Emma blinked at her frankness, then burst out laughing. “Wow. You really do have them pinned, don’t you?”
“Like you wouldn’t believe,” Bri concurred.
A knock sounded, and Reilly allowed a line of chambermaids to enter and place trays of food around the room, and Bri added to Emma, “You’ll see that food trumps most anything.”
“Most?” Aidan asked innocently.
“MacWilliam,” Reilly warned, his voice harsh.
To Emma, Bri smirked and patted her pregnant belly. “Reilly can’t handle my married status, even when he’s the one who dropped me in Nioclas’s lap.” Bri blew Reilly a kiss and said to him, “Someday you’ll see that I’m all grown up, Ry. Since that’s not likely to happen today, come eat some food and sit with me. I’ve missed you greatly.”
During breakfast, Emma noted how relaxed Bri made everyone feel. Her warmth radiated from her, stronger even than what Emma experienced at Colin’s home. Reilly adored her, although his were brotherly affections. Aidan conversed easily with her, as though they hadn’t spent years apart, and Nioclas was quiet, watching his wife with something close to worship in his eyes.
The wistful feeling that crept into Emma’s heart was unexpected, and she was stunned to realize it was envy. She’d never seen such a close family before, and she found that, for the first time in a long time, she wanted to feel that kind of connection with others.
Badly.
The three of them brought Bri and Nioclas up to speed as to the events that led them there as they feasted on a breakfast unlike any other Emma had experienced. The fare was delicious—another surprise. From all her research, Emma believed medieval palates were not so sophisticated as to use many flavors. But she tasted a light saffron flavor in her eggs, and wondered at how many other modern marvels Brianagh had incorporated into her medieval life.
When the plates had been cleared, Aidan turned to Nioclas and got down to business. “I’m not sure how long Emma will need to stay.”
Emma froze. Didn’t you mean we? she wanted to ask, but held her tongue. Maybe that was unintentional.
Unless, of course, Aidan planned to remain in the past.
Sometime between gaping at the great hall, the trek through a very-much-used castle, and sitting across from Nioclas MacWilliam, who definitely had a strong resemblance to his brother, Emma began to accept that perhaps time travel was a possible thing. To start, Nioclas had an air about him that couldn’t possibly be acted; the man was leashed power.
He intimidated the hell out of her.
Everything else was too real to be fake—the fire, which was definitely peat, needed to be stoked every so often, and a chambermaid scurried in to do so. The benches, as she’d already noted, were made from stone, and were cold, though the cushions did help with the chill. Even the parchment on the desk in the corner sat in a slightly haphazard pile, as though someone had recently used the quill in the inkpot for jotting down a letter.
A muffled clang sounded, and Nioclas rolled his eyes. “Monaghan. The man is not graceful.”
“Monaghan?” Aidan asked in surprise. “But his lands are on the other side of the country! What does he want from you?”
“Not me,” Nioclas replied. “My wife.”
“He’s looking for a wife,” Brianagh supplied.
Reilly snorted. “Don’t tell me you’ve made a name for yourself as a matchmaker here as well.”
“She certainly has,” Nioclas responded proudly. “She’s quite sought after. Monaghan is here for his son.”
“It’s kept me busy,” Bri said modestly. “And we haven’t seen war since you left, Aidan. It’s been very peaceful.”
“Even so, Em will need a guard.” Aidan swallowed the last of his breakfast. “We’re going with the noblewoman story.”
Bri nodded. “Good plan.”
• • •
When Emma fell asleep on Aidan’s shoulder, Brianagh took pity on her. “I’ll bring her to her room.”
“She stays with me,” Aidan said firmly, half rising as the women made their way toward the door.
Brianagh stopped suddenly, her mouth open in surprise. “But…you can’t! You’re not married!” She glanced at Emma apologetically. “We’re not prudes, but truly, your ladyship is at stake. If you sleep in the same room as Aidan, your reputation will be shattered.”
“Do I need to worry about a reputation?” Emma asked, raising a brow.
