by Hannah West
“Do not forget ruggedly handsome,” Ian said wagging his brows.
Marie snorted in protest. “Hardly.”
Ian placed a hand over his chest in mock pain. “Now that cut deep, lass.”
She shook her head at him and looked at him in wonder. “I had no idea.”
Confused he asked, “No idea of what?”
“That you would be so different then I first thought. I knew you to be kind, but I never would have guessed you would be so. You are charming though rough around the edges and are quiet amusing. My first thoughts of you are not as kindly as they are now. You seemed very much a hard man to know.”
Ian took one of her hands and looked at it before speaking. “Many do not know me as so, just you and mayhap my sister now. I do not trust so wholly easily, and you have found a hole in my armor and have carved out your own spot in my chest. This is new to me and I admit I am unused to such. I know not what I can do.”
“Well then we must explore more into this as time goes on,” Marie agreed, “You have found away into my life as none other ever has, or will. You are special for me, Ian.” She had said his name aloud for the first time and it felt odd on her tongue by right in her mind.
He nodded, gave her another smile and a brief kiss before he left to see to his men and duties. Marie laid back down on the bed and pondered what had just accrued.
~
They were off before the tide left and were heading toward Ian’s home land. It had been a task to convince his men taking a ship home would be a better idea then riding, but when reminded that they were men and not weak maids they grow stubborn and boarded.
Jack had been another entirely. He had refused to even board the ship and he would not hint to even as why. He was terrified of it, but after she talked with him a while she helped him board and set him up in one of the small private cubby rooms used for the ships officers and he refused to leave it.
Marie sighed with relief when the last one boarded. It would seem that these man who were strong of arm and will, were not sailors and preferred to have their feet on solid ground. As for her she loved being aboard once more.
As the ship left the bay she felt the longings of freedom stir her soul and it made her wish it was just temporary. She knew her husband would let her travel but then that would mean he would come with her or she would have to stay with him. She could no longer just think for herself, she must now think of both of them when she decided something for it would affect him as well.
But this had been more then she had hoped based upon how she was wed. She liked her husband, he was a dear friend now, and she was happy. Truly happy and things felt complete.
He had even let her keep her trading company which had already flourished in Edinburgh. She managed to find a location this morning near the dock to store her wares and another spot in which a home base shop could sell them. She had purchased both buildings and-+ had left Gillian behind in charge of sorting things out for her, as she knew she could be trusted.
There was much that could be said for not only being a Viking but being a woman who dressed as one and was skilled with both the sword around her waist and the crossbow on her back. If there was a problem she could scare them into doing her bidding.
Marie felt like everything was falling into place and it was more than she had ever hoped for. She was surprised at how quickly she had adjusted to her new life, but then again what else could she have done?
Chapter Seventeen
The farther north along the shore they traveled the colder it became. While it was not unbearable it reminded her of her first home back in Norway. She had gotten used to the more mild seasons of England the last five years. It was nice, familiar and it warmed her thoughts of her new home.
The rocky coastline gave way to a few sandy beaches in between and soon the flatter land gave away to hillside cliffs that soared high above the waterline. A faint mist sprayed against the ship after every wave it cut through, spraying Marie’s face with the fresh mist.
“You seem to be enjoying yourself, lass,” Ian commented as he strode over to her at the ships railing. He looked over the nearby land with a smile on his face.
“It feels good to be home does it not?” Marie asked him.
“Aye that it does, England is to flat for my finer tastes,” he jested.
“It feels good being on the water again. This feels like home to me, it gives me the sense of freedom.” She closed her eyes and breathed in as another spray misted over them. “This is peace, Ian.”
“I will show you where I find my peace when we reach my home. Dungrave Castle was carved out of the very cliffs it sets upon and looked down, out over the ocean. We have two villages close by, one is near the castle and forest and the other if farther down the way and is a small port town. It’s a good place to live. It is in one of the small mountain ranges and near the other side of the forest is a loch. It’s a grand place. The Douglas’ live a day’s ride to the west of us; the Blackadders' live to the south of us by three or four days.” A dark look crossed their face, “Never go near the Blackadder Lands, lass. They are a nasty folk and they take great pleasure in harming other people. They are cruel, but mostly stay to themselves.”
“Would they come onto our land,” she asked worried.
He shook his head. “Not unless they sought something from me. They cause trouble with other clans, but there are too many Buchanans to face if they wanted to cause trouble. If you stay on Buchanan Land you will be safe enough, but always take a few men with you if you decided to go past the village near the castle, understood?”
She nodded. “I do not believe I will go too far most of the time. The only times I shall have to venture to the port is when one of my ships come in. I have set a run up with Torin and Gillian to have one ship a month bring new wares to us. I think it would increase trade among your people and help the clan.”
