Holiday

Guest

Hew awoke late in the morning, It was a fine time last night at the pub. It was good to see confederates in fellowship out enjoying themselves. Hew shaved at his basin finding it hard to concentrate after seeing Cathern’s new necklace last night. What a knockout he was a lucky man. Dressing in the small kilt and light shirt for the dinner they were probably just getting everything ready to cook. Best make a show of it. Still feeling pain from the fight yesterday Hew takes a swig of rum for painkiller. He then heads downstairs to the kitchen to get some food.

Angus was there as promised ,while Hew ate he discussed the security needs for his guests. Cathern’s crew and the remaining Scots still living down by the wharf. The game assessment on the property. Lastly future plans for his new ghillie.

It was becoming afternoon so Hew headed to the estate wharf. The tables were being set up. Seafood of all kinds were cleaned and dressed. Grouper, bass, shrimp. Crabs and some spiny lobster were what he could see. No telling what else these good people were planning.
Off in the distance he could see two ships. Probably Jock on patrol and hopefully Cathern’s frigate. Squinting he could make a out a flash of pink on a longboat heading to shore.

"Ian get a wagon down to help fetch any luggage" he shouted at one of his crew. Hew wanted to run to the docks to greet her but he needed to keep some decorum. Walking down he watched the boat come ashore, and off loaded its passengers. It was indeed Cathern and her lady in waiting and I am guessing her new first officer. He hugged her and then kissed her hand " Cathern I am glad you and your crew could make it." Trying hard not to stare at a large ruby necklace hung low at her cleavage. "Happy Easter" Hew said as he shook hands with her crew.

Guest

“May the promise of eternal life gifted to us by our Lord, Jesus Christ, bring good cheer on this day. It is wonderful to see you again Mr. McDraig. My ship has some of fine cheeses, wines, smoked or salted game and fish, real sugar and coffee in the hold to help celebrate the day with you and your kin. Perhaps they would assist my crew in unloading the ship? There is plenty there and I know your people are just arriving here in the New World and won’t have much to help sustain them. There is no reason for you to pick up the burden all on your own Mr. McDraig. I consider it my Christian duty to help them…and I want to help you.” Cathern smiled warmly at the Scot.

“Mr. McDraig, this is my cabin girl Jazelle and my first officer Johan Van der Beeke.” Cathern motioned to the two people standing behind her. “And this is Mr. McDraig, head of his Clan and host for our Easter holiday.” Jazelle curtsied and Johan bowed, both wearing their finest clothes for the event, specially bought the week before by Cathern. Johan spoke in heavily accented English “It pleasure meet you and thank for holiday.” Jazelle chimed in, her English much better, “Yes, thank you very much kind sir for this. My Mistress has been looking very much forward to it and the crew all could use some shore time and soul saving.” Cathern nodded. “Yes the crew has been a buzz of excitement. I hope they behave themselves and remember it is a holy day we are here to celebrate. It’ll be a nice change from the usual whoring and drunken binges in port they are accustomed to. They have instructions to help out where ever help is needed. They are eager to help as a change from monotony the life at sea often brings. So don’t be afraid to ask them to mend fences, raise a barn, or whatever needs doing. I know your people must still be recovering from the long sea voyage and could use the extra hands. I have enough English speaking crew to help translate.” Cathern offered her arm to the Scot, “Shall we then?”

Guest

The dinner was fantastic and the company was better. The sea food paired wonderfully with Cathern’s fresh breads and cheeses. The small wines and ale flowed but not too much because tomorrow was Easter Sunday and mass. The crews all got a long well. French songs were traded for Scottish ones.

Hew thought to himself this was the happiest he had seen Cathern. Dancing with her was a joy. Her servant girl's voice sang what seemed to be french love songs. Although he probably should have warned her about the kilts. She turned beet red during the jigs when the wind picked up.
Hew and Cathern went for a walk as the usually do. They ended up on the beach with the moon brightly shining above them. They were both laughing like children at the least little things.

Hew turned to her gazing at her." I love you Cathern, this is what I wished for at the fountain in Gibara." Cathern beamed a smile and replied. " I love you too." The kiss could have been five minutes or an hour. To them time was lost.

"It is late my dear, we should go back to the house and get some sleep" Hew said. Cathern nodded and smiled. They walked hand in hand to the large house. He escorted her to the large guest room next to his. "Good night my love, I will see you in the morning." As he kissed her hand." Good night Hew I do love you so much" They parted for the night stealing final glances as they both went into their separate rooms.

