Chapter 37
Callum blinked several times. The sky was clearer overhead with brushes by vermillion upon the remaining clouds as the sun was preparing to set. The effect cast a unique glow over the faces present. Shite, how long had he slept?
After having decided to let Nella rest, a short while before riding onward toward the abbey, he had meant to close his eyes for only a moment.
Glancing about, he discovered Kameron over saddling the horses while Sir Brayden held busy gathering their clothes off the branches, which must have been dry.
He had dozed for a long while; the reason why lay nestled tenderly in his embrace.
Nella. She had still been chilled so they had taken refuge under another blanket with him tucking her close to his body heat like in Dundee.
Had having her close and safe caused him to relax? Aye. It was also the reason for the way the final traveler looked at him. The Northman. He sat upon a stump with his sword across his knees, working the sharpening stone down the blade – and staring at him with a dark glare.
Hhmmm, Nella purred, tucking closer while she slept peacefully. Callum tightened his arms about her. “Northman, make nae mistake upon the matter,” Callum snarled, “the lady is with me.”
“Perhaps for now, Scotsman; however, ladies are the same as seasons.” Holger shrugged his shoulders.
“They change. ’Tis their minds which change the most of all, make no mistake upon that.
When the lady discovers what a bore you are back at court, she will thirst for the adventure I have seen light up her gaze at each turn we’ve encountered. ”
Shite. Was the Northman right? Nella had been a force of nature at each challenge. Thriving on them all. Right up to the one which had almost claimed her life when she jumped the river. Would she be content with him in Stirling? The daily tasks of captain at times were tedious at best.
Holger seemed to smell doubt and punched his cause harder than any fist into Callum’s gut. “In Dundee, she was most adamant to find me. To save me. Even placing herself at grave risk. Was she not?”
“She was,” Nella’s angry voice rose up before her eyes popped open. He must have missed her breathing changing as she awoke with Holger’s ominous words looming over like a dark prophecy. “Lord Kolson, I would have done the same for any other.”
“That is just it, my lady; ’twas me, not ‘any other’.” Holger gave a chuckle to stand. “I must make use of the trees before we take our leave.”
He strode away in a self-assured stride, vanishing into the bramble. “Wretched Northman,” she muttered, then turned toward the one holding her. “Callum?”
“Aye?”
“My knight, the breath you bestowed upon me earlier is now being taken.”
His grip on her had turned unknowingly into a vice. Hell, he was crushing her!
“Pardon, Nella.” He loosened his hold but kept his left palm snug against her backside which was hidden under the extra blanket thrown over them.
Her fingers brushed over his collarbone. “What else did he declare?”
He covered her fingers with his right hand. “’Tis of nae consequence.”
“The Northman is only full of bluster,” she said, then looked at him tenderly while her other hand rose, brushing the hairs softly from his brow.
“Your arms are the only I seek. By your side I only hope to stay. In your heart I hope to remain for always, Callum MacCade. I am yours now and forever, never forget this.”
If only they were alone he would kiss her. Why the hell not? He rose up, claiming her lips. Almost losing her at the river caused an overwhelming urge to kick propriety straight in the arse and savor every moment he was gifted to have with her. Every. Single. One.
She tasted from the honey mead and apples they had devoured before sleep.
Both were a pale comparison at how succulent she was.
His palm squeezed her backside beneath the blanket and a tiny squeal by delight took her lips against his.
Delicious. He was a starved Scotsman before she came back into his life.
Ahem. “My friend, all the garments are dry.” Sir Brayden’s voice descended from above. “And Lord Kolson appears part plum at your show in affection for your lady.”
Nella rose up slightly, breaking the kiss, then buried her face in his neck as her face bloomed from embarrassment at being caught. “Thank you, Sir Brayden,” her voice muffled against his throat.
Callum nodded before glancing at Holger, who stood across the spent ashes after emerging from the bramble. Fists were clutched at his sides; he was a definite ripe plum shade. No, Northman, you shall not take her. Suffered that fate once – never again!
***
Nella stood near the spent ashes fixing the hood upon her cloak when Holger approached. Callum was saddling Luss whom she would be riding upon with Callum going forth. It was a small gesture but one which spoke again of her knight’s care for her.
