“Ye wouldnae be saying that if it were one of my brothers,” Caitlin said.
“Of course I wouldnae! They are men, they’re made for rough things like that. We hae our own roles tae play, lass. That is one thing ye need tae understand. The world changes, and we hae tae change with it.”
Caitlin splashed the water petulantly and pursed her lips. Her expression darkened and she glared towards her mother. Instead of celebrating her triumph, Violet decided to chastise her. Violet heard the splashing and turned to face Caitlin with a sympathetic look on her face. She inhaled and her entire body seemed to sag, and then she perched on the edge of the bath and bowed her head.
“I dinnae mean tae make ye upset. It’s just that when ye were born I looked forward tae haeing a wee lass, but ye were nae like any other lass I hae ever known. Ye hae always been more like ye da. And I’m nae saying that’s a bad thing. I love ye, but there are times when I feel like I hae four boys and that I’m the only woman here. I suppose I will be when ye leave.” Sorrow filled her voice and whatever enmity Caitlin felt towards her mother diminished immediately. Caitlin adjusted her position to lean against the side of the bath and she placed her hand on Violet’s. The water shifted around her body, creating ripples.
“I’m gaeing tae miss ye tae Ma, and I’m sorry that I cannae be all ye want all the time. But maybe one day I’ll have a wee lass all of my own and she’ll dae all the girly things that ye want.”
Violet offered a sad smile. When she looked at Caitlin, Caitlin saw tears glistening in her mother’s eyes. “I’m gaeing tae miss ye sae much. I cannae imagine this place without ye. It’s never gaeing tae be the same again.”
“It will nae be, but that doesnae mean that I’ll never be here again. I’ll come and visit as often as I can, and ye can visit me tae! It’ll be good for ye, as ye will hae a chance tae get away from everyone here. Without me around the boys will be sure tae drive ye crazy,” Caitlin joked. It was enough to lift Violet’s mood and she smiled, nodding along. She rose from the edge of the bath and held out a towel for Caitlin to dry herself. Water trickled down the curves of Caitlin’s body as she stood up. She wrapped the towel around herself and quickly got dried before changing into her outfit for the evening.
“I’d better be gaeing tae get ready myself,” Violet said before she excused herself. Caitlin hugged her tightly before she left, and for the first time, it actually hit her that she would be leaving home. Everything was changing and she would have a home of her own where she would make the rules. It was going to be strange to not have her family around her every day, but she took a deep breath and told herself that she would get used to it.
A little while later Bryn knocked on her door and she welcomed him in. When he saw her he beamed radiantly and kissed her on both cheeks, taking her hand in his.
“Well done for what ye did taeday. Ye should hae seen the look on Malcolm’s face! I know that we are gaeing tae be allies, but it was good tae put one over on him,” Bryn said.
She smiled. “I’m glad I could dae the clan proud Da. Ma was in here a wee while ago and she didnae like me behaving like that in front of Rhys.”
Bryn offered a small smile. “Aye, well, ye ma hae always tried tae protect ye. She means well, but ye and I both know that ye are stronger than ye look. That’s why I knew I could agree tae this treaty because ye would be able tae handle the responsibility.” He chuckled to himself and his eyes lit up. “When ye were wee ye ma and I haed plenty of arguments about ye being let out tae play in the woods. She never wanted ye tae gae far, but I could see how much ye enjoyed it. That spirit of adventure will serve ye well.” He looked upon her with kind eyes.
“Da…it’s gaeing tae be safe, isn’t it? I’m gaeing tae be safe in their home?” A hint of worry crept into Caitlin’s voice. Being reminded of her childhood gave rise to a feeling of nostalgia. This place would always be her home. It was a place she associated with safety and warm, happy feelings. To leave it was to leave a part of herself behind and she couldn’t be sure that she would have the same feelings anywhere else.
Bryn squeezed her hands and tilted his head to the side, looking at her with the reassurance that only a father could provide.
“Aye lass, it’s gaeing tae be just fine. We both know ye can handle anything, and while it’s gaeing tae be difficult at first, ye will adjust. Ye’ll be able tae come back as often as ye like, and we’ll see each other as much as possible.” Shadows flickered across his face as his expression darkened. “And if they dae anything tae hurt ye I will make them pay.”
The tone of his voice was chilling and it reminded Caitlin that her father was not just kind and compassionate, but
