Ann Carr

by Loyal Warrior

  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.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Richard raised his head as he heard footsteps round the corner and enter the courtyard. He was bent over the well taking a drink of water. He wasn’t drinking from thirst, merely for something to do. He’d now lost count of how long he’d been pacing the courtyard, waiting for his sister to return. He was furious with himself for not demanding more forcefully to see her last night when he’d arrived. If truth be told he was more than a little intimidated by the stranger who was now his sister’s husband, he had not had the nerve to defy the man so blatantly last night, but today he thought, today he would do everything in his power to see his sister, he would not be put off!

  Pausing, still bent over the well, Richard experienced acute disappointment when he saw the small figure of a young boy with coal black hair and curious blue eyes. Puzzled by a wave of recognition for the boy Richard paused too long and the boy took it as an invitation to approach. Not in the mood to have idle chit chat with a child Richard once again bent to his task, indicating to the boy through actions that he shouldn’t approach.

  “They say yer English!” Ewan questioned loudly from a safe distance away. He had been told by Mrs MacTavish to stay away from the English boy, not once, but twice already th
is morning. Curiosity had sprung up within him about the stranger the first time he had been warned to keep his distance, but when he was told a second time he was left in no doubt that he would have to disobey the old woman. He did so reluctantly because so far over the last few months he had managed not to disobey his father and he loved it when his father smiled down at him and when Elizabeth hugged him and told him how proud she was of him. No, he didn’t want to ruin this new relationship with his father but he also couldn’t suppress the natural urges of his character.

  Ewan stared considering at the silent English boy before him, he had heard the servants whispering that this boy was Elizabeth’s younger brother, the wavy blond hair, piercing blue eyes and regal posture definitely reminded Ewan of Elizabeth, but where Elizabeth was happy, kind, loving and generous there was a slight edge to this boy before him, an uneasiness that in turn made Ewan weary in his presence. “Ye are her brother aren’t ye? Elizabeth’s I mean!” His curiosity still managed to win out!

  Standing up to his tallest height Richard turned towards the boy, resigned to the fact that the quickest way to make him leave would be by answering his questions, he recognised stubbornness when he saw it! His whole family had more than their fair share of it, but Elizabeth was possibly the most stubborn of them all.

  “Yes, Elizabeth is my sister. That is why I have come here”, he didn’t elaborate. He was in no mood to explain himself to a child, especially after the inquisition he had been put through last night from Duncan; he was still fuelled with resentment this morning about the whole thing.

  “Well, I guess we’re family then, I’m her son” Ewan extended his hand, proud to say the words for the first time! He even managed to take a slight step forward; his father always said that when you wanted to take a step back always make yourself take a step forward instead so that the other person wouldn’t see your fear.