“My lady, I wish to express my gratitude in your passion to sway Sir Callum upon halting at the abbey before Perth,” Holger said, adjusting his sword scabbard.
“For certain,” she replied, “Callum did not need to be swayed. He was already set to see your sister safe before we take onward for the stables where Sir Sean shall ‘meet’ Chief MacHarris.”
“No,” Holger doubted, “your knight will always be for the Kingdom of Scots, first and always. ’Twill make for a difficult time once he returns to court.”
She cocked a brow. “How so?”
“Well.” Holger elongated the word. “I mean no ill-respect, my lady, but the courtiers most surely will feast upon your knight’s hide.
” Her brow shot higher. “After the gossip is thrown upon him same as rain in a storm at keeping a lady near his side whose late husband and two ‘stepsons’ sought to tumble the kingdom into chaos.” Her face had to blanch at the remark.
He just stabbed at the haunted thoughts from earlier.
“Sir Callum is such a noble one, is he not?” She nodded when words failed.
“Alas, it will crush him to have his name dragged through the swine’s trough. ”
Her eyes narrowed as she cocked the brow higher. “Never would I thought it possible to meet a lord who was also a weasel, Lord Kolson.”
Holger’s eyes flashed a spark from anger. “A weasel I may be.” He blinked, the anger vanished, and he grinned like a devil who had just gotten his pitchfork returned. “However, I still speak the truth.”
He did. It was… it was crushing. Raising her chin, she countered, “You declared the eve at Lady Alaina’s the hallmarks afforded every widow. A lover I may take in Sir Callum.”
He cackled a laugh. “Oh, you believe the peering eyes at court shall not discover such an indiscretion upon Sir Callum’s behalf?
” He stepped closer, looming over her. “I have journeyed for many years in the circles of court. As a seasoned gestr let me offer a bit of my wisdom. A fortnight at best shall pass before you both are discovered. Then where would that take your knight? An even graver scandal will befall him given your past ties to traitors.”
She jabbed her finger on his doublet-covered torso.
“I see your game, Lord Kolson. You believe to force me from Callum’s side so I shall seek your king’s court and shine a brighter light upon your lordship.
However, you are horribly mistaken. I would leave for another abbey before such a fate as this. ”
She began turning away then paused at the warning behind her. “Are you so certain of that, my lady?”
Spinning back on her heel, she locked eyes with him. “Are you daring to threaten me?”
Holger chuckled the words. “Not in the least, simply stating the obvious. Solace in an abbey surrounded by your laborious herbs after all the taste in danger, which has seasoned your last few days, will never content you once again.” The mirth vanished as Callum approached.
“Consider my words, Lady Fawnella. I do not believe you are the sort of lady who would bestow such a dire fate unto a knight you love.”
Ugh! Someone grab a needle and thread to embroider “weasel” in big bold letters on that doublet!
Blinking the tears away pressing her eyes, she forced a smile after Callum arrived then asked, “What was he declaring in his bluster?”
“Nae bluster, my knight.” It wasn’t bluster but truth, which was the same as a dagger into her heart. “Are we prepared for our leave?” She averted her eyes toward Luss.
“Aye, Nella.” Callum took his finger under her chin to lift her gaze to his. “There isn’t any wish I wouldn’t grant for you, my lady, please remember this.” She bit her lip when a sob rose. That was just it; he would suffer any measure for her. This would not happen.
***
Nella spread her gown across Luss’s withers while he traversed the meadows which would lead them to the abbey before full nightfall with any luck.
Callum was directly behind her with his arm about her waist while Kameron on their far left led her previous mount behind his.
Unable to focus on Holger’s grim but true prediction, she focused on another matter entirely pertinent to their survival.
“Do you believe Clan MacHarris has slain Sèidrich and the gathered gallowglass?” she asked Callum.
Callum met her eyes. “The fire in MacHarris’s gaze spoke to me as a fellow Scottish chief that if Sèidrich has been within striking distance the few last hours, the enemy nae longer breathes.
” He paused, studying Kameron. “Nella, I heard bits in what the lad bestowed regarding his lass and his title.”
Her lashes widened. “I thought you were arguing about the river with Lord Kolson?”
