“They’re from Alvin. He’ll come to visit soon.”
But Ermintrude was busy now playing with the figurines. Frances, dismissed, decided she’d get a little rest before supper.
Lately, supper took longer what with their additional company and most stayed overlong. Some nights she could barely keep her eyes open throughout the evening.
This eve they’d sup early and hopefully Sean wouldn’t invite anyone. She should send a message to him and would after her rest. She entered her chamber and pulled the overdress from over her head, tossing it to the chair nearby. It was too hot to sleep in garments and so she removed all but the thin shift she wore beneath.
She turned to the bed while fanning herself and spotted a wooden box sitting on the bed. It had been tied with a plain string.
At first she thought it another gift from the rogue, but then reconsidered as there was no way anyone could have gotten past the guardsmen. Sean must have left her another present.
Before she untied it, she thought about gifting something to him. He’d been so kind and thoughtful and she wanted to return the gesture. Nothing came to mind, for he was going to be a difficult one to give a gift to.
Tossing aside the string, she unwrapped the contents. A lurch came to her stomach when she looked inside. Five black birds’ heads had been beheaded and set inside. She couldn’t believe her eyes. Then she noticed the piece of fabric beneath the heads. It was the same as Winifred’s gown, the blue material of the last gown she’d worn.
Her fright caused her screams to be voiceless. Frances heaved at the sight of the birds and bloody fabric. She fell back upon the floor and shuffled away until she was next to the chair opposite of the bed. Her heart beat in her throat and she could barely breathe. She sat unmoving for what seemed like hours.
Sean came into the chamber, when the light faded to dusk. Frances closed her eyes and tried to think of anything but that which sat on her bed. She envisioned Ermintrude’s face when they’d gone to the loch, the joy the gift had brought to her daughter, James’ laughter when he’d gone back and visited Alvin.
“Frances, what’s amiss? I waited for you in the hall for supper? Are you unwell?” Sean knelt next to her. When she didn’t answer, he called her again, “Love? What’s wrong?”
She was comforted by his presence and voice. “I … I couldn’t come.”
“Why? Has something happened? You look affright? Why are you sitting on the floor?”
Frances couldn’t even speak the words to describe her horror. She pointed at the bed with a shaky hand.
Sean turned and then stood. “What is it?” He approached the bed and looked inside. “What is this? Was someone in here?”
Frances could only nod.
Sean glared at the box. “Come, I’ll have Mistress Ina send someone to check the room and clean it. There is nothing to fear, Frances.”
“Aye but there is. This rogue can get inside our chamber. Do you deem he intends to harm me? I can’t take much more of this.” She started shaking at the thought of it.
“What is the blue material?”
“I deem it is from Winifred’s gown. It is the same color.”
Sean scowled. “You saw her? I’m sorry, love, I tried to keep you from seeing … Oh aye, there was a piece cut away. Why would he send that to you?”
Frances took in a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. “I was at the miller’s this day. Worry not, James went with me. I gave the miller the fabric you gifted me and am having him make a gown.”
“The incubus! He’s watching you. Frances, I … come.” Sean led her from the chamber, and in the hallway, he leaned against the wall. He took her in his arms and pulled her to stand between his braced legs.
“What are you doing?” She did like being in his arms and reveled at the way his hard body felt against hers.
“What I dream of every time I close my eyes,” he said before his lips met hers. He kissed for several moments long and hard. His mouth moved over hers with such desire, she wanted to swoon.
Frances was caught in the heat of the kiss and felt the sensational aura to her toes. She held on to his strong shoulders, giving all she had in return. His hands spayed her rear, cupping her in unison with the way his mouth turned over hers. She lost all sense of fear, of existing, of everything but longing.
He broke off the kiss and whispered, “Are ye still afeared?”
“Afeard of what?”
Sean grinned. “That’s what I intended. I’m sorry, my love, that you were frightened and I promise it won’t happen again. I shall put someone outside our chamber door and make certain no one enters but you and me.”
