Читать книгу Silver Flame - Hannah Howell - Страница 10

“Something ails the lad, William.”

William Logan smiled at his petite wife as she paced the solar. “A mon can have his moods.”

“True, but this is no mere mood. It has lasted since his return from the fair. Cannae ye speak with him? Our visitors are due at any time.”

Dropping a kiss upon her forehead, he started out of the room. “I will speak to Gamel, but I make no promises. He has never been reticent, yet has spoken naught of what troubles him now. He may not wish to share it.”

He found his son in the great hall of Duncoille, sprawled on a seat beneath one of the large windows. In Gamel’s hand dangled some sort of medallion which held his full attention. William realized that his wife had been right to urge him to talk to Gamel. The young man was in too dark and somber a mood to welcome the Delacrosse lass as he should. In the temper Gamel was in the coming meeting with his prospective bride could not possibly go well.

“Gamel?” William was struck by the desolation he saw in his son’s glance. “What besets ye?”

Returning his gaze to the medallion, Gamel stared at all he had left of Sine Catriona. It was all he might ever have aside from memories. How could he answer his father? The pain he had felt three days ago when he had awakened to find her gone still knotted his insides. He struggled to understand her reasons, but her desertion was all he could think on.

“What besets me?” he repeated in a soft, sad voice. “The loss of all I have searched for.”

“Are ye certain ye truly held it?”

“Aye, but I had no time, no time at all. Only one night. In the dawn she slipped away from me.”

“Why? Didnae she feel the same?”

“She said she was mine but that she had made a vow years ago. That vow has yet to be fulfilled. She talked of some crime which needed to be avenged, things stolen which needed to be recovered. ’Tis an odd tale.”

“I have both the time and the patience to hear it, son.”

“My part in it isnae one to be proud of. I didnae act with much sense or even honor.”

“Ah, weel, there are a few things I did in my early years with Edina that I have little pride in.” He sat down next to Gamel. “When that madness grabs a mon, he sometimes doesnae ken what he does.” He grimaced. “Or says or thinks.”

“Madness is the only word for it.” Gamel shook his head as he recalled how he had acted. “God’s beard, I stalked her from the moment I set eyes on her, even though she was claimed as wife by another mon—a good mon.”

“That is something ye had best not tell your mother.”

A faint smile curved Gamel’s lips despite his black mood. Edina was a sweet, loving woman, but she did possess a temper. The crime of adultery was one thing that could rouse it, for she was a moral woman with a deep belief in the sanctity of marriage.

“Fear not, Father. ’Twas but a hoax. She wasnae even the mon’s leman.”

“Why should they lie?”

“In the hope of turning aside the men who desired her.”

“Ah, so she is fair then?”

“By God, is she fair. Small, delicate, possessing the complexion of a dark-haired woman but with thick, pale silver hair. It flows to her knees. And her eyes.” He shook his head. “Huge eyes the shade of violets.”

“Fair indeed. Are ye certain she was neither wife nor leman to the mon?”

“Aye. A wench at the inn told Ligulf that they werenae wed or lovers, that ’twas only a ploy. She kenned them weel. Also, the lass was a virgin. Master Magnus was wounded ere he could enjoy the beauty who stays so faithfully at his side. The wound is such that he never will either.”

Gamel winced. “When she told me that, I could only be glad of it. I regret that now. The mon is a conjurer and lightens a few purses, but he is a good mon nevertheless. Truly. I sensed that even as I wished to spit his heart upon my sword for touching Sine Catriona, for having that right. I fear my jealousy isnae eased much now that I ken the truth of their relationship.”

“If she stays so faithfully at his side, how did ye come to hold her?”

Gamel told what he had done, and was not at all surprised to see his father frown. “At least I can say that I didnae rape the lass. The heat that burned within me ran as hot in her. Yet she left me. Why? I cannae understand it.”

“She didnae explain it, didnae give ye any reason at all?”

“Nay. Weel, she didnae speak to me of it. She went to Ligulf, slipping from my bed ere dawn had lightened the sky. She told him her reasons. She said, ‘There are wrongs I must set right. Things stolen that I must regain. Murders I must avenge. My heritage has been stained with blood and treachery. I intend to wipe that stain away.’ She said she had vowed to do so six years ago, vowed it for herself and her brothers. She would allow nothing and no one to turn her from it. Not me. Not even her Master Magnus.”