Guest

Cathern shut the door behind her and breathed deeply. Had she really said those words? It was her voice, her breath. But it sounded so strange saying it. It seemed the thing to say, being all caught up in the moment as she was. It made him happy and that was important to her wasn’t it? Making him happy? She felt a little dizzy so walked over to the pitcher of water setting on a near by table. She poured some water on a clean cloth, lay down on the bed then held the damp cloth up to her forehead. Things were all moving so fast. But this is what she wanted wasn’t it? She was feeling things she hadn’t felt before. She had heard other women speak of it; normal women with normal lives. The almost primal feeling of need deep in the core. Oh she knew about excitement that came with battle. But this was different, much different.

Her crew and Hew’s kin were still merry making from the sound of it. They seemed to get along well. There were few things like good food to bring people together. There was a light tapping at the door. Cathern sat up and responded, “Yes, who is it?” “It’s Jazelle, Mistress. Do you need me this eve?” Cathern invited the slave girl in and got up from the bed. “Did you enjoy yourself tonight Jazelle?” Jazelle went to work immediately helping her owner undress and prepare for bed. “Yes, I had a wonderful time though the Scots were a bit difficult to understand with that accent of thiers. And did you see what they didn’t wear under those kilts!” Jazelle took a brush and started brushing out Cathern’s hair. “You looked very happy today Mistress. Mr. McDraig is a good catch.” Cathern winced a bit as the brush hit a snag. “Careful girl! And yes, he seems a good man. Still, it’s all very new to me. He makes me feel…special…desired…beautiful. Things are different when he is near. I feel less like the sailor my father wanted and more like the lady my mother desired me to be.” Jazelle continued her brushing for a moment more then set the brush aside taking instead the damp rag to wash up her Mistress.

Jazelle wiped the day’s dust and perspiration off, Cathern turning this way and that. “Do you love him Mistress?” Cathern closed her eyes briefly, replaying the kiss from earlier in her mind. “I don’t know Jazelle. I said I did but he wanted to hear that I know. It is too soon for me to think of this as love. At least, I think it is too soon. Oh I don’t know Jazelle! It’s all so confusing. And don’t you go telling him that. He makes me feel wonderful. He is so charming and good to me. I feel myself wanting to please him and be near him. Is that what love is? Still, he has only been courting me a short time. Tomorrow a real lady could come along and I would just be a ship captain again, not worth a second glance. At least I have the luxury of not being pawned off to a man that doesn’t interest me to cement a business deal or a political gambit. I was always terrified of that thought; being given to a man to wed that I didn’t love or even know. ” Jazelle finished up cleansing her owner. “Oh Mistress, do you really think he would turn from you so quickly? You are wealthy and attractive and so much more than a pretty face fluttering a fan.” Cathern sighed a bit and slipped on her night clothes. “I don’t know if I love him now.” Cathern paused a moment then continued, “But I could. Yes, I could.” Cathern slipped into the bed. “Don’t stay up too late Jazelle. We have Mass tomorrow.” Jazelle said good night then curtsied and left after blowing out the lamps, eager to get back to the festivities.

Cathern lay quietly in the darkness listening to the revelries and the night insects chirping outside the window, painfully aware that he was asleep just a few feet away. Only a bit of wood and a short distance separated them. It was just as well. To imagine what it would be like with him was surely a sin and she didn’t want to end up like Chantilly, pregnant with a bastard. Sleep came slowly for Cathern despite her exhaustion.

Guest

It was a busy morning everyone was well dressed. Easter mass was soon. A total of five carriages waiting to carry everyone to the Church of San Luis. Everything was fine except for Camilla almost quitting over haggis being made in her kitchen. Hew and Cathern rode in the first carriage driven by Angus the new ghillie. Followed by Jazelle and Catherns first officer. The last three were larger and were filled with crew and servants from both their houses.

The church was a small parish dedicated to an old french king That would please Cathern no doubt. She was slightly confused about the use of the word kirk. With its use in Scottish vernacular but became accustomed to it. During the ride Hew kept having to adjust his kilt to keep blushing on both sides to a minimum.

