Leland rode in the middle of the group, just ahead of her since he had Clare with him. Her daughter lit up around him and it put her at ease having her little girl close during the journey. Watching them together, Fiona found herself wishing for things again—wishing Leland could be a real father to Clare. Yet, she knew asking Leland to take on that kind of responsibility was selfish. He deserved so much better than to marry someone who could never be a true wife to him. If only she could manage to put her fear of men aside, but it was always there, even when she longed to trust. It was a battle she seemed doomed to fight for the rest of her life.
As they traveled throughout the day, Fiona tried to keep her mind from wandering places she didn’t wish it to. Instead she concentrated on the scenery the mountains offered. She never dreamed anything could be more beautiful than the eastern sea, yet now she questioned her previous assumption. Rays of golden sun reflected off rocks and the lush green of the moss. There were also natural springs that sprouted from the mountainside. The tiny waterfalls gathered into clear pools with wildflowers sprouting up through the craggy earth.
After they stopped for the evening, Clare fell asleep in their tent early and Artair curled up beside her. With about an hour of light remaining, Fiona ventured away from the group a short distance until reaching the edge of a small stream. With the tent where her daughter slept still in view, she bent down and dipped her handkerchief into the water to wipe the dust from her face. The cool water refreshed her after a long, hot day of traveling.
When she turned to walk back to camp, her heart nearly stopped. She wasn’t alone. There were three strangers nearby, watching her. Fiona screamed and bolted away from them, dropping her handkerchief in the process. Somehow Fergus’ men had found her.
“Milady, wait!” one of the men called.
She turned her head for a moment to see how close they were, but she barely caught a glimpse before tripping over a large rock. Her body lunged forward while her feet did not. The jagged ground dug into her forearms, making her groan in pain, but she was up again in an instant. A few moments later, she ran out of ground to run. The earth before her dropped off into a deep, rocky cavern.
She turned around, chest heaving in and out as she struggled to draw in a full breath. Fiona grabbed the small dagger sheathed in the scabbard on her belt as the men grew closer.
“Milady, we do not wish to harm you,” the first man said.
Her hand trembled as she held the dagger and took a step backward. “Don’t come any closer!”
The man’s eyes grew wide. “Milady, I implore you, please do not move any closer to the edge.”
She felt rocks give way beneath one foot. Fiona attempted to catch her balance, but it was all for naught. Her foot slipped and she felt her body falling. A blood curdling scream escaped from her mouth as the first man rushed forward to grab her hand.
Leland had been going over the map with his company to determine their best route when a piercing scream carried over the noise of the rushing water in the stream. He dashed toward Fiona’s tent. Clare was fast asleep with Artair by her side, but her mother was nowhere in sight.
He heard another noise coming from the direction of the stream and ran toward it. “Lady Fiona!” he cried out in a panic, forgetting to use her alias. “Call out if you can hear me!” Leland knelt down and picked a lavender cloth from the ground—Fiona’s handkerchief. Then he followed footprints leading away from the stream until another scream pierced the air and the falling of rocks.
He ran toward the sound until coming upon three men by the cliff. Two were kneeling by the edge and the third was bent over trying to pull someone else up. He drew his sword while running toward them.
The man in the middle, managed to pull the other person up as he reached them. He recognized Fiona right away as she kicked and screamed at the man holding onto her waist. A moment later, her eyes rolled back and she went limp in his arms.
“Release her at once!” he demanded, uncertain if the men were friends or foes. The man holding Fiona obeyed, gently resting her limp body on the ground. Then he looked up and lifted his hands in a non-threatening manner. Leland let out a sigh of relief, recognizing the familiar face. He sheathed his sword and shook the physician’s hand instead. “Niall. ‘Tis a relief to see you, my friend. I thought you planned to meet us in Kiely next week.”
“Aye, Your Grace. I apologize for the confusion. I am afraid our scouting trip near Aoife did not go as planned. We lost over half our men. We saw signs of your camp and thought it would be safer to join forces. However, we managed to startle this young lady in the process. I narrowly saved her from falling off the cliff.”
