Chapter 11 #2
The Benefactor. Who dared endanger the abbot and abbess and the king. Nella hid her fisted hands in the gown’s folds as Callum sounded another grind from his teeth. Commencement!
***
The Northman who would shame the looks of Baldur, a Viking god, approached same as a northern Golden Eagle who was looking at Nella like she was about to be served on a trencher for his pleasure. It caused Callum’s jaw to almost crack from the pressure he clenched.
When the bedchamber door was thrown open earlier as the lady’s maid took her leave, the vision which was Nella caused his breath to catch then halt completely.
Her delicate features coupled with a gown matching her beauty was not something he had been prepared for.
The plan at having her be bait for the Benefactor made his blood run fierce in a blink.
Now the very plan was walking this way with a bold smile at Nella. What had he been thinking?
“Good eve, my lady.” The Golden Eagle flashed her a grin. “All was a dark night till a star such as yourself graced the hall. I am Lord Holger Kolson.” This wasn’t happening.
“Lady Fawnella MacHearin.”
Callum shot forward, grabbing the flatterer’s hand for a shake. “Callum Scott of Clan Scott.”
The Northman tightened his talons’ grip.
“Good eve, Callum Scott of Clan Scott. Must you declare which clan if the fact is already stated in your surname or is it simply to remind yourself of the territory you hailed from? There are so very many ‘wee’ clans upon these shores.” Down, this guy was going down.
“The western isles were recently reclaimed from centuries in your countrymen’s grasp. So, pray tell, where do you now hail from?” Pompous northern windbag. “It must be a challenge with Viking blood determining your shore, since they were all stolen.”
Holger’s gray gaze narrowed before he snatched back his hand then returned his attention toward Nella. “Forgive me if my manner is lacking to approach you so boldly my lady, I was under the impression you were not betrothed or married.”
Nella looked up at him. It was the same look she had when she gave an apology on her lips, but this time was only written clear in her gaze.
Why? “’Tis I who bears the folly in manners, I should have declared from the start.
Callum is simply my guardsman. Another travels with me as well, Brayden Scott.
A wealthy widow cannot be too careful when traveling; alas, Callum forgets himself at times in his eagerness to keep watch. ” That was why.
“Oh, lovely.” Holger’s grin re-appeared.
“Then you must allow me a dance which” – the northern eagle looked toward the table’s center where the jester had just finished his juggling act to a rousing applause – “shall commence directly with the minstrel taking his place. Truly, I must have this dance, or I shall simply perish at your feet, Lady Fawnella.” The Golden Eagle had prowess with flattery and words.
“Well,” Nella said, her tone dry, “we cannot have that.”
Lord Kolson raised his hand for her. If a sight could ever rip his guts out, it was when Nella set her fingers gently on the stranger’s who led her away from him while a strum by the minstrel’s lyre and beat from a drum called to all dancers for a carol.
At least they would be in a circle, yet why was that not comforting?
If he didn’t move he was going to rip out Holger’s entrails.
Slowly walking the stretch along the table’s side filled by guests still feasting, he observed the fluid grace his lady swept across the floor.
The same befitting a doe skipping a meadow before stepping left in the grand circle of dancers over and over.
Placing his hand over his mouth as if he were smoothing his stubble-covered jaw, he murmured, “My lady.” She gazed his way and found him at once.
She heard me. “Are you well there? If so, please smile or if you need me to come snap the Northman’s neck simply frown.
” She looked right at him and beamed a smile.
He chuckled. “Hell, I was hoping for the latter.” The smile turned into a laugh before her attention went back toward the dancers.
“If you need me simply smooth your palm over the veil. I shall be at your side in a breath.” She met his eyes again, smiled, and gave a tiny incline from her brow.
It was a mere blink, but for a moment only the two of them were in the colossal hall, everything with everyone faded away, tethering them together as none other. He gave an inward groan from anguish as she was swept toward the circle’s other side by the dance’s demands and from his direct view.
Taking his post as watcher of the whole hall and as his lady’s guardsman, he heard steps approach from behind.
“I have found where we are to sit but your lady has been whisked away so briskly?” Sir Brayden’s voice inquired from behind. “Pray tell has she found the Benefactor?”
“Possibly, the one she is dancing with is a Northman called Lord Holger Kolson.” Brayden coughed. “Are you well?”
“Aye” – ahem – “aye, there is more about him you would care to know which I have just learned from a younger lad.” Callum darted his gaze between Sir Brayden and Lord Kolson.
“My friend, he is also referred to as Lord Holger ‘the hammer’ Kolson given his reputation with any lady he seeks to his bed for, well…” Brayden stammered. “Not his carpentry skills.”
Callum’s eyes locked with Nella, who tripped slightly. She heard that! “Where are we to be seated?” Callum questioned at once.
“Just there past the elder lord who is almost drooling onto his bread.”
“A moment, remain here.”
“Aye, my friend.”
He picked his way again along the long-sided table, his gaze still locked on Nella. “My lady, I am coming to fetch you.”
He dashed between guests and servers and pages. Move out of the way! He made it to the edge of the dancers just as the tune halted. Holger turned, discovering him there.
“Protective are you not, Callum Scott of Clan Scott?”
“Aye,” Callum snarled, stepping up nose to nose with the Northman. “A trait you would do well to remember, Lord Kolson.” He turned toward Nella. “Brayden has seen to your seat, my lady, if you would care to journey with me there?”
“For certain,” she replied, then looked upon Holger. “Perhaps we may continue our talk of the harvest to come later?”
“I would care for nothing more, Lady Fawnella, you are more enchanting than spring to winter.” She is and stay away from her, Holger, with your hammer unless you see to meet an arrow.
Walking toward the dais, Nella leaned close. “I believe the plan to lure him out into the passage later shall be most fruitful.”
“Nella, nae.”
She cocked a brow at him. “Nae?”
“Nae.”
“Was it not your plan to lure whomever carried the title Benefactor to a secluded place for inquiring?”
“Aye, ’twas before I discovered the Benefactor is a Viking god trying to steal your hand.”
Nella’s step paused, her expression awestruck. “You are jealous.”
He was. “Aye.”
“My Lady Fawnella,” a familiar northern accent beckoned from behind, “it is most fortuitous! I have discovered my place is just beside yours at the dais.” This eve was one step from hell’s gate.
“Then we must venture there together and once the feast is done, I would adore a chance to explore the gardens we spoke about during our dance.” She shot a knowing look at Callum.
Aye, now things were looking up. His palm tightened on his dagger’s hilt.