Claire Delacroix (23 page)

She turned her back upon the morning, her eyes stinging with unwelcome tears. Aileen heard a footstep on the stairs and cast back her braid, brushing the tears from her eyes, just as Nissa rapped on her door.

She knew with sudden clarity what she must do. She must solve the riddle of Anna and Magnus herself, using her wits and the evidence of this world to better understand the mysteries presented to her in the visions. She was Lady of Inverfyre: no door should be closed to her.

In the end, she could neither ignore the visions nor dismiss them. Interpretation was her only chance to save herself from madness.

It might well be her chance to win the Hawk’s respect, not to mention the legendary love promised by the visions.

Aileen could only try.

* * *

The Hawk found small consolation in the fact that he had predicted his morning mood aright.

The dawn had seemingly taken a lifetime to pinken the eastern sky. He had considered a hundred times whether he should ascend to his wife’s chamber, whether Aileen might offer him solace, whether he cared at her motivation for doing so.

In the end, he sat alone and watched the stars fade, loathe to awaken her, loathe to confide his secrets in her, loathe to give voice to his nightmares.

He might not spurn risk, but there were dangers a wise man knew were best left unexplored.

He summoned his men early to the hunt, earlier than they might have preferred. He was impatient to undertake some deed and hunting would have to suffice.

Ewen and Alasdair he left in command of the gates, Reinhard was left to guard the prisoner. Fernando was elusive, and the Hawk assumed some urgent business regarding his moustache was at root.

Ahearn was sitting downcast in the bailey, doubtless having been less successful in amorous pursuit the night before than was his wont, and was quickly recruited.

Sebastien was brushing down his steed in the stables and more than amenable to joining the hunt, though a mischievous twinkle seemed to dawn in his eye when he spied Ahearn. Tarsuinn and his boys brought a number of peregrines, including the Hawk’s favored huntress which he carried upon his fist.

His men did not trouble themselves overmuch with him, even Ahearn uncommonly silent, but no doubt they had discerned his mood. Over the years, even the most simple of them would have come to understand that little could change the Hawk’s foul temper on those rare days that it claimed him.

The beaters ran faster than usual, perhaps in an effort to please their laird, and as a result, the hunting party took partridges and quails in astonishing quantities in the morning. The Hawk found himself amazed yet again at the wealth of his lands and the bounty of its wildlife. The dogs barked and circled the party, well pleased with the excursion and gleeful to have such a run. The day was overcast after the rosy smudge of the dawn, so the peregrines did not cast shadows. By midday, as a result, they had a brace of rabbits and ducks, as well.

It was all empty for the Hawk. He should have been jubilant that they found such success and he knew it, for they would have meat in both hall and village for more than a week. It would be more than welcome in the village so late in the winter when the meat of the pigs and chickens had been long eaten. It should always be a triumph to feed the men beneath one’s hand well, but on this day, the Hawk found no joy in his accomplishment.

He found no joy in the quietude of his borders, either. The MacLarens would seem to be yet asleep for the winter. The Hawk dispatched men in every direction, suspicious but finding nothing to justify his trepidation.

He thought of Aileen. The recollection of her consumed him. He thought of the tear upon her lashes, so quickly blinked away, when she confessed her fear of madness. He thought of her dismay when he had rejected her, and again he felt a cur.

His courtship made a poor beginning, by any measure.

He thought of his responsibility to her, for he had compelled her to come to Inverfyre. He considered her potential treachery and found the evidence against her cursedly thin.

But what of the warning of his dream?

He acknowledged that a lack of sleep did little to improve either his reasoning or his mood. His gut warned him, but he could not determine of what it would advise him to beware.

They hunted longer and further from the hall, as a result. The men became tired, the hounds panted, but the Hawk pressed on, driven by some compulsion he could not name. He suspected that he merely avoided another troubling confrontation with his lady wife, for he knew not how to proceed, but he refused to give credence to that prospect.

No, he would hunt, as was his right and his responsibility and leave his lady to her own resources for the moment. How much trouble could she find or make within the walls of Inverfyre?

* * *

“My lady?” Nissa’s voice was clearly recognizable through the wood. “I have brought hot water, if you would care to rise.”

