Page 80 of Sighs of the Highland Wind
“Presumably? What happens if I don’t care?” Cameron asked with a cynical laugh. “Do ye divide it up between ye?”
There was a murmur of conversation across the room before Hector Lewis stood up, looking annoyed. “Do you want the estate or not?” he asked angrily.
“I do,” Cameron answered, “but my name will be Cameron Dalziel-Lewis, as will any children. That way I will honour both my father and my mother. I consent to be betrothed to Davina Henderson for a period of a month, an’ if we suit, we will marry.”
It was clear that Cameron had looked into the matter thoroughly. He had spoken with the minister, and had been told that he was entitled to be betrothed to Davina for as long as he wanted. However, Cameron had not told him that during that time he would try to work out a way to both marry Ava and have the estate at the same time. He was not greedy. The only reason he wanted the castle and the property was so that he could provide for her, her sisters, and any future children they might have.
The advisors murmured amongst themselves for a few seconds, then Hector Lewis approached Cameron.
“Will you wait outside for a while, please, while we deliberate amongst ourselves?” he asked.
Cameron nodded, then sent a quick, disapproving glance around all the elders before he left. As soon as the door shut behind him, he saw a maidservant with a tray of glasses and a pitcher of ale.
As if reading his mind, she smiled at him. “Are ye thirsty, M’Laird?” she asked.
Cameron returned her smile. “Indeed, I am!” he said eagerly.
The young woman poured out a glass of ale for him and waited while he drank it, then she poured him another glass.
“Thank ye,” he said, sighing in satisfaction. “I was very thirsty. What is your name?”
“Thomasina, M’Laird, but I am usually called Ina.” She looked at him assessingly. “A’ the servants are lookin’ forward tae havin’ ye look after us. We a’ think o’ ye as one o’ us.”
“Good.” Cameron grinned. “Because I am.”
The young woman smiled at him before entering the room where the meeting was being held. The door closed behind her, leaving Cameron to pace restlessly around the outer chamber, where he had effectively been abandoned. It seemed like hours before he was allowed back in, but eventually, Hector stepped out and beckoned to him.
“Come in, M’Laird,” he invited, holding the door open.
When he re-entered the large chamber, every one looked up at him expectantly, but Cameron kept his face deliberately expressionless.
Little did he know that he had been thoroughly assessed and judged during his absence. The advisors could see that not only was he a big man, but he had a commanding presence and was not afraid to stand up for himself. All in all, they had concluded that he would be a fine leader.
“We have been discussing the situation,” Hector Lewis announced, “and we consent to your terms. The betrothal period is a reasonable one, and we are happy with the name as long as it includes ‘Lewis’ in it. Welcome to Kilcarron, M’Laird.” He smiled widely, and the others got to their feet and clapped loudly.
Cameron did not smile, but bowed his head in acknowledgement of the applause. All he wanted to do now was to leave, but he was forced to sit and eat his midday meal with the elders. The food was delicious, with great chunks of beef and mutton, mixed vegetables in a rich sauce, and mountains of freshly baked bread. Afterwards there were clootie dumplings and cream, his favorite pudding, and some rich red wine.
The company proved quite amiable, to his surprise, but there were many questions, and Cameron was aware that he was the object of much curiosity. Not only that, he felt as though he had been under scrutiny from the time he arrived, since many of the men were openly studying him. He felt distinctly uncomfortable, and left as soon as he could. He knew exactly where he wanted to go.
Janet and Rona moved into the Henderson house a few days after Ava. Now, they were looking at themselves in the mirror, their eyes wide with wonder as they surveyed the new woollendresses they had just been given. Janet’s was crimson, Rona’s deep blue, and although they were warm and practical, they were made in the best quality and style, and both girls were delighted.
They had arrived at the steward’s house that morning and had been given a warm welcome, a lavish breakfast, and a bath. Both young women were overwhelmed at the luxury in which they found themselves, and although they were sharing a bedchamber, which they preferred to do, it was the most beautiful one they had ever seen.
“I can’t believe it!” Janet breathed in wide-eyed wonder.
They gazed at the big, intricately carved four poster bed with teal blue satin drapes. It was big enough for four people and its mattress was at least a foot thick. Janet’s eyes wandered to the mahogany occasional tables and matching armoire, then the brightly coloured rugs on the polished wood floor. The thick curtains were the same shade of blue as the drapes on the bed, and the finely moulded cornices on the ceilings above gave a final touch of grandeur to the chamber.
Just then, Ava came in, grinning from ear to ear. “Is everythin’ to your satisfaction, ladies?” she asked.
Her sisters smothered her in a tight hug.
“Everythin’ is wonderful, Ava!” Rona laughed with happiness. “Just wonderful!”
“A maid will bring your dinner in a moment, so sit down in the chairs by the fire for a while an’ calm down!” Ava was almost weeping herself - it was good to see her sisters so happy.
Just then, a knock at the door sounded and Ava went to speak to the young woman who had come to see her.
“Mistress,” she said, “the young Laird has come tae see ye.”
