Page 10 of The Guardian

The sack of coins was the last thing she opened. He’d given her more than enough coin that she’d be able to purchase food for an entire season. That was the one thing she’d not accept.

The aroma of the cooking made Ailith swoon with anticipation. She grew a few vegetables in her garden, which rarely made it to full ripeness. Now that she had food that she could preserve and eat, it would allow her garden time to flourish.

In a broken clay jar she’d found, Ailith set some freshly picked flowers on her table. After rinsing one of the new bowls, she served up a meal of roasted carrots, savory meat, and just a bit of the bread. She then spooned some of the stew into a small clay pot, she used to feed Teller.

Once seated, she looked at her meal and, without warning, tears slipped down her face. Despite her pride and still not caring for Clan Ross, the meal and other provisions were a blessing. One that came at a time she barely any resources left.

The food was wonderful. Ailith had seconds and sopped up the last of the meat juices with the delicious bread and finished it with a half cup of the sweet wine.

The next day, Ailith was cutting the softer fabric to make a chemise and a simple shift dress. With the other fabric, a wool, she had enough to make a skirt and blouse that would keep her warm when venturing out.

Once she finished the task of cutting, she planned to sit by the door, taking advantage of sunlight and fresh air as she sewed.

After stopping only once to eat, the morning went by quickly. Already she’d finished the chemise and was starting on the shift dress when Teller alerted her that someone was coming.

Ailith quickly grabbed her sewing and retreated into the cottage, calling Teller to come inside.

Once the door was firmly latched, she peeked out through the hole in the curtain and saw her sister’s husband, Boyd, coming up in their horse-drawn wagon. Next to him was her sister, Erin, holding the youngest of their four. As they pulled closer, Ailith opened the door, and she from the noise level she could tell the other three in the back were ready to be set free.

It was a whirlwind of activity as the family climbed from the wagon, the father helping the children and then hoisting a sack upon his shoulder. Her sister was the first to reach her, baby in her arms and two-year-old grasping her skirts. The two older, both boys, raced around the cottage playing with a delighted Teller.

After depositing the sack inside on the table, Boyd grabbed the toddler and went back out to keep an eye on the boys.

“Peas, beans and oats,” her sister said by way of greeting as she pulled a blanket from a chair and placed it on the floor, then settled the sleeping infant on top of it. “Ye can make a hearty pottage that will last ye for a few days.”

Ailith filled two glasses with cool well water, placed one in front of Erin, and took the second one to Boyd.

“I am so grateful that ye always look out for me. I must admit to having more than enough food at the moment. Please take it back to feed yer bairns.”

Erin waved her protests away. “It is only a small portion of what we got after Boyd’s work at the Macdonald farm. The farmer is a very generous man. Each of the four workers received good compensation along with their pick of the crop.”

“That is quite generous indeed,” Ailith agreed.

Erin looked at the sleeping child. “That blanket is new. Did ye make it?”

The sisters never kept secrets from one another. Erin was privy to all that had occurred when she’d chosen to marry Brant over Hendry. Her sister had been against the marriage and had never warmed up to her late husband. Despite Ailith explaining that Hendry was not being faithful, Erin refused to believe it, claiming Brant had lied in order for Ailith to agree to marry him.

Over their three years of marriage, if ever doubts or thoughts that perhaps Erin was right crossed her mind, Ailith pushed them away.

She took a deep breath. “I found Hendry just outside the door. He was badly injured and unconscious. I dinnae understand how he managed to get here.”

Erin gasped. “What happened? Is he alive?”

“Aye, he recovered. Although I must admit to fearing many times that he would not. Once he was well enough to leave, three days later, he left immediately.” Ailith ignored her sister’s pointed look. “I insisted he leave.”

“I am sure ye were nae the friendliest,” Erin countered. “I ken ye continue to unfairly blame him and the others for Brant’s death.”

Deciding not to begin the familiar discussion Ailith said, “He sent quite a bounty as recompense. Food, blankets, and fabrics. Also some coin.”

“Ye must keep everything,” Erin said in a stern tone. Her sister knew her too well. “Ye deserve every bit of it since ye refused to accept the widow’s allocation from the laird.”

It was true. At the time of Brant’s death, Ailith had been filled with bitterness and sadness. Her mourning had not only been for the loss of her husband, but she had also been terrified of the future. With no parents and her sister not having room for her, she knew the path ahead would be a lonely one.

“I am nae sure about keeping the coin.” Her words rang hollow. It would be idiotic to return the money. With winter approaching, she’d need every cent for oil and food.

“Did ye talk to him? Ask him what the truth was?” The warmth in her sister’s gaze was like an embrace. Yet, she pressed the issue about her ire with Hendry further.

Ailith ignored the question. “Tell me about what happens in the village? I have nae been able to go. First, Teller hurt his paw; then, caring for Hendry, the days have passed quickly.”