Aileen crossed the floor with purpose. “I would indeed, Nissa, though the portal is locked from your side.”

“But the key is here, my lady.” The lock complained as the key was turned, then Nissa’s friendly smile appeared in the opening. The maid bustled into the chamber, setting down her various burdens. She cast a gown of glorious green samite across the bed, the fabric glistening with the luster of silk. Aileen fairly gaped at the wealth of it.

Nissa then pulled fine stockings and an embroidered belt out of her own belt. She heaved a sigh and smiled pertly. “Those stairs are steep! I brought you a fine tabard, as well, my lady, and I hope it suits your favor.”

Aileen shook her head in wonder. “It is beautiful.”

“My lord’s mother has been bringing silken garments upon her visits here. She has filled two chests with finery, and always comments that my lord should take a wife afore the moths eat them to ribbons.” Nissa giggled and Aileen managed to smile. “But then, I suppose a mother is always concerned with nuptial matters. My own mother sent word to me last Yule asking when I would wed and have bairns of my own.”

Aileen caught the maid’s quick glance and wondered at its import. “And what did you tell her?”

Nissa sighed elaborately. “What could I tell her, my lady? Ours is a hall filled with knights and warriors, who take their pleasure where they may and never intend to wed. A maiden must be clever to maintain her purity here.” She mixed the pail of hot water with cold and ran her hand in the water to check it. “I believe it is just warm enough, my lady.” She hastened to help Aileen out of her chemise, then offered the cloth and soap.

“You learn your tasks quickly,” Aileen commented with a smile.

Nissa flushed. “Gunna told me what to do, although I would do otherwise if you preferred, of course.”

“This is more than fine, Nissa.” Aileen washed herself, then recalled the thread of their conversation. “And have you managed to be sufficiently cunning?”

“Of course! There are several of us who barricade ourselves in a storeroom in the kitchens when the men revel overmuch.”

“Surely you jest!”

The maid shook her head. “It is safer to sleep this way, and there are whores enough to sate the men in the hall. Oh, let me comb your hair. I can braid it high so that it holds your veil and circlet better.”

“Veil and circlet?”

Nissa clicked her tongue. “My lady, even I know that only a maiden may leave her hair unbound. I found a fine veil for you and a silver circlet. Look. Is it not pretty?”

Aileen accepted the circlet and studied it as Nissa braided her hair. It was wrought of two strands of silver, each fashioned to look like a vine or plant. One was adorned with flowers, the other with thorns.

Aileen smiled. “The honeysuckle and the hazel,” she murmured, tracing the endless loop of the circle with her fingertip.

“I suppose,” Nissa acknowledged with a shrug. “Now, I cannot wait to see this hue of emerald upon you and then, you can tell me what you would see of the keep this day. My lord bade me show you all of it, or whatsoever you wished to see of it...”

“Where did you find the circlet?”

Nissa halted her chatter and glanced up with surprise. “It was within the trunk of goods destined for my laird’s lady wife, whosoever she might prove to be.” The girl smiled. “Is it not pretty enough?”

“No, it is a marvel. I wondered only where such finery might have been crafted,” Aileen lied, unable to cease running her fingers over the ornate design.

“Sicily, no doubt!” Nissa declared. “Oh, Lady Evangeline brings the finest marvels! She will arrive at midsummer this year, and Lord Gawain at her side, of course. They come each year, though this year, she will be delighted to discover your presence here.” The maid winked. “Especially if you are round with child by then!”

Nissa smiled sunnily and Aileen suppressed a tremor of uncertainty. Would the Hawk’s mother approve of her? Who could say? And how could she beget an heir if the man lavished his attentions upon his whore?

Annoyed anew, Aileen donned the chemise and kirtle with Nissa’s aid, then smiled approvingly at the lowered hem. “Your needle has been busy again, Nissa.” Aileen spun for the maid’s benefit and found her own spirits rising, as she delighted that her ankles were gracefully covered.

The girl beamed with pride. “I lengthened the hem for you, my lady. I am almost done with the first trunk, though I slept little last night. It seemed right to me that as you are the Lady of Inverfyre, these garments are for you, and I know how disappointing it is when garb does not fit. The laird agreed.”