“I am in your debt. We will talk more soon.” He knelt next to Fiona and began carefully checking her for injuries. She had badly scraped her arms, but for the most part she seemed unharmed and her breathing was steady. He swept a few strands of chestnut hair from her face. “Milady, can you hear me? You’re safe.” When she didn’t respond, he lifted her limp body in his arms and carried her back to the camp.
Fiona startled awake as cool water dripped on her injured forearms. A man held her upper body in his lap and she flailed her arms to escape his grasp.
He held her arms down before her nails could dig into his flesh. “Milady, ‘tis the Earl of Kiely. Please be calm before you hurt yourself further.”
She turned her head and focused on his familiar face in the dim light. “Milord?” she whispered, pausing to glance at her surroundings. They appeared to be under the shelter of a small tree.
He loosened his grip and nodded. “Aye, you’ve no need to be afraid.”
She buried her face in his shirt as sobs wracked her thin frame. “I was washing my face…by the stream. Those men…they just appeared…and I fled…but…” Her voice dissolved away and she could no longer speak.
“Shh…you’re safe now,” he assured while smoothing back her tangled hair. “Those men are friends from Kiely. I’m so sorry they frightened you. I did not know they were coming, but they will not harm you.”
Fiona’s breathing slowed and she became aware of how tightly she clung to Leland. She blushed while releasing him and moved an appropriate distance away. “I suppose I overreacted. I apologize for causing such chaos in the camp.”
“There is no need. ‘Twas a misunderstanding.” He motioned toward the scrapes on her arms. “May I tend to your injuries?” She nodded and extended one arm. He opened a small container of salve and rubbed some of it on the injury before wrapping it with a bandage and then reaching for her other arm. “This should prevent swelling and ease the pain. We have Niall to thank for the salve. He is a physician and the man who caught you on the cliff.”
Fiona looked away as he bandaged her second arm. “I shall have to thank him and apologize for my behavior when I see him.”
“He holds no ill will against you, Milady. Niall will be relieved you are on the mend. He gave me the salve because he didn’t wish to frighten you again.” He paused before going on in a softer voice. “That brings me to another subject. I do not wish to pry into your personal matters, but I have wondered this since when we first met. Outside of your family members, it seems I am the only man you trust. What has made you so fearful?”
She looked up for the first time and met his gaze. His expression seemed sincere, yet Fiona’s fear of reliving the horrors in her past paralyzed her. How could she even begin to explain? Tears pricked her eyes as she shook her head. “I-I don’t have the words.”
He gave her a sad smile. “‘Tis all right. You do not have to answer this night. However, when you are ready to talk about it, I’ll be ready to listen.”
“Thank you, Milord.” Her lips trembled as she continued to look into his calming brown eyes. She’d never met a man like Leland—so gentle and patient. Yet, he wanted to know her deepest secret—one she had never revealed to anyone except her mother. She bit her lip to keep the torrent of emotions from escaping and stood. “I am quite weary an
d must check on Clare. Please extend my apologies to the men from Kiely.” He murmured an agreement before she dashed off in the direction of the tent.
Once inside, she collapsed onto the bedroll beside her sleeping daughter and wept in silence as the light faded from the sky. There was truth in Leland’s words. He was the only man who she trusted, but she couldn’t tell him. Keeping everything inside made her feel safe and she couldn’t risk being left vulnerable, even in the presence of a man like Leland.
CHAPTER NINE
Halls of Light
After another sennight of travel, Leland was relieved to see familiar landmarks in the distance. He pointed one of them out to Fiona as she rode beside him. “See that rock formation shaped like a stallion? My ancestors named it Carraig Capall. Whenever travelers see it, they know they’re only about an hour away from Kiely.”
She nodded and smiled at him. “Do you think your people will believe my story? I worry about them discovering my true identity and putting Clare in danger as well.”
“You needn’t worry about such things. The people will believe me. They have never had a reason to not trust my word.”