“Aw,” Ian said wrapping and arm around her pressing s kiss to her temple, “my wise wife. Do you have a plan for everything?”
“Nay,” she said with a laugh and pushed him away, “I simply try to be prepared. Now off with you, go help the others on the ship.”
“Why are you not doing so?” He asked playfully.
“I am captain while on my ships, I must not do anything I do not want to,” she quipped and turned back to her viewing. “I am surveying for land and other ships.”
She watched as he went back over to a small group of men who were relocating things and picked up a crate carrying it below decks. She was indeed lucky.
…
The rest of the trip was smooth sailing and they docked in the port town of Kale the larger village of the Buchanan land. Upon docking there were many things to be done and Marie went to her quarters below to finish her packing.
A slight knock sounded at her door and Ian welcomed himself into the room closing it behind him.
“What do you need, husband,” she asked him as he made his way over to her.
“I wanted to tell you this now so later you would not get displeased with me. I have been gone for a few months now and there will be much work I have to do. So I will not be able to be around you much until later after my work is finished. Being the laird, there is much I left unfinished. Our time together of the last fortnight has brought me to care a great deal for you, lass, and has taught me a few things as well.” He came closed and leaned his forehead down upon hers. “Do not forget what we have as we are apart. Let it grow between us.”
“It is not as if you shall leave me and begone for years. I shall see you at nights and mornings and mayhap during the day. There is no wall between us unless you build one,” Marie stated. “I plan on the marriage to work for me, I do not wish to seek comfort in another man’s arms and I am happy with the way things have settled. We shall find a balance between us.”
Ian kissed her firmly across the lips and smiled down at her. “There’s my good, lass.”
Chapter Eighteen
&nb
sp; The bleak stone castle loomed high above them on the edge of the cliff and looked as if a rock slide were to happen it would fall off into the ocean. It was beautiful in all its haunting glory. She could almost feel the centuries it had stood its ground against battles from both land and sea.
It was beautiful and this was to be her new home. She worried over what her new people would think of her. Surely she would be better received then an English Saxon, who they were constantly at odds with. Her god-father William had been to the court of the Scottish king once a few years back and it had gone off without any issues. But she knew Uncle William, as she called him, was not fond of the Scots. They had to little manners for his taste and were not as civilized as the Normans. The only good thing he had said about them was the fact he liked them more than the spineless Saxons.
Duncan came over to her and nodded toward the castle. “That’s somethin’ is it not, my lady?”
“Aye,” she said a bit breathlessly. There had been nothing of the like she had seen in England.
“There is a village near the castle and beyond that is the woods and the hills. My homestead is in a valley near the castle, but an hours ride away if you ever wish to come visit upon me and my daughter,” he said sincerely. “You are always welcome and Maeve would be glad of the company. She does not go to the castle often.”
Marie gave him a thankful smile. “I am glad of the offer. You have been more a father to me in such a short time then my own. I am fond of you, Duncan.”
“Well don’t go tellin’ people that I was kind. I prefer to keep to myself. I don’t like people often, but you have a way of getting under the skin. Poor Ian is beside himself with thoughts of you. He does not know much of women, but you seem to have him trained already. You are a good match for each other.” He looked around the deck then back to her. “I will get Jack and we shall take you to the castle. Ian ordered us to take care of you until he can meet you there.”
Marie nodded and felt a prick of disappointment that her husband would not be the one to welcome her into his new home, but as he had said, they would not spend that much time together in the near future so he could see to the needs of his clan.
“I shall await you two here,” she agreed.
…
Her first impression of her new home and its people was cold and aloof, villagers stared at her openly with no shame as she walked by without truly giving her notice. They looked at her as if she were a three legged calf. Upon entering the castle all rushed out of her way and she had tried to say hello to those nearby but they openly shunned her.
She had not expected this level of coldness after Ian and his men had been so kind to her even if they had needed time to warm up to her.
Marie looked around her as she entered the stoned archway of the great hall’s main doors, stepping boots to the floor of her new home. The feeling that welled within her was a mix of happiness and dread. The high stone walls looked cold and uninviting, unadorned and free of any personal touches. The room was quite large and fitted with six, twenty foot long tables in the middle with four central hearths on each wall to warm the room. The dais was raised and also sported a long oak table with legs carved with Celtic knots.
She drifted forward and lovingly traced light fingertips across the table’s smooth surface. Though the space was largely spacious and empty what little there was, was well used and well loved. She could almost imagine all of the previous generations surrounding her and living here in comfort.
There was little people here now, but what would it be like to host the village and the Buchanan Clan all in this space? There could easily fit a few hundred people in here if not more. Mayhap she could even convince Ian to let her decorate for Michealmas and even have a yule log. Her father was not fond of doing something so base and common like the peasant masses. While Marie loved the idea of people coming together and exchanging small gifts as a way of showing their good will. It brought those together who otherwise would never do so.
