Authors: Loyal Warrior
Chapter Twenty-Four
The castle gates were soundly shut and locked every evening before the last rays of sunlight disappeared over the horizon. Two nightwatchmen proudly stood guard high on top of the outer walls while everyone else within rested safely in the knowledge that they were protected.
The high, thick wall which surrounded the village had been built under the orders of Duncan’s grandfather, Iain Campbell. He had been a mean man, even in his youth and had created a reputation for himself of being a ruthless warrior. He had ordered the building of the wall, not for the protection of the villagers, in fact, in old Iain’s time the village had been located outside of the solid walls. No, it had been built to withstand the hellish sieges of retribution from his enemy. For what he lacked in character he surpassed in the strategies and art of war. The wall was his first line of
defence; it was designed and built with war in mind. To this day it had never been penetrated; it had proved itself through the countless battles which had taken place in the old man’s day. Many would say that it was a credit to the man; many would say that it was a true legacy that he had passed down to his kinsmen. Many didn’t know him!
Iain had died before the moat which now surrounded the scared walls was completed; he had died in battle at the age of forty-eight, a fitting end for the man who wouldn’t have wished to die any other way. It was Duncan’s own father who had overseen the building of the moat, which added another layer of
defence to the Campbell lands. It was also Duncan’s father who had moved the village buildings inside of the protection of the walls. He had understood the value of the villagers, especially after witnessing firsthand the death of so many in his own father’s lifetime. Now the villagers farmed the land outside of the imposing walls, but returned to the sanctuary offered by them at night.
“Do ye ever think how pointless our job is Donald?” David, one of the nightwatchmen asked as he watched the sun slowly, steadily sink into the horizon. He was new to this job, only nineteen and found the silence and the stillness almost unbearable to live with.
“No” Donald’s voice was deep and rumbled out of his throat like thunder.
“But all we do is stand here! Nothing ever happens!”
“But it could. And if it does we are here and prepared”
Sighing at the good sense of his argument David couldn’t help wishing himself anywhere but here. He heard the muted babble of voices coming from below him; men, women and children talking over their evening meal before they would take themselves off to bed. Oh how he wished he was down there with them.
“Has anything ever happened during
yer watch?” he questioned, depressing himself with his own thoughts.
“No” came the calm, even reply.
“No!” David’s voice came out in a strangled squeak. He peered through the encroaching darkness, not quite wanting to ask, “how long have ye been doing this job?”
“Twenty years” Donald piped out proudly, “Twenty years and not a siege at these gates”.
Deflated, David walked over to the edge of the wall. He squinted out over the horizon and saw nothing. There was no movement out there whatsoever.
About to turn away, something caught his eye directly below him. There it was again! On the other side of the moat there was a movement which abruptly stopped. Straining his eyes he tried to find it again. Had he just imagined it? Was it just his bored mind playing tricks on him? No! There it was again!
“Donald!” he whispered into the darkness, was that excitement creeping into his voice or fear? Within a flash Donald was by his side, he had moved so silently that David jumped in surprise when he spoke beside his ear.
“Is that movement down there?” he asked the older man, pointing with a trembling finger to indicate the direction of the movement. There it was again! Oh Lord! Were they under attack? What should he do? Raise the alarm!
a voice screamed in his head.
Anticipating David’s actions Donald grabbed a hold of him to hold him in place, “wait!” he growled, “
there’s no point in raising the alarm before we know what this is about”
“But what if they kill us before we can raise the alarm?” Panic! Yes that was definitely
panic in his voice now!
With a look of disgust, Donald raised his voice to demand authoritatively, “
who goes there?”
The movements below increased and then a man’s silhouette appeared in the dying rays of light.
“My name is Richard Ainsworth. My sister is your mistress! I have come to claim sanctuary!” The man, boy, shouted back loudly.
“He’s English!” David shrieked, “
the English have come to attack!”
“And what is Lady Elizabeth if not English!” Donald demanded quietly, at the end of his patience with the boy! God protect him from
snivelling fools!
“And what would her name be
laddie?” she shouted down.
“Elizabeth Ainsworth! Now Elizabeth Campbell!” he shouted up.
Nodding, Donald quickly turned on his heel, “where, where are ye going?” David begged, now almost at the point of hysteria!
