by Sherry Ewing
“I guess we shall see,” Ian declared with a hearty laugh. “Now eat afore I forget myself and take advantage of you right here in your hall.
Satisfied her husband would be making love to her sometime soon, Lynet gave in to breaking her fast, for it had been, in truth, a long while since she had last partaken of food. Since they were almost finished with their meal, she was about to ask Ian if he was ready to go upstairs when the door of the keep opened and hit the wall with a mighty slam. She almost jumped out of her very skin ’til her eyes widened in delighted surprise at who was walking through the portal.
“Sir Fletcher!” she cried out. Limping unsteadily across the hall, she threw herself into his arms.
“’Tis a most unusual welcome, my lady, but I am glad to see your knight was able to find you, after all,” Fletcher remarked with a roguish grin. “Any problems, Ian?”
“None that I could not handle,” Ian replied, coming to greet the new arrival and pulling Lynet closer to his side. “I am surprised to see you this far north from Berwyck. As captain of Dristan’s guard, I would expect you to be near its borders, not in the wilds of Scotland.”
“Bah! Dristan would trust no one else leading the men he sent with me in the off chance you did not come across his little sister,” Fletcher declared and opened the door again.
Several men began to bring in bundles of items for Lynet’s inspection. Lynet gasped in startled surprise. “Why, they are my things from Berwyck,” she cried out happily.
Fletcher smiled. “Aye, Dristan thought you would want a bit of home with you, along with your dowry and horse. To be honest, I do not think it appeals to him that you are so far removed from his notice.”
“This is my home now, Sir Fletcher,” Lynet said, marveling that Dristan and Amiria knew how much ’twould mean to have her possessions. A shadow fell across her features that did not go unnoticed by Ian.
“What is the matter, lass,” Ian whispered whilst he cupped her face to wipe away a lone tear running down her cheek.
How could she not but shed a tear or two whilst remembering a handsome knight who sacrificed his very life so that she might live. A fallen knight who had loved her, mayhap, more than she deserved. She raised her face to Fletcher, begging him silently to answer what surely he knew what she would ask of him. “Did you find h─?”
“Aye, we found Rolf after one of the guards who had traveled with him returned,” Fletcher answered.
“You have him here?” Lynet tried to disentangle herself from Ian’s arms. “I must see him,” she said, trying to get to the door.
“Nay, Lynet. Rolf’s body is not here, my lady, but already in a final resting place at Berwyck,” Fletcher answered gravely.
Ian pulled her back into his arms whilst she attempted not to cry a river full of tears. “I but wanted to see him one last time,” she whispered into his chest. She felt him place a kiss upon her head.
“My dearest wife, you and I both know Rolf would not have wanted you to see him like that. Remember him in your heart, alive and being the cocky pain in my arse that he was,” Ian said, attempting to make light of the situation.
“He is in a place of honor, Lady Lynet, and he is resting in the only place he ever called home,” Fletcher said. “’Tis more than some of us ever get a chance at.”
“Will you stay with us for a while? You are most welcome for as long as you so wish it,” Ian inquired, brushing Lynet’s hair back from her face.
“Nay, I will only stay long enough to rest the horses. But also know that Dristan and Amiria will expect you to bring yourself to Berwyck soon. They will want to see for themselves that Lynet is content in her choice of husband. Personally, I am ready to be about the journey. No offense, Ian, but I prefer my feet to be planted firmly on good English soil.”
Lynet was only half listening to Ian and Fletcher speaking already of his departure. She was more than thankful they had found Rolf. She gave herself a mental shake to right herself and then peered strangely at Berwyck’s captain afore she smiled. “You should be married, Sir Fletcher. I will see how we can best go about finding you a fair lady to call your bride.”
Fletcher laughed at the prospect. “That may be a little difficult, my lady, for I am most particular on the sort of woman I would even consider to take to wife. Besides, ’tis not as though she is just going to show up and fall at my feet, now will she?”