Queen Matilda had made the ladies of the court start the tradition of doing so a few years back and they had become Marie’s best memories at court. She also always had the best gifts thanks to her choice of wares.
“Milady,” Duncan asked of her after a moment, “is something the matter?
She snapped back to herself and pulled her hand way, cradling it to her chest. She shook her head slowly and asked him earnestly, “What is this place like?”
Duncan frowned as he thought before he answered. “This place is filled with people each eve, and at week’s end people are busy to ready things. Most of the people are kindly, but someone do not care for the going ons. It is but another place to live.”
“And is there any celebration for Michealmas?” she asked hopefully.
He shook his head. “Not to my knowledge of this place. The clan is still considered pagan by the church, but we simply just live as we always have. Now come along there is still more to show you.”
She came up beside him as they walked. “Would Ian be mad do you think if I wanted to celebrate Michealmas?”
Duncan gave her a small smile. “He would deny you nothing, lady, and you well know that now.”
Chapter Nineteen
The coming weeks were more difficult for Marie who had grown used to being around so many people, she found she did not like her old ways of solitude. Duncan had gone home to his daughter and came to the castle a few times every sennights. Ian was still so caught up in getting things put to rights that he came to their bed so late she was already a sleep and he left before she ever rose in the mornings.
She was not happy that her bed was cold when she went to sleep and it was just so as she woke. She missed Ian being around her and she had even sought him out at first, but he never so much as looked at her so she had given up. She knew what he had meat when he told her o the ship but that didn’t stop her frustration.
Marie had become so frustrated over time she had to find an outlet. Her husband had even yet to consummate their marriage and she found she wished they had on the ship before they came to Dungrave. And Marie admitted to herself she felt alone in such a big people surrounded by so many people.
She had even tried to help around the castle or include other clan members into doing something with her but they treated her as if she had the plague. The only time anyone had done something with her was when a few small children had wanted to play before their mothers had taken them away. The fact they had not trusted her had hurt and she had stayed in her rooms for a few days afterward. Only when Jack had sought her out had she found so happiness again.
She had wanted to tell Ian of everything that had happened so far, but it was as if he did not care because he was never there.
Upon Duncan’s next visit he had found her miserable and mopping about the castle like a spirit. He had wanted to cheer her up and so invited her to come back with him to meet his daughter Maeve.
Clutching at the idea Marie had become excited and had gone to pick a small bag for her short trip. The farmstead that Duncan and Maeve lived on was a good hour’s ride from the castle in a lower valley and Marie was breathless at the lush green beauty of the lands around her. When she spotted a large cottage covered in ivy with a smoking chimney she grew nervous.
She really hadn’t thought about the fact that Maeve would not like her either like the villagers. Duncan noticed the change in her mind and asked her what was wrong.
“What if she does not like me? The others of the clan are not fond of me and even shun me. I am not sure I could take it direct to the face, Duncan,” Marie said grimly.
“My Maeve is nothing like those weak willed peasants,” Duncan assured her, “If there were ever a young woman who cared less about the thoughts of other’s it would be her. She is a spit fire just like her mother had been. She will demand friendship from you I am sure of it.”
Still weary she dismounted and followed Duncan inside his home.
“Maeve,” he called out for he
r.
A pretty young woman with black hair and a scowl on her face came out from a room around the corner.
“Where have you been, Da? There were things that had to be done before you went off. You are constantly roaming around with your head in the clouds,” Maeve chided her father.
Marie raised surprised eyebrows that the little thing would dare speak to such a furious man in such a way. If Marie did not know how Duncan was, she would expect him to growl and toss her out the door.
Duncan went over to her and swept her up in a bear hug which Maeve protested to, but broke into a smile.
“I brought someone to meet you, lass,” he said sitting her down and moving aside so she could see Marie.
Marie gave a shy smile. She really did wish to make friends and the bold streak of this girl appealed to her shrewish way.
“Meet Laird Ian’s wife, the Lady Marie,” he said grandly.
Marie watched as the girl looked her over with a sharp eye then gave a nod of approval.
Walking forward she offered her hand to Marie in a gesture only men had ever done. Unsure Marie took it and Maeve gave her hand a shake.
“I am finally glad to meet you. Your Father told me much about you, Maeve,” Marie said smile growing.
Maeve gave her father an annoyed look before smiling back at Marie. “It is good to meet you. He had high praise for you. He mostly grumbles about how most people are dolts.”
“Well to be fair, no one with any sense would not fear him at first upon looking at him. His looks were scary enough for all the others of our group,” Marie said daringly with a small laugh. “He treated me like a daughter and for that I was grateful.”
“Well I had always wanted a sister, so I shall claim you as so,” Maeve said with a grin.
“What did I tell you,” Duncan said before he went back out to take care of the horses, “fast friends.”
