Chapter 31

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Because of the situation with Chisholm, a few days later, after much discussion, it was decided that rather than wait for the planned date for the betrothed couple to travel back to Matheson lands for the wedding, the wedding party would leave as soon as possible. Haldor felt it would be best for the marriage to take place without further delay, hoping it would put a stop to Chisholm’s attacks. Ivar heartily agreed.

So, Haldor wrote to Bertram Matheson, the girls’ father, telling him of the new plan as well as how they would jointly deal with Chisholm should he give them any future trouble. However, he decreed that only Ivar, Catalina, Dunstan, Anastasia, and Arne would make the journey.

“I’m sorry, but I’ll nae be able tae come tae the weddin’,” he told them all regretfully when they gathered for a family meeting. “Chisholm may attack us while ye’re gone, and one of us needs tae be here.”

“But me and Dahlia can go, surely?” Sofia said anxiously. “We cannae miss the weddin’, can we, Dahlia?”

“Nay,” Dahlia cried out in protest, “we’ve both been lookin’ forward tae it fer so long. We have our gowns and everythin’ ready.”

But Haldor shook his head at them sadly. “I’m sorry, but I’m afraid that willnae be possible. ’Tis just too dangerous tae let ye both travel with Chisholm on the prowl. Ye have tae stay here with me.”

“Well, I’m very disappointed!” Dahlia said, her face flushing with anger.

“Aye, and I’m more than disappointed. I’m furious!” the usually mild-mannered Sofia declared, giving her husband a hard look.

“It cannane be helped. I’ll nae risk yer lives until Chisholm is dealt with once and fer all.”

So, that was that. And a few days later, after many sad farewells, the wedding party, with its entourage and piles of baggage boarded the boat back to Matheson lands.

Though having Ivar to look after her made the torment of the voyage much easier to bear, Catalina was relieved when they finally made landfall later that evening. Ivar handed her off the boat, and she heaved a sigh of relief and fell into his arms when she set her feet on the ground.

“Hold ontae me, Ivar,” she said, clinging to him. “Me legs are all wobbly. It still feels like I’m on that damn boat,” she complained as she tottered along unsteadily.

“Ye’ll get yer land legs in a little while. Come on, let’s find somewhere fer ye tae sit until ye feel better,” he reassured her, finally picking her up and carrying her, for which she was grateful.

They joined the rest of the party, who made themselves comfortable on some blankets spread on the ground while the overnight camp was set up by the servants who had traveled with them. The plan was for the party to travel onward to the girls’ father’s lands the following morning, and she could not get home fast enough. A fire was soon blazing, and hot tea, shortcake, and bannocks were handed around. Though she could not face eating, the tea settled Catalina’s stomach a little, and it was not long before she nodded off, warm and snug in Ivar’s arms.

Tents were soon set up, and as night began to close in, Ivar gently laid the sleeping Catalina on a comfy bed of blankets inside the tent she was to share with her sister. When Anastasia came in, and he was satisfied Catalina was safe, he kissed her gently, bid Anastasia a good night, and went to bed down by the fire with Arne.

Arne dropped off quite quickly and began snoring. But sleep eluded Ivar. An uneasy feeling had penetrated his bones which he could not seem to shake off, though he had no idea what was causing it. At any rate, it kept him awake and feeling restless. So, after a while, he decided to get up and take a walk, to try to tire himself out.

He walked about the area for quite a while, and when he began to retrace his steps back towards the camp, he passed through a small clearing beneath some trees. He was surprised, to say the least, to see a small figure lying on the grass in the middle of the clearing. He went closer and saw it was Catalina. She was looking up at the night sky, her hands folded neatly on her belly.

The spirit of mischief entered him, and he decided to play a trick on her. On silent feet, he crept closer, coming up behind her and suddenly looming over her.

“Boo!” he cried.

“Och, God!” she exclaimed, sitting bolt upright. Then, she realized it was him. “Och, ye nearly made me jump out of me skin!” she told him as he came to sit down next to her on the grass.

“Well, nae more than ye made me jump when I saw ye lyin’ out here all alone like that. What d’ye think ye’re up tae? What if Chisholm’s men are following us? Ye could have been kidnapped!”

Catalina laid back down again. “I’m sorry. I was lookin’ up at the stars. ’Tis somethin’ I used tae do with Ana and Brenna when we were younger.”

“Is that so?” he asked. “Ye’re full of surprises, Catalina Matheson.”

“Aye, we used tae lie like this and make pictures out of the stars,” she explained. She patted the grass next to her. “Come and try it for yersel’,” she said. “I’d like tae ken what ye see.”

“All right,” he agreed, ready to try anything she suggested, for experience told him it would usually make him feel good somehow. He lay down next to her and adopted the same position, staring up at the star-filled sky.

“’Tis beautiful,” he said, drinking in the stunning nightscape. “But nae as beautiful as ye.”

She chucked and propped herself up on one elbow, leaning over him, her face inches from his. She looked breathtakingly lovely in the starlight. “Och, Ivar, I’m tempted tae think ye’re tryin’ tae get round me fer some reason? What is it that ye want?” she asked jokingly, her hand finding his, her delicate fingers entwining with his.

His heart began to thump in his chest. Just being near her like this was starting to get him aroused. He could not imagine a time when he would not want her.

“Ye, of course, what else?” he replied, hearing the want in his voice. “Ye and the air I breathe. That’s all I need tae be happy.”

“Ivar,” she purred breathily, her green eyes shining, “I believe ye’re turning intae a romantic.”

“’Tis the effect ye have on me,” he admitted with a smile. They kissed and stay in each other’s embrace for a few delightful minutes, before Catalina broke the silence.

“Ivar, I’m awful thirsty.”

“Shall we go back and get a drink?” he asked, stroking her hair.

“Nae, I dinnae want tae leave here just yet. But mayhaps ye could go back and bring us some mead or somethin’, if ye wouldnae mind.”

“I’m nae sure, Cat,” he replied doubtfully. “I dinnae like tae leave ye out here alone. It may nae be safe.”

She laughed. “But I was already out here when ye found me, silly, and I was perfectly all right. It’ll be nice tae have a drink and stay here together a for a wee while longer.”

After some further discussion, he reluctantly agreed to go. “But I’ll be very quick,” he told her before hurrying away, trying to put his misgivings aside.

Catalina felt supremely happy as she gazed up at the night sky. After a little while, she heard steps approaching. Good, I’m so parched, she thought, wondering what Ivar had brought them to drink.

When her head was roughly seized along with her arms and legs, and a bit of foul-tasting cloth was suddenly stuffed into her mouth, stifling her screams, it came as a horrible shock. The hands taking hold of her jerked her to her feet, and though she tried to struggle, she found she could not move because she was pinned on all sides. Through wide eyes, she made out a figure in front of her. Chisholm! She began to shout at him, but the gag muffled her screams.

Then, someone forced her mouth open and poured a vile liquid down her throat, holding her nose until she swallowed it by reflex. She continued trying fight off her captors, but soon, her limbs began to feel heavy, and she felt exhausted. Darkness nibbled at the edges of her vision until, finally, it was all she could see, and she fell into oblivion.