Chapter 45
Callum looked down at the earnest expression before him.
If a devil could be scared into him then a smoldering pitchfork would have speared his soul when he had begun racing to find her.
Did he want to question her why she had fled her chambers?
He did, but the answer held obvious – her loyalty to the kingdom.
How could he fault her when he was made the same?
Dragging her close, he murmured softly into the veil covering her scalp, “Nella.”
Her fingers gripped his tunic as she buried her face under his chin. “Callum, I could not let them escape.” Her words were shaky as she was in his embrace. “How did you find me?”
“Lord Kolson, whom I shall release my full wroth upon for letting you leave his side,” he explained. “I was seeking to tell you the pair of lords were of nae threat when I happened upon the Northman leading the traitor he caught toward the tunnel.”
Her shaking stopped. “Callum.” She leaned back, looking up at him. “He caught only one?”
“Aye, why?”
“Three… there were three voice signatures.”
“Hell.”
“Aye, ’twill be if we cannot find the third.”
“Sir Sean,” Callum called out. She turned about, facing the approaching knight.
Nella scooted from his embrace but took his hand as Sir Sean reached them.
“There were three, not two.” The knight’s eyes grew.
“Place at least half a dozen guards on the tunnel. I do not want a single Scot to venture alone into those cells, lest they set Lord MacBenrick or the other traitor Lord Kolson snared free or slay them to protect his identity. As declared earlier, nae one leaves through the guard gate without my approval. Lady Fawnella and I shall be in the solar speaking with the king upon the latest development if you have need of me.”
“For certain.”
Soon as Sir Sean vanished out into the bailey’s entry, Nella darted her eyes at her gown. “Callum, that Lord MacBenrick all but retched at my state of attire.” She met his gaze with her pleading one. “I must have an audience with the king appearing so?”
“My lady, you could wear a burlap sack and be stunning.”
“Even if the burlap sack smelled of sweat?”
“Aye, Nella.” He cupped her delicate jaw. “The king wishes to meet you. You. Not your gown. He was so taken by all I proclaimed regarding your efforts these past days he yearned to meet you at once. I lay the choice at your feet, my lady, new gown or eager sovereign?”
Her eyes darted about. “Callum,” she whispered, “if the king commanded it, we must take heed! Lad, halt your tongue and move at once.”
“Oh, the considerations I have beheld with you and my tongue, my lady.” He tugged her hand toward the solar as a bloom crashed onto her cheeks at his words and thumb stroking over her palm.
While they ventured through the maze, she asked, “Does our lord king know of my instinct in senses?”
“As you requested upon our ride here, aye, he has been made aware.”
Her step faltered. “Was he taken back that there are those who consider it an evil trait?”
“Not in the least. The only concern the king shall have is why you have not graced his court sooner.” Her fingers relaxed again in his – good.
Alec stood on the solar’s threshold beside Lord Kolson, who eyed their hands linked as one. Callum said inwardly, Aye, Northman, remember the lady is with me. And once I find the ring, on bended knee I shall be.
Sir Lesly walked past. “Captain, I am still gathering the knights as ordered.”
Callum nodded while Sir Nathrach was already at post next to Holger.
After rounding the doorway’s corner, the king’s council appeared with the king settled on his throne. Nella’s foot paused when she caught sight of the sovereign. Could he remember the first time he was in the king’s presence? Like it was the day before.
How could he have been so blind not knowing Lord MacBenrick was one of the traitors?
The very same lord who stood in this solar before he had left for Thistle Glen Abbey.
And who declared… what was the exact phrase?
Oh aye – “We all detest Sir James returning unto his home soil after the traitorous acts toward our lord king’s crown.
” Yeah right, MacBenrick sure sold that one.
Nella’s hand went to smooth her hair which had tumbled about her shoulders while she curtsied. He had placed her at risk by his witlessness regarding MacBenrick. Shite!
“Please do come in, Lady Fawnella MacHearin,” King Alexander decreed, “I have a great deal I wish to know more of.”
Callum watched as Nella’s hand abandoned smoothing her hair after she looked up and saw the king smiling at her.
“There is a fresh turn we must convey, my lord king,” Nella began at once, her tone steady and clear as she darted her eyes at Callum.
By all above, she was spirit and beauty personified.
Now. He had to find that ring now before the evening feast was done! Or he was the BIGGEST fool who ever lived!
