Lady Eilean

Chapter 61

Father wore an ancient diadem of burnished gold around his forehead. Passed down from Laird to Laird in the MacLeod line. Knowing now that its first wearers were women, I could see how it was crafted for a more feminine brow. The carvings of wildflowers and wheat, the thinness of the band, the tasteful ornamentation. The crown sang to me and I longed to snatch it off my father's head and ram it down onto mine.

Considering the scale of miserable occurrences in my life, from starvation and poverty to being born, losing Ellesmure ranked as the worst. I wanted to open my mouth and scream, wailing until everyone begged me to stop, their ears bleeding. This was my home! My castle! My kingdom!

The clock chimed midnight, and the crowd came to a quiet murmur. Fealty was always sworn at this hour, and now the ceremony would begin. Trumpets sounded, the room settled to near-silence. Conversations stopped mid-whisper, and all eyes turned toward the stage.

The target of their gazes seemed off. I couldn't tell if it was a trick of the low light or my own delusions of grandeur, but it seemed to me as if everyone was staring at me and not my father.

"Kind and humble people of Ellesmure," Father stood, addressing the crowd with his powerful voice. He stepped forward, held his arms out wide, welcoming them all into his embrace. "Though the war ended long ago, for the men of this land, it only ended recently. It is with happiness that we find ourselves returned home. Now, you have arrived here, at the seat of your Laird. Not only to celebrate our homecoming and glorious campaign but to enjoy the festivities of my daughter's wedding!"

There was a round of polite praise. I crossed my arms and shifted my weight to one foot.

"We mourn the loss of those who did not come home. A Laird never wants to ask for the lives of his people, it is with a heavy heart he does so. For your sacrifices, I thank you."

I turned my head and scowled at those words. Inappropriate though my response was, I found father's words abhorrent.

"I wish to commemorate this time, this Gathering, with our last rite. Heads of households and landowners, it honors the MacLeod family to receive your oaths of loyalty and service."

I ducked my head, bracing myself for the first man to step forward and forever separate me from the only role in life that held for me the sense of destiny.

"You will all notice my daughter, Eilean, beside me. She has been the steward of you and your kin. She managed the running of this estate during my long absence. I would be remiss to not share my thanks for her service."

The applause this time was robust and cheerful. Pockets of people hooted and hollered. Whistles and cheers bounced around the hall. I bowed to them, biting my lip to keep from crying. My heart felt like a hollow cave as the loss became real. When I lifted my head, I saw the governing heads of the Delegation slip through the hall's double doors. They looked arrogant and satisfied. Their faces were a mixture of glee and delight. I squinted at them, trying to read their expressions. A brash, coltish Laird from the North noticed my stare and winked.

Father returned to the Laird's seat and settled into his perch. There was a second blasting of trumpets. Men in the crowd shuffled toward the center of the room, passing their goblets and hats over to their wives. Lining up, they prepared to bend the knee.

Mother commanded me with a delicate flutter of voice, "You may stand down now, Eilean. Join your friends in the crowd if you wish to watch."

Stunned by her humiliation, which I so seldom saw coming, I dragged myself toward the steps. My cheeks blazed, and I fisted my hands at my side. She had nerve, pushing me to the side like that, in front of those that cheered for me.