“Words worthy of some gallant knight. ’Tis strange to hear them spoken by a conjurer’s woman.”

“So I thought. And what of this?” He held out the medallion for his father to inspect. “She swore it wasnae stolen. I, and Ligulf, feel she spoke the truth. Yet, how did she get it? No conjurer’s woman would own such a fine thing.”

“Nay. ’Tis a mystery. Strange, the design seems familiar. It touches some memory, but I cannae grasp it.”

“In her I thought I had found all I had sought. Yet, here I sit, alone, left with naught but memories and mysteries.”

“Ye mean to search for her?”

“Aye, I do. I am sorry. That girl coming today…”

“Dinnae trouble yourself over that. A meeting was arranged, that is all. No promises were made. Howbeit, I will ask ye to think long and hard on this woman ye mean to find. Ye ken little about her. She may be no more than what she appears—a thief and a conjurer’s companion. She could be suffering from some delusion, believing she is something she isnae and never could be.

“’Tis true that ye are a bastard, but all your kin openly acknowledge ye. A fine marriage could be made for ye. Ye have gained much honor and wealth fighting for the king and in mercenary service in France. There are also the lands I have given ye. The lass who comes today is but one of many ye could choose from.”

“Tell me, Father, if ye were I, if we spoke of Edina, could ye turn your back on what ye might have with her?”

William sighed, then grimaced. “Nay, but I didnae wish ye to act without even a thought upon the other choices ye have.”

“And I see no other choices,” Gamel murmured as he slipped the medallion back around his neck. “The search may not be as difficult as I fear. Each sixmonth they return to that inn, to that town. I dinnae think they would expect me to be there after so long a time, but I will be.”

“Weel, I wish ye luck.” After a moment of silence William murmured, “Our guests will be here soon. I ken that there is no chance of a match now, but the game must be played out. We must greet them and entertain them.”

“Of course.” Gamel stood up. “I will hasten to don my finest clothes. Although I shallnae be ready to greet them the moment they arrive, I swear that ye shall find no other fault in my hospitality.”

“Dinnae worry. Our guests will wish to remove the dust of their journey first so there is no need to concern yourself about insulting them. Ye may escort your mother down to the hall for me,” he added, smiling faintly.

“My pleasure.” Gamel glanced toward the doors of the great hall. “It sounds as if your horde of offspring are heading this way.”

“Ah, so they are. I must play nursemaid for a while.”

“And I shall flee up to my chambers and swiftly, ere I am also put to that use.” Gamel hastened from the hall, pausing to return the effusive greetings of his half siblings as they hurried toward their father.

In his chambers a hot bath awaited him. Gamel wasted no time in making use of it. As he sat enjoying the soothing heat of the water, he stroked the medallion that hung about his neck and swore he would find Sine Catriona. She had eluded him for only a little while. She had not, could not, escape him completely.

As Farthing drove their cart to the bailey of Duncoille, Sine Catriona murmured, “’Tis a fine, strong keep.”

Lord Magnusson, riding his mount alongside their cart, nodded. “One of the strongest in all of Stirlingshire. ’Tis the keep of a mon who kens weel the ways of battle, offensive as weel as defensive. I had the honor of fighting alongside the mon many a time in our younger days. Lord Logan was a mercenary until he wed, gaining land as weel as a wife many men envy him for. That should have been enough but, men being the prideful fools that they are, he felt she needed a titled husband.” He grinned when Sine Catriona giggled. “So, he went out and gained his own title through the enviable skill of his sword. Sadly, he also gained many a new scar and lost a few toes, as weel as the sight in one eye. The injuries keep him from fighting anymore, but I believe he is little troubled by that. From what I have seen, he is more than content to stay here at Duncoille with his wife and bairns.”

“Here comes your host,” drawled Farthing. “And with his brood in tow.”

