Chapter Thirteen
They’d been riding for days, and she was ready for the journey to end. While she thoroughly enjoyed being seated in front of William with his strong arms around her and his thick chest pressed against her back, she had to admit her bottom was growing sore.
By day they covered as much ground as possible which meant at night they practically fell from the horse and into whichever inn they could find.
He’d kiss her awake before sunrise each morning and pleasure her until she could stand no more.
Were it not for the threat and the feeling of looking over their shoulders at all times and her sore arse, she could stay like this with him forever.
No time for casually looking about the countryside on this journey.
Trees whipped by as they galloped along as fast as they could.
William had arranged for their belongings to follow so she would have only the gown she wore and one other until they reached Mugdock Castle and there she would find plenty of gowns belonging to his sister.
She wanted a bath and a hot meal more than anything, but they did not linger in any one place long enough for either. They’d packed as much as they could carry foodwise so they could eat when the horse needed rest.
They didn’t talk much, and she could feel the tension rolling off William, understanding he would not relax until they reached their destination. Thankfully they didn’t encounter many travelers either. Only once did he veer off onto a different path when a rider was visible ahead of them.
After she was deliciously woken by him that morning, he had said they would reach the castle that day and she was ready for it.
She longed to be off the horse and soaking in a hot tub to ease her muscles.
She didn’t have time for her nerves to affect her, so at least that was one benefit of their travels.
But now as the castle came into view, small flutters entered her belly.
Thrusting up from curtain walls was a tall square tower with several windows dotted across its facade. There was absolutely no way to know what lay beyond unless one entered through the gateway.
William slowed the horse to a trot as they passed through and entered the inner courtyard.
He pulled back on the reins and stopped the horse then quickly dismounted.
As he reached for her, he shouted at the men guarding the gateway to close the doors.
From the inside Agnes could see two heavy wooden doors with thick iron plating holding it together.
The men closed the doors then sealed them with a massive wooden beam. Nothing was coming in that way.
A stable hand ran over to William taking the horse away. “Look after him well,” he said. “He’s had a hard run.”
He then turned to Agnes and drew in a deep breath. “I know these past days have been hard on you, but you do understand they were necessary.”
“Aye, William, that I do,” she said and smiled as the lines in his face began to soften.
“Let’s get you inside and out of this heat. I am sure you are hungry and in need of a bath.”
He was surely becoming a seer where she was concerned.
William took her hand and walked toward a long building adjoining the tower.
They entered and walked along a hallway leading to a hall twice the size of her father’s.
With the enormous hearth at the far end, leading to it was the longest table she’d ever seen. Truly this could rival the king’s!
“Welcome to our home,” he said to her as he drew her to a woman seated at the head with two younger lads seated on either side.
“William!” the boys exclaimed and ran to him throwing their arms around him.
Agnes stepped to the side and smiled at the sight.
It was telling when a man was so free with his affections with siblings.
He would make a good father. She hadn’t thought about how many children she wanted eventually, but as she watched the elder brother return their embrace, she was convinced more would be merrier.
When the lady approached, William said, “Mother, I would like you to meet my wife, Lady Agnes lately Sinclair, now the Countess of Montrose. Agnes, may I introduce my mother, the Dowager Countess of Montrose.”
The lady turned to Agnes with a warm smile that did not quite reach her eyes. There was a melancholy about the woman that made one want to wrap their arms around her and take all her pain away.
“It is lovely to meet you, my lady,” she said. Her voice was kind. Agnes liked her immediately.
“It is my pleasure to meet you, my lady, and may I please ask you to call me Agnes.”
His mother nodded and smiled at her again. “I am pleased to hear that, and you may call me Mother if it pleases you.”
“It does indeed.”
“I am pleased with her,” she said to William as she embraced him.
The tender way he held his mother made Agnes’s heart swell. There was so much she could tell from this brief exchange with his family, and it gave her great comfort.
“And what about us?” one of the boys asked.
