Sneaks (7 page)

“’ere we are,” Corc said.

“Ah, Mistress Kally, welcome to the Gathering,” Una said as we joined her small crowd. She was dressed in a green dress that fitted her much better than her work clothes. She’d pulled her hair up and there were currently no stray fly-aways framing her face like there were after she’d put in a full day’s work. She had the night off, but most of her staff didn’t. They worked all around us, filling goblets and handing out all kinds of food.

“Thank you,” I said and nodded to Maisie and Bonnie. But the young girls didn’t look my direction. Instead, they were looking up at Ian and his father, and smiling and whispering something. They were looking at Ian more than his father.

He was the laird’s son, a boy who was educated and would most likely inherit a power that was coveted in this place and time. As far as I knew, these girls didn't have their futures planned for them. They would maybe want to date Ian, like Granny had dated my grandfather. 

I didn’t understand my feelings for him. He was two years younger than me. I thought we were friends, but when I saw the girls giggle, I felt a twinge of jealousy.

I didn’t have time for jealousy, so I pushed it away.

“I shall return for ye after the procession. For now, sit wi’ Una, if ye please,” Corc said in his most polite voice.

“Okay. Thank you, Corc.” I was convinced that I was still being constantly watched. The laird was just trying to be more polite about it tonight. Perhaps he knew about my friendship with Ian.

“The procession is about to begin. Come.” Una walked to some chairs that were closer to the laird and Ian, but up against a side wall.

As I looked to the front, Ian caught my eye and smiled and waved. I started to do the same until I saw Maisie and Bonnie glance at me angrily. I was surprised by their looks, so I smiled stiffly and retracted my arm.

Ian looked somewhat surprised but fortunately his father diverted his attention. Maisie and Bonnie looked away.

“Have ye ever been to a Gathering?” Una asked me.

“No, never.”

“It’s is something to behold.”

“I’m excited to see it.”

Then with a boom of bagpipe noise from somewhere on the far side of the room, the crowd fell into a sudden and restless silence. Seriousness and music filled the air like thick smoke, changing the mood from party to everyone at attention.

The bagpipes stopped, and somehow all the people in attendance knew where to go and how to line up. Then either one-by-one or two-by-two the men and women marched toward the laird and Ian. They were dressed in their finest, colorful kilts and fancy plaids, as they marched forward. They all stood proud. Their voices were strong and beautiful as they spoke the language I’d learned was called Gaelic. I didn’t know their words, but the way they spoke them, I knew what they were saying.

Some were just there to offer greetings, but most were pledging their loyalty to Brian Duncan and his sons, Ian and MacCauley. It must have been the pledge of all pledges. This man, Brian Duncan, who might have punished me for a crime I didn’t commit, must have been thought of pretty highly. Either that or they were scared of him, but it didn't seem like that.

It was beautiful and not even slightly boring.

Toward the end of the long line, a man stepped forward with who I assumed was his wife. The man held a noisy baby so I was forced to strain to hear his words.

“Duncan,” the man began in greeting, “as a neighbor, I pledge my friendship, my wife’s friendship and my new daughter, Isla’s, friendship to ye and yer sons.”

“Thanks to ye, Lennox,” the laird said. “Welcome, and ken that my home is yer home.”

Lennox? Did I hear that right?

I stood and strained to see more clearly the family standing before the laird.

“Kally, sit please. The procession isna over.” Una had her hand on my own.

Reluctantly, I sat back down but still strained to see. The man wasn’t as wide as either Corc or the laird, but he was somewhat tall – taller than me, at least. His long, dark hair made a thick braid down his back. His wife was small and blondish, but I couldn’t see either of their faces.

“Who is that, Una?”

“Ivar Lennox, mistress, why? Do you ken him?”

“I don’t think so. Who is he? I mean, who is he to the laird?”

“A good neighbor.”

The Lennox family moved away from the line and disappeared into a crowd of people. I wanted to ask Una if she would introduce him to me, but something felt wrong about that entire idea. What would these people think about a sixteen-year-old girl wanting to meet an older married man? I’d have to find another way to talk to him and see if he knew why I was supposed to get to his castle. My plans for the evening had suddenly changed. I wouldn't rule out escaping if I could, but I really wanted to meet the Lennox guy. 

After a few more pledges, there was another change. Apparently, the ceremony was over -- formal went away and the party came back in a big way. I was required to stay with Una, but my eyes wandered over the crowd constantly. Where had Ivar Lennox gone?

Somehow a band of workers cleared the great hall and then filled it again with long tables and benches. The tables were then filled with food. Meats, potatoes, bread, butter, and plenty of fruit to go around. Most of the people, young and old, drank some of the bitter ale that must have been the soda of this century. It smelled awful. Fortunately, water was offered, too, and as I'd come to find out, it didn't need filtered.

The party was picking up steam and I could see that before long the results of the ale would be the excuse many of the party-goers would use to let loose. My companions were unconcerned about the shift in the energy and enjoyed their meal and their time off from work. Una kept a sharp eye on her staff and smirked to herself every once and awhile. I’d lost sight of Ian, but I felt safe with Una at my side as I searched for Lennox.

After the meal, the great hall was once again transformed, or just emptied. It was at that moment that Corc appeared again.

“Ye’ll be by my side, lass, for the rest of the evening,” he said as he offered me his arm again.

I looked at Una, who nodded her approval, and then I went to stand beside my chaperone as the dancing began.

Bagpipe music once again filled the air and couples formed two lines. Everyone seemed to know what they were doing.

“Would ye like to dance, lass?” Corc asked me, his voice raised against the loud music.

I looked at him to see if he was serious. His cheeks were red from either the ale or embarrassment over feeling obligated to ask me to dance.