There ensued a confused round of greetings and introductions. Sine Catriona struggled to follow them. As she met her host, Lord William Logan, she barely noticed his battle scars or fearsome looks. It was his fine eyes and gentle smile that held her attention. She felt badly when Margot quaked before the man. The girl’s reaction clearly bothered him. She was unsettled a bit herself, however. His rich voice, auburn hair and grin reminded her strongly of Gamel. She was glad to escape to her chambers for a little while before the memories of her lover became too overwhelming.

She was not surprised to find that no bath had been readied for her. She and Farthing had not been expected. She assured the fretting maid that she was well pleased with the full bowl of heated water she had been given. A thorough washing freshened Sine Catriona and restored her composure. After a last check of her appearance she sought the great hall, only to find Farthing already there, the children gathered around him. He sat on a bench facing away from the main table, showing the fascinated children how he could make coins appear and disappear.

“Holding them enthralled with your meager talents?” she jibed as she sat by his side, then smiled her thanks at the page who hastily served her a tankard of mead.

“Meager, is it, wench? And ye can do so much better, can ye?” he challenged.

“I would ne’er shame ye so before such a large crowd,” she demurred, fighting a smile.

“Oh ho.” William Logan laughed. “The apprentice challenges the teacher.”

“Such ungratefulness is often her way, I fear,” Farthing replied with an excess of drama.

Lord Magnusson laughed. “They often go at each other so, William.” For a moment he watched his son and Sine Catriona make coins disappear, only to retrieve them from ever more unusual spots upon one of the giggling children. “The lass is good, nearly as good as Farthing,” he murmured. “He told me she was, but I now see that ’twas not just polite flattery.”

“Ye have but just met your son’s woman?”

“Aye, William, except that she isnae his woman. I see that ye share the same surprise that I felt when he told me.”

“She is verra fair to look upon.”

“Verra, but he met her ere she was a woman grown. It takes only a moment of watching them to see the truth. They are bound to each other, but not as lovers. They are like close kin.”

William studied the pair very carefully before nodding. “That must have eased your mind some, since he is now your heir.”

“Aye, it did, yet had it been any other way, I could have accepted it. He is now my only child. I thank God more times than I can count for sparing him. The lass is comely and clever. Matters could have been smoothed out. That he might have wed some common wench seemed a pitiful concern when I thought on all I could have lost had he too been taken by the plague. God was verra kind to you during that black time.”

“He was. That curse drew near, but its fatal touch ne’er reached us.”

“Mayhaps that Devil’s concoction was afeared of such a clean place,” Lord Magnusson drawled, smiling faintly.

“I ken that ye jest, m’friend, but many of us begin to wonder on just that. Even the lowest of our people work toward that cleanliness, for my wife keeps a watch on all around us. She ne’er raises a hand against any of them, but they struggle to please her. What vermin slip into Duncoille live a verra short life. Rats, lice, fleas—they all breed in dirt. Mayhaps that’s the same ground which breeds that Devil’s curse. The lack of such dirt is all that makes us different from many another keep. We suffer few other ailments as weel.”

“’Tis something to consider. ’Twould explain how the plague can creep into even the most weel-guarded fortress. I sealed myself and mine away, let none in from the time word of it first reached us, yet it still came.” He smiled toward his son. “I believe Farthing but outran the death that crept over this land. Since he left my keep years ago, he has settled nowhere.”

“Howbeit, he will settle with ye now?”

“Aye, I hope so. And soon I may have Margot settled….”

“She is a fair lass and pleasant-spoken.”

“There is a hesitation in your voice, William.”

William grimaced faintly. “I wish I could have sent word, but there was not time for it. ’Twas but hours ago that I discovered that the match we had hoped for can never be. The lass…”

“Will suffer no great sorrow over it.” Lord Magnusson sighed. “She came here just to please me. May I ask what objection your son has to the match?”

“Well, he had none until he returned from a fair. ’Twas held in Dunkennley, a town but a few days’ ride from here. When he returned I noticed a darkness in him, a melancholy, but I didnae press for a reason until this morning. His mood wasnae the right one to greet guests with and I had hoped to lighten it.”

“Ah, but ye couldnae,” Lord Magnusson murmured. “’Twas a sickness of the heart.”

“Exactly so. He has seen what a blessing God granted me in Edina and sought the same for himself.”

“As any mon with good sense would do.”