“And these are my two impish brothers, Geoffrey and Glenn.” As he said their names he scruffed their hair. The boys pulled away from him only to scruff one another’s hair.
“Settle down,” his mother said.
The boys listened to their mother, which was refreshing to see. “She’s pretty,” Geoffrey whispered loudly to Glenn who merely stared at her. Agnes liked them already.
“Now,” his mother said, “I am sure by the state of you both you are in need of sustenance. We will get you fed first, and then off to rest. I will keep the meal light this evening, but after that we must plan your nuptial festivities.”
“I thank you, mother. We are in need of all that, but we must hold fast on any festivities. There is a reason why we hastened here from Agnes’s home.”
“What is it?” she asked as her brows drew tight together.
“There is so much to tell you, I hardly know where to begin,” he said. William moved past her to take a seat at the table motioning for Agnes to join him.
“Boys! Go tell the cook to bring food and drink.”
As they scurried off to do as they were bid, William’s mother took her seat and waited.
Servants came to clear the table and before long platters of bread, cold meat, and cheese were placed before them.
Agnes helped herself and savored every bite while William left out no detail about their time in Stirling, Agnes’s uncle, their journey to her home, and the return.
His mother listened intently with no interruptions.
“And now we are safely here until we can be sure the threat is no longer a concern. I will speak to our men and secure all entrances, but we must be strict with the boys as they will not be permitted to leave the grounds.”
“Were you aware of the threat before you left here for Stirling?” his mother asked.
“Nay. But I learned of it as soon as I arrived. Fin escorted me directly to the king and he divulged his intelligence.”
That meant he was aware of her uncle’s involvement before she arrived at Stirling. But that would mean—
Agnes felt sick to her stomach. Was their entire meeting a set up?
Was he attentive to her because he thought she was a part of the rebel Highlanders?
Agnes pushed back her chair and made to stand.
She needed some air all of a sudden. Her chest constricted like she was unable to breathe.
As soon as she stood, the room spun and she toppled to the floor.
When she woke sometime later, she was on a bed with a coverlet over her. William’s mother was by her side quietly working on her needlepoint.
“You gave us quite the fright, lass,” she said. “I think I know what troubles you.”
How could she possibly know?
“You didn’t know he suspected you from the beginning, did you?”
And there it was. Confirmation of the obvious.
She had thought he had been drawn to her, but it was him simply performing his duty to his king.
Did he care for her now? Aye, she believed he did.
But she couldn’t help but think their entire connection was built on a lie and she didn’t know how to process it.
“Agnes, may I offer some advice?”
“Aye,” she whispered.
“Give him a chance to explain himself. He does not know why you’re upset or why you had such a reaction to his recount of the events.”
“Where is he now?”
“After he brought you up here, he practically shouted down the castle for the village healer. He is gone to fetch her now. God help the woman.”
Agnes sat up and swiped a single tear away from her cheek. She would take his mother’s advice and speak to him as soon as he arrived. She hated this sick feeling in the pit of her stomach and hoped against hope he had a good explanation.
*
Racing back to the castle as fast as he could with an elderly lady in tow was not how he wanted to enjoy his first day at Mugdock with Agnes.
Christ’s teeth, he’d never felt such fear in all his days.
As he carried her to his chamber, he whispered to her hoping she could hear his pleas to never leave him.
Watching her fall was far more terrifying than anything the Highland rebels could do to him.
They arrived back at the castle, and he helped Old Nan, as everyone called her. She was far spryer than she looked as she walked hastily along with him toward the entrance way.
“This way,” he said and led her toward the stairs and onward to his chamber. Inside he found Agnes sitting up and looking pale. He rushed to her and placed his hand on her cheek and winced when she flinched.
“You’re awake,” he said. “Do you know what happened?”
“I—I just fainted is all.”
“Likely from the long journey,” Old Nan said and motioned for William to move back.
“Now, child, let me look at you. Move over here closer.”
William watched as the woman examined his wife who would not meet his eye. “I will need her to undress,” she said. “Would you please step outside, both of you,” she said and motioned toward the door with both hands.