Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 95326 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95326 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Elsie sat beside Mab on the bench, surprised to hear the woman call her pretty.
“I am glad you smile more often now and that you take the time to talk with others. You have always been far too serious, too busy to talk, too busy taking on chores that your da should have seen to. You were more chieftain of this clan than he was, if you don’t mind me saying so, mistress.”
Elsie chuckled again. “Have you ever held your tongue, Mab?”
The old woman grinned. “I had my moments, few, but I had them.”
Elsie laughed and gave thought to Mab’s remark. Had she avoided people while thinking people avoided her? Had she hid away in plain sight? Had she allowed her plain features to rule her choices?
Mab continued stitching while she talked. “My first husband, Norman, let me know fast enough he would not tolerate my opinions—obey or else. I felt the back of his hand far too many times before I got wise and held my tongue in front of him. I can’t say I was sorry when he died of a fever caused by a wound he would not let me or the healer tend. We were barely wed two years and I miscarried two bairns within that time. I was more careful in finding my second husband.” She smiled. “I found out what it meant to be truly loved when I met and wed William. We had a good life together and I still miss him. But he gave me three great sons and they gave me a bunch of grandchildren and I even have great-grandchildren now.”
Elsie listened, amazed she never knew that about Mab. She would acknowledge the woman with a nod now and again, but she had never taken the time to talk with her. Not so, Leora. She had spoken to everyone, and she probably knew all about Mab’s two husbands and great-grandchildren.
What was it Leora used to say to her? “Stop hiding, Elsie, and be you.”
Mab went on talking and Elsie went on listening, enthralled with talk of Mab’s life, laughing at some and shedding a tear with her at other times. It was when she mentioned the wonderful midwife who delivered all three of her sons that Elsie recalled her reason for wanting to talk with Mab.
“Did that same midwife deliver me and my sisters?”
Mab shook her head. “Nay. Your mum didn’t deliver any of you lasses here at home.” She smiled softly. “The women always warned your mum not to travel after she learned she was with child since she always managed to get stuck where she was and delivered the bairn away from home.”
That news caught Elsie by surprise.
“Though she did suffer those two miscarriages here at home.”
“My mum had two miscarriages?” Elsie asked, not having known that.
“Aye, before you were born.”
“So, none of us, not me, Leora, or Sky were born here at home?” Elsie asked, finding it odd not one of them had been born here.
“Not one of you and truthfully, you could barely tell when your mum was with child. All of us were envious that she carried small, not like most of us who were huge when with child.”
“Do you know where I was born or either of my sisters?”
Mab stopped stitching and gave it thought. “I’m sorry but I don’t recall. Your mum never made mention of it to you?”
“She talked of the deliveries but never mentioned where they took place. I assumed it was here.”
Mab smiled. “Not important where, more important she had good care, and you lasses arrived here in great shape. That is what every woman prays for, a safe delivery for mum and bairn.”
“I will visit with you again,” Elsie said when ready to take her leave.
“I would very much like that, Mistress Elsie,” Mab said, tears catching in her aged eyes. “You are a good daughter for wedding a Gallowglass warrior. We all feared he would not treat you well and we did not want that for you. I am glad Chieftain Cavell is an honorable man.”
Elsie beamed with pride. “He is an honorable man and I love him with all my heart.”
Mab grinned. “That is obvious with the way you look at him and I am glad he looks the same way at you.”
Elsie felt guilty as she continued through the village. She should not feel so joyful with Leora missing and Sky in the clutches of Slayer and everything else that was going on, but she overflowed with joy whether it was right of her to do so or not.
It was odd but she felt as if she had just fully opened her eyes to the world, allowed herself to see it differently and it was all because she didn’t let her doubts and fears stop her. Even when they crept up to poke at her, she had stayed strong. Perhaps Leora was right. Perhaps she had been hiding—hiding from herself.