“Thank ye. He believes he has found that for himself, but the girl slipped away from him.”

“And he didnae give chase?”

“He had promised me that he would return to meet ye and Margot. I believe he hoped it would prove to be naught but a strong lusting, a heat in his loins that had robbed him of all sense for a wee while. He now sees that that isnae the way of it.”

“Weel, then he should be on his way after her.”

“Mayhaps, yet I feel it can do him little harm to hold back for a bit. It has been only a few days since he first beheld this lass. Time could weel ease her grip upon him.”

“Verra true. I hope it does—for his sake. A sickness of the heart is a curse. The young feel it all the more keenly than we older folk. The years have slowly taught us to accept the will of God and the fates. The young cannae always see when ’tis time to bow to them.”

Gamel strode into his stepmother’s bedchamber, smiling as he watched her check her appearance in a mirror. “Ye look lovely, Mother. No more needs to be done.”

“The first meeting is always the hardest for me. Once that ordeal is over, I no longer feel such a need for perfection. That will be all, Mary, thank ye.” As the maid left, Edina turned her full attention to Gamel. Her welcoming smile faltered as she studied him very closely.

After enduring her intent study for a moment, Gamel jested, “Have I grown a new eye?”

Her chuckle was brief and faint. “I had thought that your melancholy had eased, but I now see that your smiles float on the surface of darker things.”

“I willnae carry my gloom before your guests.”

“That isnae what troubles me. I have ne’er seen ye suffer so dark a humor. Does our attempt to find ye a bride displease ye so?”

“It pleased me weel enough before I went afairing. Now l have no interest in it.”

“Ye have found the one ye want?”

“Aye, I have, but she slipped away from me. Now I must hunt her down. I will start as soon as our guests have left. I dinnae believe she will be so verra hard to find.”

“Did ye speak to your father about this?”

“I told him all of it. I am certain he will tell ye when ye seek your bed tonight, so there is little need to repeat the whole tale.” He grinned when she blushed faintly.

“When ye smile like that, ye look so much like William,” she murmured, then shook her head. “I dinnae understand how the woman could walk away from you.”

“Thank ye. She did it verra softly whilst I slept.” He grimaced. “I acted like some madmon when I woke up alone in my bed.”

“She shared your bed? But ye were gone only a few nights.”

“I tricked her into my bed, but I swear to you no force was needed to gain my prize. Her blood ran as hot as mine. The fever that gripped me was a shared one. Ah, and now ye may set aside the thought I can see forming in your mind, Mother. She was a virgin. S’truth, that was a gift I hadnae expected.” He shook his head. “Yet, still she left me. Even though she said she was mine, mine no matter what might come between us.”

“But she didnae say that she would stay, did she?”

Gamel stared at Edina blankly for a moment, then muttered, “Weel, mayhaps not in words…”

“Ah. A silent vow? That is no vow at all. Tell me, did ye ask her to stay with ye? No need to reply, I can see by the look upon your face that ye didnae. Mayhaps if ye had she would have told ye that she couldnae stay and why. Then ye wouldnae be so troubled with questions about her leaving. And did ye tell her what future ye had planned?”

“Weel, nay, I didnae, but…” he began a little weakly.

“Then how was she to ken it? She was left to wonder why ye wished her to stay and what for. Did ye mean her to be your leman or your wife or simply an amusement for a wee while? These are the questions she would have asked herself.

“A woman cannae read a mon’s mind. And when a mon can find pleasure in any woman’s body, why should she not wonder? Such things must be spoken aloud, Gamel. A woman kens that at such moments her heart cannae be trusted.”

“And does my father speak all his thoughts aloud?” Gamel snapped, annoyed by the indisputable wisdom of all Edina said.

“Not always but, do remember, he and I have been together for many years. There are times when he doesnae need to speak. I ken him so weel that words are unnecessary. I am also his wife and he has told me that he loves me. These are important things that must be said. ’Tis such knowledge that gives a woman the strength and freedom to follow her heart.”

“I thought I had time. What flamed between us was so verra strong.”

“As it was between William and me from the moment we set eyes upon each other. Yet, we doubted each other at the start. Now, when ye find your lass again, ye must let her ken exactly what future ye plan for her, what ye mean to be to her. Believe me, things will flow more smoothly if ye do.”

