Page 111 of The Speed of Lightning
Birdy made a forceful snort and the room rumbled with warm laughter.
Eoghan tilted his head, a wry smile playing on his lips. “I guess this mission counts me out. How disappointing. I would have liked to offer my services again as your getaway rider.”
Iain smiled. “Come, we’ll have a wee flagon o’ ale an’ see whit a’ the fuss is aboot.”
A small smile gathered at Freya’s lips. “For only one night?”
John Mór nodded. “A command performance.”
The smile fell. “But what of Papa and Rory? I think they may notice our absence. Surely it is much farther than Rathlin.”
Iain scratched his beard. “About half a day’s sail, one direction. It would be a two-day absence from home at least.”
Calum caught the faint tremor when she spoke her papa’s name, the nervous flex of her fingers, the tightness in her jaw. She was trying to hide it, but he saw. Ragnall’s unexpected cordiality flashed in his mind, unease creeping back. “Like today, Balder and his sister can stay at the bothy with Bog, keeping up the illusion we’re home. If you choose this, I’ll see everything is arranged.”
Freya licked her lips, closed her eyes briefly, and blew out a steadying breath. “I’ll do it.”
Chapter 31
GARMORAN, SCOTLAND - MARCH 8, 1387
Moor Leathann was hardly a cottage—it was an expansive stone manor overlooking Loch Shiel and Castle Tioram. Freya’s mouth parted in disbelief as she wandered through the estate, marveling at the formal sleeping chambers, the vast hearth, the stone-flagged floors, the elegant solar. It rivaled Moy Castle in grandeur, perhaps even surpassing it. The splendor impressed her, but each detail reminded her that tonight was no mere visit. Every carved lintel and woven tapestry seemed to press the weight of expectation upon her.
Dressed in fine linen, she sat in a feather-stuffed chair while Aoife’s gentle hands moved through her hair. “It’s like a glimmering waterfall. Your husband must be mad for it.”
Freya blinked, realizing Aoife was speaking to her. “He mentioned he liked it, once. Though it looks very different from the last time he saw me. My father used to cut it to the scalp. I’m not sure he ever knew what to do with a girl.”
She wondered briefly if Calum truly found it beautiful, remembering the numerous times he’d run his hands through it.
From the next chair, Aileen draped herself lazily, a dreamy look softening her face. She signed slowly, mouthing each word with care:Calum’s…heart…will stop…when he…sees…you.
Heat rose to Freya’s cheeks. She glanced down at her body, newly bathed, plucked, rubbed with scented oil, her collarbones dusted with pearl powder. “He’s already seen me dressed up,” she murmured. “I’m sure he remembers the effect.”
The weight crushed in her stomach. She would do what the mission required, but for Calum she must tread carefully. No invitations, no signals of her own—only what was necessary. Tonight her presentation was not for him, but for the mission.
Cara dabbed a bit of rose salve onto Freya’s lips, leaving a faint, minty coolness. “If I had lips like this, Hector would never leave me alone.”
Aileen nodded, one brow arched in approval.
Freya studied her reflection in the hand mirror, uncertain. “I always thought they were far too big.”
Aoife spluttered. “Och, lass, lads are mad for that. You must have had your choice of suitors.”
Freya parted her hair, her fingers beginning to create the fletters. “Not at all. Most of the lads kept away—because of my father, and because of how I looked. Calum was…” She hesitated, memory tugging at her, a prickle rising in her chest. “Calum was the only one who ever saw me. I didnae make friends until after he left—after his mother showed me how.”
A quiet hushed the room and Aileen drew up her chair, breaking apart silver leaf into fine dust with a mortar and pestle. The gentle grinding felt an apt reflection of her nerves.
Aoife cleared her throat as she helped Freya thread a silver disc into a braid, holding it taut. “I’m sorry, my lady. I’d forgotten that you had such an…unusual upbringing. I know you mentioned it a few times when you were with us at Moy. I didnae mean to bring up something painful.”
Freya continued the fletter, sliding a glass bead into place. She looked up at the sweet maid and gave her a small smile. “It’s just the way it was. I always knew I had Calum. We met because of a kindness he showed me when I was a child. He was always kind after that—teasing, winking. And I sought him out wherever I went. Somehow, I always felt he was on my side.”
Aileen smiled as she began to brush something sticky around the line of her eyes, then tapped on the silver.You are blushing.
Freya moved to the other side, starting the next fletter, trying to ignore her reddening cheeks. “I’ve always blushed when I think about him. Ever since I was eight years auld.”
Aoife guided on another disc with a sly smile. “Aye, but now ye have reason to blush.”
Freya licked her lips. “It’s no’ like that between us. We are friends still. I’m not sure I want it to change.”
