Mhàiri’s Yuletide Wish Page 12
A relic could be as intimate as a piece of bone or hair, or perhaps something that once came into contact with a saint such as an article of clothing. Most relics were objects touched during the lifetime of an apostle or a local saint revered for working miracles. All relics bestowed honor on whomever possessed it, and the holiest were items associated with Christ and his mother.
Mhàiri’s relic is a sliver of the True Cross. Considering the gold and gems in the brooch, it would have originally been an expensive gift to a bishop or maybe the Pope, or purchased by a very wealthy nobleman. There would have been few people who could afford the reliquary, much less the relic inside.
Where did Mhàiri’s brooch come from and where is it now? Mhàiri does not know its true origins. She only knows it allowed her to rescue her uncle without having to submit to her grandfather’s plan. Now that she and Michaell are together, it appears the brooch’s work is done and its loss will not bother Mhàiri in the least.
You may see it in another book soon!
MORE BOOKS by Cathy MacRae
The Highlander’s Bride series
The Highlander’s Accidental Bride (book 1)
The Highlander’s Reluctant Bride (book 2)
The Highlander’s Tempestuous Bride (book 3)
The Highlander’s Outlaw Bride (book 4)
The Highlander’s French Bride (book 5)
De Wolfe Pack Connected World
The Saint:
The Ghosts of Culloden Moor series
(with LL Muir, Diane Darcy, Jo Jones, and Melissa Mayhue)
Adam
Malcolm
MacLeod
Patrick
The Hardy Heroine series
(with DD MacRae)
Highland Escape (book 1)
The Highlander’s Viking Bride (book 2)
The Highlander’s Crusader Bride (book 3)
The Highlander’s Norse Bride, a Novella (book 4)
The Highlander’s Welsh Bride (book 5) ~ coming 2018
About the Author
Cathy MacRae lives on the sunny side of the Arbuckle Mountains where she and her husband read, write, and tend the garden—with the help of the dogs, of course.
You can visit with her on facebook, or read her blogs and learn about her books at www.cathymacraeauthor.com and also sign up for her newsletter. Drop her a line—she loves to hear from readers!
Other ways to connect with Cathy:
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Twitter: @CMacRaeAuthor
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A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR
I hope you enjoyed Mhàiri’s Yuletide Wish. Christmas was celebrated a wee bit differently in the early 14th century. Most of the Celtic churches, under the rule of Queen Margaret, had come under the influence of Rome during the 11th century, though celebration of Christ’s Mass was a somber occasion, not a festive one. December 25 kicked off the 12 days of Yule, also known as the Daft Days when celebrating, feasting, and excess was rampant, and anything at all could happen.
Choosing to place the story on the Scottish Borders was a fun challenge, since most of my books to date are strictly Highlander tales. But the death of King Edward I (Longshanks) in the summer of 1307 and the subsequent fallout among the barons when his son took the throne was a tempting time to write about, and as a writer of Scottish romance, why not enjoy what turmoil the English have to offer?
Henry de Percy had been appointed command of northwest England and southwest Scotland in 1306 by King Edward I—with orders to suppress the Scottish rebellion without mercy. He’d already proven himself a ruthless and capable commander, but in 1307 when our story takes place, it’s possible the Yule season would not have been a particularly happy time for him.
The families in this story are all fictitious, though the Kerr clan was quite notorious for their reiving. While Henry de Percy was a real person, all accounts of him (except as the historical notes above) are products of my imagination.
A last note: in Gaelic, Mh is pronounced V, which makes Mhàiri’s name Var-ee.
~Cathy MacRae
Acknowledgements
I’d like to thank DD for helping me with this story. Always willing to let me bend an ear when navigating the details of Mhàiri’s story, reminding me fighting skills decay over time if not practiced, and for insisting Mhàiri should not let the heinous Richard Henderson get away with allowing his men to mistreat her. I cannot imagine writing without you!
A million thanks to my awesome critique group; Dawn Marie Hamilton, Cate Parke, and Lane McFarland. This story certainly flows better for your kind, spot-on comments and suggestions. Your generosity with your time, skills and knowledge always amazes me. Writing a book is such an adventure with you!
And kudos to Dar Albert for creating the marvelous cover. She’s inspired me to write another Yule tale soon!
~Cathy