“Ye dinnae ask me about her birth or her dowry.”

“From the moment ye claimed she was the one ye have searched for, I kenned that it would be useless to speak about such things. Ye dinnae need me to remind ye what ye can gain or lose by marriage. If she is what your heart craves then I shall find no fault with her, even if she is a tavern whore’s bastard who owns no more than what she wears upon her back.”

“Thank ye for that, Mother. Howbeit, ye may be at ease concerning her blood, or so I believe.” He showed Edina the medallion he wore. “She left me this, claiming it was rightfully hers. No lowborn tavern wench would own such a thing. These are the baubles of the weelborn.”

“True.” Edina frowned as she studied the medallion’s design closely. “Strange, it seems familiar to me.”

“Do ye recognize the crest then?”

“I think I do, but I cannae put a name to it.”

“Yet, it troubles you.”

“Aye, I fear so, although I cannae say just why. This may sound foolish to ye, ’tis but a feeling I have….”

“’Tis only a fool who would ignore your feelings. They have proved right far too often.”

“Weel, this crest makes me feel, not afraid, but worried. Anxious. Mayhaps I ken of some dark tale attached to it, but I cannae recall it just now. The family which bears that crest may weel have a troubled history.”

“She did speak of murder and theft, of wrongs she needed to set right.” He shook his head. “She spoke just like a mon set upon some quest for vengeance.”

“A woman can feel so, Gamel. Women can feel hate as deeply as any mon. They can want blood for blood. They simply lack the strength to act upon their feelings and often have to turn to men to see their need for vengeance sated.”

“She didnae turn to me.”

“I shouldnae take that so to heart. Mayhaps she didnae ken that ye had the means to aid her.”

“Ah, true. I did tell her verra little about myself. I thought I had time for that later.”

“Weel, there is yet another thing ye must set right when ye find her.”

“And I will find her.”

“Aye, I think ye will.” Edina frowned, then began to smile as the sound of running feet approached her door. “I believe one of my children has slipped free of William’s rein. In truth, mayhaps he let it happen to remind me I am somewhat late.”

Even as she spoke, little Lilith burst into the room, her young face alight with excitement. Gamel smothered a laugh as the five-year-old stood impatiently while Edina gently lectured her on the lapse in proper conduct for a lady. Lilith was rarely concerned with such matters.

“I am verra sorry, Mama, but I needed to hurry,” Lilith said.

“Ye have news of such great importance, do ye?” Edina smiled at her daughter.

“Oh, aye. We have a guest ye must come to see.”

“I was just leaving to go to the hall.”

“Oh, Mama, there is a mon down there who does tricks.”

“Tricks, loving? What sort of tricks?”

“He can…he can make coins disappear then come back. He even made one come right out of my ear. And he does clever things with cards too. Ye must come and see.”

“Has Lord Magnusson brought a conjurer with him to entertain us then?”

Lilith vigorously shook her head. “The mon is his son, Mama, but he can still do tricks.”

“Are ye sure, dearling? ’Tis strange that a laird’s son would do tricks like some conjurer.”

“But he does, Mama. He does. And he looks just like his papa.”

Gamel suddenly recalled Lord Magnusson’s looks and fought the hope growing inside of him. He still felt compelled to ask, “Is the mon tall, slender, and dark?”

“Aye, Gamel. Just like that. And, oh Mama, he has such bonny hands.” Lilith looked at her own childish and somewhat plump hands. “They are so long and…graceful.”

“Is he alone?” pressed Gamel.

“He is with his papa.”

It was difficult not to shout at the child, but Gamel suppressed the urge. He had learned long ago that the only way to gain information from a child was with patience. Little Lilith could not possibly realize how important the matter was to him.

“I ken that, dearling. What I meant was—is there someone with him besides his papa? Mayhaps a woman and two young lads?” He tensed as he awaited her reply.

Lilith frowned severely for a moment. “Aye. They are with him. She can do tricks too. The lads can too, but not as many. Oh, Mama, ye will want to see the lads. They look alike, just the same, more than Colin and Cospatrick.”

“Ah, so they are twins as weel then?” Edina asked.