She raised one eyebrow. “And it doesn’t trouble your conscience deceiving them?”
He sighed and watched the trail ahead. “I made a vow to your brother to keep you and Clare safe and I intend to keep it.”
She nodded, but her expression still seemed apprehensive. “We never discussed where Clare and I will stay. Certainly not the castle, correct? I would imagine there would be too many prying eyes.”
“No, I have an old friend in the village—Edna Delaney. She’s widowed and all six of her children have grown and left home. She would love guests and would dote on you both, at least until I can find you appropriate housing.” When she gave him a look of uncertainty, he continued to explain. “She is like an aunt to me and I trust her more than anyone else in the world. Aunt Edna will treat you both like family.”
Fiona thanked him and her shoulders relaxed, but she didn’t say much during the final leg of their journey. She hadn’t been the same since her incident on the cliff. He hoped he hadn’t pried into her past too deeply and frightened her. Perhaps once they arrived in Kiely she would feel safer.
They traveled over the rough terrain while moving higher up the mountain. Soon the walls of Kiely Fortress rose from the mist and Fiona gasped at the sight. “Oh, ‘tis like a dream! I never imagined anything here in this world could be so beautiful.”
Leland smiled at her as she continued marveling over the sight. “Welcome to Kiely, Your Majesty.” Her joyful expression brought warmth to his soul. He had never seen her look more radiant. Being home was a wonderful feeling for him, too, after not seeing it for over two years.
When they reached the outskirts of the village, the people ran out of their homes shouting for joy and throwing flowers on the ground in their path. “Bless you, Milord,” they cried, bowing as he passed through with his company. Their show of respect brought a lump to his throat. However, it was a bittersweet homecoming, returning without Tristan. The truth remained, his people needed a king and his return without their missing ruler meant the council’s search for a new one would begin soon. Somehow, he still had to convince them to wait a little while longer. Hopefully King Ewan’s letter would convince them Tristan lived.
Once inside the gates of the fortress, they were greeted by the Earl of Aoife and his family. The Earl leaned against his wife for support, looking frail and much older than Leland remembered. “Welcome home, Milord. After your long absence, I had begun to wonder if you would ever return. We will have much to discuss in private. However, first things first.” He motioned to the women next to him with a trembling hand. “Do you remember my wife, Lady Kyna and daughter, Lady Sibeal?”
“Aye,” he said with a bow. “‘Tis a pleasure to see you both again.”
Both women curtsied and Leland tried to avoid Lady Kyna’s intense green eyes to escape an inevitable conversation, but it didn’t work. She pulled her daughter forward. “We are so pleased to welcome you back home, Milord. Lady Sibeal has spoken of no one else since your departure. Hasn’t our daughter grown? She has come of age now, as you must notice.”
He forced a smile at the earl’s daughter as her long blonde locks blew in the breeze. “Aye, Lady Sibeal, you have blossomed like a summer rose in my absence.”
Lady Sibeal’s emerald eyes gazed into his as she extended her hand. “Thank you, Milord.”
He kissed her hand, as was the custom and quickly released it, not wanting to draw attention. Then he turned to Fiona and Clare and helped them dismount. “I would like to introduce you to Lady Meara. She has befallen on hard times in Dóchas after being widowed and is looking for a new beginning for her and her young daughter. I offered them a refuge here in Kiely. They will be staying with Widow Delaney until I can find permanent lodging for them.”
Lady Kyna’s eyes widened at first after laying eyes on Fiona, but recovered quickly and offered a forced smile. “Old Widow Delaney, in that musty smelling cottage? Certainly not! I will prepare chambers in the castle for them at once. They will be our honored guests.”
Leland sighed. “Very well, but only for one evening.”
Fiona shook her head, appearing stunned. “Oh, we couldn’t impose.”
She reached for Fiona. “‘Tis no imposition at all. Come, my dear. You both must be quite weary after your long journey. My daughter and I will order baths drawn for you and help you settle into your chambers.” Leland noticed Sibeal give her mother an odd glance before submitting to her will.