A strange gleam lit Lynet’s eyes. “One never knows, Sir Fletcher. One never knows…”
Stifling a yawn, Ian and Lynet at last made their way up to their chamber. She did not wish to admit it, but her ordeal had taken its toll on her, and all she wanted was to lie down. Even that was denied her as a tub of steaming water was at the ready near the hearth. She was more than willing to sacrifice a little sleep to sink into the soothing water.
Stripping off her soiled garments, she gave them no further thought as she slipped down into the liquid paradise that immediately began to work its magic. With her head laid back on the rim of the tub, she suddenly felt a soapy cloth being run along the length of her skin. Opening her eyes, she saw Ian, who was just as naked, as he began to wash her.
“I believe you owe me a bath, my dear,” Ian said huskily.
“I believe you are right, husband,” she answered sweetly. She pulled herself up so he could join her as the water sloshed over the sides of the tub and onto the floor. But such a mess mattered not at all. She came to him and sat down on his lap with a wiggle of her bottom. His brow rose in invitation, and she gladly accepted what he offered. When Ian began to kiss her, Lynet became completely lost, especially whilst he guided her into taking the lead in their lovemaking. ’Twas not ’til the water began to cool that common sense prevailed, and they rushed to climb beneath the coverlets on their bed.
Lying there, face to face, Lynet could only stare in fascination at those hazel eyes that had captured her in her youth. He reached over and tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear, but continued to twirl the end of the length around his finger.
“Any regrets, Lynet?” Ian asked with such a serious expression that she leaned forward to capture his lips.
“Nay, none whatsoever, my love,” she replied honestly.
“My love?”
“Aye. I love you, Ian, just as much, if not more, as when I was just a child. There has only been you who has filled my heart for as long as I can remember. You are everything I could ever want, and more, for my husband.”
“I am proud to call you my wife, little one, and look forward to a lifetime together,” Ian murmured, gathering her close within his embrace as exhaustion began to consume them both.
As she listened to his heart beating for her beneath her ear, she thought he might have dosed off. Instead, her heart soared with his next words.
“I love you, my sweet Lynet…” His words trailed off as slumber overtook him, leaving Lynet with a satisfied smile. A vague memory of her brother Aiden asking Amiria if she was content with Dristan as her husband flashed in her memory. Her sister had never given him an answer that day, and, mayhap, there was no need for her to do so, either.
Aye…it may have taken Ian a while to profess his love, but he had undeniably proved he cared for her after all. She, too, was indeed most content…
Epilogue
Berwyck Castle
Fall, The Year of Our Lord’s Grace 1180
Ian stood with feet spread wide apart and arms crossed against his chest. His wife had requested some time alone, and he could hardly gainsay her. That, of course, did not mean he would still not stand guard over her, even if ’twas at a respectable distance. There was only so much he was willing to concede to his headstrong wife. Leaving her completely unguarded was not one of them.
She was so young, he still sometimes wondered if she would regret marrying a man so much older than her. He shook his head at his foolishness. They were married in the eyes of God, and he was blessed to call the woman his wife, especially since she carried his child withi
n her. He would not let further thoughts or worries mar their visit here with her kin.
He continued to watch her from a distance, and saw when she placed the flowers she had carried from the highlands on the graves of her father, her mother, and Rolf. Aye, Rolf had indeed been laid to rest close to Lynet’s own parents. Fletcher had told the truth when he declared the knight was given a place of honor. Not many guardsmen would be buried within the family cemetery. He saw his wife as she bent her head in prayer, and Ian knew she would not be too much longer at her vigil at the graves.
“Thank you for bringing her home to us, Ian,” Amiria said, reaching out and placing her hand on his forearm, “even if the visit is a short one.”
“I have a feeling our jaunts to Berwyck may be few in the foreseeable future,” Ian said grimly.
“Why?”
“You must needs ask?” When she only raised a brow above those startling violet eyes, Ian sighed. “A Scottish laird will be considered a traitor in the eyes of an English king who he once served.”
