Page 9 of A Knight To Call My Own
“We have not seen you in these parts for many a year, Ian,” Dristan stated the obvious. “What brings you back to Berwyck?”
“A matter of grave importance, my lord.”
Dristan rose from his chair and made his way to stand afore him. “And what, pray tell, could be of such import you would disturb our festivities?” he muttered quietly.
“I think you are well aware of what is of such import.” Ian ran his hand along the nape of his neck. “I did not know when I traveled here I must needs compete in a contest to win her hand.”
“Such is the conceit of man,” Dristan grumbled wisely. “Mayhap, a contest is just what is in order to see just how far you are willing to go to have her.”
“I would have preferred the alternative.”
“Aye, I suppose you would have, at that.” Dristan moved so Ian’s view of Lynet was blocked. “Do not hurt her any more than you already have with your absence these many years or you will answer to me. Do you understand my words, Ian?”
“’Tis the farthest thought from my mind, my lord.” Ian nodded in Lynet’s direction. “May I?”
Ian felt Dristan’s gaze rake over him ’til Dristan gave his assent with the briefest of nods…if that is what the barely perceptible movement could even be called.One barrier has been breached, and now, on to the next, Ian mused. He strode forward ’til he was afore Lynet, who quickly glanced at Rolf. ’Twas painfully evident to Ian his old comrade was no more pleased to see him than was the beauty seated to his right.
“Lynet,” Ian said with a smile that rapidly faded at her words.
“’Tis Lady Lynet, to you,” she scoffed.
“My apologies, my lady,” he said stiffly.So, this is the game she wants to play, is it?
Her head rose slightly whilst she looked down at him from her raised position. “We did not expect you to grace us with your presence, Ian.”
“Laird.” He did not take his eyes from hers whilst her gaze traveled to his own amused ones.
She appeared startled. “Pardon me?”
“As well, you should,” he said with a mocking grin. He had purposely left his mantle on, but now whipped it off his body. Holding out the garment, Connor came behind him and took his cloak. Ian watched as Lynet let out an alarming, startled gasp. His green and blue plaid reached down to his knees with a sash pinned at his left shoulder by a brooch symbolizing his clan. He bowed afore her, once again.
“It seems the heavens have smiled down upon me, my dear, Lady Lynet. I stand afore you as Laird of Urquhart Castle and of the Clan MacGillivray.”
He watched in amusement as she tried to hide the tremble in her hands as she reached for her cup, and he saw she took a moment to recoup her wits from her shock. “I see.” Her reply was barely audible, but she recovered quickly. “May I then be the first at Berwyck to offer my congratulations on your good fortune, Ian…Laird MacGillivray,” she corrected with a gracious nod of her head.
He smiled at her trying to find the young girl hidden behind the eyes of the woman he had unwittingly hurt. Unfortunately, he could only see the face of a woman scorned. “You are not the first to offer such felicitations, but I welcome them all the same, especially from someone so lovely.”
Her brow arched, giving him a glimpse of perchance her fiery nature, but afore she could form some kind of a smart retort, the minstrels chose such a moment to begin tuning their instruments. Rolf stood, yet afore he, too, could make such an offer, Ian held out his hand to the lady who commanded both men’s attention.
“Lady Lynet, I beg the honor of the first dance,” Ian bade, “especially since Rolf here has already had the distinct pleasure of dining at your side. You do not mind, do you, old man?”
Rolf grumbled underneath his breath, but stepped aside when Ian came around the dais to reach her side. “Shall we, my dear?”
“I amnotyour dear,” she replied coolly. She tentatively placed her hand in his. He caressed its back with his thumb, attempting to put some warmth into her freezing limb. “Please excuse me, Rolf. I shall return shortly.” Lynet offered him the briefest of smiles, afore Ian whisked her away towards the center of the room.
Other’s joined them, taking their places side by side ’til they began the intricate steps of the dance pattern to a lively tune. Much to Ian’s dismay, the fast-paced dance did not leave time to have even the briefest of conversations. He would need to find a way to improve the situation ’til it became one in his favor.
~***~
Lynet’s mind raced as she tried to find some balance to her world that was tearing her in different directions. After all these years, he at last showed up at Berwyck. Their hands met in the middle of a circle only to break apart with another turn. He eyed her with heavy lids, as though seeking an answer to a question only he knew for sure. ’Twas as if he but waited all these years to come and claim her. Lynet, however, knew differently.
She tried to think rationally, but ’twas of no use. Her world once again tilted, turning her emotions upside down, just knowing Ian was here…at Berwyck…in this room…dancing with her. Her traitorous heart leapt in earnest when they came together as they danced. How she remembered longing for such a happening to occur in her younger days.
His smiled broadened, as if he had read her thoughts. Even the hint of emerald green she saw hidden deep in the hazel of his eyes seemed to cry out for her to remember their color. Those sparkling eyes were a painful reminiscence of when he had rejected her at the tender age of ten and four summers. She attempted to harden her heart, for she would not be made such a fool of again.
The music came to a close. She could only manage to stand there with her chest heaving as she attempted to breathe normally and kept wondering how she could escape his presence without appearing rude and incurring Dristan’s wrath. Afore she could take flight, Ian gently took her elbow and began guiding her from the hall. Others attempted to stop their progress and keep them from leaving the chamber, but Ian managed to brush aside those who would ask for the honor of her next dance.
She barely felt the turret stairs beneath her slippered feet as they began their steady climb to the upper floors housing Berwyck’s family. Up they went ’til they reached the third landing, and she suddenly began to wonder at his ploy.Surely, he does not expect to go to my chamber now, does he?Alarm flashed briefly in Lynet’s eyes as he did, indeed, steer her towards the right and down the passageway.
