She was close friends with me maither. Now that she has died, Alistair has nay sisters and nay female cousins. Tasgall was two or perhaps three when it happened. Alistair's father, who was still the laird then, swore that he would not remarry. Alistair requested that Douglas and I move into the castle, and we did. I couldnae stand it, seeing what the castle was becoming. I kent it would have broken the lady's heart, were she to have seen it. And so, I started tae make things right the best I could. Eight years later, and I am still trying. But it is wearing me out. I would rather watch Tasgall grow. He has only a few years left as a child, and I would like tae spend them tending tae him. His faither doesnae understand, of course." She chuckled wryly. "He might have understood if it was Mildred."

"Mildred?"

Catrina chuckled. "Mildred, his first wife. They were married a year only. Had him feeding from the palm of her hand, she did. But then she died, and he needed someone tae take care of his home and I was all too happy tae dae it."

"Oh," Jane said.

"At first, the love was one-sided. But then he came around. I ken that he would die fer Tasgall and me. But sometimes I feel that he doesnae understand me. That he would have understood Mildred better."

Jane saw a vulnerability in the older woman that she had not seen before. She took her hand. "Catrina, Mildred is gone. Ye are in charge now."

Catrina looked at Jane blankly for several seconds. And then she burst into laughter. This startled Jane. "I suppose ye are right," she said. "I am in charge. I must make him understand, even if he doesnae agree, what things are important tae me. Thank ye, Jane. Yer words are few, but they carry meaning."

"You are welcome, Catrina," Jane said.

"Let me return ye tae yer room," Catrina said. Jane wanted to say that she could find her way herself, but she wasn't quite sure that that was true. They began to climb the stairs.

"Catrina?"

"Yes?"

"Why did ye tell me all this?"

Catrina thought for a moment. And then she said, "Perhaps because ye will leave soon."

"Oh." Jane said. She should not feel bad, and yet, she did. It was inexplicable. "Do you have any idea how soon?"

"Who kens? But the laird willnae keep ye here indefinitely. He is a just man and does not believing in inflicting suffering on one in lieu of another. As soon as whatever your capture was meant to achieve is achieved, he will let you return tae yer commander."

Jane looked at her sharply. But of course, she knew! She must have been the subject of her pillow talk last night.

"I can stake all that I own on it," Catrina finished.

"That… gives me comfort," Jane said, and Catrina smiled kindly. They were at the door to Jane's room now. Catrina retrieved a bunch of keys from the pocket of her gown. She went through some before she finally decided on one and slid it into the lock. The door opened. She moved away so Jane could go in. Jane picked up her skirts and went in. "Thank you," she said to Catrina.

"Ye are welcome, Jane," Catrina said, and smiled. Jane turned her back to the door, and Catrina stepped outside. The sound of the door locking was faint indeed. Jane smiled wryly. Catrina was doing her best to hide the fact that she was locking her in. Yesterday, it was quite loud. That was a kindness, Jane supposed, in an odd kind of way.

But then the key turned in the lock again, loudly, this time. Jane turned. Catrina opened the door. "I just remembered that you wanted a bath. Come. I will get Fionnula tae-"

"No, not anymore. I am quite all right, thank you," Jane said. Please come and get me when it is time."

Catrina nodded. "Very well." She paused. "I know we are done talking about it, but I just remembered that I may not have to play matriarch for much longer, after all."

"Oh?" Jane said. "How is that?"

"This morning, Keith spoke about the laird being entranced by a lady. He would not tell me who it was, but that is his nature. He is always jesting about serious things. This one, he swore tae me." Catrina smiled. "May it lead tae marriage quickly. First, fer me laird's sake, fer he deserves happiness. And second, fer mine. I cannae wait tae have this burden lifted off me shoulders!"

Jane would never know why her heart began to thud erratically, or why she felt like the air had just left her lungs. She plastered a smile on her face and said, "Why, that is excellent." It was anything but. The thought of a woman beside Alistair, bearing his name and sharing his heart, made her sad for some inexplicable reason.

