Page 87 of Keepers of the Highland Crown
Nella paced the chamber. Thickest stone walls ever! Ugh. If only she could hear what occurred in the solar beneath.
“My lady, would you care for a goblet of mead?” Alec tried to entice her while seated by the arrow slit. The late-morning sun streamed over his raven locks, same as Callum’s.
Callum. How was her knight doing downstairs while questioning the suspected traitors?
Her steps picked up pace. “Nae.”
“Perhaps another slice of the loaf? My brother said they were a favorite of yours.”
“Nae, thank you.”
The steps which had been in a straight line back and forth took a circle quality as her unease rose faster than the flames in the hearth after Alec tossed in another peat brick.
“My lady, you shall wear a hole straight down unto the floor below if you keep up such a pace.” Her gaze rose, finding him grinning. His smile was like her knight’s.“On the other hand, I believe we are above a chamber right off the solar.” He lowered his voice like sharing a secret. “So, if you break us through, we shall discover what is taking place.”
A light smile met her lips. “You are just as I remember, Chieftain MacCade.”
“You, my lady, are the same as well.” Alec’s grin grew. “My brother, he is the one I have to comprehend if ’tis truly him.”
“Why?”
“He was always a protective sort to Aonghus and I, when we were very young. His ‘wee brothers’. However, the fervent way he spoke upon you remainin’ here in this chamber and not the solar for fear the lords may grow wise you are the one who named them as possible traitors to the crown was a heightened regard the likes I have never seen,” Alec explained. “Then there is a light which has returned to his eyes. One both I and Aonghus had thought snuffed out for all time.” Her smile vanished. “Aww, now, do not grow forlorn, my lady, ’twas a compliment. For so long both Aonghus and I have tried to find out what had caused the change in him. I find ’twas you. Each moment these past few years when a bairn graced the keep of Clan MacCade, our eldest brother would offer his heartfelt wishes, but a sorrow always lingered beneath his surface. I know not what has occurred to bring you back into his life, butthisis a gift. So, nae sorrow, my lady, happiness only, agreed?”
Her lips rose once again. “Your wife is a very fortunate lady indeed.”
“Ack,” Alec chuckled. “You shall have to speak with her after I leave my dirty braise thrown over the chair. Curses me sideways every time.” A small laugh escaped her lips.
Knock. Knock. Both looked up, finding Holger filling the open doorway. “Wee Chieftain MacCade, your brother is requesting your presence in the solar,” Holger advised before he looked at her with a suggestive grin on his lips. “I am to remain with Lady Fawnella who is a damn sight more beautiful sight than those two pompous windbags who keep declaring they were simply choking on ill-tasting fare in the great hall.”
Alec’s eyes turned into slits as he stood. “The lady iswithmy brother, and you aremarried, Lord Kolson. Do well to remember your manners lest I have to remind you, which Ipromise you shall not care for.” It seemed Alec was protective of Callum as well.
Holger gave a snort then sat propping his feet up on the table while he polished the sparkling gem broach pinned on his doublet with his sleeve. “Blither, blather, wee MacCade.”
“My lady,” Alec murmured, looking worried, “I may fetch another…” She rested her hand on his arm.
‘’I shall be fine. If anything, the northern lord is but a pompous windbag himself. Thus is why he recognizes those in this flock with ease.” Alec’s lips twitched slightly as if he were stifling a grin. “The Northman will see to it that I am not endangered.” She looked at the arrogant expression to finish dryly, “I am a most valuable creature to him given my instinct.”
Holger winked. “And so much more, my lady.”
As Alec’s feet reluctantly shuffled for the entryway, his hand gripped the door’s edge. He tugged it slightly, looked upon her, then pushed it back – leaving it wide open. Before he vanished.
What if a summons from the king came next? Glancing down at her rumpled skirt, she inwardly groaned. She smoothed her fingers over her skirt, straightening the clasp at her throat on the cloak which was in tatters, and by all above what must her wimple look like?
Holger raised his arms, folding his fingers behind his head. “All alone in a bedchamber. Whatever shall we do to pass the time?”
She shot a look at him. “I thought you needed to ensure everything was ‘prepared’ for the Northern delegation’s arrival this eve?”
“Done! The only exception is the traitor being seized, which was seen to.” He nodded her way. “In but a few days I shall be journeying back with the northern delegation to apprise King Magnus of the treaty and those who set ablaze the croftsunder false pretenses. Back to passing the time. What say you, my lady?” He clucked his tongue like one would do to get a horse moving then glanced at the neatly made bed. “Care for a final ride since I have been unable to sway you to remain with me?”
Her hands snapped onto her hips. “Not if you were the last stallion in the stable, Lord Kolson. Dare I ask why you have given up your endeavor to fetch me to the northern court?”
“Rumor.”
“Rumor?”
“King Alexander was in that solar upon my leave,” Holger explained. “In way of ‘discretion’ he deems all matters we have encountered these past days are kept a secret. Everything we have chanced will never be written in history to come. Shame, really, never being hailed as a hero.” She rolled her eyes. “So, my plan to force a wedge between you and your Scotsman has lost its merit as no scandal upon your son’s—”
“Stepson.”
