Page 10 of Highland Dove

“Thankfully, it stopped snowin’, but the night is frigid. I should have brought along another cloak.” Mari pulled her cloak closer, feeling the cold air nipping at her nose.

“Use this blanket,” said Malmuira, pulling the old, colorful cloth around Mari’s shoulders.

“Malmuira, I went to talk to Duncan’s mother before we left but she wasna in her room. I couldna find her anywhere. I hope Eideard didna kill her as he threatened to do.” Mari had told her sister and the gypsy everything that had transpired.

“Did ye ask Eideard about it?”

“He told me she was sent back to her faither’s clan since all she did was cry. It seems Eideard sent her there to mourn. However, it is no’ like her to leave without sayin’ guidbye. And she was the one who asked me to come here to be with her to begin with. Somethin’ isna right.”

“Hrmph,” said the woman, making Mari realize that the gypsy didn’t believe Eideard’s story.

“What is it?” asked Mari. “Is it a lie?”

“All I ken is that Laria has been tellin’ the alewives that Eideard took her somewhere to keep her out of sight and away from ye.”

“Then he abducted her. I kent it!”

“Mayhap he has, mayhap he hasna.”

“Can ye read yer cards and find out for sure? And also, can ye read the cards and tell me if Duncan is still alive? I have to ken for sure. And if he is alive, I have to explain to him what happened.”

“I’ll do better than that. I’ll take ye to Duncan.”

“What?” Mari almost fell off her seat. “Did ye see somethin’ in yer cards? Is he still alive? What about his brathair, Angus?”

“No’ so many questions at once,” grumbled Malmuira. “I looked at my cards before we left, and I think I ken where we can find yer lover.”

“He was my betrothed, but no’ my lover,” Mari corrected her, feeling very sad. “We never made love, although now I wish we had.”

The old woman didn’t answer. “We have a ways to go yet, so why dinna ye climb in the back of the wagon and get some sleep.”

“Nay,” said Mari. “I’m too excited and nervous to see Duncan now that I ken he’s alive. I could never sleep now if I tried. I miss him so much.”

“Have it yer way,” said the old woman with a sigh. “But where we’re goin’, I can promise ye that there will be no sleepin’.”

“Where is that?” asked Mari curiously.

“It’s a little tavern and inn called the Horn and Hoof,” the woman told her. “And since it is Christmas Eve and owned by the old coot, Callum MacKeefe, I can guarantee his clan will be makin’ merry from now until Hogmanay.”

“Then that’s exactly where I want to be, because I am tired of bein’ sad,” said Mari, wishing now that she had brought her sister and nieces along as well. Because once Eideard discovered she was gone, there was no telling what he’d do.

Chapter 4

Pushing open the door to the Horn and Hoof, Duncan and Angus were surprised to find the little tavern so crowded. A sea of colorful plaids depicting both Highland and Lowland clans filled the room from not only Highland and Lowland men, but also their women and even some children as well.

The tantalizing scents of clootie dumplings and Christmas pudding filled the air, making Duncan’s stomach growl.

“Food! I smell food,” said Angus excitedly from behind him, blowing into his hands to warm them from the cold.

“I didna ken it would be so crowded,” remarked Duncan, peering into the chaos all around them. He’d been hoping for a quiet, warm bed to rest his head and weary mind. With all these people, they’d be lucky to find a spot in the barn next to a horse to spend the night. “Mayhap we should continue ridin’ or find another place to stay.”

“Mince pies!” Angus’ eyes opened wide as a serving girl walked past with a tray of the palm-sized pies made from meat, fruit and spices. It was customary to eat these during the Yuletide season and make a wish with the first bite. It was considered bad luck to turn one down. “I’ll take those,” said Angus, grabbing the tray from the wench, not even hearing a word that Duncan said. He scooped up two pies in one hand, eagerly bringing them to his mouth.

“Och, they are no’ free!” complained the serving woman. She raised a hand in the air and motioned for the proprietor. Old Callum MacKeefe saw her and came hobbling over as fast as his skinny legs could carry him. “Callum, this man has taken all the mince pies without payin’ for them,” reported the woman.

“We have money,” said Duncan, intervening before there was a brawl over his brother’s rude behavior. “Angus, give them the coins before ye eat everythin’ in sight.”

“Mmmph,” grunted Angus, shifting the tray to one hand, pulling out a few coins and handing them to the woman.