CHAPTER FIVE
After further introductions were made, Lionel took his place at Edmund’s left hand while the men began unloading the remainder of the wine barrels and the casks of cheese he had brought as gifts to the MacNeacails.
Tormod and Tyra led the small party along the path. The castle sat on a rocky outcrop, commanding a wide-ranging view of the rugged coastline and the sea.
Edmund looked around. This was very different to what he’d been used to at Dùn Ara. This country was wilder than the rolling hills of his boyhood home, with great crags meeting the boiling waves. Overhead, seabirds wheeled, capturing the wind which swirled them ever higher.
His heart lifted. Was this the place where he truly belonged?
As they entered the gates and crossed the courtyard toward the entrance to the keep, a small, dark-haired man hastened down the steps to greet them.
Judging by the plethora of keys jangling from his belt Edmund judged him to be the castle seneschal.
“Dougie MacPherson will guide ye tae yer bedchamber, Laird Edmund, and he will wait tae show ye back tae the solar where we may meet tae discuss yer visit here at Scorrybreac.”
Edmund nodded to both Tormod and a frowning Harris MacDonald, before following the seneschal up a broad stone staircase.
He guided them to a doorway at the end of a long passageway and pushed it open.
“I trust ye will find these rooms tae yer liking, Laird Edmund and Lady Annora. ‘Tis me pleasure tae serve ye. Should ye need refreshments please dinnae hesitate tae ring the bell.” With that he stepped away, allowing them to enter.
Once they were inside the chamber Annora swung around, glaring at Edmund.
“One room!”
Edmund looked over the vast chamber. Despite its great size the room held only one bed, that, however, also was very large.
“It is as it should be.” He kept his voice low. “They believe us tae be husband and wife so, of course we share a room.”
She gritted her teeth. “This willnae dae at all.”
He looked around. The room was well appointed, with fine fur coverlets spread across the giant four-poster bed and the walls hung with French tapestries. A welcoming fire burned in the grate and the air was scented with strewing herbs and rose petals.
He shrugged, slanting her a rueful grin. “This changes naught. We can lie separate here in this shared bed.”
She huffed. “And look at me, dressed like a skivvy or a scullery maid, in this fine castle.”
He cleared his throat and stifled a laugh. He could see by the fire in her eyes that this was a sore point for her vanity.
“I ken little about lasses and their fashions. Yet I ken that as the Lady Annora ye should be clad in fine gowns and jewels. I will enquire of the seneschal as tae the whereabouts of a seamstress who will be able tae array ye in whatever garments ye require.”
She granted him a grudging nod and moved to the washstand, where she poured water from a large ewer into the washbowl and offered it to Edmund.
“Here. At least we may wash and make ourselves suitably tidy.”
After washing his hands and splashing water on his face and drying off, he smoothed his hair and retied it in the queue at his nape. He straightened his kilt, fastened it at his shoulder and headed toward the door.
When he turned back, she was standing forlornly by the fire in her shabby clothing. His heart went out to her. The Lady Annora Munro was far from home and it was his duty to see to her care.
“All will be well, Lady Annora. We have only a fortnight tae withstand, and then we will be on our way.”
She heaved a sigh. “I thank ye fer yer protection, Laird Edmund.”
When he was ready, the seneschal escorted Edmund down the staircase and along a further passage, arriving at a door at the rear of the castle. He rapped at the door with his knuckles and Tormod’s voice called in reply.
“Please enter.”
Tormod stood at the fireside, accompanied by the Laird MacDonald. They both turned as Edmund strode into the room, Tormod gesturing to the round table positioned at the center of it.