***
Why was Callum looking at her so? It was an intensity she had never seen him wear before. Had she spoken out of turn toward the king?
He gave her fingers a tiny tug and the inner panic clawing her stomach paused.
“Lords, take your leave of us. Sir Sean, close the door,” the king ordered the gathering.
After a cluster in lords, like a herd of Highland wolves wearing embroidered finery stalked for the door, Sir Sean closed the oak gatekeeper.
He remained outside with Sir Nathrach for standing guard.
Only she, Callum, Holger, Alec, and two who had to be the most trusted in the council remained.
“Now, Lady Fawnella, tell me all,” the king, who appeared to command the prowess of a noble the likes she had never seen, stated.
Was it his age? He was a score and five years old, the pinnacle of his reign.
Appearances? A solid build reflected under the doublet.
Gaze? Aye, the eyes had it; the strength lingering there was heavy as the stone holding up this keep.
The kingdom needed him. She gave an inward shudder at the thought otherwise she was about to declare.
“The conversation led by Lord MacBenrick was regarding a sympathetic viewpoint toward all transpiring at Kenilworth.”
“The siege currently unfolding at Kenilworth Castle?” the stout-looking nobleman in flowing robes asked.
“Is that not where the siege is, Lord Chancellor?” the other councilman huffed, all but rolling his gaze.
“Sympathizers to the Simon de Montfort cause,” Lord Kolson sneered. “Commoners who are trying to capture King Henry’s power as holder of the throne from England.”
“Well,” Callum countered, “the siege is well underway. The castle’s strongholds are holding brilliantly. I would declare their efforts have not been made in vain.”
“Sir Callum.” Lord Chancellor gasped the words ridden by shock. “You sound almost a sympathizer to the cause yourself.”
Callum’s stance grew taller, but the king boomed.
“Lord Chancellor, I believe the actions upon Sir Callum’s behalf the days past lays waste to any doubt regarding his loyalty.
” The chancellor shrunk like a leaf shriveled by bitter winter’s first draft.
“My lady.” Her chin raised. “What else have you to say upon the matter of them?”
“My lord king, one is still unaccounted for. There were three whispering among themselves at the passageway’s end.”
“Where were you, my lady?” Lord Chancellor chimed in.
“In my chamber.”
“Directly beside them?” Lord Chancellor waved his hand dismissively. “Perchance they knew you were listening.”
Callum stepped closer, his face reddening. “Her chambers were at the end of the passageway.”
Gasp. The two present, belonging to the king’s council, stared at her openly as if she had grown wings. Her heart slapped against her ribs roughly as she took a step back.
The king leaned toward her from his throne.
Intrigue. Aye, that was intrigue glinting in his eyes.
“We have heard of your prowess regarding sound. Do not harbor fear, my lady. My council finds fault at times in things they do not understand. I find promise.” No wonder Callum swore allegiance to this sovereign.
“There was another purpose I originally wished you here. I would care for you to remain at court as a trusted advisor in your own right; alas, your deeds for the kingdom must remain hidden. What say you, Lady Fawnella MacHearin?”
He could have demanded her to stay. Intrigue had to be glinting in her gaze now. “My lord king, you ask, not command?”
Lifting his hands up from the arms on the throne, he replied, “By all rights I may demand, but I find those who surround are most forthright given the former method. Dare you make a king ask twice, my lady?”
“Nae!”
Alexander cocked a dark brow. “Was that nae, I shall not remain, or nae, do not inquire once more?”
She would have giggled from joy if there wasn’t another threat lurking somewhere in the keep. “I… I would be honored to remain.”
The king smoothed his fingers over his long beard and mouth. Had he just smiled? She made a king smile. A “demon hearing” Scotswoman made a king smile. Did it feel good? Wonderous! In a surreal sort of way.
Knock. Knock. Callum went toward the door then paused. “Who goes there?” he asked sternly.
“Captain,” Sir Sean’s voice muffled through the timber, “the Northern delegation is at the gate. They wished to arrive here first before the treaty.”
Callum released the latch and door. Her eyes spied both knights who had been standing guard outside before she looked toward the king who began standing.
Sir Nathrach added, “Sir Brayden is present as is Lord Kolson’s sister.” Her head snapped back around. Her inner beaming glow vanished.
By all! That voice was the sound signature of the third traitor!