“Oh, very much so,” Nioclas said, stroking his chin. “With the current guests we have, added to a large number of guards looking for their next conquest…”
Emma bit her lip. “Oh.”
“She stays with me,” Aidan repeated forcefully. “No harm comes to Emma.”
“My guard wouldn’t allow such a thing!” Nioclas replied, bristling.
“I don’t think he means to be insulting,” Bri said calmly, holding out a hand. “He wants Lady Emma protected at all costs. Which she will be…in the chamber directly next to yours, Aidan.”
“Is there an adjoining door?” he asked.
“No,” Brianagh replied with a roll of her eyes. “What would be the point of separate chambers, then?”
Emma opened her mouth, but Nioclas opened his at the same time. She snapped hers shut. The man somehow silently commanded deference. She wondered how he obtained such a skill.
“She’ll be safe, Aidan. I vow it,” Nioclas said, leveling his brother with a stare. “No one will touch her inside of the castle, or on castle grounds. We’ll inform the guard together that she’s here under your protection, and also mine. They’ll honor that.”
“I’ll have a chambermaid sleep in her room, and post a guard in the hallway,” Brianagh added. “Our castle is the most secure it’s ever been, and our guards are true.”
Aidan looked undecided.
“Aidan, please. I don’t want to make any waves while I’m here,” Emma broke in. “I’ll be fine.”
He sighed and nodded, and Brianagh ushered Emma out of the solar before he could change his mind.
• • •
A few twists and turns later, Bri pulled the impressive key ring out again and waved toward the door on the right.
“This is your chamber. I’ll have a bath sent up straight away, unless you’d prefer to sleep first?”
“Thank you for being so kind,” Emma replied. She grimaced, thinking of their silent walk to the chamber. “I’m normally much more social than this.”
Bri leaned forward and spoke so low Emma strained to hear her. “Time traveling will do that to a girl. Trust me. Firsthand experience.” She leaned back and said, only slightly louder, “And any amount of time with my family in close quarters couldn’t have been good for your mental state. Sleep, bathe, and eat again. I’ll fetch you later. For now, I’ll send Camille in. She’ll be your personal chambermaid. Her entire purpose will be to serve you—if you’re anything like I was when I first arrived, and I suspect you might be, you’ve never asked anyone for help. Enjoy the attention; there’s something very special about being important enough to a person that they’d willingly give their life for yours.”
“It’s an unfamiliar concept,” Emma admitted.
“Despite popular opinion, men don’t just give the vow of their life for another’s lightly. It’s only given for a close clansman…or love.” Bri waved her into the chamber. “Relax here, Lady Emma. You’re safe under Aidan’s eye.” After she closed the door, Emma heard her give the command to one of the guards who’d been following them to remain outside her door.
Emma surveyed the room. It wasn’t large, but it was stunning. Her inner historian was in a state of awe, and after a moment, she decided to ignore her need for sleep for a bit. She ran her hands over the smooth, cold stone wall, marveling at the castle’s solid construction. She dragged her fingertips against the wood of the door, awed by its durability. She glanced down and noticed the solid wooden beam propped against the wall, and the metal brackets on the door.
&nb
sp; A strong, secure bolt.
She turned her attention to the fire grate before her gaze fell onto the bed and her body took over. She kicked off her boots and climbed into the bed, its softness surprising her as she sank into the coverlets. She fell asleep immediately.
• • •
Brianagh slipped back into her solar, where Aidan and Nioclas were having a heated discussion. She sidled up to Reilly, wrapping both her arms around one of his and laying her head on his shoulder.
“I’ve missed you,” she sighed. “Why did you stay away for so long?”
Reilly’s smile was full of tenderness. “Bri, you know the rules.”
“Still. I’m your most favorite cousin…” Her sapphire eyes assessed him. “I wonder, then, if you’re only allowed to travel when the line is in danger, why you’re here now.”
“Trust me. We will discuss it later. Instead, why don’t you tell me about this matchmaking?” Reilly encouraged her. “Monaghan traveled all the way across the island for your services?”
