Gaelic, History, Traditions & I'm Great
Mac'IlleMhìcheil Estate – Dining Room
Jules woke Sam about an hour before dinner. She had wondered why he chose to sleep in the chair by the window but did not bother to wake him to move the bed when she had checked on him earlier. He looked so content sleeping with the gentle cool fragrant breeze blowing in.
Sam had slept the entire day away. Jules had to agree with Jim that the earlier issue was probably due to exhaustion. Sam had been under enormous stress the past month with everything including the Committee. Because when he woke up he seemed well rested.
They had dressed up for dinner since it was to be a more formal dinner tonight. Sam was wearing a medium gray suit with a black shirt and sapphire blue tie. He was striking. Jules was wearing a sapphire blue dress with three quarter length sleeves and matching heels. She was exquisite.
As they entered the dining room with Jules' holding onto Sam's arm they made a stunning couple.
Jules had met most of the family that would be staying at the main house earlier in the day. But Sam had not. So there was a whirlwind of introductions to Marsaili's family.
He met Marsaili's parents, grandparents, three sisters and their husbands and children. Sam met Wallace again but did not recall the earlier meeting. Jules had explained to him what had really happened on the road before they came down for dinner.
Mason and Marsaili introduced all of them including several of Marsaili's aunts, uncles and cousins. It was a rather large crowd. But Mason explained that it was only the part of Marsaili's family that was staying at the main house. That all the others attending the gathering would be staying in some of the cottages or simply camping out on the grounds.
Marsaili explained that her grandparents had ten children; four boys and six girls. Her father, Peadar, was the second son and fourth child. The oldest son, Tamhas, had died after her father immigrated to Canada. Tamhas had only girls. So her father was in line to be the next clan chief. But due to Peadar's ill health he had decided to pass it on to his son, her only brother, Wallace.
As a result Wallace had moved to Scotland to live with her grandparents when he was ten to be groomed to become the clan chief. When Marsaili finished her explanation it now made sense to Jules why Wallace spoke Gaelic and had a Scottish accent and Marsaili did not. Marsaili had been raised in Canada with the rest of her sisters.
Marsaili shared with them that she loved spending her summers at her grandparent's home. It was one of the reasons she had agreed to get married here, she could not think of a more beautiful place to be married.
Another reason was that Mason's father loved the old traditions and thought it would be wonderful if Mason married in Scotland. The final reason Marsaili shared was that she simply adored her grandfather and grandmother and wanted to honor their request that she marry here.
When Sam was introduced to Lady Ailis Mac'IlleMhìcheil, Marsaili's grandmother he thought she was a spry old woman. Her hair was completely white and done up in a bun. Here green eyes sparkled with merriment and life. She was graceful and had a soft lilt when she spoke.
Jules noted that tonight Lady Ailis was wearing a long flowing dress of cream ivory color. One shoulder was draped with a red and black tartan that matched the tartan that Laird Mac'IlleMhìcheil was wearing. She had learned it was the clan tartan. The drape of tartan was secured near her left shoulder with a beautiful clasp.
She read the inscription on the clasp and after greeting Lady Ailis, Jules asked "What does Fortis Et Mitis Cor mean?"
Sam answered before Ailis could "It's Latin for Brave and gentle heart."
Lady Ailis nodded and smiled "That is correct. It is the clan motto."
Jules remarked "That is a beautiful clasp. Is that a rose and a sword in the center?"
"Yes it is" Ailis answered. Then she turned to Sam and her face betrayed concern. She had been told how Sam had arrived and Marsaili had told her that Sam had had a difficult time in the past few months. With genuine concern she softly asked "Are you feeling better tonight?"
Lady Ailis was delighted beyond measure when Sam responded "Tha, tapadh leibh airson ur dragh Lady Mac'IlleMhìcheil. Air leth mi fhìn agus mo leannan Jules sinn airson taing a thoirt dhuibh airson ur gràsmhor aoigheachd. Tha sinn a ' coimhead air adhart ri bhith ag amharc air an cruinneachadh agus gu dearbh do ogha banais."
(Yes, thank you for your concern Lady Mac'IlleMhìcheil. On behalf of myself and my fiancée Jules we would like to thank you for your gracious hospitality. We are looking forward to observing the gathering and of course your granddaughter's wedding).
Jules had just looked at Sam amazed. She knew he knew lots of languages but she was still astonished to hear him speak Scottish Gaelic.
Lady Ailis replied "Mo thlachd gu bheil thu an seo" (My pleasure to have you here).
Then Ailis switched to English and said "It is unfortunate that so few of my grandchildren have the Gaelic. Mason is teaching Marsaili and for that I am ever grateful. It is important to pass on traditions. How do you come by the language? You speak it very well."
Sam gave her a lopsided grin and said "My father enjoys languages and it was one of his passions that he shared with me. I had private tutors from the time I was nine and they included various languages in my curriculum. Sadly, I am very rusty on most the languages I know since there is not much opportunity to speak them."
