Chapter 6
“Apologies I could not offer more about who set the fire,” Nella heard the farmer say again toward Callum while they all stood beside the spent ashes.
“Our lad was knocked unawares by the raiders while we were hunting, and we only came back in haste once we smelled the smoke. The bastards left this in their wake. I found it on the edges when I went to round up that stray goat.”
Another one. “A Dane axe,” Callum murmured at the axe in the farmer’s fist then swore something in Scottish Gaelic under his breath. “May I have this?”
“Aye.” The farmer handed it over with ease.
“Our eldest who is ten and six has been missing for months.” The wife half sobbed the words. “To think we almost lost another.” She grabbed her son close, who had a dazed look.
“Your lord will see to the re-building here?” Callum questioned, standing before the Scotsman who all but snickered.
“Nae, greed is his bedfellow, not charity.”
Callum went over toward Luss, who was nibbling the far remaining grasses on the fringes with the sheep. What was her knight… No, the knight – ahem – what was the king’s captain carrying? A bag of coins?
The subject’s eyes bloomed wide when Callum pressed multiple coins into his palm. “With compliments of King Alexander.” The farmer remained speechless while Callum looked toward the wife. “Are you able to find shelter for the eve?” he asked them.
“Aye, thank you, sir.”
In a nod Callum then stepped toward Nella. Callum paused, turning back toward the Highlanders. “Your eldest, what name does he answer to?”
“Kameron,” the father answered, clutching the coins toward his ribs. “Kameron MacKurryn.”
“A good lad,” the wife gushed.
“His trade is that of a farmer as well?”
The father circled his arm around his wife and remaining lad. “Nae, he is apprenticing to be smith.”
Callum nodded solemnly then set Nella upon Luss. He leapt up behind her onto the saddle. Sir Brayden then took the lead led on his own charger back toward the tavern’s direction.
“Callum,” Nella asked after they galloped a distance, “what is capturing your interest regarding Kameron?”
“Sir Brayden,” Callum replied while looking at her, “a fortnight past, when you were on leave from duty, I was at court while our lord king listened to the daily complaints. Within one hour two lads were declared missing from bustling burghs. One common thread bound them.”
“Smiths?” Nella guessed.
“Aye, both.”
Brayden snorted. “’Tis odd.”
“More than this.” Callum’s voice was rough by the smoke, and he continued. “I put it to you both, why would smiths be vanishing? They build weapons, armor, and shoe warhorses like those we now ride.”
“You believe Kameron made this axe?” Nella glanced at the saddle where the axes were strapped.
“Three years past at the Battle of Largs there were elements I could not explain. Aye, I believe anythin’ is within the realm of possibility.”
Callum slowed Luss when they reapproached the river.
“Perchance,” Nella concurred, looking longingly at the water now soot favored her skin.
“Nella, we shall settle here to freshen then ride straight onto the tavern.”
***
Callum shook the water from his hair after he scrubbed his face and hands. His eyes darted down the river where Nella was hidden while freshening. “All is well, my lady?” he called out.
Silence. Not good. Brayden was busy dunking his face while Callum stood. The raiders were still in the area. “Nella?” he murmured. Nothing. Huh, she should have heard him.
Fetching his bow off his shoulder and an arrow from the quiver strapped across his back, which at times seemed attached like an additional appendage, he approached the bramble where she should be. Nocking the weapon, he paused, only sparrow song or bubbling of water over rocks in an ancient rhythm.
Pressing the bramble slowly from his view, he froze.
Nella was naked, wading in water which just barely covered the globes belonging to her alluring derriere.
She faced away from him but the delicate curves on the sides of her waist were exposed while she bent forward.
Her hand had pulled the mass in tawny hair from her face which was under water along with her ears. That was why she had not heard him.
Divine. Those slender shoulders with the long line of her neck, and her skin slick with water seemed almost to shine like diamonds from the sunlight peeking the clouds over head. Divine was an insult, she… she was exquisite. Completely. Exquisite. Everything on his body leapt to attention.
A gasp sounded when she came up for air and straightened. Hell! She would know he was here! He took the tiniest step rearward; her movement stilled at once.
“Callum,” she called out in a dry tone despite the water swirling her, “I had not considered you the sort to spy upon a lady.”
