Claire Delacroix (19 page)

Before I could ask what he meant, Merlyn was gone, the panel sliding securely back into place behind him.

* * *

VII

By the time I descended to the hall to break my fast, I was thoroughly annoyed with my demanding spouse. Half the tale had left me with more questions than answers.

Matters were complicated by my instincts, which were clearly worthy of nothing at all. Even knowing what I did, even fearing what I did not know, still I was tempted to grant Merlyn what he requested of me. I was overly touched that he had entrusted even one of his tightly held secrets to me, for the telling had not come easily to him.

It was evident that a lack of sleep had addled my wits.

When I came to the great hall, Ada was not there, nor even my siblings. There was a stranger, idly nudging at the Yule log, loitering in my hall. I hesitated, wondering at this.

He was not just any man. No, I saw even before he turned at the sound of my foot upon the stone that he had been shaped by wealth and privilege. He was a knight, garbed for war in his gleaming armament and mail.

His tabard was thick with embroidery, his cloak was wrought of heavy red cloth worth a king’s ransom in these parts. He was fair, his hair of coppery gold, and I thought for a moment that he might be an older Gawain come to make acquaintance again.

But this man was taller, broader, more solidly wrought. Gawain also did not dress for battle like this, though his garb was no less rich. This man’s heraldic device was one I did not know - his insignia that of a prancing golden stag on a black field.

When the guest turned, I saw that he was older than Gawain as well. Merlyn was some ten years older than I, his brother slightly younger than him. This man had seen at least twenty summers more than I. Winter touched his temples though he still was handsome. His ready smile and appreciative gaze hinted at great virility.

Was he known in this place? Was he a comrade of Merlyn’s? I could think of no other reason why he had been admitted to the great hall without my approval - or even my awareness! - and left unattended. To be sure, I know little of such protocol, but one does not build a keep to defend oneself and then let any soul who so chooses wander through the gates.

“My lady Ysabella, I assume,” he said, then bowed low at my slight nod. That he knew my name only confirmed my suspicion that he knew Merlyn. His voice was both mellow and rich, not displeasing in the least. He took my hand and bestowed a polite kiss upon its back, his touch lingering in a way that said much of what he thought of the sight of me.

I found his open appreciation bold and untimely, but was most aware of my inexperience of noble courts and manners. And truly, it was a treat to be in the company of a man whose thoughts were easily read.

“You have me at a disadvantage,” I said, knowing that color stained my cheeks. “For I have not the luxury of knowing your name.”

“Sir Calum Scott of Dunkilber,” he said, taking no offense to my relief. “I must say that this is a most pleasant surprise, that you are a most pleasant surprise, Lady Ysabella.”

“Me?”

“I had expected that you might be a dowager who scowled fiercely at my uninvited presence.”

“Even in this festive season?”

“Even then!”

We laughed lightly together as those in social circumstance do, though I wondered how he could not have guessed my age if he were a friend of Merlyn’s. Men did not wed women decades older than them - at least men desiring children did not, and Merlyn, judging by his lust abed, had desired an heir.

Or six. I blushed again, my thoughts filled with unexpectedly earthy memories. Calum noted my pinkened cheeks, though his satisfied smile indicated that he thought his own presence responsible.

“And why then are you here, if you were not invited and expected to be spurned as a result?” I asked lightly.

“I came to share my condolences, of course. It is only proper, after all, and one cannot be daunted by what another might say or do.” Calum smiled and tucked my hand into his elbow. He led me around the room and we paused as one before each tapestry as if more interested in the work than we were.

“How intriguing that you thought me aged.”

“Was Merlyn not aged?”

I laughed. “Hardly that. Did you not know him?”

“We had not the opportunity to meet. I have held Dunkilber for only three years and though I have called here before, the lord has been abroad.” He winked at me. “Had I guessed his lady was so fetching, I would have called more diligently.”

Ah, so Calum knew nothing of our estranged marriage, perhaps having assumed that I had sometimes travelled with Merlyn. He must be comparatively new to this region. That made matters simpler.