Ailis smiled and said "I would very much like to meet your father one day. Mason and Marsaili speak very highly of General Braddock."
Sam smiled at that. Five years ago he would have had a very different reaction to that. For that matter Mason would have had a very different opinion of his father five years ago too. So much had changed and life was very sweet now.
As everyone sat for dinner Sam was seated at the end of the table near Lady Ailis who sat at the foot of the table. Next to him was Wynfreda Mac'IlleMhìcheil and next to Wynfreda was Mason. Across from him was Jules and Marsaili's brother Wallace. Next to Wallace was Marsaili. The rest of the table pretty much alternated women and men and at the head of the table sat the Laird. Another table was set for the children and teens.
Dinner was a festive affair with all of Marsaili's immediate family and their families there. Most of the discussion was around the gathering activities and Marsaili's and Mason's wedding.
Sam and Jules were treated to some new dishes and were not exactly sure what they were eating but most of it was tasty. He definitely liked the raspberry cranachan. Wynfreda told him it was traditional Scottish dessert. It was a combination of whipped cream, soft cheese, oats, honey and fresh raspberries with a kick of whisky in it.
After dinner the group moved to the gathering room.
Mac'IlleMhìcheil Estate – Gathering Room
Jules wandered around the gathering room. It was vast. The assembled people only took up a fraction of the space. The teens had congregated in one place and were listening to music. The little kids were in another area playing checkers. The adults were sitting in various groupings or milling about having conversations.
As she wandered Jules thought the room was beautiful. Again there were portraits of what Jules assumed was family. A few of them had years on them. One she saw was dated 1777. It was of a man with red hair in a British redcoat uniform. He was handsome with a firm squared jaw, strong nose, full lips and amazing blue eyes. He was holding a rifle.
Jules felt someone come up behind her then felt Sam's arms encircle her waist. She leaned back against him. She inhaled his masculine scent and relaxed in his embrace.
Sam asked "I wonder who that is?"
Gillebrìde came alongside them and said "That is Major Patrick Ferguson. He was a Scottish officer in the British Army and the designer of the Ferguson rifle, one of the first breech-loading flintlock weapons. He commanded the first sharpshooter corps called the Ferguson Rifle Corps during the American Revolution."
"When he was a Captain in 1777, only thirty three years old, he was reputed to be the finest shot in the British Army. He might have won the American Revolution for the British if he had simply taken the shot."
Sam was intrigued and inquired "What shot?"
Laird Mac'IlleMhìcheil, loved military history and expounded on one of his favorite topics "Well you see, on September 11, 1777, an army of 12,500 British troops who had recently landed at the northern end of the Chesapeake Bay marched through Pennsylvania toward the patriot capital of Philadelphia. Ferguson's unit was hiding in the woods along Brandywine Creek, near Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. They were covering the troop's flank and looking for American forces."
"At one point a cavalry officer dressed in the flamboyant uniform of a European hussar rode into their view. He was followed by a senior American officer. Ferguson described the officer as wearing a high cocked hat. Turns out, the American officer was none other than General George Washington although Ferguson did not know it at the time."
"Ferguson and two of his sharpshooters moved forward at first to take aim. But the officers had their backs to him. Ferguson felt it was disgusting to shoot a man in the back so belayed his order and stayed his own hand. He yelled and the officers took off at a gallop. Ferguson related that he could have gotten off at least six shots before the officer was out of range."
Jules asked "Why didn't he shoot if he had the chance? It surely would have changed the course of the revolution if General Washington was killed."
Gillebrìde nodded and responded "Yes, you are quite possibly right, though we will never know. He did not shoot because shooting down enemy officers in cold blood was looked upon as dishonorable in the 18th century. Major Ferguson was a professional soldier and an honorable one."
With a glint of pride Gillebrìde added "You know, Ferguson is distant kin to my lovely wife. She was a Ferguson before marrying me."
Sam had listened spellbound by the story. He had never heard of Patrick Ferguson before. That was strange with all the military history and strategy he had studied as a kid. But in reality most of his studies were more centered on modern day strategies. However the tactics used by the Americans were similar to modern day guerilla warfare.
He nodded when the Laird was done and remarked "That is very interesting. I wonder if my grandmother is a descendent. Her maiden name is Ferguson."
Jules smiled "Oh that would be wild Sam. If she was it would mean you are a descendent of Patrick Ferguson. With you being a sniper that would mean it really is in your blood."
Sam laughed "Yes that would be wild Jules. But I'm sure my mom would have said something if we were."
"Maybe she doesn't know" Jules stated. Then she added "You know the Braddock lineage back many generations but what about your Mom's? Have you ever looked into it or has she?"
Sam shrugged "I haven't and I have no idea if Mom has either. I didn't really get a chance to know my maternal grandmother."
Gillebrìde called out to Ailis and she joined them. He grinned as he said "Ailis you are going to get a chance to dig into genealogy again. Sam's grandmother was a Ferguson."