“To find Lord Duncan.
Ye stay here and keep an eye on the boy!” He ordered over his shoulder.
“Stay here!” he squeaked!
“Ye wanted excitement! Well now ye’ve got it!” Donald stated with very little sympathy before he disappeared down the steps and into the darkness.
Chapter Twenty-Five
“Excuse me Lord Duncan, but Donald would like a quick word with ye”. Immediately alert, but not wanting to cause panic, Duncan slowly rose from his seat at the dining table. They were just finishing their evening meal and Duncan had been lazily contemplating an enjoyable evening upstairs with his wife, which now seemed destined not to happen. Smiling down at her, he excused himself from the table and hurriedly walked towards Donald, who was now standing deep in the shadows, trying to remain invisible to the people sharing conversation over their meal.
“This way”, Duncan muttered before walking out of the large dining room, expecting Donald to automatically fall in step behind him, which he did.
When Duncan found a spot far enough away from any listening ears he indicated for Donald to speak.
“There’s a boy outside the gates. He says he’s Lady Elizabeth’s brother. What do ye want me to do with him?”
“Did he say what his name is?”
“Aye, Richard .....”
Cursing, Duncan nodded, “I’ll come and see for myself. I’ve met young Richard so will recognise him, that’s if he is who he says he is!” Duncan fervently hoped that the boy standing outside of his gates was an imposter. He wasn’t quite sure what he would do if it did turn out to be Elizabeth’s young brother. The last thing he wanted was to have any of her family under his roof!
Both men paused as they stepped outside and into the darkness. A cool breeze had sprung up, blowing away the warmth of the day, which caused Duncan to shiver involuntary as the cold air circled his body. Above them was a full moon, casting a yellow glow on everything it touched. Duncan’s eyes quickly adjusted to the night light and he followed Donald across the courtyard at a leisurely pace. He was in no rush to face the consequences of the presence of the boy standing outside of his gates. No, he needed time to consider what he was going to do.
As Duncan stepped onto the walkway on top of the wall he vaguely noticed the huddled form of the other nightwatchmen who was practically hugging the side of the wall, hoping not to be seen. Making a mental note to address the matter in the morning, Duncan quickly put the issue to the back of his mind and with a heavy heart he peered over the side of the wall and looked the long way down to the shady figure standing below him.
“This is Duncan Campbell. What do ye want here?” he bellowed louder than was necessary.
“This is Richard. I don’t know if you remember me but I’m your wife, Elizabeth’s brother. I was hoping you’ll permit me to spend some time here”, Duncan detected a slight tremor in his voice. Nerves or fear? he wasn’t quite sure. But something in the pit of his stomach was telling him that this boy couldn’t be trusted, now maybe it was just wishful thinking because if he followed his gut instinct then he wouldn’t admit this boy onto his land. He could send him away, discredit his identity to Donald and the man still huddled on the floor. Elizabeth might never find out about the whole thing, their lives could continue along the same path as it had this past month or so without the influence of an outside presence.
On the other hand, if Elizabeth did ever find out about it... No, he didn’t want to think about the consequences. He knew he would lose her and that was just something he didn’t want to contemplate, not when everything between them was still so new, still so precarious.
Although he always listened to his gut, often relied upon it to keep him alive, today it would be his head that he followed. "I remember ye and recognize yer voice, I'll have the gate opened for ye!" He gave the orders for the gates to be opened, now resigned to the course he must take, but determined to have a close eye kept on the boy. He'd make damn sure that he was prepared for whatever this boy threw at him. No. He'd make sure he was one step ahead!
Chapter Twenty-Six
Elizabeth woke up to a pair of strong arms surrounding her. “mm” she murmured as her husband pulled her back against his hard body, nuzzling his face into the crook of her shoulder. Content and happy to have her body engulfed by his as he spooned her tightly, Elizabeth began to drift back into slumber. She slept so much more peacefully when he was lying beside her, revelling in the knowledge that he would be there when she woke the next morning.
“Are ye going to sleep?” he whispered huskily, laughter lurking not so far beneath the surface.
“No” she denied already half way there.
Perhaps his news could wait until the morning he mused, enjoying the feel of her soft skin beneath his, not wanting to disturb her peace and split apart the bond that was forming between them.