She nodded. “We’re allowing visitors by invitation only. After the first few successes, we had lairds camping outside castle grounds. It became too much, so Nioclas called a council meeting.”
Reilly raised an eyebrow. “And he made it out alive?”
She smacked him on the chest. “Yes. Anyway, at this meeting, most of our allies were in attendance, and he laid out the rules for this operation. Inquiries only to start. Once the case is presented, either by parchment or messenger, we would let them know about a date when they were welcome to come to the castle. Or, in rare cases, we would travel to them. Eligible maidens from the clan, as well as their allied clans, are then invited to attend a ball and a skills tournament.”
“A ball?”
“Yes. A ball. We have great musicians—”
“Och, aye. I remember those ‘great musicians’ well,” Reilly said with an exaggerated wince. She laughed; the last time he’d heard music in the castle was when she was first married, and she convinced Nioclas to obtain entertainment for her first matching. Everyone’s ears had paid the price that night.
“We no longer employ the services of that bard. We have a wonderful trio of musicians and a very pleasant singer. I must warn you, the ball for Monaghan’s son is quite soon. Everyone is arriving tomorrow and the next day.”
“I thought Nioclas didn’t like having anyone know about his prosperous little village?” Reilly replied, looking at the man in question.
“He hates it. But the coin we are given for a successful matching is not insignificant. The success rate has been such that lairds are willing to pay handsomely to see their clansmen happy, and the alliances formed…it’s so much better for both clans if the parties involved in the marriage are willing and eager, instead of forced into it.” She gave him an arch look.
“All I did was return you to your family. I had no part in forcing your marriage…which seemed to work out well,” Reilly said.
She grinned. “It really did. And Kathryne and Kiernan visit once per year; it’s about as much as Nioclas can tolerate, really. But they adore the grandchildren. I’m happy I have them, but I do miss Colin, James, Evelyn, and Connor.”
“All of whom miss you as well.”
Brianagh grew pensive. “For how long do you think you’ll stay?”
Reilly shrugged. “It’s too hard to know.”
“What are we waiting for?”
“We’re waiting for Aidan to determine when it’s safe for Emma to return. But don’t worry about the details, my love,” Nioclas cut in. He winked, letting her know that he’d been listening to their conversation while holding his own with his brother.
She smiled softly at him, and Reilly groaned. “Have you not worked all that lovey-dovey nonsense out yet? You’ve been married nigh on eight years!”
She shrugged happily. “It hasn’t seemed to fade yet.”
“Do you expect Donovan for this event?” Reilly asked, amusement in his voice.
“No, but I think it won’t hurt to send for him,” Nioclas said thoughtfully. “He’d appreciate seeing Aidan in the flesh.”
“No, you can’t!” Bri exclaimed, dropping Reilly’s arm and stepping forward. “Erin’s in her final month of her pregnancy. You know how fast the last child came and you know he’ll drop everything to come here at your request. What’s worse is she’ll support that! Don’t put them in that position, Nioclas.” She turned to Reilly. “Erin is my dearest friend. She’s helped me through so much over these last few years—she’s like a sister to me. I don’t want her, or her family, in any danger. She’s near the end of her third pregnancy, and I cannot ask that of her. Let’s not send word.”
“Easy, love,” Nioclas remarked, pulling her onto his lap and nuzzling her neck with his nose. “There’s no need to concern yourself.”
Aidan whistled low. “How the mighty have fallen, Nick.”
Nioclas didn’t even glance up. “I’ve a feeling you’re headed down the same path, brother. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we’ve much to do in preparation for this week. I’ll have one of the guards show you to your chambers, and I’ll send for you this afternoon.”
Brianagh’s shy smile and Nioclas’s heated glance made both Reilly and Aidan stand quickly.
“I’m to the lists for some light exercise. Join me?” Reilly said.
Aidan nodded. “Aye. Lists. Solid plan.”
