Chapter Fourteen #2
Alexander wrapped the cloak over his head and sat next to the driver while the servants secured Marion’s bags on the back of the carriage and she inside.
He’d had the cook roused and prepare a basket of food and plenty of mead in a wine skin for her as well as blankets should she need them.
She’d ride alone in the carriage, but he would not let her out of his sight.
He’d already explained everything to the king who decided they would continue on their tour as well and was more than understanding of the situation.
But at the same time, he appeared to find mirth in it for some reason.
Alexander would never understand the man, but was grateful for his understanding and an open invitation to join them whenever he was in that part of the country.
Within a short time, they were off on the long journey to Linlithgow. He hoped the ride would help him clear his head about Jean and Alain. He’d left Thomas in charge of them and to ensure Alain did not come near the castle while Alexander was away.
By God, what a morning. And to think he’d had intention to send word to her parents today. Now he was delivering her to them. And then what? He honestly had no idea. Between the shock of Jean and Alain and the fact that she knew she had him twisted into knots, he knew not what he should do.
If he had to be honest with himself, he couldn’t imagine a better match for Jean than Alain, a man with whom he shared a strong bond.
But why couldn’t they have just told him for Christ’s sake?
Why did he have to discover them sneaking around like they were ashamed of it, or they feared his reaction?
And there it was. He’d proven to them he would react badly, hadn’t he? On top of that, he’d taken his frustrations out on Marion who he could see now was merely trying to help. Oh aye, he was the worst arse this side of Loch Ness. By God, how badly he’d botched it all.
But he would fix it. One way or another, he’d make it right for all of them.
They rode for several hours until they came to a smallish village which housed a decent sized inn frequented by travelers from east to west and vice versa.
Alexander stepped down from the carriage, his knees nearly buckling from the long ride.
His driver, who had remained thankfully silent for the ride, waited for Alexander’s next instruction.
The moment was now. He steadied himself for the coming storm.
Opening the door to the carriage at the same time he drew down the hood of his cloak, his eyes met hers. For a moment or two, she blinked at him and mouthed soundless words.
“We have arrived at an inn and will rest here for the evening, my lady. The journey is too long to achieve in one day.”
She would obviously recall that from her journey there, but still she stared at him as though he were an apparition.
Reaching out his hand to her, he said, “My lady, will you join me for an evening meal? Neville will retrieve your chests and bring them to your chamber so that you may retire when you wish.”
“How?” she asked, still appearing quite confused.
“I suspect he will untie the lashes and then pull them from the carriage and carry them,” he said, attempting a jest to lighten the moment.
“Nay, I mean how did you get here?”
“I have been here the entire time. Do you really think I would let you travel across the country alone and without protection?”
And up came the chin once again. She really was becoming quite adept at silent defiance.
“I do not need your protection, my lord. I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself. And besides, the only one I need protecting from is you.”
Och, that hurt. But he could appreciate its origins. She needed to tell him what was what, and he could not fault her for it. In fact, he’d welcome it as long as she was on speaking terms with him.
“I understand, my lady. In the meantime, there are several other large riders approaching, and I believe you might find it prudent to be inside and situated properly before that lot demands the best table.”
The look of concern that crossed her face gave him just enough comfort that she now realized how dangerous traveling alone could be.
He reached out his hand again, and this time she took it and exited the carriage.
The moment her feet touched the ground, she withdrew her hand and walked on ahead of him.
Alexander could not help but grin at her stubbornness. She had every right to be vexed with him and he would take every shot she threw his way. He deserved it and he would be sure she was fully and completely free to speak her peace.
He ducked as he entered the inn, and his grin broadened when he spied her directing the innkeeper as to where she would like to sit. This was a place well known to him, and when the innkeeper spied him and made to leave her to dote on him, Alexander shook his head.
Once they were seated in the corner, she finally turned to him.
“You know you really hurt me this morn. There was no need of that.”
“I know it and I am very sorry.”
“Thank you. But I am still returning to my home.”
“Aye, I know it and I understand.”
“I trusted you. I thought we trusted one another. But the moment something went awry, you shut me out.”
“Forgive me, Lady Marion. That is all I ask. I am unaccustomed to sharing responsibility when it comes to family matters.”
“I believe we have very different views of what marriage is, my lord, and as such I am almost glad this instance has occurred to illustrate those differences.”
“Lady Marion, you have made many incorrect assumptions this day and this latest is the largest of them. I feel we should not continue this conversation at this time as I would not wish things to be said that we cannot retract.”
He could see by her pursed lips that she was none too pleased by his declaration. So much for letting her have her say. But she was going down a road that would lead to an impasse and he was not prepared to go there.
“If you do not oppose, my lord, I shall take my meal in my chamber and turn in early. I expect we shall be on our way at daybreak?”
If he could keep their driver out of his cups this evening they would, but he couldn’t promise it.
“I will knock at your door when we are ready and will have a meal prepared for you to take while we journey.”
“Very well, my lord. I bid you a fair eve.”
With that she left the table, checked with the innkeeper, and went up the stairs to disappear around a corner to go to her chamber.
Alexander sat back in his chair and downed his goblet of ale.
The barmaid brought him a steaming bowl of some sort of meat stew he was grateful for and devoured before asking for a second, along with a pitcher of ale.
It would be a long night with thoughts of her crooked as sin stewing in her bed chamber and not working through this with him as he had hoped.
By God, she was stubborn.
The entire time they’d traveled that day, she had not tapped on the carriage once to ask to relieve herself.
Not once, though they had stopped a few times to water the horses and for him and his rider to do the same.
His driver had asked, but she’d refused.
How does one go several hours in that state?
He couldn’t fathom. In any case, she was safe and secure in a locked chamber, of that he had secured, and he supposed he’d see how she fared after a good night’s sleep.
Or so he hoped.