“I was, a seasoned knight can battle and hear those accompaniments surrounding. Many times ’tis the key to survival if an enemy approaches from behind,” Callum explained.
“I have considered the lad’s circumstance, and his actions have been braver than many in my command at Stirling.
My squire took ill a while ago. A bit of my soul broke when the young lad perished from fever.
Thus, it was the driving force behind why I have not yet sought another squire. I was considering…”
“Love it,” she broke in eagerly with a smile touching her lips. “’Tis a wonderful thought! Once we settle the matters at hand, we will speak with him alone?”
His grin matched hers. “Aye.”
“I have another task for the lad in mind as well,” she said to Callum.
She then called out to Holger, who was on their immediate right flank, over the three beats pounding the soil.
“Lord Kolson, I have been considering a great deal the task about to befall us.” Holger glanced at her then cocked a brow.
“Everything you previously declared” – she darted her gaze between the Northman and her knight – “calls to mind Sir James is rash in his actions. Thus, it may be best if someone he does not know enters the abbey first. This person could speak with your sister, Lady Dagny, explain all that has occurred, then see her safely secured within her chamber before you seize him.”
“Do you have anyone in particular in mind, my lady?” Holger inquired with a knowing tone.
“Aye,” she replied, “two souls, actually. Those in this group who have never seen by Sir James.”
Holger’s attention dashed toward Kameron. “No, I would never have my sister near this foul-mouthed lowborn shit!”
Kameron shot back. “As opposed to a foul-mouthed highborn shite?”
“Enough,” she growled at them, “an innocent lady is in peril. I believe we may place lips closed upon insults for the greater good hopefully to come forth. Or shall we continue with the pettiness? Thus offering Sir James a chance at taking your sister as a bargaining piece or risking him slaying the northern clergy to incite full war once again.”
Silence fell. Callum had been unusually quiet.
She looked over her shoulder at him. The tiny vein was popping on his neck.
It was the same expression he had when he’d been forced to give up his prized charger to a rival clan as a peace offering.
“You know I am not mistaken,” she said for his ears alone.
“I know,” he concurred through gritted teeth, “I am simply trying to conjure up another path which does not have you placing yourself in harm’s way with that traitorous devil.”
“What a gestr you will be, my lady,” an approving tone sounded off beside her from Holger.
“Determined to do any and all to see the deed done. You were created for the task same as these pines were for this forest.” There it was, the real reason he was poisoning her future hopes with Callum.
She gritted her teeth. It still didn’t make the Northman’s poison he’d said earlier any less true, dammit.
“Lord Kolson, I shall not be a gestr nor taking leave for King Magnus’s court nor seeking your bed chamber,” she said plainly.
He gave a snort. “Not yet, my lady.”
Never, you Northern wretch!
She continued sternly. “I am thinking of Lady Dagny who has only seen to her sire’s bidding in being betrothed to a monster. Something I am very well acquainted with.”
“I have been to this abbey,” Callum said to them all.
“There is a full stable with high hay loft that has twin doors which face the abbey itself. We may tether the horses at a distance. My lady, you venture into the abbey, locate Lady Dagny then secure yourselves into her chamber. While we keep watch from the stable for Kameron to emerge and signal for our approach.” All heads nodded, then Callum asked Holger, “I am assuming you are well acquainted with the king’s men-at-arms. Are there any others you deem a chance to have aligned with Sir James? ”
“Not that I am aware of,” Holger declared.
“He has not been well received which was a strong force behind my sister’s betrothal to him.
Dagny can be quite” – he paused – “willful. All at court knew this. My sire rather pounced upon the titled knight when he appeared to make a match before he was told.”
Could she lash out at the Northman for the way he stated “willful” like it was a fungus? Not if she wanted to abide by her words regarding restraining from arguing for the greater good! She strongly bit her lower lip.
Callum met her eyes. “You shall require a purpose there.”
Nella offered, looking at the lad, “My brother and I are seeking shelter for the eve.”
“’Tis a sound choice,” Sir Brayden approved.
“Then allow me to explain the abbey’s interior to best prepare you,” Callum stated before stating for her ears alone, “This is a grand ask to leave your side, my lady.”
Aye, it was. Please do not let it be in vain!