Chapter 25

Stuart was right. Market day was a most hectic day. Items to be sold were loaded upon wagons to be carried to market, primarily wool from the spring shearing, but also dried fish and mutton. Lists of the supplies that the Cameron's must purchase were also gathered and given to Ailene's care. When all was ready, they mounted a dozen carts of goods and accompanied by two dozen men-at-arms, set off for market before daybreak so they could be among the first to arrive and sell their products.

Ailene was riding with Stuart on one of the middle carts. A half dozen times she had to push his hand away when he reached over to grab her breast or run his hand up her dress. Thorburn and Frang noticed and made a few rude comments.

After pushing his hand away for the tenth time, she said, "Stuart! What are you doing! We're in public! Stop it this instant!"

"I can't help it. I love you so much. I can't get enough of you; of your body. I think about you all the time."

"I think about you too. I still don't want you pawing me in public," she scolded. Then whispering, "Even your brothers have the sense not to fondle me in front of others."

"Aye, but they're not married to you," he whispered back. "It wouldn't be right."

"Neither is mauling me in front of the servants and everyone else. Now stop. You can maul me later, in private. I will nae mind then," she concluded, still whispering.

"I'll behave, but I dinna like it."

"If you don't, I'll have your brothers tie your hands behind you. That should keep your hands off me."

"Mmmm, I hadn't thought of that before. Maybe you should tie me up next time," he said, nudging her in the side.

Ailene giggled, "Having you helpless before me. Now there's a provocative thought. I'll have to think on that. I might have a bone or two to pick with you."

They arrived in Dervaig about a half-hour after sunrise. Thorburn assigned half-dozen men to attend to each of the parties as they split up. Ailene went to buy household goods and Stuart supplies for the Keep. Frang looked for anyplace he could find gambling. Thorburn went to sell the raw wool and other goods they brought for sale. Ailene went first to the fabric store to buy material for several new dresses. She found material for the new maids dresses, but was looking for something special for her own gown. The Cameron's had a feast and dance on Midsummer's Eve. Most of the crofters came, a few of the closer neighbors, and she wanted to wear something that would enchant Stuart.

She was trying to decide between blue, green and red brocades when another woman came into the shop.

"Set those things down over there," she directed her servant. "I'm going to have a look around, see if I can find something for a new dress. Oh, aren't you a sweet young thing," she said to Ailene. "Trying to decide between these three fabrics? Let me see."

She held each of the three fabrics up against Ailene's face, checking the color against her hair and skin coloring.

"Well, they're all fabulous, but I really think you must take the red. It goes so well with your skin and hair. Hello, I really should introduce myself. I'm Teárlag Mackintosh. And who would you be?"

"My name is Ailene Cameron, Lady Cameron, I'm married to Stuart Cameron," she replied.

"Goodness, that's wonderful. I've heard so much about the Cameron's. I've been dying to meet some of them. Are you all in town?"

"Aye, market day and all. Picking up supplies and such. Is your husband around?" Ailene asked.

"I'm widowed, dear. Have been for a couple years." Teárlag said.

"I'm so sorry."

"Don't be. It was an arranged marriage and I dinna miss him much. Older man, nae much to look at. I've taken a house in town. Perhaps you could take tea with me there later, introduce me to your husband and his brothers. I'd love to have you," she paused. "I just moved here and don't really know anyone, it would be a kindness."

"I'll check with Stuart and his brothers, see if we have time. We're so busy now. The red you say?" Ailene holding the red material up against her chin.

"It's perfect for your coloring. Let's find a pattern for a dress, maybe something from Paris. I understand their current fashions are quite daring," Teárlag said. "Maybe something to make your husband sit up and take notice."

"I dinna think my husband needs any help taking notice," Ailene responded. Nor his brothers either, she thought.

"I'm sure he nae does, you're a lovely young thing. Let's look over here."

They looked at a number of the Paris fashions and Teárlag finally picked one that would put Ailene's breasts on a platter. Teárlag continued to chatter as they looked them over.

"Why do you have so many burly guardsman standing outside the shop, my dear?" Teárlag asked. "Surely you don't expect anything bad to happen in town do you?"

"There's been some trouble with a man named Blackthorne. Maybe you've heard of him?"

"Rich old bastard, I hear. Not much liked around here," Teárlag replied.

"Aye. There's been problems between him and my family. I canna go anywhere without at least six guardsman anymore. It's a bit of a nuisance, but I'm getting used to it?"

"So if you come to tea, I'll have to provide for six other men then?" Teárlag inquired.

"Well more if the men come. We came to town with twenty-four. Each of us has six assigned to us at all times in town. But you dinna have to provide tea for them. We brought food for all of them. They would have to stand guard outside, though."

Teárlag kept quiet for a few minutes digesting what she'd heard, all the time looking at the various fashions.

"This one, definitely this one," she said.

"Goodness!" Ailene exclaimed. "My breasts would almost be uncovered. Do French women have nae modesty?"

Teárlag laughed. "I dinna think modesty is a word in France. I think French women believe in the concept of 'if you've got it, flaunt it'."

"I'm nae sure I'd be comfortable baring so much, though it is lovely."

"Just put a little more material in the bodice, so it covers a little more; it will be fine." Teárlag suggested. "It will be a lovely dress."

"Thank you for your help, Teárlag. I'll check about tea. It would be nice to have a friend in town."

"You too, Lady Cameron. I enjoyed our little talk. I would be interested in meeting everyone. My house is the large white one two streets down the Tobermory Road" She said to the shopkeeper, "I'll take 12 yards of the yellow satin and 12 of the green silk, please. I'll send a servant over to pick it up later. Grab those packages and come with me," she said to her servant.

Ailene turned to the shopkeeper and said, "She's a little like a winter storm, isn't she? Almost unstoppable. Can I please have six yards of the red brocade," she paused, "and the Paris pattern. I'll take it with me. Thank you."

"You're welcome Lady Cameron. Right away," he replied.

She waited for the package to be wrapped and left the shop to look next for groceries, her six men-at-arms falling in behind her. After all the shopping was completed, she arranged for all of the items to be picked up by one of the wagons, then left to find Stuart. She found Thorburn first, his goods already sold off. She told Thorburn about the invitation for tea and how much she hoped they could attend as she wished to establish some friendships with some other ladies. Thorburn had no objections, and he sent one of the guardsman to inform Lady Mackintosh that they would be attending in about a half hour. After they met up with Stuart, they sent the empty wagons and supplies back to the Keep with a dozen men.

Stuart asked after Frang and was told that he was still gambling, and they would proceed to the tea without him.