“I had not thought that far ahead, but I suppose you have it aright. I do not like the idea of not seeing my sister, but we will make do with the time we have.”
“Aye, we shall. Besides, I could not keep her away, even if I tried, my lady,” he said, giving her hand a pat afore resuming his stance. “Your sister is as tenacious as you are and threatened to bring down our own keep about my head if I did not take her here myself to see you.”
Amiria gave a lighthearted laugh. “We are a stubborn lot, us MacLarens, but the men who wed us, I will add, are also a mite pigheaded.”
Ian smirked. “You must be talking about your dragon, for I have never been one to be…pigheaded.”
“I believe, good sir, that I would contest such fanciful speech. Have you, perchance, been weaving whimsical tales to keep the children amused like the bards who come to my hall?”
“I am not pigheaded,” he repeated with a scowl.
“Oh, aye, you are!”
“I do not know where you and Lady Katherine get such fanciful ideas in your pretty little heads.”
Amiria burst out in laughter. “’Tis why you fit in so well with those who live here at Berwyck. Dristan and his guards have the same annoying traits, but you all know how we ladies admire you, all the same.”
“Hmmm…I know not how you can say you admire us and then call us names in the same sentence.”
“’Tis because we love to tease you all so. ’Tis not often we mere women get the best of our handsome knights who are sworn to protect us, not that I cannot do a fair job of it myself. Besides, we must needs take advantage of such rare occurrences when we can,” Amiria answered as she continued to have a mischievous look upon her face.
“Then enjoy your time jesting with me whilst you may, Amiria, for Lynet and I shall need to leave soon. I do not relish being caught so far south when winter begins. I worry over Lynet and the babe.”
“I wish you could stay longer, but we understand,” Amiria replied somewhat sadly.
Ian grew serious as he continued to watch his wife’s sister from the corner of his eye. She began looking over his shoulder ’til she suppressed a girlish giggle. “What so amuses you now, Amiria?” Ian stated with a frown.
She returned her attention to him whilst continuing to hide her smile. She failed and promptly burst into a laughing fit, annoying him further, thinking he was the reason of some jest he was not privy to. “Fine…do not answer me then,” he fumed.
“Oh, Ian…do not be so serious all the time,” she began. “You must enjoy life and the surprises given to you sometimes.”
“I am done with all the surprises I have had of late and need no more of them. I only wish for Lynet and myself to live a happy, normal life.”
“Bah! Normal is boring, my dear friend. ’Tis best to live your life on the edge of anticipation that all things are possible,” she said, looking around him yet again with a very enchanting smile.
Ian turned to see who was behind him, but saw only the barbican gate. “Who is it you keep staring at? Whoever he is, he seems to be keeping you amused,” Ian declared in puzzlement.
“Let me just say that there is someone who is wishing a word with you.”
Ian frowned. “Then, mayhap, he should come forth from the keep so we might have speech together.”
“He is already here, Ian. Open your mind to the gift that is afore you and enjoy the moment,” she murmured softly. She tugged on the sleeve of his tunic, and when he leaned down, she gave him a quick kiss upon his cheek. “I will leave you two together. I am sure there is much you must needs catch up on.”
Ian was confused as she left him standing there very much alone. “Daft woman,” he grumbled aloud as he watched her depart.
“I heard that,” Amiria called over her shoulder afore she continued walking inside the castle gate.
Ian took up his stance of watching over his wife. He had not been standing there long afore a fierce wind blew across the land, causing him to rock on his feet. He brushed back the hair that had fallen across his face and began to rub his eyes from the grains of dirt that had attached itself to his skin. As he began to get his eyesight back, he had a moment of startled surprise when he saw a vague, ghostly, transparent image begin to take shape next to him. “By all that is holy! It cannot be!”
“Hello, my friend,” the ghost whispered inside his head.
“Rolf?” Ian at last managed to gasp out. “God’s Wounds! What trickery is this?”
