Malcolm walked farther into the room and stood near the chair in which Katherine sat. It meant she had to look up at a rather sharp angle to see him. Katherine felt momentarily wary, but Malcolm was a close friend of Niall’s and she realized she was being silly. She answered, “I really couldn’t say, Laird. I met them for the first time barely a week ago, and it seems I have slept most of that time away.”
“Of course, how could I have forgotten? Are ye feeling quite well now?”
“Aye, Laird, thank you, Agnes is a very skilled healer.”
“Ye see, Fingal, even Katherine agrees that Agnes knew what she was doing that night.” Confused by his comment, Katherine glanced at Fingal, whose expression was inscrutable. Had Fingal argued with Niall about the healer?
Malcolm went on, “Fingal, son, ye really need to let it go. Ye see, Katherine, when ye arrived, ye had a raging fever and in your delirium, ye begged Niall to stay with ye.”
Katherine remembered and knew she had not been delirious then. Although a bit foggy, she recalled feeling terribly ill and afraid. She hadn’t wanted Niall to leave her.
“Agnes has been a healer for quite some time and knows anxious husbands can do more harm than good.”
Although she respected Agnes, Katherine silently disagreed. In her experience, patients benefited from having loved ones close. Unless someone became a problem, she did not insist they leave, but Agnes’ opinion was held by many healers. Clearly Laird MacLennan respected her.
“Niall very wisely stayed downstairs with me while Agnes was working. Fingal became indignant when he realized Niall had left ye and ye called out for him. But, ye see, Fingal, it was simply the delirium. Niall made the right decision in leaving Katherine in Agnes’ care to spend the evening in the hall with us.” Turning back to Katherine, he said with a laugh and a shake of his head, “Young men can have such romantic ideas. Katherine, I can tell ye are a wise, practical young woman.”
Katherine wasn’t sure why Malcolm was telling her this, but Fingal appeared to be both angry and embarrassed. Malcolm must have been trying to smooth over whatever had happened between Niall and Fingal, but it wasn’t working very well.
Tired of looking up at Malcolm and thinking to change the subject, she motioned to the other chair by the hearth, saying, “Laird, I am terribly sorry, I have been rude. Please, sit down.”
“Oh, nay, thank ye, lass, I won’t tire ye any longer. Ye have been through a terrible ordeal.” He glanced at Tomas, who still sat on her lap, adding, “I just wanted to ask if ye would feel up to joining us in the great hall for dinner this evening?”
“Aye, Laird, I am feeling much better. I would be delighted to dine in the great hall tonight,” Katherine responded.
“Well, until later then, lass.” He bowed, then looked pointedly at Fingal, inclining his head towards Tomas before leaving.
When his footsteps retreated down the hall, with the humor back in his voice, Fingal said, “I think I have just been told to remove Tomas and allow ye to rest.”
Katherine smiled, saying, “Tomas, why don’t you and Fingal go see if there are any dragons to slay with that fine sword of yours?”
Tomas scooted off her lap to leave, but before he did, he asked, “Are there really dragons in the Highlands?”
“It would seem so,” answered Fingal.
Katherine smiled at his obvious reference to their host, but before they reached the door she said, “Fingal, I’m sure Agnes meant well the other night. Please don’t be angry with Niall over this.”
“Don’t worry, my lady, it is past. Malcolm has indeed always been like an uncle to us. I’m sure he thought my argument with Niall meant more than it did.”
Six
Diarmad arrived with ten guardsmen late that afternoon. Naill was relieved to learn the dowry was secure at Duncurra. However, Diarmad reported that while they were in Edinburgh, Matheson had raided again near the southwest border of the MacIan lands and spirited away ten head of cattle. The MacIans retaliated, but returned with fewer beasts than they lost.
“God’s teeth, why is Matheson doing this?” swore Niall, as Malcolm entered the great room.
“What is Matheson doing now?” Malcolm asked.
“He can’t keep his hands off my stock. We have been plagued with raids by him for months now, as if he needs any of our meager stock.”
Malcolm answered, “Why does this surprise ye? The Mathesons have never been particular about the way they gain their wealth. Their feud with the MacIans has been long standing, has it not?”
“The MacIans and the Mathesons have never been allies,” Niall said, “but the argument between our grandfathers about our borders resolved without a full scale feud. Neither laird liked the compromise, resulting in little squabbles erupting from time to time over the years. However, until this last year, they were only a minor annoyance. Now he is relentless and the losses are crippling. Your land borders his, has he pilfered your stock?”