“No, thank you, Corc, I don’t think I could manage the steps.” It was true. There was no dancing in my time. And, as curious as I was about it, I didn’t want to try in front of so many people.

“Aye. Weel, speak up if ye change yer mind.”

“Okay.”

I saw Ian on the other side of the hall threading his way through the crowd. He looked up and caught my eye and signaled at me to stay put. I didn’t think I would have been able to take a step without Corc’s approval anyway.

“Come on Kally, let’s have a dance,” Ian said as he reached us, beads of perspiration on his forehead but no ale on his breath.

“Oh, Ian, I don’t know how to do that,” I said as I pointed at the dancers with my head.

“It’s easy. Come on, I’ll show ye.”

I looked at Corc, more for help than for approval. Corc kept a straight face and looked away from both me and Ian. I could almost hear his thoughts: the laird’s son is asking ye to dance, lass. Get ye out there and dance!

“Ian,” I began.

But he grabbed my hand before I could protest further and pulled me toward the lines of dancers. I turned one more fleeting glace to Corc, but he only smiled stiffly and looked away from my pleading eyes.

It was ugly. I tried and managed a few steps correctly, but mostly I just ran into people and tripped over my own feet.

And, I had more fun than I could ever remember having. I laughed, Ian laughed and those we danced with were just as jovial. Everyone pitched in and tried to help me learn the steps but mostly it was just fun.

In the middle of all my fun, I finally saw him – Ivar Lennox, and his wife. Actually, I ran into and stepped on his feet as he and his beautiful wife twirled next to me and Ian.

“Excuse me,” I said as my sneaker-clad heel got his toes.

Somehow, he kept dancing while he smiled at me, bowed his head quickly and said, “At yer service,” before dancing away from us.

I tried to keep up with my steps as I inspected the handsome man and his wife. I’m sure I drove Ian crazy, but I couldn’t help but stare – Ivar Lennox was very familiar to me. But I couldn’t place why. The memory of recognition kept coming to me in blurry pictures, never quite focusing enough. Did I somehow know this man?

“Kally?” Ian asked. I’d stopped dancing, my thoughts taking over – where did I know him from?

“Oh, Ian, I’m so warm. I need to go get some water. And some air.”

“Come on.”

I didn’t see Lennox as we made our way through the crowd. As we passed Una, Maisie and Bonnie, the two younger girls sent shy smiles Ian’s direction. He was oblivious.

We found the kitchen in a bustle of activity. Ian grabbed us two goblets of water and some pastries and we made our way out to the back courtyard.

I breathed in the fresh air and gulped down the water.

“That was fun,” I said. “Thanks for having the patience to teach me.”

“That was fun. And ye’re welcome.”

We sat on a stone bench that wasn’t far from the back exit of the castle. There were a few people here and there, but no one paid any attention to anyone except who they might be with. And even with my distracted mind, I suddenly what was going on around us. 

A number of couples either roamed the courtyard or were sitting on other benches. There was far too much holding of hands, giggling and kissing noises for my comfort. Trying not to look obvious, I scooted an inch or two further away from Ian. These sorts of public displays weren't allowed in my time. Even married people were only supposed to do these things behind closed doors. I was suddenly very uncomfortable.

“Mistress Kally, I have a question for ye,” Ian said, his voice way serious.

“Okay,” I said.

“Do ye ken if ye have a father?”

“Oh. Well, I probably do. I imagine haven’t seen him in a long time, though.” I had to keep to my story of not remembering who I was or where I came from, but my father had truly left long ago. And he was a piece of crap to boot, but Ian didn't need to know that.

“Do ye remember yer mother?”

I did remember my mother. All too well. Ian’s question sent a stab of longing through my heart. But I wasn’t supposed to remember. “Not that well, yet. I’m beginning to get small flashes of memory, but I still don’t know …”

“Weel, if there’s no one I can ask permission from, can I ask ye if …”

 “You know, Ian, I noticed something tonight,” I interrupted.

“Ye did?” He sounded almost as relieved as I felt to have the subject change.

“Yes.”

“What?”

“There are a number of very pretty girls who are trying to get your attention.”

Ian’s eyebrows rose in surprise and I could see his cheeks darken even in the soft torchlight.

“Aye?”

“Yes. I mean aye.”

“Oh.” Ian watched a couple walk in front of us: hands twined together and heads close in flirtatious conversation. “So, ye think I should start paying attention to them then?”

“I suppose.”

“So ye think I’m old enough to think of girls then?”

“Yes,” I said. Why not? He had no restrictions. He should enjoy dating. 

“That’s good, Mistress Kally. That’s good.”

I had no idea what to say next.

Ian took a deep breath and I could see him inwardly push himself.

“Mistress Kally, since there are no parents to ask, I guess I’m just going to have to ask directly.”

"Uh, okay."

“May I court ye?” he said, his voice squeaking.

I had no idea what that meant besides something more serious than friendship. Did it mean that marriage was the ultimate goal or was he just asking me if we could go out on a date? And why did a part of me want to say yes?

“Ian, we’ve only known each other a couple weeks. How can you want to ‘court’ me so quickly?” And, why was I not afraid of the idea?

“Ye are so different, mistress.” He had no idea. “Ye are someone who touched my heart the first time I saw ye and havena left it yet. I didna need even a full week.”

My mouth fell open. Those were the most wonderful and awful words I had ever heard. I never thought I'd hear something like them, ever. Even when I got married, I just thought I would figure out how to live with the man I 'chose' to be my husband. Ian's words did things to me I didn't know my insides could do. I wanted to laugh and cry again. I wanted to run and I wanted to hug him . . . no, maybe I wanted to kiss him. I didn't know, because I didn't know what that was supposed to feel like. I was blown away by it all.