Page 30 of Bride of the Sinful Laird
Annora shook her head. “Are there fairies where we are going?”
When Lamend responded with a resolute nod, Annora clapped her hands. “Oh, I should love tae see one of the little people today.”
Edmund laughed, delighted with Annora’s sparkling eyes and her pink cheeks. She was beautiful. Her hair blowing in the breeze behind her as she sat on the horse, her back straight, her head high. She was the very picture of how he imagined a faery queen would look.
When they arrived at the Faery Glen, Annora gasped with delight. It was a little space between two ancient crags, covered in velvety green, a magical place indeed. At the center of the glen were a series of small stones laid in a circular pattern, spiraling to a central point.
Annora gazed around the Glen in wonderment. “I can hardly wait tae walk the faery labyrinth. I am certain it is magic and much will be revealed tae me as I walk there.”
Gazing up at Edmund, she asked, “Will ye walk it wi’ me?”
He gave a small laugh. “Of course, lass. If ye wish it.”
They found a grassy place where they could sit and watch over the Glen, Annora – ever hopeful of catching a glimpse of one of the fae – spread a blanket on the grass while Lamend and Edmund unpacked the pannier and brought the food over.
There were hard-boiled eggs, radishes, cheeses, cold sausages and sliced chicken, little pies for one, honeyed pastries, raspberry tarts, and flagons of ale to wash the feast down.
Annora looked on, eyes wide, as all that good fare was stacked on the blanket beside her.
“Why there’s enough here tae feed the entire household.” She laughed, her eyes widening with every new platter placed beside her.
“’Tis nae all fer ye, lass. Lamend and myself will come tae yer assistance.”
After all, it seemed the morning’s ride and the visit to the village had nurtured a mighty appetite among the three and, taking their leisurely time, it was not long before all that was left for the ants and, mayhap, the fairies, to consume were a few crumbs and a morsel of cheese. Annora picked up the blanket and shook it out.
Lamend ventured across to where the horses were tethered and filled a goatskin for them to take a draught of water. He returned to where Edmund and Annora were resting in the shade and proffered another blanket
“Ye may rest awhile on this,” he said, “This one will dae me. I dinnae mind a few crumbs.”
Annora huffed. “Indeed, I shook it out, ye’ll find nay a scrap left on it.”
Edmund lowered himself onto the blanket Lamend had arranged for them, and reached a hand to pull Annora down beside him.
“Now, remember ye’re milady, it is quite proper fer us tae share this wee blanket.”
Annora sat stiffly beside him while he lay back, his hands behind his head, looking forward to enjoying a respite from the busyness of the past few days. But his thoughts refused to allow him any rest.
He was battling with a myriad of conflicting thoughts and feelings that he had no answers for.
There was something about the landscape that whispered to him in ways he’d never expected. He almost felt as he was melding with it, becoming part of the ancient, rocky crags, the green, velvet sward and the sea beating on the rocks below. At the village, when he’d been addressed as the laird, it had felt right.
He was being seduced by the place. Against everything he had told himself, he was being washed clean of all the pain and bitterness he’d known as a child and young man. For a moment he had felt as if he was coming home, and the bonnie lass by his side was his truly his wife.
Mayhap Lamend was reading his thoughts, for he asked, “What d’ye think of yer lands so far Laird Edmund?”
Edmund looked up crossly. “I’ve nay said aye tae the Elders, Lamend. ‘Tis nae right tae give me the name yet.”
Lamend cleared his throat and Edmund caught his lips quirking in a grin.
“Forgive me, Laird… er… Master Edmund. Ye look so much like yer late faither, Baldur, that the title of laird simply rolls off me tongue without me giving it thought. Fergive me.”
“And now the weavers all think me the successor tae me faither.”
The old man nodded. “Nay doubt they’ve made the same mistake as meself.” He sighed. “But think on this, lad, if ye dae take up yer birthright and claim the lairdship, half the clan will already believe it.”
Edmund pulled his knees up and wrapped his arms about them.
“There is something else.”