He had to try and be more positive, things were out of his control now and he hated that, but perhaps his gut was wrong, maybe the boy now sleeping in a room at the other end of the hallway was here to visit his sister as he had stated. It wasn’t as outlandish as it seemed; after all, Duncan had witnessed the bond between them with his own eyes that day she had saved Ewan from her brother’s clutches.
Hours later, unable to sleep, Duncan rolled and twisted in the bed until the sheets ended up tangled tightly around him.
Huffing in frustration, he kicked off all his covers. He now lay on his back; eyes wide open in the darkness, looking at nothing for there was nothing to see! One arm was negligently tossed above his head, resting on the pillow, the other was thrown out to the side. His hairs stood on end as the cold temperature of the room met his exposed skin, he didn’t notice, too lost in thought to care about such trivial matters.
Unable to remain still any longer, he all but jumped out of bed. Restless he paced over to the small window and pulled back the heavy fabric covering the opening. He stood there staring up at the moon above. The moon had always had a calming effect on him, it had so ever since he was a child, reminding him of the magic and beauty that surrounded him and that even in his darkest hour, if he looked carefully he would always find light, sure some nights it was hidden behind clouds or shone less brightly, but there was no denying the fact that it was out there somewhere, sometimes you just had to peer harder to find what you were looking for. But tonight it shone strong and true, a beacon of hope for his future.
A short time later he returned to his bed, lay down, and fell into a deep sleep.
Duncan came awake under Elizabeth’s studying gaze. She was lying on her side, head propped up on one hand, violet eyes watching him. He reached up to thread his fingers through her sleep tousled gold tinted hair which was draped over her delicate shoulder and lying on his chest.
“Ouch!” she winced as his fingers caught painfully in a knot of her hair.
“Sorry” he murmured, tugging gently on it, “but where is my good morning kiss?” he asked in mock horror that she could have forgotten.
Not wanting to resist, Elizabeth allowed him to pull her closer to him, her eyes now focused on his enticing lips as her own came nearer to them. Closing her eyes she gave herself over to the magic of his kiss,
savouring the medley of feeling that floated through her.
Taking her by surprise, he pulled her on top of him and breaking the seal of their lips he playfully slapped her bottom.
“ouch!” she squealed in mock horror, before bursting into laughter, “why are you so happy this morning?”
“When a man wakes up with a beautiful woman beside him
doesnae he have a right to be happy?” Her heart skipped a beat with his teasing, she didn’t know what had put him in this mood but she found him thoroughly charming.
“Well it’s a pity this woman had to fall asleep without her man!” she dropped a teasing kiss on the corner of his mouth. Turning more serious she admitted, “I missed you last night. I’ve gotten use to falling asleep with you next to me.”
“I tried to get back earlier but had an important matter to take care of first”, he squeezed his arms tightly, “perhaps ye want to show me how much ye missed me?” his tone had turned husky, suggestive.
Batting her eyes coquettishly, thoroughly enjoying herself, “perhaps I will!” she purred. She astonished herself at how much she enjoyed flirting with her husband, if anyone would have told her that she, sensible, level-headed Elizabeth would have enjoyed playing the flirt, she would have laughed at them and thought them insane!
Leaning down she teased him with her lips, burning a trail of kisses down his neck, across his shoulder, over his chest.
Squealing, she jumped up off the bed and hurried over to pick up the dress she would wear that day.
“What are ye doing now?” Duncan asked, confused by her actions, still trying to cling on to a thread of humour despite the great need she had started to stoke within him. “Come back here and finish the demonstration” he cajoled holding out a hand.
“I’m sorry Duncan! I can’t! I forgot! I have to go! I promised to be somewhere!” she stammered, hopping into her dress. She couldn’t believe that she had forgotten! Actually she could, she thought as she watched her husband lift his large frame out of the bed.
Mesmerised, her eyes drank in his spectacular body as it crossed the distance between them. It was only when she raised her eyes to his face that she recognised the intent in his gaze. Oh no! He was going to try and change her mind! Knowing she couldn’t let him reach her, for he had some kind of magical power over her body so that whenever he touched her she wanted to do his bidding, she skipped around him and almost fell to the floor as she tripped over the dress which she was only half wearing. When his hand gripped around her arm to steady her she quickly pulled free of his hold and started backing away from him.
