The Recalcitrant Wife

Chapter 10: Skye Fall

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The sound o' rocks scuddin' along the windows woke me from a sound sleep. I peered o'er the sill, amazed to see my cousin lookin' op at me, his hands fisted 'bout the reins o' three horses.

"It's mornin' lad, time to get to the Birney's croft."

Stars and stones, he appeared to be clean-shaven; I scarcely recognized him, if no for his voice.

"If ye were no my kin, I'd see fit to box yer ears. Why in god's name are ye here so early o' a morn?"

He yelled loud enough for the whole o' the island to hear. "Are we goin' to the widow Birney's croft, t'day, or no?"

"Aye, but there's no use in starvin' ourselves afore we go. Hitch op the horses, and meet us for breakfast, aye?"

Murtagh led the animals to a hitchin' post, and mutterin' all the while, joined me at the table. "Now what's so blessed important as ye had to wake op me and the Mrs.? It couldna wait a wee bit?"

Claire walked in at that moment, coming toward us. Wi' raised eyebrows at seein' my cousin all shaved and wi' clean clothes and polished boots, said, "Isn't it obvious. Your godfather is anxious to see the lady crofter."

My cousin refused to meet my eyes, but the rapid change in his color confirmed our suspicions. I ne'er thought I'd see the day when Murtagh would fall. Och ... and it gladdened my heart to see it so. My only hope was as he should be happy as Claire and I, if it came to that.

# # # # #

Murtagh was in love, and I was pleased. While Jamie and I were still in the throes of passion in spite of the length of our marriage so far, it seemed wrong to flaunt our never-ending honeymoon in his face. He deserved some happiness as well. The love of a good woman would be just the ticket to ensure that.

We finished up our meal, and mounted our horses. I'd never seen Murtagh so jittery. He was on a mission, and Jamie and I were holding him back. We couldn't make the animals move fast enough to suit him. He called to us, several times in fact, making comments such as: "Can ye no keep op?" Or: "Jesus, Mary and Bride! We'll ne'er arrive in time, if ye continue to poke along."

Jamie answered in a patronizing tone, "Dinna fash, Muragh. The widow willna be sailin' off to ports unknown afore we get there."

His godfather would make one of those rude Scottish noises in response, and gallop on ahead.

. . . . .

Mistress Birney was already hitching up two mules to a dray, and the children were seated in the back, their legs dangling over the edge.

Murtagh jumped down from his horse as if his breeks were on fire, and tethered the beast to the hitching post. "Good day to ye, Taryn. Might I help ye wi' the mules?"

Her cheeks colored, and she cast her eyes down at the grass. "It's verra kind o' ye, Murtagh. I expect I'll let ye do just that."

I asked her, "Is there anything else we can do to help?"

"Ah, nay, lest ye wanta take these weans off my hands."

Annis let out a shriek, and Taryn turned toward the sound to ascertain what mischief Robert was up to.

"Robbie, dinna be pullin' yer sister's hair, if ye know what's good for yer rear end."

Sticking out her tongue, Annis taunted her brother, "That'll teach ye, stupid numpty."