Ailis brightened up. She loved to research genealogy as much as she loved passing on Scottish traditions. Ailis said "Oh my, I do so love digging into genealogy. What is your grandmother's full name?"
Sam answered "My maternal grandmother was Lady Rosemary Ferguson-Loving. She passed away when I was four. I don't remember much about her."
"Hmm, name does not ring off the top of my head but I will look into it" Ailis remarked. Then she smiled when Marsaili and Mason joined the little group. "My dear, have you and Mason decided if you will partake in the handfasting ceremony tomorrow evening?"
Marsaili nodded "Yes grandmother we will." Then a sparkle lit her eyes. She had seen how surprised Jules was to find that she and Sam would not be in the same room. She leaned around Mason and said "Jules you and Sam should partake in the ceremony too."
Jules asked "What is a handfasting ceremony?"
Ailis explained "Handfasting is an ancient custom. The original handfasting was a trial marriage. It gave the couple the chance to see if they could survive marriage to each other. After a year and a day the couple can decide to go separate ways as if they had never been married or enter into a permanent marriage. It was often used in the highlands because priests were few and it allowed men and women to marry before marrying in the eyes of the church."
Smiling at Jules, Ailis said "At the gathering we conduct a handfasting ceremony for all engaged couples that would like to participate. It is a simple but beautiful ceremony. You and Sam are more than welcome to join in."
Jules turned in Sam's arms to look at him with questioning in her eyes. It sounded romantic to her. Jules was finding that her soft side was making itself known more often since reconciling with her family. Those walls she had put up to protect herself had been thoroughly breached.
Sam's blue eyes danced and he gave Jules a WOW smile. "You know I've wanted to marry you for so long. If you want to do the handfasting ceremony I'd be happy to do it."
Jules smiled and her eyes twinkled. Then she nodded at Sam and then turned to Lady Ailis "That is so kind. It sounds nice. We would love to do it."
Mason clapped Sam's back "You know it is considered a legal marriage in Scotland. So while you are here it would be recognized. When you get back to Canada though, you will have to marry Jules all over again."
Wynfreda, Jim and Heather walked over just as Sam grinned and responded "I'd marry Jules every day of the year if I had too. So what do we need to do for this handfasting?"
Marsaili got excited "Oh Jules we have to go shopping tomorrow and … and … and … oh Mason when is Sam's kilt supposed to be delivered?"
Mason replied "The tailor comes tomorrow morning for the final fitting. I'm sure he can have Sam's done in time."
Wynfreda had been listening in on the conversation and sadly sighed. Why are all the good men taken? She could see that she had no chance whatsoever with Sam. She had not seen Jules' engagement ring at the rental counter. But it was clear Sam was head over heels for Jules.
Wallace sidled up to the group and queried "What's going on here?"
Marsaili looked at her barely eighteen year old brother. My goodness he had grown so much in the last year. She smiled and said "Jules and Sam are going to do the handfasting ceremony tomorrow."
Wallace groaned "Does that mean I have to move their luggage to a different room now?"
Marsaili looked at her grandmother "They will be a married couple per tradition after the handfasting grandmother." Then she bit her lower lip and gave her a hopeful look. Marsaili knew her grandmother was the romantic type and for that matter so was grandpa.
Gillebrìde and Ailis shared a look that was unreadable by all those around them. They had been married so long they could have entire conversations without a single word.
After a moment Ailis nodded "Tomorrow night Sam and Jules may move to the Heather room. I'll have it aired and ready for them after the handfasting ceremony."
Sam pulled Jules into hug as they smiled. Jules turned to Marsaili and whispered "Thank you."
Marsaili just smiled. She was happy for Jules and Sam. Sometimes she remembered images from the first time she ever saw Sam. He had sacrificed so much Sam deserved happiness and all the best the world had to offer.
Mac'IlleMhìcheil Estate – Outside Jules' Room
The rest of the night was spent in genial conversation with various members of Marsaili's family. When everyone started to retire Sam walked Jules to her room.
Sam leaned in and gave Jules a soft kiss then he pulled back just enough to see her eyes. He gazed at the beautiful sable brown eyes a long minute. Then he and smiled "Until tomorrow. Sleep well sweetheart."
Jules let her fingers card through his hair then she touched his cheek "Goodnight my love." Then she opened her door and entered.
Sam leaned in for one more kiss. Jules kissed him and then slowly closed the door. Sam turned and headed for his wing of the house. He met Mason on the way. It seemed both were relegated to the gents wing of the house.
Mason asked "How are you feeling Blondie?"
Sam gave Mason a WOW smile and said "I'm feeling Great! I'm marrying Jules tomorrow. My life cannot get better than that."
Mason slung his arm around Sam and the two of them walked the rest of the way to their rooms. Mason was never happier for Blondie than he was tonight. Marsaili had given Blondie something special again. His lovely sprite was a remarkable woman and Mason felt like he was the luckiest man on the earth because she chose to love him, scars and all.
