MIASMIC Place Of Pendants 1

Chapter Fifteen

Dress or Trews

“I can walk you know!” I squirmed pushing my hands against his back to lift my head. “I said I can walk! braggart, abuser, egotist.” I mumbled. Then I received a sudden swat of his hand on my bottom.

“What the! How dare you hit me!” I protested but ceased to squirm. Conall continued towards the cottage muttering under his breath. He set me down inside the cottage, dropped my shoes and departed quickly shutting the door on his way out. I was angry at the swat. At the same time, I felt like having a good giggle, and couldn’t work out for the life of me why I would want to do so.

I heard horses coming to a halt outside. It sounded as if there were quite a few of them.

Peering out the window at least a dozen men in similar kilts to Conall’s jumped off their steads. Conall greeted them by seizing their forearms. They certainly look friendly, at least to Conall.

Opening the door silence fell bringing the Gaelic exchanges going on between them to cease. Meeting only silence and astonished looks. All of them except Conall of course.

Conall addressed the oldest of the men. A fair-sized man nearly as tall as Conall but wider in girth. His hair was silver with a few strands of red similar to Sloane’s, and a beard to match.

“Haig, I would like ye to meet tha Lady Morgan Evalina Danu Monroe.” Conall announced. Haig headed straight towards me, stopping just in front of me and bowed.

Taking my hand, placed a kiss on my knuckles, his whiskers tickling.

I held my repose. Two other men came to stand at his side.

“I am happy to meet you. Haig, was it?” I asked with a smile.

“Aye, milady I be Laird of clan Sutherland at yer service. Welcome to Sutherland land, an these ruffians ere are me sons Aiden.” He pointed to a heavy built man about twenty years old with dark brown hair, the same dark blue eyes as Conall. Aiden bowed just the slightest then gave me a mischievous wink.

“And this being me son Murtagh.”

Murtagh was perhaps about fifteen years old having the same red hair and brown eyes as his father. Murtagh stepped forward and caught my hand for a quick kiss to the back of my hand as Haig had done, addressing me as Lady Morgan.

I did catch a whisper from Murtagh to Aiden.

“Tis how ye greet a lady, ye clot heid.” Aiden promptly elbowed Murtagh. Haig raised a goaded eyebrow at his sons but continued.

“Aye an Conall be me son too. I have two others they are oot checking boundaries. Ye will meet them later. I ken ye have met me eldest Sloane, back in ye time.”

“I am very happy to meet you all.” I said eyeing Conall with a sneer for the slap I had received. Conall ignored me. He was, however, visibly happy to see his father and brothers.

Haig shouted to two men at the back of the group to take the horses to the compound and see them watered. Ordering another two to go and catch something for supper.

They ran off as fast as their feet could carry them into the scrub of trees behind the compound.

The rest of the men received orders to check the area, they too leaving diligently in different directions. Conall, his father and two brothers remaining. I continued to stand near the doorway.

Conall and Haig went back to their conversation in Gaelic, with his brothers listening intently. Right then, better than standing here like a fish out of water I returned the house leaving them to their conversation. I didn’t understand what the hell they were talking about anyway. I so wanted to get out of the bulky uncomfortable clothing.

I rummaged through Conall’s cupboards looking to see if he would perhaps have a shred of clothing around my size.

I wasn’t snooping really, well I guess I was, at least for clothing.

My rummaging was not in vain. Finding some clothing that looked far too small for Conall, they were however close enough to my size, that could have been his when he was younger. A pair of pants, long sleeve white shirt with a wide collar, and a leather jerkin.

These looked much more comfortable than all the layers of kirtle, skirt and petticoats I was encumbered in. I shut the bedroom door and began to undress. It was difficult to get the laces of the stays undone, but with determination I got there. Dressing into the clothing, the pants were a little snug. The shirt and jerkin a decent fit.

This was so much better and lighter. I could breathe without restriction. Still not happy at not having a bra or a pair of knickers on. Oh, the joys of the twenty first century.