“That would make me feel better.”
“Come then, let us to supper.”
“I cannot go to the hall in my shift, Sean.” Frances realized she stood in the hallway with little garments on. Thankfully no one came along for she was practically naked.
He grinned and reached inside the door and picked up the gown she’d tossed on the chair. “I deem you will need this. Come, I haven’t eaten all day.”
Frances nodded, and doubted she could eat anything, but went to the hall anyway.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
“This is the worst time to go. I don’t want to leave Frances.” Sean leaned his back against the corral where several warhorses had been let to graze. “Every time I leave her, I fear something else will happen.”
James used his forearms as a rest against the highest plank of wood of the fencing and was seemingly not listening. He whittled a piece of wood into an arrow, and was the best of all the Gunns at doing so. His comrade was more interested in his pursuit than what he was saying.
“Did ye hear me, James? What am I going to do? I must attend the meeting, the king will be there. He’ll be expecting me.”
“Are ye beginning to care for the woman?” James scoffed.
“Of course I am, she’s my wife. I’m supposed to protect her.” Sean shoved his friend’s arm, dislodging him from his carefree position.
“There’s a wee bit more to it than protection. Mayhap you love her.” James chortled and turned back to whittling the arrow. “You do, confess it and you’ll feel better.”
“Cease jesting. Frances is … bonny and sweet. I don’t know about love, James, but I don’t want anything to happen to her. If that’s love, then mayhap I do. She’s gone through enough hell these past months. I cannot refute the king’s call to the meeting.”
“I say ye go then. I’m here and I won’t let anything happen to Frances or Trudy.” James’ casual regard irked him.
“Aye you say that now, but what if …” Sean got a knot lodged in his throat in refusing to admit his worry.
“Nothing’s going to happen. I’ve five men surrounding the keep and four inside. There’s Benson stationed outside your chamber. No one could get through him for he’s as large as Duff and as effective with his sword. If you’re worried, why don’t ye take her with you? I’ll go and protect you both.”
“My arse could use the protection, too, what with many the lords attending. That’s a fair idea, James. We will all go, except Trudy. I don’t want her off Hume land. The lass is too wee for travel.” Sean didn’t say goodbye as he trod away, intent on letting Frances know she’d go with him. He’d leave on the morrow and he wasn’t giving her much time to ready.
At this time of day, he wasn’t sure where Frances was and so he headed to the keep. He saw Benson standing guard outside his chamber, and gave a nod in passing.
“She’s within, my lord. No one else is on the floor.”
“My thanks, Benson. Stay, for I’ll only be a few minutes.” Sean opened the door and found Frances inside their chamber, pacing the bedside. He closed the door behind him when he noticed her look of bleakness.
She flopped down upon the bed. “Have you come to say farewell?”
Sean wanted to laugh at her expression, for she looked full of woe. “Nay. I came to tell you to ready, you’re coming
with me. It is getting cooler out; you may want to bring warmer garments.”
“Verily, you’re not jesting?”
“I rarely jest, Frances. Nay, I’m not. I want to keep you safe and the safest place for you is with me.”
She yanked his arm and he fell atop her and rolled to his side, bringing her body over his. Her breasts pressed against his chest sent a fervent spark of desire through him. Frances always lightened him and his mood swiftly changed. Sean was content to lie there for the rest of the evening, naked, and in her arms, but there was much to do before they departed.
“I don’t want to take Trudy with us. There are dangers in along the thoroughfares. Is there someone you can leave her with?”
“You want me to leave my bairn here after all that has happened. Nay. She’ll go with us. Mistress Ina will come and see to her. She shan’t be troublesome.”
“Frances, there are perils along the way. I won’t have the wee one along. Mistress Ina can see to her here and I’ll make sure they’re guarded well.”
“Verily, you must promise that she’ll be safe.”
Sean touched her face and nodded. “Aye, I promise. You won’t need to worry over her. I’m more concerned about you right now. I need to go, lass, and ready.” He tried to roll away, but she wouldn’t release him.