"That it is!" Catrina said with a giggle. She embraced Jane. It was nothing serious, just a gesture shared between people with information binding them. She stepped away. "Ye are so easy tae talk tae." And with that she left.

* * *

The feast took place in the great hall. There were significantly more people that evening than the day before. Jane could even spot Mairin from the hearings. She was seated at one of the low tables, taking a big swig from a cup. Apparently, here, heavy drinking did not portray a lack of decorum.

The servants had set up trenchers at Alistair's table, and its occupants were guzzling down cups and cups of wine. Not Alistair. He took small sips and seemed to survey the environment while absently responding to the conversation around him.

A set of musicians had set up their instruments in a corner in preparation for what Jane assumed must be dancing later. They wore short matching red kilts, and Jane was a little worried that if their playing was boisterous, they would leave little to the imagination.

The oldest man in the clan was seated next to Alistair. His face was the very picture of excitement. He downed cup after cup of wine with gusto. Jane stared at her own. She had never been able to drink much wine, as even the littlest bit made her lightheaded. She sipped at it in between bites of the most delicious lamb she had ever eaten. She raised her head to find Alistair watching her and dropped it immediately. She did not risk looking in his direction for the longest time. Finally, it was the end of the feast and time for dancing. Alistair stood up, and the whole room followed. Some cups clattered to the floor. It seemed some people were already unsteady on their feet.

And then silence descended over the room.

"We are gathered here today tae celebrate our eldest clan member Gilbert," Alistair said.

A cheer rose up. "Gilbert, if you would do the honors."

The celebrant walked shakily to the front of the table. Twice, he staggered, and there was scattered laughter and sounds of encouragement. Gilbert grinned and faced the rest of the guests. "May all of ye grow as old as me and even older, even the ones that be cows and randy goats!"

A cheer went up.

"May this clan plant when it's right to plant and harvest bountifully. May ye give birth tae strapping lads and lasses more beautiful than lilies! May our enemies lose every battle like the bastards that they are. And, yes, death tae the English!"

Every prayer of his was met with a cheer.

"Long live Clan Fletcher!" he said finally, raising his cup.

"Long live Clan Fletcher!" everyone chorused, and they downed the contents of their cups and started to bang the cups against the tables. This startled Jane. Thankfully, the people at her table were less violent. They barely tapped them against the wood. Alistair held his hand out for silence. "And now, we dance."

A cheer went up. The band strung out a lively musical note, and Jane heard the scraping of chairs as people began to pour out to the middle of the dining hall to dance. Catrina, who'd chosen a seat next to Jane this time, shouted above the din, "Jane, would ye like tae dance? Only tae a few songs; the melodies get bawdier as the night wears on." Catrina's face was flushed. She was not drunk, but she had the glow of someone whose inhibitions had begun to chip away thanks to the wine she had enjoyed.

"No, thank you," Jane shouted back. "I think I shall return to my room."

Tasgall was tugging at Catrina's leave, obviously to get her to join in the fun. She said something to him, which made him stop the tugging, and turned to Jane. "Ye're sure? It will be a lot of fun!"

"I am sure," Jane said. "Thank you."

Catrina nodded and stood up. She gestured to Fionnula, who was waiting by a corner but tapping her feet in tune with the music. The girl approached the table, and Jane got up. She looked in Alistair's direction, but he was no longer there. She turned back and jumped. He was right next to her, leaning close to Catrina and saying something in her ear. Catrina nodded, took Tasgall's outstretched hand, and proceeded to dance. Alistair motioned to Jane. For a moment, she did nothing. And then she closed the space between them. He began to walk and she followed. She dared not look back, but she knew that the people would not be very pleased with their laird leaving the celebrations early with the English captive. They walked into the hallway, and the music became dim.

Jane had watched him from afar for the latter part of today, and now that he was next to her, she did not know what to say.

"Is it because of what Gilbert said?"

Jane snapped to attention. "What?"