Fiona turned to him with a hint of fear in her eyes and whispered, “You’ll be leaving us here?”
Leland gave her a comforting smile. “No, I’ll be staying in the castle as well. I’ll see you at supper. Do not fear, Lady Meara. The Countess and her daughter will take good care of you.”
She nodded, although still appearing uneasy. As she and Clare turned away with the earl’s wife and daughter, he hoped they would be kind to her.
Fiona held Clare close to her while following the Countess of Aoife and her daughter into the castle. It was smaller than Solas Castle in Brannagh, but the elegant architecture amazed her. The entire castle seemed to be bathed in light. She couldn’t stop studying the white marble tiles, bright stone walls, and flowing tapestries as they ascended a spiral staircase up to the next level. There, they traveled down several hallways until stopping before a grand double door entry.
Kyna led the way and showed her the room, complete with a regal four-poster bed surrounded by panels of gold fabric. There was a large window with a view of the mountains. Below the window she noticed a cushioned seating area with bookshelves on each side. The room was light, airy and elegant—far different than the rich tones of the decorations in her old chambers.
The countess motioned toward the grand room. “I do hope this will do for the evening. It is one of the rooms I have yet to update, but it has clean bedding and blankets. There is a large wardrobe as well. I will have a servant come in shortly to fill it with clothing in your sizes.”
“Oh, this is more than enough! Thank you for your generosity, Milady. I am certain we will be very comfortable.”
While Fiona studied her chambers for the evening, the countess and her daughter ordered the servants to bring in a large tub for her to bathe, towels and a robe.
One of the maids came over and offered to take Clare to the nursery, but she declined, not wanting to let her daughter out of her sight for the moment.
When everything was settled, Lady Kyna turned to her with a smile. “We will take our leave to allow you time to bathe and prepare for supper.”
Fiona thanked them, relieved when she and Clare were alone in the room. The Countess of Aoife and Lady Sibeal were kind and accommodating hosts, but she needed a few moments to adjust.
Fiona unwrapped her forearms and inspected them, thankful they seemed to be healing after her fall. Then a few minutes later,
she slipped into the bath tub, relaxing instantly in the soothing warm water. It felt wonderful to wash all the dirt and grime from the trail off her skin. Clare also enjoyed splashing around in the tub. By the time they were done and wrapped in soft robes, a few servants returned with selections of clothing for them in shades of gold, periwinkle and blush pink.
Fiona chose the periwinkle color for both of them and reveled at how light and airy the gown felt on her.
“I pretty, Mama!” Clare twirled in the new gown with a delighted grin on her face.
“Aye, my darling, you are beautiful as a summer lily.” Clare’s joy was contagious and Fiona couldn’t help being happy herself. It was lovely to be within castle walls again—protected away from the elements and dangers they had encountered along the trail.
A servant announced Leland awaited them in the hall. She finished her final preparations on Clare’s hair, picked out some jewelry to match her gown and then stepped out into the hallway with her daughter.
Leland’s smile brightened the hallway when he saw them. “You look stunning, Lady Meara.” He kissed Fiona’s hand and then knelt to tousle Clare’s chestnut curls. “And you are the prettiest little girl I’ve ever seen.”
The little girl giggled at him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Lee Lay is pretty, too.”
Fiona covered her chuckle and blushed, eyeing his fresh green tunic and trimmed appearance. “You mean Leland looks handsome, right, Clare?”
“Aye, handsome.”
“Thank you.” He grinned and lifted the little girl in his arms before turning back to Fiona. “Well, a bath, shave and fresh clothes can make a big difference after a long journey through the wilderness, I suppose.”
She nodded before he offered his arm to escort her to the great hall. The room was elegant and airy like the rest of the castle and the food was delicious. Clare behaved like an angel as well, thanks to Leland including her in the conversation. They both tried to stifle a giggle as her daughter said something cute about the dessert served at the end, which had a unique shape she thought looked like a pigeon.
Lady Fiona's Refuge (Ladies of Ardena Book 3) Page 6
