Page 39 of The Shadow of a Laird
“Laird Forsyth,” he said, “please meet Malcolm MacKintosh, our Captain of the Guard. He has been with me for many years, and I would trust him with my life.”
“Thank ye, M’Laird,” MacKintosh said, smiling widely at his master. “Laird Forsyth, it is good tae meet ye. I have heard a lot about ye.”
“And you, MacKintosh,” Gavin replied. “You have a formidable garrison here.”
“Indeed I dae,” the captain agreed. “I have heard rumours that ye can handle yourself well in a fight. Care for a contest?” He indicated the wrestlers.
“Yes,” Gavin agreed eagerly; this was one of the things he was best at, and he was determined to prove it in front of all these tough men. He had been practising wrestling with his friends since he was a boy, and had been obliged to use his skill against some customers at the Goose and Gander on occasion.
When Gavin stripped off his tunic, MacKintosh’s eyes widened, and he pointed to a young man who was almost the same size as Gavin. “MacIlroy!” he shouted. “Get over here an’ get busy!”
The bout commenced, and it soon became clear that the two opponents were equally matched, but after what seemed like a lifetime, MacIlroy pinned Gavin to the ground and growled, “Submit!”
Gavin held up his hands in submission and sat up. “I submit. Well done!” he said. “A good fight—but I will beat you next time.”
“Is that a challenge, M’Laird?” MacIlroy asked, with a mischievous smile.
“Indeed it is.” Gavin got to his feet and grinned. “I cannot let you beat me and get away with it.”
He reached out his hand to clasp his opponent’s then dressed again. He spent the rest of the afternoon chatting with andgetting to know the guardsmen, and enjoyed their humour and down-to-earth attitude.
He decided to go back to his chamber when the shift changed, then he had a long lunch with Elspeth, during which she told him all about her friends, her horses, her cats and the latest gossip. He listened politely, then made his escape by pretending to need an afternoon nap.
“What have you been doing to tire yourself out so much?” she asked, frowning.
“Wrestling with one of the guards,” he answered.
Elspeth gasped. “Why did you not tell me? I would have loved to come and watch.”
Gavin laughed. “There was too much swearing for a tender young lady’s ears.”
Elspeth gave him a playful slap, then he made his escape.
Gavin met Laird Jamieson again a few hours later; he had surprised himself by actually having a nap, and after a wash and brush-up, he was making his way to the dining room.
“Time for dinner,” Laird Jamieson said, patting him on the shoulder. “I must warn you, though, that Elspeth has had a new dress made to impress you today, so you must praise it even if you think it is hideous!”
Gavin laughed and began to think that Laird Jamieson was not such a bad sort after all. In some ways, they thought alike, and they both had Elspeth’s welfare at heart. That was if they married, of course; he had been tempted to ask the Laird if he had made a final decision about that because the uncertainty was almost unbearable. However, he had not found the right moment, and decided to wait until it came along. Elspeth seemed to have made up her mind, however.
Again his thoughts turned to Maura. Her parents must have loved each other very much if her father had died of a broken heart. Perhaps he and Elspeth could grow to love each other likethat—was it possible? If he had to part with the love of his life, then at least he could settle for second best and make the most of his relationship with Elspeth.
Elspeth’s lilac coloured satin and lace dress looked like a decorated cake with layers of frosted icing on it, but Gavin managed to somehow pin a smile on his face and compliment her on it anyway.
She gave him a delighted smile. “There are goodness knows how many yards of lace on it.” Then she clapped her hands. “Is it not your birthday, soon, Gavin?”
“How clever of you to remember,” Gavin replied, smiling.
He was genuinely pleased because his birthday was so near Christmas and New year that many people forgot it. He had never wanted presents, only good wishes, but most of his friends and acquaintances were too wrapped up in their own celebrations, for which he could not blame them. He had pushed away his three closest male friends and doubted if he would ever see them again; likely they thought he was dead anyway, so it was good that Elspeth had brought up the subject.
“We should have a ceilidh for you,” she suggested. “Just a few trusted friends.”
“Thank you, Elspeth, but no,” Gavin spoke without even thinking twice. The last thing he wanted was to draw attention to himself. “Most people will still be celebrating Christmas and will not want to travel in this weather, but thank you for thinking of me. You are very sweet.” He picked up her hand and kissed it, causing her to give him a coy smile.
Gavin glanced at the Laird, who gave him a nod and a small smile.
When they finished the meal, Elspeth began to yawn. “Oh, dear, I am so tired,” she said. “I didn’t sleep too well last night. Will you escort me to my room, Gavin?”
Gavin pulled Elspeth’s chair out for her, and she smiled, then kissed her father. Gavin glanced at him and received an approving look in return. Things were going well.
