Lords of the Kingdom

by Le Veque, Kathryn

  Hope turned an intent ear on Colin’s answer.

  He laughed briefly and gave an adamant shake of his head. “I have no interest in marriage. I have too many women yet to please.”

  Faith disagreed. “I think I can find the perfect woman for you.”

  Eric and Borg laughed along with Colin.

  “I think your wife’s condition affects her senses,” Colin said with a slap to Eric’s back and then he looked to Faith. “Besides, perfection would make for a dull marriage.”

  “He has you there, wife,” Eric said with a gentle rub to her rounded belly.

  The men’s teasing did not disturb Faith in the least. Her determination remained strong. “I think not. I know Colin well, therefore I know the type of wife best suited for him.”

  “Surrender now, Colin,” Borg warned with a grin. “She has you outflanked.”

  Hope watched with the same enthusiastic amusement as the men, her grin wide and her attention eager.

  Colin shook his head, laughter filling his words. “Never. I will go down fighting.”

  Faith remained firm in her intentions and continued on, ignoring the protests. “The woman you take as wife must equal your own strength. A woman weak in character will never do.”

  “Finished you are,” Borg insisted, his hand reaching out to grab for a tall, attractive woman as she attempted to hurry past him. She smiled as she willingly let him capture her and he settled her down to rest on his knee. “Do not say I did not warn you.”

  Colin directed his remark to the lad. “Take a good look at these two men, Harold. They are besotted by their wives and wish for me to be as ridiculously in love as they are.”

  Hope responded quickly. “Then they are true friends if they wish such happiness for you.”

  “A wise lad,” Eric said with a sharp elbow to Colin’s side.

  Hope continued. “I am curious, Lady Faith. What other qualities must this woman best suited for Colin possess?”

  Colin attempted to divert the issue. “Harold, perhaps Lady Faith should have a look at you now.”

  “No need,” she answered. “The rest and delicious food has me feeling fine.”

  Faith agreed. “There is time for me to see to the lad’s health; for now I will settle his curiosity.”

  Colin moaned and threw himself back in his chair.

  “I warned you,” Borg teased again.

  “He is right,” Eric said with a deep chuckle. “You are finished and I for one will be pleased to see you wed. It is time you settled down.”

  “You are both jealous of my freedom,” Colin insisted.

  The two men burst into laughter.

  Hope enjoyed their teasing banter. It demonstrated how much they cared for each other. Colin truly did have a wonderful family here at Shanekill. A family who cared tremendously for him.

  Faith interrupted them. “Freedom is one of the qualities the woman must possess.”

  Borg looked at Faith, confused. “If this woman wishes freedom, why would she marry?”

  “She would bring to the marriage her own sense of freedom, thus combining both their individual needs, at times, for independence.”

  “A woman cannot be independent. She needs a man to look after her.” Eric cringed at hearing his own words.

  “Shall I give you a chance to recant your words, my lord?” Faith asked with a soft smile and a gentle pat to her husband’s arm.

  Hope looked on with envy at the loving and knowing exchange between husband and wife. That they loved was obvious and she silently wished for such a strong, enduring love for herself.

  Faith demonstrated the strength of her character when she said, “A woman does have need of a man’s protection now and again.”

  “You, my friend,” Colin said with a hand to Eric’s shoulder, “have a wise wife.”

  Eric took full advantage of his remark. “Then, my friend, trust her to find a well-suited wife for you.”

  “I am doomed,” Colin said, and hung his head in mock surrender.

  “This is good,” Faith said, her victory confirmed. “I will make certain I find a favorable wife for you. One you will be pleased with.”

  “Find me one with the courageous spirit of this woman Hope that we searched for and marriage might interest me,” Colin said with a seriousness that had them all turning an intent glance on him; especially Hope.

  She could not believe that he thought her courageous when everyone else thought her foolhardy. Was he a kindred spirit? Did he truly understand her?