I had a suspicion that Calum was a man much enamored of women’s charms, and truth be told, his attention was as a balm to me. It had been long since a man flirted with me, at least a man whose motives were so readily displayed as this one’s. Merlyn’s squires hovered discretely at the doors, having appeared from some hiding place too late to have halted Calum’s arrival. A trio of other boys arrived, wearing Calum’s colors. He nodded in acknowledgement of them and I guessed that they had been ensuring the welfare of his steed.

“I like a woman who is unafraid to share her thoughts,” Calum said with great approval. “And I like it well, my lady Ysabella, that we are neighbors now.”

“Are we?”

“Surely you know that Dunkilber manor is four miles from here?”

“No, I did not.” I had heard once or twice of Dunkilber, though I could not recall in what context. I did not know its location precisely.

I granted him a coy smile, determined to know his motives. I had no doubt that he would tell me. Calum appeared to be the kind of man who held no secrets, whose expression betrayed any attempt to lie and whose heart belied any intent to do so. “Do you come to pledge fealty to me then?” I teased.

He laughed and gallantly pressed a kiss to my knuckles. His lips were dry and firm, his embrace not unpleasant. “Would that I could, fair lady, but my fealty is pledged already to the Earl of March at Dunbar keep.” His eyes twinkled merrily as he eyed me over my own hand. “Though there are, admittedly, other kinds of allegiance betwixt men and women.”

He meant to flirt and I knew it well. This was a delightful change from those who damned me and spurned me and tried to bend me to their nefarious will. “Do you mean to court me, sir?” I asked, enjoying myself.

“The mere crook of your finger, lady fair, and I should be so encouraged.”

“But I know nothing of you, save that you come to my portal garbed for war. Is it perhaps a different conquest that you seek than that of my heart?”

Calum laughed again, untroubled by my query. “Ah, one hears rumors aplenty when a lord meets an untimely demise. I knew not what to expect upon my arrival here. Indeed, the earl himself feared that brigands might have seized this place and demanded of me, as the closest of his vassals, to ensure that such a tragedy had not occurred.” He bowed slightly. “I come at my lord’s bidding, garbed for any eventuality. As I mentioned, my lady, you are a most welcome surprise.”

I wondered then whether the earl had a desire for Ravensmuir. His lands lie to the south of those of old Kinfairlie and he had been the earl for many years. He most certainly would have been earl when Merlyn’s father had been seeking a buyer for his mysterious relic.

I resolved to send the earl a message, by way of this affable knight. I smiled but spoke with resolve. “Ravensmuir was bequeathed to me by my spouse and the deed so inscribed is safely within my care. My lord Merlyn and I had a legal match and an enduring one - let no man contest the truth of it.”

“I can well imagine that a man would be happy with such a comely bride.” Calum’s eyes gleamed, though he spoke with care. “But be warned, my lady, these parts are not devoid of men who seize what they desire to be their own. Your keep lies between those of two powerful men, and the balance betwixt they two has changed with Scotland’s change of king.”

“Indeed?”

“Indeed. William, Earl of Douglas, whose holding lies north of here at Tantallon, has risen to favor with the new king Robert II, while George, Earl of March, who abides at Dunbar keep to the south, has lost his regal ally in the death of King David II. You are caught betwixt the pan and the fire, my lady, and solely Ravensmuir’s lack of tithes will keep these great men at bay.”

He glanced around the hall with an assessing eye. “Though Ravensmuir does not seem to lack for wealth despite its dearth of tilled fields and diligent peasants. Beware, my lady fair, for there will be those seeking both this holding and the source of its revenue.”

I interpreted that as a warning against his lord’s intentions. “I thank you for your counsel.”

Calum’s voice softened further and his expression turned somber. “But if you find yourself beset, if you have need to defend this keep against the desires of others, know that you may call upon me.”

“Even against your liege lord, the Earl?”

Calum smiled. “Surely Beauty, my lady most fair, and Justice are the greatest liege lords of all?”

And he kissed me, most audaciously, upon my very lips. I was surprised, but he was very quick and I had no chance to retreat. His embrace was not abhorrent, though it could not compare to Merlyn’s own.

