Three Women of Kintail

About the Book

Janet came down the stairs dressed in her working clothes with her plaid over her head. She was obviously going out into the night.

Genny stopped her, "You will try to be back for the ceilidh, won´t you?"

"I have no idea, I may, or I may not be through with my care of my patient, Jean," Janet said curtly.

"You do realize that our guest would especially like to get acquainted with you, don´t you?" Genny said. "We need you to help the clan right now."

Janet´s eyes widened, as she said, "He does not know me, I am sure we have no basis for friendship. I am a plain country woman, while he is a friend of the King. We are not equals, it is all ridiculous."

Genny put her hand on Janet´s arm. "Janet, you know that is not true. You are a MacKenzie, you are distantly related to this man, you are as well suited to be a friend of the King as anyone. You just have not had the opportunity."

Janet breathed deeply, "No, nor will I ever have, I must go now. Please explain to the Earl for me."

"You should tell him yourself, he has just come up the stairs." Genny said quietly.

The Earl was standing at the top of the stairs watching Genny with Janet. His face was even more stern when he realized Janet was ready to leave.

:"Miss MacKenzie, I see you are not interested in clan affairs. I believe I asked that ALL clan members attend this meeting. Why are you disobeying me? His voice was low and stern. Gone was the potential lover, he was the King´s general demanding compliance.

Janet raised her chin, "I too have my work and my priorities. It is very necessary that I see my patient now.. I am sure the other clan members will be able to make any decisions that need to be made. And now, if you will excuse me?" She swept past him, went down the steps, and through the billeting room, and out into the night.

Kenneth wondered what had happened when he saw her leave. The Earl came down the steps immediately behind her. His black scowl and angry countenance gave Kenneth the answer. There h ad been a clash of mighty wills. He began to think that perhaps this war might be the least of his worries.

About the Author

My name is Mildred M. MacBride, and I have written four books about the late Middle Ages in Scotland. This book continues the experiences of the MacKenzie family. They have been given land for their help in winning the 1263 War against the Norse. They are using some of that land to build a village to relieve the crowded conditions of the present village by Eilean Donan Castle. The story focuses on one of the children born to Moira and Kenneth MacKenzie just before Moira died from the dreaded “Sweating Disease” which had no cure. They were twins and the girl, Margaret Moira, is suffering from what we now call “lack of attachment.” She feels the loss of her mother and can find no substitute. She mistreats her twin, Kenneth Malcolm, and almost everyone else. Her loving grandmother is unable to help the child. She is offered the chance to be the foster child in her mother’s wealthy MacDonald family on Islay. She is pleased with the offer, but finds she is not part of the family group She grows up somewhat, finds friends and learns to appreciate her Kintail family. She finds some one who loves her and wants to give her all the “things” she thought she wanted. She inherited the beauty of her mother, and she is becoming as kind and compassionate as was her mother. She understands that making someone else happy is the best life she could have. The torment of her childhood is healing. The other books are: “Three Women of Kintail” “Lady Janet” ` “Genny MacKenzie and her Bairns”