  Eric spoke as most did about her. “You admire a woman who runs away from her duties?”

  Colin answered without hesitation. “I do not think it is her duties that she runs from, nor do I think she runs at all.”

  “You make no sense,” Borg said, shaking his head.

  “I think she searches,” Colin continued, his remark a surprise to them all.

  “What does she search for, Colin?” Faith asked with sincere interest.

  Hope held her breath and tried to still the rapid beating of her heart, afraid that someone would hear its wild rhythm.

  Colin hesitated only briefly, as though he did not wish to divulge a secret. “I think she searches for herself.”

  His answer almost caused Hope to gasp out loud, but she caught herself in time, making it sound as if she merely coughed lightly.

  Eric and Borg looked at Colin oddly while Faith and Bridget smiled at him.

  Hope realized then why Colin attracted so many women. He understood them, in a way more than they understood themselves.

  Bridget spoke. “You will make some woman a good husband, Colin.”

  “Aye,” Faith agreed. “And I will find that good woman for you.”

  Eric and Borg shook their heads, though Borg grinned and directed his glance toward the far end of the long table.

  “Looks as though someone wants your attention.”

  Colin turned and caught sight of Colleen, whose smile invited and promised pleasure.

  Hope grew annoyed—so annoyed that she jumped to her feet, ready for battle. This was an unwise move since the sudden jolt sent a fiery pain through her side, the intensity of which caused her head to spin.

  She placed a firm hand to her temple in the hope of regaining her balance but it was too late. She hit the floor in a dead faint.

  Chapter Eleven

  Hope heard the frantic voices in the distance. One sounded calmer than the others and it was to that voice that she was drawn. Its soothing softness helped pull her out of the hazy fog she drifted in.

  “He is fine, just a bit worn out from the tedious journey and an injury that has yet to heal properly.”

  “He is a stubborn lad, thinking himself capable of anything.”

  Hope recognized Colin’s voice, though it was fraught with worry. And it was Faith’s voice that possessed the calmness that helped clear Hope’s head.

  “Do not worry so.”

  “He does too much for a lad so young and frail. He needs someone to look after him.”

  “That he does,” Faith agreed. “But it would seem that he has someone. You care much for the scrawny lad.”

  Colin answered most eagerly. “That I do. I admire his tenacious character, his courage and his determination. He boldly handles life’s trials and tribulations with an audacity that maintains his bravado.” He paused and his voice softened. “Even when painful memories haunt him he struggles to survive, any way he can.” He paused again and looked to Lady, whom Eric ordered to keep her distance along with Rook, though the large animal whined incessantly, heartsick at not being able to get to her master. “The lad even protects a dog that is more coward than not.”

  Hope came awake at the mention of Lady and her pitiful whines that filled the air. And it was she to whom Hope called out. “Lady.”

  The large animal crawled on her belly, whining all the way as if her solemn cries would prevent anyone from stopping her. They did, of course, everyone too concerned with the
lad to stop the animal from going to him.

  Lady poked her head around Colin since he refused to move out of the animal’s way.

  “Lady,” Hope repeated, wanting to make certain that her dog was all right.

  A wet tongue licked at her cheek and a sorrowful whine brought a smile to Hope’s face. “I am fine,” she assured the worried animal.

  “Faith will make certain of that,” she heard Colin say, though her eyes remained closed and for some unexplainable reason she wished not to open them.

  Faith addressed Colin’s obvious distress. “I think the lad requires a good night’s sleep before I go poking at him.”

  Hope sighed with relief.

  “What is wrong, Harold?” Colin demanded with concern as he rested a gentle hand over Hope’s injured ribs.

  The truth. How she wished she could speak it, confide in him her identity and the reasons behind her daring adventure. Instead she addressed the issue at hand, making him believe the lad’s sound reasoning. “Lady Faith is right, I but need to rest.”