At least I wasn’t sweltering like pig in the heat. A sigh of relief passed my lips that the jerkin was all front buckles, no lace tying was required. Thank the blessed Moon goddess.

Unceremoniously dumping the skirts and the rest of the clothing into a pile near the door donned the belt.

Once the small knife Conall had given was wedged between jerkin and belt I undid the plaiting of my hair that Ula had done and left it down.

Right now! that done outside we go. I expected to be on the receiving end of sarcastic comment from Conall, so I was ready for him. If he didn’t approve of my outfit, then he can wear the kirtle and dresses himself. I just hoped that he didn’t take offence to my borrowing the clothes.

Upon exiting the cottage I was met with mouths hanging, wide eyed looks of shock from Haig and his two sons. Not Conall though he looked quite irritated.

“Gods Blood.” He grumbled raking his fingers through his hair. No, he wasn’t happy at all. I really didn’t care what he thought. I was delighted in the more comfortable clothes.

“Hello again.” I said to three stunned mullets. Haig took a quick questioning look at Conall then back to me.

“Milady, why are ye dressed so?” Haig stammered.

“It’s no decent. A lass should nay be dressed as a...a boy.” Exclaimed Murtagh.

Aiden however folded his arms across his chest, a devious smirk lurking at the corners of his lips, eyed me from top to bottom as if I didn’t have a stitch on. A look unappreciated.

Conall quickly moved towards me grabbing my forearm in an attempt to steer me back into the cottage.

“Morgan do ye have no decency? Ye canna go about dressed like this.” He whispered crossly pulling at me. I was having none of it and pulled ardently back breaking his hold. I turned to face him, hands on my hips staring with defiance.

“I will dress anyway and however I like!” I spat back jabbing him in the chest with my finger. I am not one of your acquiescent servants!” Another jab to his chest. “You will treat me with respect! And if you ever! Ever! lay your hands upon me again!” My voice had increased significantly in volume. “I…I will sever your bloody head from your body. Do you hear me, Conall Sutherland!” With one final jab at his chest moved back to fold my arms across my chest, glaring at him.

Haig threw his head back and broke into a reverberating roar.

“Conall she is a wild one.” Haig guffawed, while his boys snorted trying to hide their amusement behind raised hands. I was so nettled that my thought was, in for a penny in for a pound and turned on Murtagh striding towards him.

“And you, young man think I am not decent.” I growled as I recrossed my arms to stare at his kilt and knees, then back at his face with provocation. He quickly lost the smirk. His spine stiffening slightly. I continued to address them all.

“I have been beaten to within an inch of life, nearly died at the hands of a Brollachan. Dragged to this ungodly time, near on attacked by your friend.” I pointed at Conall. “And spanked like I am some ill-disciplined begotten child.

Now you want to affront me for wearing something that feels far more comfortable than being embalmed in a copious expanse of kirtle, skirts and petticoats. I will not have it. Do you hear me?” I turned and huffed off walking swiftly past them to the line of trees that led to the waterfall. I didn’t look back. I heard not a word.

I kept on walking regardless that I had no shoes on. Rocks and twigs cutting into my feet. When my feet could stand no more, I sat down on a flat piece of stone near the base of a hybrid larch tree.

I lifted a foot up to rub it removing leaves and a small stone that clung to the skin. It was cool sitting on the rock amid scots pine, the straight and tall lodgepole pine and ash trees.

Around the base of the rock grew bluebells bowing their heads from the heat of the afternoon sun.

Gorse and small yellow flowers grew in ample supply in almost every nook and cranny. It was a beautiful place. The air fresh and clean. I hadn’t noticed the trees and flowers the first time, passing hurriedly trying to keep up with Conall’s long strides to the waterfall. The return, slung over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

I was more than aware that one of Haig’s men was standing far enough away as not to intrude but ensuring that I was in sight at all times. I was not the least bit sorry for my emission. Thinking of my actions, I felt emancipated. No doubt because I had just exploded releasing all the built-up anxiety, worry and anguish that I had accumulated over the past week.

