Page 34 of A Knight To Call My Own
The keep was not as large as Berwyck, by any means, for Lynet could tell that right away with just one look. ’Twas still of adequate size, reaching perchance five floors high. The battlement walls were not as tall as those at Berwyck, either, but she could still see them weaving steadily around the keep. The rooftops of several buildings peeked out beyond the walls encompassing the estate. The sound of steady hammering told her they had a blacksmith, and surely, a stable would be found close by.
Lynet was surprised to see the fields lay barren. She would have thought they would be filled with sprouting stalks of wheat rising in a golden display of color at this time of year. She took note of only two cows chewing their cud nearby and wondered where the rest of the herd and other livestock could be found. She began to quickly ponder just what the circumstances were surrounding Ian’s return and of him taking over as laird and chief of the clan. They never had taken the time to talk of such details, since their conversations had been limited to sparring with one another and his need to wed.
Why had there been such an urgency and need for him to marry? Surely, a fair amount of time would be needed for Ian to become adjusted to returning to his family after being gone so long. She could only guess on the number of years it had been since Ian departed from beneath the shadows of his birthplace. She knew he had been a younger son and had ended up at Berwyck to pledge his fealty to her father, but other than that, she knew nothing of his family, nor what to expect as he returned with a bride not of their choosing. He never talked of his past, preferring for it to remain unspoken.
As they approached, she heard a shout overhead, and Lynet saw the point of an arrow protrude from one of the narrow slits used for protecting the inhabitants of the keep. Angus and Connor moved their mounts forward, raising their hands ’til they were recognized, and the drawbridge was lowered so they could proceed over the dry moat into the interior of what she would consider the baily.
As Lynet looked around, she observed the normal activity of castle life going on all around her. Chores were busily being attended to, people hurried to and fro, and they did not have long to wait afore three young lads came running from the stables to take hold of the halters of their steeds. Ian jumped down from the saddle and once again held out his arms to assist her.
Her hands actually shook as she placed them upon his broad shoulders, and she felt his own reach up and grab hold of her waist to help her down. They stood thusly whilst she tried to calm her nerves that suddenly felt as if they were colliding together with all the emotions of her fate of late.
“’Tis alright now, little one, you are safe,” Ian murmured, as though he, in truth, read her very thoughts. Staring up into those alluring hazel eyes, she felt much of her anger melt away and tried not to sigh in pleasure when he gently cupped her face and rubbed his thumb softly across her cheek.
“I do not know why I feel so frightened all of a sudden, Ian. What will your family think of me and our hasty marriage? I just know they will hate me.” Her voice portrayed her uneasiness at her precarious situation, so she took a deep gulp of air, trying her best to remember to breathe.
Ian muttered something beneath his breath that she could not make out. “To be honest, I do not give a damn what they think,” he at last declared.
“But what kind of a reception do you feel we shall receive?” she asked hesitantly as she heard the door to the keep squeaking open. In unison, they both turned their attention towards the sound. An older woman came to an abrupt pause at the top of the stairs once she saw them and waited there with hands folded in front of her. She looked displeased, as her brows furrowed, and, from where Lynet was standing, ’twas not a good sign.
Ian took her fingers and brushed his lips across them. His eyes sparkled whilst he gave her a timid smile. “We are about to find out,” he whispered, afore raising his free hand in acknowledgment to the woman, who scowled and began tapping her foot in impatience ’til Ian called out to her. “Hello, mother.”
~***~
Lynet’s hand trembled beneath his fingers. He gave them a slight squeeze of reassurance. “All will be well, my lady,” he told her as she acknowledged him with a slight nod of her head. “Wait here.”
His stride was confident as he went towards the keep, even as the briefest of visions passed quickly afore his eyes of a lad being tossed down the very same steps he was fast approaching. Viewing the mother who had given him his very breath, he saw she did not appear as if life of late had been treating her well. Given his view of the fields as he had approached the manor, he was not all together surprised to see them fallow, nor the absence of serfs cultivating the soil.
Her disapproval of him was etched upon her face in the fiercest of frowns. Ian mentally wondered where his mother, who had begged him silently with kind eyes to apologize to his brother so long ago, had disappeared to. Surely, the woman he remembered still lingered somewhere beneath the surface of what she now showed him.
He fell to his knees once he stood afore her and bowed his head. Silence was met with the shuffling of feet as he could feel the stares of those who came out of the shadows to witness his return. Yet, still he waited for his mother to acknowledge his right as the next in line to claim the lairdship of the MacGillivray clan.
He was about to give up and stand when he felt it. Her hands came to rest upon his head. “I give you my blessing, my son,” she said loudly for all to hear. “Rise, and greet those who will now serve you.”
Ian stood and walked up the remaining steps to stand next to his mother. Taking both her hands, he leaned forward to kiss her cheeks. Turning back to the crowd who gathered afore him, he was startled to see the condition of his people. Their ragged appearance confirmed the situation was indeed dire and far more troubling than he thought ’twould be. He could only pray there was something left in the estate coffers. Though, he would not be surprised to learn his brother had spent what precious little coin he had on drink and women.
The clan began to press forward with the declaration ofmy lairdvoiced by each person who came and knelt afore him to pay him homage. The creaking of the keep door again sounded, and a woman with dark brown hair came to stand beside his mother, who suddenly began to smile. Inwardly, Ian groaned, knowing what was about to occur.
He reached out his arm to beckon Lynet to come forward. Her eye’s widened ’til she gave a slight shake of her head, denying his silent request. His eyes narrowed as he all but called to her. Ian knew she understood his meaning, and yet, still she refused to stand with him as his wife.
“Excuse me,” he muttered.
“Ian!” his mother called out. ’Twas obvious he was about to incur her wrath one way or the other, so he might as well get it over with. He cared not that his mother was angry he left her side. Instead, he continued forward, passing those who still waited to pay their respect whilst they opened up a pathway straight to his wife.
He held out his hand to his lady. The moment he looked into her eyes, he knew she was scared to death. “Come, Lynet. Take my hand. Your place is beside your husband.”
“Ian…I am n-not presentable,” she stammered hastily. “I canna stand afore our people looking like this.”
“I am not much better, if you but care to look,” he said, trying his best to put her at ease by lightening the mood between them.
Her eyes raked over him, and she betrayed the slightest amount of interest when she did so. A slight smile broke out afore she remembered herself and covered it again with a show of disinterest. But he had seen her response and knew her feelings for him were still there, no matter that she tried to hide them from him.
Ian took her chin and raised her face. “Your place is next to me, Lynet. Now, come…introductions must needs be made so everyone will know their place in our household.”
“Our?”
Her voice sounded surprised, and he could not resist the grin that escaped his lips. “But of course, my sweet. I would not have it any other way.”
Her smile was answer enough he had pleased her.
