Page 28 of Plaid Attitude
Bessetta sniffed, and finally Coira’s gaze flicked to his daughter, then back to him. She slowly nodded.
“Aye,” she croaked. “Marriage is…it isnae something to be feared.”
His heart leapt in his chest. Had she understood? Had she understood he’d been speaking ofher? They’d worked together for years, and Coira knew he honored her, knew he respected her. Didn’t she?
Ye’re thinking of marriage to Coira Oliphant, are ye no’?
In all his years, he’d never once been tempted to marry. Even Bessetta’s mother, who’d spent her nights working in some of the rooms above the village tavern, hadn’t been the sort of woman a man wanted to spend his life with. He likely would’ve done the right thing, had she lived, but he would’ve been miserable.
Coira, though…
A life with Coira by his side—a life byCoira’sside…Thatwould be the kind of life he wanted.
He held her gaze, willing her to understand what he meant.
Her tongue darted across her lower lip and he watched her swallow.
When she opened her mouth to reply, he held his breath.
And blew it all out when his daughter interrupted. “I’m hungry, and so is Coira.”
Coira blinked, closed her mouth, then opened it again. “Um, I am, actually.” The grin she offered him was a bit apologetic.
Doughall shrugged, his lips twisting wryly. The conversation he wanted to have likely shouldn’t be in Bessetta’s presence anyhow. He nodded to let her know they weren’t done; theywouldcontinue.
But the regretful look she sent him over her shoulder as she followed Bessetta to the cheese made him wonder if shewantedto hear what he had to say.
Chapter 5
Easter wasa solemn and introspective Holy Day, according to Father John. It should be spent in fasting and prayer.
The Oliphants had other ideas.
After forty days of Lent—fasting, prayer, and above all,fish—the clan was ready to let loose and celebrate Christ’s resurrection with songs and dance and good food.
The beef had been roasting since dawn and Fen and Brodie and auld Eppie were hard at work preparing tarts and treats and delicious desserts.
Father John did his best to keep the day religious, bless his heart. And the Oliphantsdidkeep the Mass as solemn as possible. Afterward, however, it was impossible to deny there was an anticipatory feeling in the air, as if everyone was focused on the celebration to come.
Coira, for one, was glad the day was finally here and this damned party would be over soon. She’d spent so long working on the details and worrying about Da’s announcement, that she just wanted it done.
Whatever the outcome.
First, however, were the fun and games Mother had organized for the children of the clan.
Lady Oliphant herself affectionately shooed Bill the Ass away as he ambled through the bailey, then stood in front of the gathered crowd and raised her hands for silence. “Children, come forward! Now, ye ken how this goes. Hidden in the gardens are one hundred eggs! Please make certain ye find them all, or they’ll begin to smell, and Fenella will never forgive us! Once ye find them, come back here and we’ll paint them, aye?”
There was a great cheer as the youngest clan members ran to hunt for eggs, their parents following after, laughing indulgently.
Coira was setting out the paint supplies, mentally listing what would be necessary to clean the mess after, so was startled when Doughall spoke from beside her.
“Why eggs?”
“What?” she blurted, whirling about.
He smiled, as if knowing he’d surprised her. “Eggs. Why do we hide them? Nae one else does, as far as I ken. Barclay tells me ‘tis an Easter tradition unique to the Oliphants—the painting too.”
Shrugging, she turned back to her task, hoping she sounded less awkward than she felt. “’Tis a silly tradition, I suppose, but the egg is a symbol of new life. ‘Tis easier to hide than, say, a lamb.”