  “Your injury?” Colin inquired adamantly. “It must be seen to.”

  “It is but a bruise that will heal,” she said patiently.

  Before an argument could ensue, Faith attempted to ease Colin’s concern. “I will help settle Harold for the night and take a quick look at his ribs.”

  “I will assist you,” Colin said, sounding more like an order than an offer.

  Now what was she to do? She wanted to cry out her frustration or pound her fist, when all she could do was shake her head.

  “Something ails you and you will not admit it,” Colin said with a frustrated rake of his hair. “You are a stubborn little fool who needs a good thrashing.”

  His senseless threat ignited Hope’s temper, and to everyone’s surprise she sat up with a jolt, her hand instinctively going to her side. “You cannot dictate to me.”

  Her adamant reply and quick movement startled Colin and fired his own temper. “I do as I please and—”

  “As do I,” Hope said, her finger poking at his chest.

  A collective chuckle could be heard, which only managed to fire the simmering situation.

  “And,” Colin said emphatically, “you do as I please.”

  Hope was not in the habit of obeying orders and she decided neither was the lad. “I take orders from no man.”

  Another round of chuckles brought a frustrated moan from Colin.

  Before the small skirmish erupted into a full-scale battle Eric stepped in. His authoritative voice left no doubt that his words were meant to be obeyed. “Enough! Harold, you will go with Lady Faith so that she may see to your care, and Colin, we shall talk.”

  Hope stood and tapped her leg, directing Lady to her side. The large animal eagerly obeyed, slinking around Colin as he stood to his imposing height, his dark eyes staring at her with the concern of a loved one.

  Hope realized then the foolishness of her actions. Once again Colin demonstrated his sincere concern for the lad and she reacted ungratefully, more like a spoiled child than a grown woman. Had he not willingly offered his friendship to Harold? Did she not realize that he took that friendship seriously? Colin cared, actually cared about the lad’s wellbeing. Was that what disturbed her so? Was she annoyed because she wanted him to know and care for her as a woman? Her unsettled emotions alarmed her, but she could address only one emotion at a time. Her present emotion, guilt at attacking him, needed attention.

  She offered an apology. “Colin, I meant no offense. You have been generous with your help and your friendship, which is much appreciated.” She paused, attempting to find the right words. “It is just that I am accustomed to being on my own, alone, and not answering to anyone.”

  Colin placed a comforting hand on the lad’s shoulder. “I understand, but it is time you realize that you are no longer alone. You have friends, and friends look out for each other.”

  “I will remember that.”

  Colin smiled. “Nay, you will forget soon enough, but I will remind you when necessary.” He turned to Faith. “When you finish with him I will take him to the men’s quarters and see that he gets a bed.”

  Hope almost panicked. She could never sleep in a room full of men.

  Faith solved her dilemma, and Hope silently blessed her. “I think it would be best for Harold to rest comfortably by himself for the night. He may use the bed in my healing cottage.”

  Eric effortlessly lifted his wife from where she kneeled on the floor, his thick muscled arm going around her waist. “Do you require any help?”

  As Faith was unable to answer, her husband answered his own question. “Bridget, please go with Faith in case she requires your assistance.”

  Borg grinned. “You worry incessantly now about your wife. What will you do when her time comes?”

  Eric cringed and spoke honestly. “I will remain by her side and suffer along with her.”

  “The Devil suffer? This I cannot wait to see,” Colin said jokingly.

  Eric pretended to whisper to his wife, though his words were meant for all, or at least one person in particular. “I wish to help you decide on whom Colin will wed.”

  “I wish to help with the choice as well,” Borg said, his grin spreading.

  Hope smiled and nodded. “I see now, Colin, what good friends can do for you.”

  Laughter filled the room and Eric left his wife’s side after kissing her cheek, then slapped Colin on the back.

  “Come, Borg and I have missed drinking with you.” Eric paused and cast a glance toward Colleen who waited in the distance. “Unless of course you have other plans.”