If Haig had not broken out in laughter I could have been in serious trouble. After all he was a Laird. I was sure that not too many people would have spoken to him the way I had.

I thought about the look on Conall’s face during my tirade. Only now realizing the look was not anger but one of veneration. He had stood arms folded across his chest with a slight smile to his face. Why didn’t I notice that when I was jabbing him in the chest with my finger?

I sat on the rock for what seemed hours, whereas in fact it was no doubt just less than an hour, continuing to rub my feet. I could smell the cooking of roasting meat, my stomach as per usual answered the call with grumblings. My stomach can wait I was not ready to go trudging back yet.

Catching Conall approaching from the corner of my eye I turned so my back was to him. I could hear the crunching of leaves and stones under foot as he neared.

Conall spied her sitting on a low rock. Although she wore pants, shirt and jerkin, she was indeed a beautiful sight. Sat on a rock her back straight, head held high in defiance. He really did like the boldness in her. Her beautiful raven hair, red strands where the sun caught them falling just past the curve of her hips. He was sorry he had slapped her, well sort of sorry. Haig had given him an ear bashing over what he had done. Now he needed to apologise.

I heard his steps getting closer. He surprised me by placing a hand on my shoulder. I didn’t flinch keeping my back straight and my head up.

“My lady, may I have a word with ye.” His voice calm almost a whisper. Turning I tilted my head towards him, keeping an austere look to my face. Lips sealed to a thin line. I had expected an admonishment, but his tone suggested that it was possibly not going to come. He walked to the front of me kneeling down just has he had done in Sloane and Ula’s kitchen.

I did expect to see anger on his face but all I saw was concern, regret and apprehension. I relaxed my stiff shoulders easing the rigidity of my mouth.

“I am sorry my lady fer hurting ye…I had nay intention of doing so.”

“So, why did you?”

“I swear to ye I will nay do it again. I can give ye nay excuse for my brutish behaviour.”

Glancing sideways at him asked. “And my clothes? What say you Conall Sutherland?” His face was so close to mine his dark blue pools staring with trepidation. I caught my breath as his eyes dropped to my lips for a moment before lifting again.

“If’n ye wish to wear men’s clothing then I can nay stop ye.” A sigh left his lips. “We have some hard riding afore us, so ye will no doubt be more comfortable in these than ye skirts.”

This certainly was a reformation of attitude. I was relieved, not wanting to fight with him. A smile edged the corners of his mouth. He looked like a little boy waiting to be patted on the head seeking forgiveness.

“Are ye hungry lass?” Yep, there went my stomach once again grumbled loudly. That was one thing about me that caused concern no matter where I went. When I am hungry everyone knew about it. My stomach always growled exceedingly loud assured it could be heard in the next town.

“Yes, very.” I smiled back feeling a little embarrassed at the loudness. Scanning the path I had come down I was not so happy to be hiking back barefoot.

“Do ye mind if I assist ye back to tha hoose?”

I nodded. He carefully lifted me in his arms with ease. On the way with my arms around his neck I couldn’t help but notice the gold flecks in his eyes, dancing when light, filtering through the trees hit them. He had a thin scar on the right side of his face that ran from the bridge of his nose down to his jaw. His nose had a little crookedness to it, obviously broken at one time. It did not however, take anything away from his looks. I had to admit it, this man, my protector was extraordinarily handsome.

He must have felt my gaze on him as his eyes dropped down to me with a smile, but only for a moment. I wondered if he had a wife or girlfriend, and whether he was as capricious with them as he was with me. I hadn’t thought to ask him that question.

“Am I heavy?”

“Nay my lady. Ye are as light as a wee chicken.”

“Chicken?” His face broke into a grin.

“Chicken indeed. Cluck cluck.” I muttered to his chuckle.