Page 19 of Keepers of the Highland Crown
Quickly she steered them in a different direction. “Who do you believe may be this Benefactor?”
Callum leaned back while buttering the bread thoroughly as he began. “There was a traitorous knight, Sir, James, at the Battle of Largs, who had pledged to our lord king. However, at the final moment he declared himself for the Kingdom of Norway. At the shocking change in alliance, it almost cost Aonghus, his wife, and Sir Brayden their lives. It seemed King Magnus’s sire had promised Sir James a royal title attached to ruling the western isles. Yet it was not to be as the Northmen were forced from our shores before this became a reality.” He paused, ripping a bread corner with his teeth… Never had she longed to be flour.Stop, stop this right now.
As he swallowed a hearty drink of mead, the Adam’s apple darted his throat before he continued. “There are others. Court has nae shortage in those who seek the crown’s power. Directly from the last year alone a half a dozen raise to my mind. Upon my leave at King Alexander’s order there was a Lord MacParson, whom I have always consider an adder snake.”
“Perhaps he will be tethered to the one we seek out at the second day of feasting upon the morrow. Our plan remains the same as we spoke about earlier? Once settled I chronicle the great hall in hopes of discovering a conversation which will lead us toward the Benefactor?”
“Aye, I spoke more with the chamberlain than steward. Seems there is a northern lord who captured quite the attention from the ladies while he feasted in the hall.”
“From the Kingdom of Norway?” she clarified.
“Appears to be so, they did not gather his title in the chaos. Perchance he is this Benefactor.”
She nodded silently, continuing on her fare for several moments, nibbling cheese then thick slices of apple.Delicious. They were ravenous. The tray appeared empty in a blink.
His next words almost caused her mead to go down her windpipe. “Why did you not show at our bridge?”
Her eyes looked over the goblet’s gold rim which sparkled from the hearth light next to them. He’d been there that night? Even if he had, it must have only been for him tofurtherhis deceit back then, or was he still playing games even now with her emotions?
“Surely you jest.” She swallowed the mead but not her temper. “How dare you inquire upon such a matter.” She shook her head. “I was mistaken at seeking your presence during supper. I would care for you to leave this chamber and return to your post, at once.” She pointed toward the door.
His last bread piece hit the trencher. “We are presenting a ruse for Lady Alaina; however, I am not your guardsman to be ordered about same as a stable lad. I demand an answer.”
Scrape.Her chair protested as she took to her feet. “You may demand spring to appear early, Sir Callum, alas it shall not make it so. Leave directly!” She jabbed her finger at the door again.
He stood stiffly. “’Tis for the best,” he said, raising his hand in the air between them gently, “to remain distant. A great gratitude fills me at your harsh demand, for it shines a light upon what is most important. The challenges which lie aheadare paramount and they demand a clear mind uncluttered by attachments or desires.”
She trembled inwardly. Was it from anger or hurt? She couldn’t tell.
“Agreed,” her pride replied at last. “The door is just there. Good eve, Sir Callum.”
He shrugged his shoulders which sagged a little as he began trudging toward the threshold. “Good eve, Lady Fawnella MacHearin, rest well. The morrow shall be a fierce day with a traitor to hunt.”
Soon as the door closed, her face crashed into her palms turned wet with her tears.Crack!Her head snapped back up and glanced toward the closed gatekeeper. Had he just kicked the chair in the passageway?
***
“The chair is not so terribly uncomfortable,” Sir Brayden’s quip sounded from the passageway’s end when he appeared with a goblet in hand after Callum kicked the chair onto its side. “What troubles you so?”
Thatwould take days to explain. “Brayden, stand watch, I must…” His voice trailed off as he glanced up at the door closed in more ways than one. They were done for all time; it had to be after the Scotswoman who remained inside refused to let him discover the reasons about their troubled past. “I must be anyplace in this keep but here. Are you prepared for the task given?”
The jovial expression vanished as he said somberly, “Always, my friend, take leave for what you need to tend to.”
Callum nodded, and his feet all but ran from Nella’s doorway. Forever a complete fool! Right here! Someone should fetch a gray jester’s hat to complement the chainmail. He was still looking for answers regarding her desertion. Hoping for some shred in purpose why she never appeared on that fatefulnight. What does he get? Thrown out! Tossed aside by her once again. Fool!
Chapter 11
Nella smoothed her hand over the gown Alaina had provided along with her lady’s maid to help in the process the following eve.
The elder lady’s maid grinned a smile so broad it seemed her face was only teeth.
“The lords and lads and knights shall seek your favor, my lady.”Very unlikely.
Nella pressed her palms over the emerald wool sleeves which held a fine gold embroidery near the wrist. The gown was fit for a queen.Thiswas what they would admire.
“Here, my lady, let me smooth the veil over your hair.” Nella shifted her weight slightly, leaning over when the helper sought the sheer veil which floated over her plaited tresses and covered the top of her scalp. It was held in place by a thin braided cord of stunning gold which matched the sleeves’ embroidery. It truly was so lovely; Alaina should not have troubled herself.
The lady’s maid words from earlier when gown was presented echoed once more. ‘I was told to relay to you that my Lady Alaina declared you shall find a fresh – pardon, my Lady Fawnella – her precise sentiment was ‘a cocksman who is worthy to bestow a sleepless night’.” Little did Alaina or the lady’s maid know this had been sought but not in the waythey thought. After the vicious fight and her temper once again running her mouth, she had not slept a wink.