“Forgive me, Nella,” he gushed quick as the water rushing the river, “I hailed you and there was nae answer, thus I feared for your safety with the raiders in the territory. My weapon is drawn if you care to see I speak in earnest.” Why did his explanation sound suggestive in a sexual way?
“I am certain it is.” Her tone said she was thinking it the weapon pressing his braise at the sight of her. “You see I am well. The water is brisk thus I should seek my gown; I shall be but a moment more—”
“Aye,” he called back in haste while he stammered, almost tripping on a root backing up.
Throwing the arrow back into the quiver and bow over his shoulder, he inwardly cursed at himself.
Well, he was cursed, literally. He blinked.
Aye! There she was again. Each time he closed his eyes he was tormented by the vision he could not have of her holding her hair up gently with the soft shape of her figure reflecting in the sunlight.
Was his will to stay from her leaving him?
Aye, quicker than a lone wolf leaving the pack!
***
“Are you settled, Lady Fawnella?” Sir Brayden inquired over this shoulder at her as they rode toward the tavern.
Wrapping her arms tighter about the hearty girth, she replied, “Aye, you are too kind.”
She was settled behind the knight. It was the one that rode a distance in front of them who had her innards twisted like the gnarled branch which brushed her arm.
How badly had she wanted Callum to join her in the water?
All of him? With every time speck she was.
It was a good thing, the fresh riding arrangement.
Distance. Aye, distance was a wise endeavor given their accord.
“So is our lord king. Those coins Sir Callum bestowed on his behalf was a most generous gesture.”
“The king pays us very well. However, those coins were my friend’s, not of the king’s.” Her eyes darted toward Callum’s straight back. How kind of him. “Three years I have been under his charge, a fairer captain one will never find. The ladies of court thought him fair in other ways.”
“For certain.” Her tone sounded suddenly dry to her ears.
Jealous much? Well, he was dashing as all and his heart seemed forthright.
Had he changed so much from the cruelty he’d thrown at her all those years ago?
No wonder lassies were lined up. All they probably needed was one of those catacombs to keep the line orderly…
“Nae, my lady.” Brayden’s murmur broke into her thoughts.
“You are mistaken at the consideration I hear in your tone. My friend has never bedded any of them, even the widows…” His voice trailed off as she saw his flesh turn flushed under the short beard from her angle.
“Pardon, my lady, I did not mean to suggest—”
“The truth?” she questioned gently. “Aye, widows are the fairest breed of us all, particularly the wealthy variety. Considered already bedded and seasoned for lovers. Lads from across the land seek us as a simple way to enact their carnal needs.” Sir Brayden’s flush deepened by embarrassment.
“’Tis the truth of my lot, and, Sir Brayden, speaking only truth in my presence shall garner my loyalty unlike any other. ”
“Thank you, my lady, you are too kind.” Brayden turned while slightly smiling at her before minding the forest path ahead once again.
“There were times I have questioned, and others as well, why Sir Callum never took the oath of a Templar nor sought the warm embrace of another. He always seemed to be waiting for someone.” He darted his eyes over his shoulder again at – her.
No, not possible, nope! Sir Brayden simply couldn’t be referring to her. She said, “Sir Callum was terribly surly when suggesting the new riding arrangements.” There! See, there was the proof Callum did not wish to be near her.
“Naw, he was strugglin’ to be honorable,” Brayden enlightened. “This I am certain. ’Tis in the eyes, my lady.”
“Eyes?”
“Aye, when you turn away, my lady, he follows you with his gaze in a way I have yet to see him observe another. Do not be too rash in your judgment of my friend. Even with a sour expression, I have not seen such a glint of life in his eyes before. If he smiles, well then, you shall know he favors you above all others.”
She rested her chin on the stout knight’s shoulder, the woolen mantle rough against her skin. “You are a very kind sort, Sir Brayden. I see why he favors your talents and your Lady Maise is a most fortunate one.”
“Oh, my lady! I shall have to tuck you in my pocket for the time when my Lady Maise grows angry after I leave my dirty hosen strewn about the bed chamber’s floor.” Nella smiled as a thick chuckle echoed the air from Brayden, causing Callum to glance back at them.
Her eyes locked with Callum’s. Was it possible Callum cared for her more than simply the accord? Then why had he been so adamant to have her ride with Sir Brayden?