Chapter 10
A pull on the ties she was covered in a thick woolen robe while she strode toward the door.
Plaiting her hair briskly, she took a deep breath.
Hhmmm, at least one thing was lovely; Alaina had bestowed her famous rose soap.
After releasing the door, her lashes darted wide when another face appeared while sitting on the chair.
“You are not Sir Brayden,” she murmured.
A grin appeared on Callum’s face. He… he smiled. Look at those pearls! What a handsome grin he still had. “Good eve, my lady.”
Her fingers tightened on the door’s edge till wood dug her palm. What… was he up to?
She replied, “I took a wee nap and had considered Sir Brayden was at watch.” Sir Brayden. Hadn’t Brayden declared if Callum smiled at her she would know his true intentions?
“I sought all needed for us upon the morrow then sent Brayden to seek a wee bit of ale.” Callum winked at her. “I discovered he was almost slumbering at his post.” A smile and a wink! Perhaps Alaina was right about it was time to take a lover.
“Would you care for an apple?” Who had she become – Eve?
He cocked a brow at her. “An apple for your stallion?” Oh, nae, he had heard Alaina too!
“I was rather hoping you had not heard that sentiment.” Her cheeks flamed.
“’Twas refreshing to hear a lady declare her truths so profoundly.” Callum stood. “Years at royal court the games played by both lords and ladies are a wretched tired deceit.”
“Would you care to supper with me?” she asked softly.
“Very much, I wish for a moment alone to speak.” He took a step forward. She cleared the doorway for allowing him entry before he set the bow and quiver down. See, he only wanted to talk; nothing more from the flat-chested spawn of the devil.
When they neared the table he held the chair for her.
Kind; he was simply being kind. Quit searching for things not present.
“Thank you,” she murmured before he claimed the chair across and a chunk of bread.
“You mentioned Lady Alaina’s ‘colorful’ terms. Once we are at the feast this will very quickly cease to be. ”
“Oh?”
“Her husband,” Nella explained, “he is a sour sort, same as mine was. This trait the pair held in common, it carried the purpose we journeyed here so many times over the years. And for the superior boar present in these lands which my late husband also adored tormenting.”
Callum’s brow turned furrowed. “This laird ever harm Lady Alaina?”
“Nae, not by a fist. Words were his weapon of choice to inflict harm upon her. Thus, she unleashes this pent-up wroth she carries within her by way of her ‘colorful’ terms when he is not about.”
Callum remained silent for a moment. She absently reached for the butter to set it closer by him from her side.
“Nella.” His tone was puffed with surprise. “You… you remembered I care for butter with my bread.”
The words tumbled out. “Callum, I remember all of you.” Ugh! How could she just say that! Ahem. “If your tastes have changed, there are preserves as well.”
She looked up at him as he set both hands onto the table then proclaimed in a husky tone, “My tastes have never changed.” Wait a hot moment. Why did it seem they were no longer speaking about food?
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 to further his 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 ahead are 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?”
That would 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 fateful night.
What does he get? Thrown out! Tossed aside by her once again. Fool!