Holding out a hand to ward him off, Elizabeth cried, “don’t touch me!
the moment you touch me you’ll have me back in that bed and I can’t! I have somewhere I’ve promised to be!”
He smiled a smile which she could only describe as being wolfish as he slowly, calculatingly began to advance. “You
dinnae want to come back to bed with me?”
“Yes! I mean no. I can’t! Please Duncan!” she was laughing now, thinking how ridiculous this whole thing was. As he lifted her off her feet and threw her onto the bed she thought to hell with it and closed her eyes waiting for his touch.
“Where do ye have to be?” he whispered.
“Oh!” was that disappointment in her voice, it must have been, she thought, because Duncan was smiling down at her with that annoying knowing grin. “
Mrs Blackley’s son Jeremy has got a nasty fever, she’s worried about him, and he’s only two. I promised that I’d go down to see him first thing this morning. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to help but my presence can’t hurt.” she explained.
“For such a noble cause, how can I justify keeping ye here” reluctantly he rolled off her before holding out a hand to help pull her to her feet.
When John had first brought him the news that his wife had been administering help and advice to the sick and needy in the village he had been justifiably shocked. He had also been angry that she was doing such work, and even more so when he had learned that she was involving Ewan in the whole process. He smiled as he remembered the argument which had ensued; she had refused to talk to him for days when he had tried to stop her work, rashly threatening to lock her in the castle. Of course he would never do such a thing, and what goaded him further was the fact that she knew he wouldn’t do it! Damn hard headed female! He had been the one to eventually back down, which had galled at the time, but if he wanted any peace then that was the only option he had to take and again she knew it! His little wife was too clever by half and he had found out she was also as stubborn as the devil himself when she put her head down and believed strongly in something. Yes, his life definitely hadn’t been boring since she dropped into it, for all her softness she could be as tough as old boots when she was set on something, but at least she was willing to listen to reason, and had agreed that she would take one of his men as an escort whenever she went down to the village.
“Have ye arranged for one of the men to escort
ye?”
“Yes, Colin agreed to come with me”
“Tell him there’ll be no need for him today, I’ll go with ye myself” for this he received a tremendous smile and he made a note to accompany her more frequently.
“Oh what was your business last night” she inquired conversationally as she finished plaiting her long hair.
“I wish ye wouldnae do that!” he tugged on the plait, ignoring the question. Wishing he could ignore it forever, knowing he couldn’t, “it’s much more bonnie flowing free”.
“But much more practical tied back like this” laughing, she tugged her hair out of his hold, “and don’t think I didn’t notice that you failed to answer my question!”
“Ye miss nothing!” he tapped her nose with his index finger, “if ye must know, Donald, one of the nightwatchmen, needed a word. There was a man outside of the walls last night after dark.”
“Really?’ now she was interested
, ”and who was he? It must have been someone important for you to have been gone for so long?“ she fished for more information. Duncan didn’t always tell her what was happening when it came to the security of his people.
“Actually, the man was looking for
ye” he strung the story out.
“Me?” she gasped, “
who could it possibly be?”
“It was
yer brother Richard”.
“What? But what was he doing here? Is something wrong? Is he in trouble?” The questions tumbled out of her mouth quicker than he could answer them.
“He has come to visit ye, he informs me to make sure yer fully recovered” he cut through her panic.
“Oh” then she picked up, “Does that mean he is here now?” Duncan watched as excitement danced across her face, “Oh Duncan!” she hugged him before running to the door, “I must go and see him immediately!”
“Wait up Elizabeth” he laid a restraining hand upon the door above her head, “He travelled a long way yesterday and given the early hour I’d guess he would still be asleep in bed”
“So I’ll go and wake him up!” she cut in, “Just tell me which room he’s in!”
“What about Mrs Blackley’s young bairn who ye promised to go and take a look at.” Seeing her shoulders droop he added, “go see the laddie Elizabeth, Richard will be right here when ye return, he has already asked if he could spend a few weeks here so ye’ll have plenty of time to catch up with him”.
At her nod, he released his hold on the door and they both hurriedly left the room and headed for the village.