“Aye, that is it. Twins. ’Tis hard to see which is which.” Lilith shrugged. “Their sister kens.”

Crouching before his tiny half sister, Gamel took her small hands in his and asked in a tense voice, “Do ye ken what their names are?”

“I think so. The lady is called Catriona.” She scowled a moment, then brightened. “The lads are named Dane and Ree.”

“And the mon, Lilith? What is the mon’s name?”

“’Tis a funny name,” she mumbled.

“Farthing? Is his name Farthing?”

“Aye, that is it. Although, I call him Master Magnusson as I should,” she added with a glance toward Edina for a nod of approval, which was quickly given. “The lady has verra pretty eyes, Gamel.”

“Violets. They are like violets,” he whispered in a hoarse voice as he slowly stood up.

Lilith nodded. “Big, big violets. And she has skin like gold. She is so bonny. Mayhaps she is a princess.”

“One can never ken, child,” Edina murmured absently.

Edina watched her stepson a little nervously. Gamel had gone very pale, but there was a glitter to his eyes which, after so many years of marriage to a passionate man, she recognized all too well. The mere thought that the girl might be near at hand had sent desire racing through his veins. It had gripped him with such strength he almost smelled of it. Edina was not sure that intensity was safe. There was no knowing how a man in such a state would act.

“It has to be her,” Gamel muttered. “It has to be.”

“Now, Gamel,” she urged even as he started out of the room, “it would appear so, but ye should move warily. If it is her, ye dinnae wish to afright her, do ye?”

“If ’tis her, I shall chain her to the bed,” he growled as he picked up speed. “This time she shallnae creep away from me at dawn’s light. By all that is sacred, she shall not.” He began to race down the hallway toward the stairs.

“Oh, sweet Mary, here is trouble.” Edina sighed as she started after him.

“Mama,” cried Lilith as she hurried to keep pace with her mother. “Ye said that lasses must not run and ye are running verra fast.”

“Running is the only way I can catch up with Gamel, dearling,” she answered as she lifted her skirts a little and began to run faster. “And I think it is verra important that I do that now. More important than behaving like a lady.”

Totally unconcerned about the attention he was drawing to himself and the fact that his stepmother was hot on his heels, Gamel raced toward the great hall. He was stunned yet alive with emotion. While he dared not believe that fate would be so kind as to place Sine Catriona beneath his very own roof, all Lilith had told him indicated that that was exactly what had happened. It was almost frightening. He realized that he was reluctant to go and see for himself, afraid to discover that fate was playing a cruel jest on him. It was not just the running that had his heart beating at an alarming rate.

A small voice in his head told him that he was acting like some madman, that this was no way to behave when there were guests at Duncoille. Every other part of him, however, told him to hurry. He could not fully shake the fear that, if he did not rush, the one he hoped to find in the hall would vanish as she had before. A long search for Sine Catriona was something he had begun to resign himself to.

“Gamel! Gamel, will ye slow down?”

Edina’s voice was not all that caused Gamel’s steps to falter near the doorway of the great hall. He had entered battles with far surer steps than those with which he was entering the hall. He had faced the possibility of death with far more calm than he was facing the chance of seeing one tiny female. That realization gave him the strength to enter the hall with surer and slower steps.

“Ah, I see,” drawled a recognizable male voice. “Ye mean to show the children the way to wipe their chins.”

“Farthing, I shall demonstrate true skill despite your raillery.”

That sweet, husky voice caused Gamel to come to an abrupt halt only two steps inside the great hall. “Sine.”

“Gamel,” Edina whispered as she reached his side. “Step slowly.”

He barely heard his stepmother’s words of caution. His full attention was upon the group in the hall. There was no mistaking Farthing or the twins, but his interest rested upon them only briefly. His gaze was fixed upon the owner of that seductive voice. She stood amongst his half siblings, but it took a moment to believe what he was seeing.

As though starved for the sight of her, he simply stood and stared. He stared until he felt belief grip him, until he was certain it was really her. Her every movement brought memories that heated his blood. The sound of her voice caused his need for her to swiftly rise. He ignored his father’s look of concern and shook off his stepmother’s light grip upon his arm. This time Sine Catriona would not escape.