Page 41 of The Shadow of a Laird
“That sounds like a very good idea,” Gavin agreed. He was impressed, and surprised that Elspeth had thought of such a thing, since she had never struck him as being the kind of woman who reached out to ordinary people. In his opinion, this was a major point in her favour.
They rode onwards into the countryside that was dotted with huge pine and fir trees standing like sentinels over rocky outcrops and rolling expanses of bright-green grass. It was a rugged landscape, but one that was soul-stirringly beautiful.
At last, they came to the fence which had caused all the trouble, and the two farmers who had hitherto been at each other’s throats. Both of them smiled and came forward to greet them, bowing.
“Milady, M’Laird!” they both called as soon as they saw them. They looked a little intimidated by the guardsmen riding behind them, but Elspeth smiled at them and told them not to worry.
“We wanted to see how you are faring,” she told them. “To see if you have mended fences—in every way.”
They all laughed at her pun and Gavin stepped forward to inspect the repairs which they had done between them. He was no expert, but the woodwork looked sturdy and strong to him, and he congratulated both the farmers on the good job they had done.
“A tree fell on it a wee bit further up the hill,” Armstrong said. “It was a big thick pine an’ it cracked the fence so that even a cow walkin’ intae it would knock it down. A stone wall will fix the problem.”
“We have our stonemason ready to start work in the spring,” Gavin said. “I cannot stress enough how important it is that you come to the meeting at the Castle. Laird Jamieson wouldlike to address all his tenants together, to explain how this new arbitration process will work.”
“We will both be there,” Armstrong said, beaming at Gavin, then Elspeth, whom he found much more attractive to look at.
“Indeed,” agreed MacLean, nodding. “M’Laird, Milady, would ye care for a bite tae eat at my house? Bettie will just be makin’ the dinner.”
“I am sorry,” Elspeth said regretfully, “but we have already made arrangements to eat in the village. We’ll see you soon.”
“I am sure these young people want a wee bit o’ time on their own,” Armstrong said, winking at them.
Elspeth blushed and smiled shyly, and Gavin gave a nervous laugh. They mounted their horses again and waved a cheerful goodbye to the two farmers, who stood watching them as they rode away.
“Are we not going back to the castle to eat?” Gavin asked.
“Well, the main road to Inverness runs through Ardneuk,” Elspeth replied, “and the coaching inn here,The Maid of the North, has the best cook for miles, in my humble opinion. We can eat there if you wish.”
“If you think the food is so good,” Gavin said, “then I will go on your recommendation.”
“Very wise,” Elspeth observed, laughing.
When they arrived atThe Maid of the North, Gavin noticed at once that it was a cut above the kind of establishment like theGoose and Ganderand theOx and Plough. It had sturdy stone walls, and had been newly painted inside in a pale cream colour that made it seem bright and welcoming.
It was lit by the golden glow of the warm fire that was burning in the huge fireplace, and even though the furniture was old and rather worn, the wooden tables and chairs were brightly polished and shone under the lamplight. The whole place had a cosy, welcoming atmosphere that put Gavin at ease at once.
Elspeth ordered food for the guards first, and again he was impressed by her concern for those less privileged than herself.
“Now, what would you like to eat, my Laird?” Elspeth asked with a cheeky smile. “I recommend the lamb stew. One thing about this place is that they never hold back on the meat. There are always heaps of it! You can even order wine if you wish.”
Gavin raised his eyebrows; he was impressed. Wine in an ordinary tavern was very unusual. Ale was the drink of choice for most people because it was cheap and plentiful, but wine had to be imported, and was consequently less available and more expensive.
“Wine? Excellent,” he said. “But only one glass this time.”
Elspeth ordered a bottle of deep red wine from an estate which Gavin had not heard of before. He was by no means a connoisseur of wine, but he knew enough to realise that what he was drinking was passable, not excellent.
He looked around, interested in the kind of people who frequented the establishment. Most were strangers just passing through on the way to somewhere else, and although they were mostly of the middle class, there were quite a few who looked quite wealthy.
Gavin tucked into the stew, which was as delicious as Elspeth had promised, savouring every mouthful as they talked, comfortable and relaxed with each other. He could be content with her, he reasoned; they both had their faults, like everyone else.
“I am going to arrange to have my seamstress come to the castle with a length of Forsyth tartan.” Elspeth said. “To measure you for a new plaid, jacket and shirt, as well as some other clothes. Would you like that?”
Gavin smiled. “Indeed I would,” he replied. “I must admit that it has been a long time since I wore anything new. But dowe need to talk about this now? Let us enjoy this delicious food first.”
“I told you it would be scrumptious,” Elspeth said, a hint of smugness in her voice.
“You have good taste,” Gavin agreed as he scooped up another spoonful of the delectable mixture.