  “Plans that can wait,” Colin said and let Colleen know with a smile and a nod that lighted her face that their time would come later in the evening.

  Harold frowned, his eyes on Colleen.

  “Something wrong?” Faith asked and slipped a soft, deep red wool shawl that she had retrieved from the back of her chair around her shoulders.

  Harold shrugged. “Nothing.”

  Faith took hold of Harold’s arm and looked to Bridget. “I really have no need of assistance if there is something else you wish to do.”

  Bridget smiled, her full face glowing. “I have been anxious to spend more time on a stitching project I have recently started.”

  Faith hugged Harold’s slim arm. “Bridget has a gift with the needle. Her work is quite exquisite.”

  Hope would have loved to view Bridget’s work, being talented with a needle herself, but a young lad would find no favor in such womanly things. So she nodded and followed it with a hefty sigh, as if uninterested.

  “Harold, Lady and Rook shall see me safely to the cottage and Rook shall return me home safely,” Faith said with a gentle pat to Rook’s head.

  “The Devil will be at your cottage door to see you safely back at the keep as soon as he learns you will return alone,” Bridget said with a soft laugh.

  “And who will tell him?” Faith asked with a hint of an accusing smile.

  “The question would be better asked, ‘Who would not tell him?’” Bridget replied and walked off laughing.

  Faith directed Harold to the two large doors that led out of the great hall and out of the keep itself. The night air held a chill to it, with spring still held at bay by the persistent winter chill.

  Hope breathed deeply of the sharp air, having grown accustomed to spending the majority of her journey outdoors. At first the night darkness had frightened her and Lady. Every strange sound—though at first most sounds were strange to her—had caused her to shake in fear. And then there were the night shadows—those dark looming shapes that drifted over the land at night and gave rise to tales of evil spirits.

  It took many fearful nights of shivering beneath a large tree with Lady also cold beside her to come to understand the secrets of the night. The sounds finally began to make sense, and she was able to determine the identity of the nocturnal creatures that created the melodious symphony. She also began to unders
tand the shadows of the night and the drifting clouds over the moonlight that caused many of them.

  She now saw the beauty in the dark night and relished the secrets she had learned, and no longer feared the dark.

  “You walk with confidence,” Faith said, praise evident in her voice.

  “As do you.” Hope had also learned fast to be aware of her surroundings, not only places but people as well. She had observed how surefooted Faith was and how secure she felt in her safety. It actually added to her own confidence.

  Hope failed to catch the yawn that spilled from her mouth, though her hand attempted to do so.

  “You are very tired and need more rest than you admit to.” Faith did not speak accusingly; she simply spoke the truth.

  Hope did not agree or disagree. She just kept walking, her mind suddenly alert to her dilemma. How was she to keep Faith from discovering her secret when she would probably want to poke and probe her wounded area?

  She did not have time to ponder her query since they came to a halt in front of a small cottage not far from the keep’s kitchen. A wreath laden with berries, pine-cones and sprigs of various herbs hung on the door, giving off a rich scent that delighted the nostrils.

  Faith set to lighting candles inside the one-room cottage then said to Hope, “Please set the logs to burning. I do not wish you to catch a chill tonight.”

  Hope had no trouble getting the logs to light. A basket of kindling sat nearby and she chose the best of the splintered wood. She had made certain to learn, before she began her adventure, how to light a good, dependable fire.

  She took a moment to glance about the room and found it much to her liking. There was a feeling of warmth and welcome to it. And with the numerous dried bunches of herbs hanging from the ceiling rafters and drying on a wooden rack not far from the stone fireplace, one would assume a healer occupied the cottage.

  A narrow bed braced against one wall looked awfully welcoming to Hope. A soft blue woolen blanket was folded down at the foot of the bed and clean white linens covered the plump straw mattress. Hope wanted nothing more than to drop her tired body on it and sleep.