“Are we to Selkirk then?” Frances pressed her hand over his chest and smoothed the fabric of his tunic.
Sean got distracted by her touch and closed his eyes, letting her ease his discontent. “Nay, we’re to Edinburgh. I’ll meet with King Alexander. Lord William sent a missive to him before he departed and I’m sure the king will want to speak with me.”
“Edinburgh! I would rather stay here, Sean, where it’s quiet and safe … Stop shaking your head.” Frances sat up and frowned.
“I want you with me.” Sean tugged her body until she conceded and lay next to him.
“I’ve nothing to wear,” she said despondently.
He laughed for that was the least of their worries. “What of the gown the miller made for you?”
“It shan’t be ready until Michaelmas. I do wish to see Queen Joan again. She was kind to me. But the others, God take them. They’re all trifling snippets.” Frances squeezed his hand, which he’d placed over her abdomen.
“Snippets?” he laughed. “My position unfortunately warrants being in their company. I’d rather stay here, too, but alas I must attend.” He shifted his hand lower, to her underbelly and caressed her.
“Truly, I’ve nothing with which to wear. I fear I would not compliment you in the king and queen’s presence.”
Sean leaned closer and kissed her jaw. “You could wear a sack and compliment me, love. Och I’d rather ye wear the garments you wore when I first came. Where are they? Although I do like these gowns you’ve been wearing. Aye, very becoming.” He fingered the flesh of her bosom that peeked above the bodice.
She drew an affronted breath. “Those dreadful things? I gave them to the miller. They were my mourning garments and I tired of wearing them for all that they fit me.”
“Aye, and hid ye well from roving eyes. Your body is too tempting.” Sean leaned over her again and kissed just under her chin to the center of her throat, where he suckled. He realized she was ticklish there and let his lips linger.
Frances squirmed in his arms. “Cease! I give. If you insist, I shall dress dour, but I will fade into the walls for lack of appeal.”
Her jest made him laugh. “I need to take care of some matters. Have a satchel taken to the stables. We’ll sup early because we’ll need to leave at sunrise.”
Frances nodded absently. “I’ll say goodbye to Ermintrude. She’ll be to bed soon. Are you certain we can’t take her with us?”
Sean helped Frances off the bed and took her hand. “I know you’ll miss her as will I, but she’ll be safer here. Mistress Ina will stay with her and there will be a good number of guardsmen within the keep. Come, I’ll say goodbye to her with you.”
When they entered the nursery, Alice was folding the wee one’s garments and appeared to be tidying up the chamber. Mistress Ina was there too, and held a cloth in her hand. She hastily hid it behind her back.
“Oh ye caught me, my lady. I am guilty.” Mistress Ina though didn’t look one bit contrite. “I only gave Trudy a small piece.”
“I don’t want Ermintrude to have such edibles before bedtime. Must I watch you all the time?” Frances smiled, shaking her head, and took the sweet cake from her daughter’s hand and then cleaned the crumbs away with the cloth Mistress Ina held.
Sean grinned, watching them. He never felt more at home than he had at that moment.
* * *
They set out just as the sky was beginning to lighten. The road to Edinburg was rough travel with the changing of the season and they had to halt several times when the sky opened and heavy rain fell. Even though they’d taken cover beneath heavily canopied trees, they were soaked through by the time they reached the outlying area of the town.
As they approached the gates of Maiden’s castle, Sean kept Frances between he and James. There were many visiting the castle, not only for the meeting of the lords, but for various other reasons. He spied the rampart where several sentries were posted on duty. Flags above waved the king’s colors and it sounded as if all of Scotland was in attendance by the noise of the crowds within the walls.
“Your name?” A burly gate attendant asked.
“Sean Gunn, Lord Hume.” He waited until the man checked the lists.
“Aye, my lord, welcome. Open the gates for Lord Hume’s party.”