“Nissa! This is uncommonly kind of you.”

Nissa flushed scarlet, then dropped to her knees before Aileen. “You can barely discern the mark of the old hem on this one, and there is a good bit of cloth on most of them. There are several that will need a band of embroidery or some other frippery to lengthen them fully.”

“Do you not think this garb too fine for a day without guests or festivities?”

The girl smiled. “They are all so fine, my lady.” She flicked at the hem again, frowning at a fold.

“Nissa!” Aileen seized the girl’s busy hands to still them. “This is a marvelous gift and I thank you for your kindness. Let me aid you with the others and let me grant you some favor in gratitude. What would you have of me?”

The girl sighed as if she could not believe her fortune. Then she clasped her hands together in her lap and gazed up at Aileen. “I would be honorably wed, my lady, to a good man. I would have a small house and bairns of my own, though still I would serve you well. Would you find me a man of merit?”

Aileen smiled. “Have you a particular man in mind?”

Nissa’s gaze clouded and she looked away before she shook her head. Aileen would have wagered that the girl lied. “I would trust your judgment, my lady.”

“Then I shall look for a man just as you desire, and perhaps, when a priest comes to live at Inverfyre, your nuptials will be among the first celebrated here.”

“Oh, but they cannot be,” Nissa said hastily. “The first ceremony that must be celebrated at Inverfyre is the investiture of the relic in the chapel.”

Aileen frowned in confusion. She knew that a church could only be sacred if graced by a holy relic, but she assumed that Inverfyre’s chapel already had such a relic. “Is the relic not already in the chapel?”

“Of course not!” Nissa shook her head at this foolish notion. “For then, the MacLaren clan would have possession of it!”

“I do not understand.”

“The chapel of Inverfyre, the old chapel, is on the original site of the keep. That is the land held by the MacLaren clan.”

“Then, where is the relic?”

Nissa flushed and studied the hem again. “It is said to be a secret.”

“But you know.”

She straightened and met Aileen’s gaze. “I found it within the trunk of the garments destined for you. The Hawk bade me work upon one trunk, but I opened the other when I was done. I meant no harm! The
Titulus
was there, wrapped in silk at the bottom. I left it be, of course, though I did touch it with my fingertips.”

“And asked for a husband?” Aileen teased.

The maid flushed. “It seemed an opportunity that would be folly to waste.”

Aileen pursed her lips and considered this. She stared out the window at the distant MacLaren keep. Was it possible that the Hawk waited to summon a priest until he held that old chapel? Was it possible that he counseled patience because he meant to claim that land soon?

Or did she grant him more noble motives than he possessed?

“And what would you see of Inverfyre this day?” Nissa asked, apparently convinced that all was resolved.

“The village, and then the dungeon,” Aileen said firmly, holding up a finger when the girl might have protested. “It is the solemn duty of the lady of the keep to ensure that all beneath the laird’s care are treated with justice and compassion”

“But my lady...”

“None will oppose me, Nissa. I am the Lady of Inverfyre and I mean to do this.”

“But the laird...”

“Has ridden to hunt and left me free to go wheresoever I will within Inverfyre’s walls. You told me as much, did you not?” Aileen paused while Nissa nodded, the maiden clearly displeased with the lady’s choice. “We will visit the village first, to ensure that none of the laird’s vassals are in need of care, then we will confirm that the prisoner is well.” She offered the band of worked silver with a smile. “Might you aid me in donning the circlet, please?”

* * *

The Hawk felled a buck in the late afternoon but found no triumph even in that kill. The sky was darkening with ominous clouds, the snow beginning to fall. The Hawk took the deer with a single arrow, his squires cheering when the magnificent beast tumbled to earth.

The Hawk dismounted and cast aside his reins, handing off his falcon to one of Tarsuinn’s boys. His horse stood its ground, nostrils quivering at the scent of blood as the Hawk gutted the deer with quick gestures. There were foragers in the forest who would welcome the offal and the cook would have enough labor this day without the gutting as well.

He pulled the sweetmeats from the entrails and granted them to the boy from the kitchens, except for the liver. He took his peregrine back upon his fist, noting the brightness of her gaze as he held the warm meat in his other gloved hand.