“’Tis no trickery, and I will not appear to you for long, so my time with you is short,” Rolf answered brusquely. “This state of being takes some getting used to.”
Ian’s gaze shifted up and down the ghostly apparition in disbelief. “Why are you not resting in peace, Rolf? You did your duty. Lynet is safe. You must needs enjoy the heavenly delights that are yours by right for saving the woman you loved.”
Rolf’s attention went to the woman who was rising from the ground and hastily making her way towards them. “Aye, I loved her, but she will never see me as I am now. ’Tis the vow I made when I asked the angels to allow me to stay at Berwyck to watch over its people. You may feel that I did my duty, but in my heart, I know I failed in my quest to keep Lynet safe. ’Twill be the penance I will gladly pay to watch over the castle for all time.”
“She would want to see you and, at the very least, hear one last time that you loved her,” Ian urged, still mystified that he was having this strange conversation with a spirit not of this world.
Rolf gave a cocky smile. “You tell her for me, my friend. You will take good care of her.”
Ian watched in amazement when Rolf began to fade the closer Lynet came. “How can you ask that of me? You should know I will protect her to my last dying breath.”
Rolf gazed only once more towards Lynet afore he vanished, “’Twas really not a question, Ian, but more of a fact. God Speed, my friend.”
Ian stumbled forward after he felt a hearty slap upon his shoulder and upon hearing Rolf’s last words to him rumbling around inside his head. The damn ghost surely was most amused, as he listened to Rolf’s cheerful laugher. He had no further time to ponder such strange happenings, for Lynet came up to him, and he pulled her into his arms.
“Is all well with you and the babe, Lynet?” Ian asked, kissing her forehead. Her brow was furrowed, and he reached out to smooth the wrinkles.
“I had the strangest feeling come over me when I was finishing my prayers. I looked up towards you, and I thought I saw…someone…”
“Who?” Ian asked quietly as they began to make their way toward the bridge of the castle.
“’Twas nothing, I am sure, and just my imagination. But still, I could have sworn I saw…Rolf,” she said with a look of stern concentration on her features, as if she was trying to determine whether her mind was playing tricks on her.
“I could not resist letting her see me just once, however slight, Ian,” Rolf’s voice whispered inside his
head. “I am certain I will pay for such an offense against my vow.”
Ian brought Lynet’s fingers to his lips. “I am sure, if you think you saw him, then you did, Lynet,” he answered reverently.
“You will think me daft afore this pregnancy is over,” she said in delight and began twirling around with a brilliant smile set upon her face. ’Twas as though the sun began to shine all the brighter because she was so happy. “It feels so good to be home, Ian,”
“I am glad you are happy, my sweet.”
“How could I not be? I always wanted a knight to call my own, and not only do I call him my husband, but he’s also a Scottish laird. With your child growing inside me, I would say our lives are just about perfect.”
“Aye, I would have to agree with you, my dear wife, for I have my own nightingale to call my very own, as well. I love you, Lynet, ’til the end of time.”
“I swear, I will never tire of hearing you say those words to me. I love you, too, Ian. Our souls shall always find a way to each other so we can forever and a day be together.”
She pulled upon his tunic ’til he leaned down so she could capture his lips in a searing kiss. He groaned, knowing they had hours yet afore they would be able to excuse themselves and make their way to their bedchamber.
Ian watched her skip ahead across the bridge and under the barbican gate. As he made to follow her, Rolf’s ghostly figure appeared standing guard afore the entrance to the castle. He appeared as he always had been, strong, tall, and proud to be part of the Devil of Berwyck’s guardsmen.
When Ian drew closer, Rolf withdrew his sword from his scabbard and hoisted it in a salute to his comrade in arms. Honored by such a gesture, Ian gave the knight a courtly bow afore taking his own sword and returning the gesture. Rolf gave one last cocky grin, returned his sword, and disappeared from view.
“Ian? Whatever are you doing, my love?” Lynet called out. “I thought you were going to assist me in the garden?”