Once the gates rose, Sean led his group inside and toward the stables where they would leave their horses. Two of the stable lad’s, he’d brought along, began taking the leads while they took their satchels and belongings. The lads got the horses corralled in a vacant enclosure.
With his overwrought desire to protect Frances, he’d brought James, Benson, the two stable lads, and six warriors who were the best on the field.
Sean took nearly three steps toward the keep when a shout came at him.
“Gunn!”
All those around him stopped in their tracks, bowed, and waited. Only the sound of the flapping banners could be heard while they stood silent and waited for the king’s approach.
Alexander strode purposely toward him. “I heard you would be here and hoped. It has been a long time, my comrade. How are all the Gunn’s? Is Grey still piqued with me?” He laughed. “I vow he shall never get over his ire.”
Sean rose as did all those around him. “My lord, sire, it is good to see you. The last I saw my clan they were indeed well. I trust Grey’s opinion of you hasn’t changed, och you know how stubborn he is.”
The king bellow a laugh. “Indeed I do. Alas he is a good man and leader. I’ve amends to make with him and I vow he won’t forgive me until I do.”
Sean lowered his head in respect of his king’s words. He’d never thought Alexander would own up to the discord between he and Grey. Had the king not put Grey’s wife in danger, his laird wouldn’t be so ireful.
“I need to speak to you about recent events, sire.”
“Do you? You’ve no care for pleasantries? Well, come along and let your travel companions take respite and refreshment. My lady will want to meet you.” Alexander hastened to the keep.
Sean couldn’t lose track of Alexander as he stood taller than any man nearby. And the fact that his hair glowed red even in the dismal weather they’d contended with.
Inside the grand hall, he motioned to his men to take position in the room to protect Frances. He took her hand, but she dislodged it and moved ahead. He was about to call her back when her name was screeched.
“Frances! You’ve returned? I so missed you.”
The hall grew silent when a pathway parted for the small woman. The people within the hall moved aside into lesser groups and a hush of whispers began. Sean watched as the bonny lady reached Frances and hugged her. Frances curtseyed
and smiled prettily at the lady.
“Your majesty, it has been only a few months. But I missed you also. I hope you are well. You’re looking beautiful as ever, Queen Joan.”
Sean stood dumfounded. Frances did say she knew the queen, but he hadn’t expected they were friendly. Then he remembered that she’d been in the Queen’s service before she’d returned home from her sojourn to Edinburg when he’d first come.
“I was sorry to hear of Lord William’s death. I know how distressing it must have been. And who do we have here?” Joan asked, when she spotted him.
Sean stepped next to Frances and bowed to the lady.
Alexander finally returned to their circle and said, “Joan, may I present Sean Gunn.”
She snickered. “Oh aye, one of the Gunn guardsmen you’ve told me about?” Her eyes shone with excitement and her smile grew wide.
“The one and the same.”
Lady Joan linked her arm around his. “You, my lord, must come and speak with us … privately. I long to hear how you came to be with Lady Frances for she is endeared to me.”
They were taken to the king’s private solar where the room was emptied by the chamberlain. Only he, Frances, and James were permitted inside. Sean rattled off directives to his guardsmen to await them outside before the door was closed.
The solar was large and boasted a huge hearth where several chairs were set nearby. Overlarge window casements streamed in light, and the floors were covered with heavy rugs, giving a coziness to the room.
Frances strolled through the solar with the queen, and Sean went to stand next to Alexander with James. He hadn’t seen the king since their run in with him when he’d gone to assist Kenneth’s wife. Elisa rewarded the king with a long lost item to which earned their king’s favor. The king coveted the banner Elisa had given him. He’d seen its likeness waving on the highest turret above the castle when they’d arrived.
“All of Edinburg mourned the loss of Lord William. He was a fine man.” The king’s expression remained solemn.
Sean glanced back at Alexander. “Aye. He wrote that I would come, did he not? I have taken up his cause and will gladly assist if I can. I’m at your service, my lord, in any way you deem.”
A Highlander In Peril (Gunn Guardsman) Page 19