"Death to the English," Alistair said. "Is that why ye wanted tae leave suddenly?"

"Nay," Jane said. "I'm just nae one fer dancing, I'm afraid."

"Hmm," Alistair said. "Gilbert is a drunkard. Ye would dae well nae tae take his words seriously."

"Why is he celebrated, then?" Jane asked.

"What?"

"Why is he celebrated then?"

"Because he is the oldest-"

"Yes, I know that" Jane said. "He is the oldest man in Clan Fletcher. But that doesn't mean anything, does it?"

"It is tradition tae honor the oldest man on their anniversary," Alistair replied.

"And not the oldest woman, even though they are forty years older than the oldest man?"

Alistair frowned. "I am listening."

"Ayleen. The oldest woman in Clan Fletcher. No one celebrates her except her family. And I feel that is very wrong. She should be celebrated, not him."

Alistair chuckled. "Ye have spent barely two days here and you seek tae overthrow tradition."

"Oh, bother," Jane said. "You are not a strict follower of tradition, either. I sat in on your hearings today."

"I ken," he said easily. "You seemed quite bored."

Jane's eyes widened. "I was anything but!" She paused. "Well, maybe at the end. Why did you allow me watch?"

"What?"

"The hearings. Why did you allow me watch? I am from an enemy country. Are you not worried that I would know the inner workings of your clan's leadership and reveal it to the commander when you release me?"

Alistair merely chuckled. They were at the stairs now. "Answer me," Jane said.

"Ye would tell yer husband-tae-be, ‘The Scots' laird resolved their disputes in a hall,' and he would write that down and use the knowledge in his attack?"

"Don't try to make me seem foolish," Jane said.

Alistair's mirth died. "That was nae me intent," he said.

"And it is nae just the hearings, it is everything. The sewing, the kitchen, yesterday's dinner, tonight's feast."

"Very well, since it displeases ye so much, I shall tell Catrina tae keep yer room under lock and key."

They were at the top of the stairs now. "I am not displeased by it, only made curious."

"Well, I have nay response fer ye. What is the way forward?"

Jane said nothing. They walked in silence for a moment, and then Jane said, "You could delegate, you know."

Alistair turned to her. "Delegate what?"

"The hearings. It must be tough to have to plan battles and still deal with squabbles. Some of the matters brought to you were quite trivial. If you could constitute something of a council to hear cases like this, you could focus on the other aspects of leadership. I noticed that you were quite worn out when you arrived at the hearings."

"Is that so?" Alistair said. "Is that how it is done in England?"

"In a way, yes," Jane replied. They had come to her room. "Did you get the keys from Catrina?"

Alistair said nothing to that. "Me faither had a council," he said. "He was so busy with matters of state that he left dispute resolution to them. They enriched themselves, perverted justice, and reduced people's confidence in their laird."

"Oh." Jane said.

"Me faither realized this and disbanded them immediately. It took a lot of toil to undae the damage that the council had done. So, Jane Marsh of England, I will nae be constituting a council."

"That is quite understandable." Jane replied. "I did not know the history. I would never have suggested it if I did."

"I know," Alistair said. They both stood at the door, staring at each other. Then, without breaking eye contact, Alistair flicked his wrist to reveal a key attached to what seemed to be a bracelet made of fine copper. Her eyes strayed to the key, and when she looked back up, he was staring at her. He inserted the key in the lock and turned it. There was a clicking sound, and the door swung open. Alistair took one of the lanterns in the passageway, deposited it in the room, and returned to Jane. "If you wish it. I will not lock you in. I shall, in fact, give ye the key." He took off the bracelet and handed it to her.

"Th… thank you," Jane said.

"Ye are welcome," Alistair said. "Good night, Jane."

"Good night, Alistair."

Alistair began to walk away, but then he stopped and turned. "I hope ye've enjoyed the room so far."

"Yes, thank ye."

Alistair nodded. "It was me maither's." And with that, he turned and walked down the passageway.