Chapter 18
Sunlight filtering through the shutters awakened Steinar the next morning.
Next to him, curled into his side, lay his sleeping bride, her auburn hair spread across the pillow like strands of dark fire.
He gently placed a kiss on her forehead and carefully rose so as not to wake her.
He had made love to her again in the night when the candles had burned to near nothing and dawn was not yet with them. She would need her rest.
He rose and washed, donned his hosen and sat at the table nibbling on chunks of cheese, basking in his good fortune. He had a wife he loved, lands of his own where he would build them a home and a noble king to serve.
“Steinar?” she murmured from the bed.
“Aye, love, just here.”
Rising up on one elbow, tousled from their night of lovemaking, she grinned.
“Happy are you?” he asked.
“Aye,” she said, “very.”
He could feel himself harden at the sight of her auburn hair falling around her pale shoulders, the cover slipping dangerously close to revealing one perfect breast. “Do you wish me to return to our bed or are you hungry for more than me?”
She laughed. “Conceited rogue. Might you bring the food here so that we can dine on it and each other?”
“Ho! My bride learns fast.” Picking up the trencher, he reached the edge of the bed in two long strides, his leg bothering him not at all.
He fed her the cherries one by one, then licked the juice from her lips. That led to other delights, which continued until a knock sounded on their door.
* * *
“Mistress?” Catrìona recognized the voice as her handmaiden.
“ ’Tis Deidre,” she said to Steinar, moving his hand from her breast. “What is it?” she said to the door.
Through the oak planks, her handmaiden said, “I would not disturb you, milady, but I thought you would want to know that last night the queen had her babe. ’Twas early…
a son! The king is ever so pleased. The babe is to be named Edmund and the queen asks you and the other two ladies to stay for the christening. ”
At Steinar’s nod, she said, “Aye, we will.”
Hearing Deidre’s footsteps retreating down the corridor, Catrìona lay back on the pillows and looked at her new husband, who was smiling at her as he rose up on one elbow, his golden locks loose about his muscled shoulders, his blue thistle eyes gazing at her, a pleased expression on his face.
“Should we go congratulate the king and pay tribute to the queen and her new son?”
“Aye,” he said, “ ’tis best. We have played the slug-a-beds long enough. And we have our nights. The christening will not be for a few days.”
* * *
Three days later, Margaret and Malcolm’s babe was christened and Steinar made ready to leave Dunfermline with his new wife and those who would travel with them. Outside the tower door stood the king and queen and a group who had assembled to bid the travelers Godspeed.
Rhodri, Fia and Cillyn, headed for Wales, would join their party until they reached the River Clyde where Cillyn’s ship awaited him.
Paul and Erlend had left before the three couples were wed, telling Steinar his ship would arrive in the vale ere long with all the supplies he needed. With the dowry Catrìona’s uncle had provided, and the king’s generosity, Steinar was rich with coin.
“I’ve a new scribe,” said the king to Steinar as he watched their chests being loaded into the cart, “so I will expect regular missives from my lettered mormaer.”
“As you wish, My Lord,” Steinar said. “And should you call, I will come.”
Margaret kissed her new babe and handed him to his nurse. A second nurse held her first son, Edward. Coming up to Steinar’s bride, the queen said, “I will miss you, lovely Catrìona. Things will be a bit dull for a time without my lady who flies falcons and sneaks out to run in the woods.”
“I will miss you greatly, My Lady,” Catrìona said. “You have taught me so much, your life speaking louder than your words.”
“I am glad,” Margaret replied. “You are still young, but you have grown wise and helped me much. I will let you know of the progress of the ferry and the inn.” Then turning to Catrìona’s cousin, the queen said, “You have your bard, Fia. One day you may wear a queen’s crown.
Do not forget to wear a cloak of humility as well. ”
Catrìona’s cousin curtsied before the queen. “I shall not forget, My Lady.”
“Do not forget me!” piped up Giric, running to the queen. His small wiry dog, Shadow, let out a yelp as if demanding to be recognized along with his master.
“I will not forget you, little Giric,” said Margaret, reaching down to hug the lad. Then turning to Steinar and Catrìona, she said, “He is the son of a Culdee monk, did you know?”
“Nay, I did not,” Steinar said.
“Nor I,” said Catrìona. “He will be like our own son.”
Margaret said, “I believe he will prove a worthy one.” And to Giric, the queen said, “Did you hear that? You have new parents who love you. Be a good son to them, aye?”
Giric nodded solemnly.
The queen went back to stand with Malcolm and their two young sons.
Angus helped Deidre into the cart where she would ride and came to bow before the king and queen. Taking Giric by the hand, he said to Steinar, “With yer permission, sir, the lad can ride with me.”
Steinar nodded and as Angus walked away, Catrìona laid her hand on Steinar’s arm. “He is no longer my guard. Now, by his own decision, Angus serves you, the Mormaer of Levenach.”
Steinar touched her hand. “I am glad to have so faithful a man.”
Rhodri came to pay his respects to the king, bowing low.
“You are a king’s son, Rhodri,” said Malcolm. “One day, should God will it, you may be a king. Forget not Scotland where you sojourned. I expect to hear of that alliance we discussed.”
“I shall speak of it to my father when I arrive in Wales, My Lord.”
Steinar watched as Catrìona’s uncle came to say his goodbye. He kissed and hugged his daughter, then his niece, and said to Rhodri, “I will hold you to the promise to bring my daughter to see me.” And to Steinar, he said, “I want to see my niece, as well.”
Steinar nodded, as did Rhodri.
Colbán and Audra emerged from the tower together with the queen’s two other ladies.
Colbán seemed very content with his new bride and she with him.
The captain had told Steinar ’twas his intent to stay for a while to see the guard settled with another captain before he and Audra left for Strivelyn to the west. “ ’Tis not far so I can come and go while our fortress is being built. ”
“I am thankful for our time serving together in the king’s guard,” said Steinar. And he meant it. Colbán was a faithful leader of men and he knew the two would remain friends.
Colbán slapped him on the back. “I have a feeling we will see each other more often than we might think.”
Finally they were ready to leave and had said all their goodbyes.
Steinar led the procession away from Dunfermline, waving goodbye to those watching from the front of the tower. Seeing the sadness in Catrìona’s eyes, he said, “ ’Tis hard to leave, I know, but happy are the days that lie ahead, my love.”
She smiled then, her green eyes flashing. “Aye, and I go home with a full heart and a husband besides.”
“One who loves you very much, little cat.”