I did not pull away - when I might have done so, it occurred to me that I might have need of alliance. I took his warning to heart and kissed him back as boldly as he kissed me.

A warrior and his attendant skills might serve me well, after all, when my spouse could not be summoned from Hades on demand. And a kiss, however boldly initiated, was a small token to encourage a military man’s support.

Is boldness not a most desirable trait in a knight?

* * *

We spent the morning together, Calum and I, and he offered a most enchanting diversion. It was clear that he hungered for feminine companionship and he made more than one hint that he sought a bride. It seemed that wealth and security had come relatively late to his hand - I did not enquire as to the reasons for that, as matters had been most unsettled locally in recent decades and it was surely no reflection upon him - and he chafed now to take a wife.

I was somewhat irked, you might be certain, that my sister did not deign to appear. Here was a man anxious for a wife and an allegiance to Ravensmuir, but Mavella slept opportunity away!

Ada admitted at midday that Fitz had taken Tynan and Mavella upon a tour of the keep and bailey. This news not only set any worries I might have had at ease, but gave me the chance to tell Calum of them.

Calum was charming, and he might prove to be useful. Here was a man unburdened with secrets and mysteries, a man who was exactly as he appeared to be. Simple men have their allure, especially when contrasted with creatures like Merlyn. He told me of his adventures while we shared a simple midday meal, and to my relief, he did not comment upon the meager offerings at my table.

In fact, he offered me counsel in the finding of assistance, clucking his tongue all the while over the mismanagement practiced by the Lammergeier family. He seemed to assume that I had lived abroad while my husband ran this holding without a woman’s helpful touch. It was interesting to be regarded as an exotic, fragile creature from across the seas, especially for me, who had always been assumed to be sturdy, common and resilient.

* * *

To my delight, Mavella joined us at the gates when Calum was taking his leave. She was radiant in the sapphire kirtle and Calum’s eyes lit at the sight of her.

It would be an ideal solution for they two to wed - Calum would have his bride and Mavella would have a pleasant spouse, we all would have a warrior and his army to defend our gates in the short term. It would be perfect.

Calum rode away after much fulsome praise of the two of us and many blushes upon Mavella’s part. He himself made many a lingering backward glance. His squires had gathered outside the gates to await him, and now rode in his wake, kicking up dust as they galloped down Ravensmuir’s road.

“Where is Tynan?” I asked, as we waved farewell.

Mavella sighed. “He wished to see the horses again but I had need of a respite.”

“From his endless questions?”

“From the sight of Fitz bleeding the horses.” Mavella grimaced. “Did you know that it was a tradition upon St. Stephen’s Day to do as much, for their health in the year ahead?”

“No. But St. Stephen’s Day was yesterday.”

Mavella sighed. “Fitz said that today would serve well enough, as none had done it yesterday.”

“It cannot be harmful. That brute stallion seems vigorous enough.”

Mavella rolled her eyes. “He did not take kindly to the procedure, I can assure you. No, to witness more of that labor was not for me.”

“I am certain that Tynan is enthralled.”

We shared a smile.

“Indeed he is. Did ever you know that he could run so fast? And he asks so many questions of Fitz that the poor man barely has time to reply!”

I laughed, delighted that both of my siblings were so lively again. “Perhaps he will sleep early this night.”

“Ah, you dream, sister mine.” Mavella flicked her skirts. “Look, I have marked the hem in our visit to the stables. Just as I assured you, the gown is too long.” She wrinkled her nose, then her expression turned mischievous. “Though I do not wish to remove this glorious gown for even the time required to clean and hem it.”

I snapped my fingers. “Then you shall have another.”

“Oh, my lady is most indulgent.” Mavella gave a bow so elaborate that she lost her balance and nearly tripped over her luxurious hem. I had to seize her arm to keep her from falling, no small feat once we two began to laugh.

“Calum is charming, is he not?” I asked.

Mavella sobered immediately. “He is old, Ysabella.”

“Oh, do not be so coy! His eye landed upon you. You could do worse than to wed a knight with a manor to his name.”

Mavella’s voice softened. “I do not care what a man holds. I care solely whether I hold his heart.”