They heard the bolt slide home a scant second after they closed the solar door, and Aidan let out a laugh. Reilly rolled his eyes in disgust.
Aidan felt lighter than he had in years.
Chapter 14
“So what you’re saying is that most clans don’t allow for an heir succession?” Emma asked.
She and Brianagh strolled the grounds, a bevy of guards behind them, as Bri explained some of what made the MacWilliams different from many other clans in Ireland. The day was almost warm, and people had been arriving for the upcoming tournament, which, Brianagh divulged, would have a grand dinner and dance to start the two-day matchmaking festivities.
Emma’s inner historian was cartwheeling around the bailey.
“Not all of them,” Brianagh replied. She sidestepped a mud puddle and steered Emma toward one of the inner bailey walls, where the wall opened into another area. “This is where the tournament magic will happen.”
“Does anyone ever die at these events?” Emma asked nervously. Through the gate in the wall separating the lists from the courtyard, she spied men hoisting a long beam onto supports in the middle of the training lists. Further down, men were using large metal spikes to outline circles in the dirt.
“Not often,” Bri replied, giving her a pat on the arm. “The lists are being set up for jousting, swordplay, and close combat.”
“You have it on the castle grounds?” Emma asked.
“Yes. It’s safest, and Nioclas hates having his land trampled by overeager participants,” she replied.
“I could see that,” Emma laughed.
“Don’t let his grumbly ways fool you. He’s really quite soft on the inside.”
“Perhaps he only allows you to see it,” Aidan said, stepping from the shadows and grinning when Brianagh jumped.
“You are a menace!” she exclaimed, placing a hand on her heart. “You scared me half to death!”
He gave her a bow. “My lady. Lady Emma.”
“What are you doing here?” Brianagh demanded.
“Listening to you lay my very serious brother bare,” Aidan replied, his eyes sparkling.
“Don’t you dare tell him,” Brianagh warned.
“Oh, the price of my silence is high,” Aidan replied in mock seriousness. “Perhaps too high.”
“Name it,” Brianagh challenged him.
“Surely, you can’t be so afraid of your husband that you’d be willing to pay someone for silence,” Emma protested.
Brianagh shrugged. “I’m not worried about Nioclas. I don’t trust what his brother will say, as they have a
lways loved to torment each other.”
“My price is the company of your escort,” Aidan pressed on.
“Oh, you’re good,” Brianagh laughed. “I was just giving her the grand tour.”
“Then I’m as good as any to take over,” Aidan replied with a cheeky grin. He leaned forward and said conspiratorially, “I did, after all, spend the majority of my youth inside—and outside—these walls.”
Brianagh relinquished Emma’s arm. “I believe she’s safe enough with you.”
“In public,” Aidan murmured so only Emma could hear. She flushed.
“Is four an acceptable number of guards?” Bri asked.
“Yes, within the inner walls,” he replied.
“Perfect timing,” Brianagh said as a new group of people entered the courtyard. “There are some more of the Monaghans. I’ll greet them.”
“Would you care to see the inside of the lists?” Aidan asked, winding Emma’s hand around his bicep.
Her face lit up. “Yes!”
He grinned in response. “I thought so.”
He brought her to where the jousting would take place, and explained in great detail what the men were doing, and how the event would progress. He gave her insight into how the spears were checked for bluntness, chain mail worn, and swords sharpened.
“I saw you sharpening your sword. Back at Reilly’s,” she admitted. “I wondered at the time why you were restoring it yourself, in the moonlight.”
Aidan smiled. “It’s something I’ve always done. Taking care of your weapon is something that’s taught from an early age here. Swords aren’t cheap. The steel, if it’s of good quality, will save your life in a battle. And if it’s sharpened correctly, those who attempt to take your life don’t get another chance at it.” He paused. “That brutality—the reality—is part of everyday life here. I took to sharpening my sword in the moonlight because it soothes me. I feel closer to nature, to the earth’s cycles and her rhythms.”
An Enchanted Spring: Mists of Fate - Book Two Page 18