They arrived early enough for Hew and Cathern to sit up front with the local Dons and their wives. Just in back of the local magistrate and his wife. The rest of the church was filled with locals as well as many of the new immigrants. The mass was nice but long with all of the people there to take communion. Hew and Cathern held hands on and off. Cathern rested her head on Hew’s shoulder once during the long ceremony.
Pleasantries were exchanged and Hew was busy Introducing Cathern as his lady friend. He handing out handshakes and business cards. They both looked at each other when the both heard the unmistakable sound of musket fire. The two ran to the carriages Where Angus stood Yelling "Mae Laird, Mae Laird!" Toss in a pistol to Hew " Mae lady!" tossing a pistol to Cathern as well.

Shouts of Ingles, Ingles! Were heard in the town as more shots rang out. I fear its sassenach mae laird.. Cathern was busy kicking off her hoopskirt as the men retrieved cutlasses from the carriage. Angus and Hew both lapsed into gaelic as Cathern shouted orders to what crew she had around her.

"My dear shall we stay and defend the church? It has innocents inside and thick walls in case of cannon. "Oui Mon cher" she smiled back at Hew. Carriages were unhitched and knocked over to form an impromtu barricade. Spanish soldiers were seen falling back to their position. Muskets were found and handed out. Hew and Angus were talking in gaelic again. Hew turned and addressed Cathern. "The lobsters fight in lines they don’t change that much if we split up and go around the building we could flank and bust their line.

They let the Spanish fallback to their lines, as the group maneuvered around the buildings waiting for the English to wheel and fire. Cathern kissed Hew quickly. Angus and Hew nodded as they charged the English flank as the first line loaded their next volley. Shouts of Gaelic and French surprised the English line. Cathern, Hew, and Angus descended on the sassenach cleaving arm and musket alike. The rest of the Scots/french group quickly pressed forward behind them enveloping the line in the trap. The more bolder Spanish joined the fight quickly dispatching the last of the English. Cathern smiled at Hew "Nice work Hew"" And you my lady" Hew replied.

Hew then tackled Cathern as a shot rang out from a fallen soldier. Mr. Van der Beeke finished off the soldier then turned to assist the captain. Captain he has been shot. Cathern jumped to her feet to help, ripping her dress for bandages to to stop the bleeding. "I forgot to leave the hero stuff to you my dear" Hew then lost consciousness.

Guest

Why is it that men that find me interesting and attractive are cursed? Seamus gets captured and thrown in an English prison after asking me to a ball. Hew takes a bullet after declaring his love. Even George, the silly boy who fancied me as a young teen, managed to get himself killed by falling off a roof while repairing the thatching. Is it me? Is this my mother’s ghost getting revenge on me for not being proper? Cathern’s thoughts wandered idly while she sat near the bed Hew rested in.

The British had been driven off. It hadn’t been a serious attack, just a quick loot grab. After the Spanish got themselves organized they managed to force the rest British to retreat that hadn’t been dispatched already. There were a number of dead and wounded on both sides from the skirmish. Hew hadn’t been badly hit but the pain, shock and loss of blood knocked him out. Johan and Cathern had dragged him to the safety of the church. Several of the women were in tears and a number of children were crying.

Johan and Cathern removed the clothing from Hew’s torso. Jazelle ran over to them to assist. The musket ball went clean through the flesh under the armpit, completely missing the bone. Cathern shouted out in her native English, and then in Spanish, “Someone get some water, alcohol, and needle and thread.” The priest asked one of his parishioners to help and soon he returned with the requested items. The pressure on the wound had helped stopped the bleeding. The water was poured over the wound, cleaning it out.

Next came the alcohol. Hew awoke briefly shouting a curse before going out again. Cathern looked for any fabric that might have remained in the hole. Not seeing any, Cathern grabbed the needle and thread.

There was a hand on her shoulder as she was about to start stitching. “No Captiane, let Jazelle do it. You can’t sew worth a damn and you know it.” Cathern looked up at Johan and nodded, passing the needle to Jazelle. The slave girl gritted her teeth and went to work. Jazelle worked efficiently and competently to close up the wound. By the time she was finished the attack was all over. Hew’s kin and some of Cathern’s crew who attended mass helped transport them all back to the villa.

Hew moaned a bit then opened his eyes. Cathern stood then leaned down to kiss the Scot’s cheek. “Good evening Mr. Hero. It’s nice of you to join me for the rest of the Easter holiday. I think we have had quite enough excitement for one day though don’t you?” The two talked for some time till Hew fell asleep again. Cathern stayed by his side, sitting in the chair all night, making sure this man was well cared for. When the morning came Cathern said her good byes then she and her crew boarded the ship, leaving Hew to be cared for by his kin. New friends had been made and the Scots had a good start in the New World.