The Laird's Captive Wife (26 page)

Ashlynn darted a glance at her brother. ‘Are you sure about this?’

‘Why not?’ he replied. ‘I won’t overdo it, but I need to start some time.’

She looked from one to the other in disbelief. ‘In this weather?’

Iain grinned. ‘I’m not such a martyr to the art. We’ll use the barn.’ Then, seeing his wife’s anxious expression, he continued, ‘Have no fear, my lady, I will return him safe and sound.’

She sighed and watched them go. In a few weeks Ban would indeed be fit again. After that he would leave. It was time to face the unpleasant truth. Her brother had his own life to lead and she had no right to expect him to remain at Dark Mount if it was his inclination to go. Their destinies lay along different paths for a while at least but perhaps, if the fates were kind, they might overlap from time to time. Besides, she too had duties and responsibilities now and must face up to them.

* * *

Out in the barn the two men moved through the warm-up routine and Ban was cautiously optimistic. As he had said, some of the strength was returning to his shoulder. Daily exercise would re-educate the muscles and help him build up the stamina he had lost erewhile. From time to time he glanced at his brother-in-law but if Iain noticed he gave no sign, his concentration entirely on what he was doing. It was habitual with him. Whatever he undertook he did with commitment and attention to detail. It occurred to Ban then that he could learn a great deal from a man like that. When he remembered his initial doubts he felt foolish. Iain MacAlpin might have his faults but he was also a man to respect. Would he find another such among the lords at Dunfermline? He hoped it might be so. All the same he knew he was going to miss Dark Mount for in the few weeks he had been there it had become like a home to him, a home he had never thought to have again. Leaving Ashlynn would be hardest of all, like losing her anew. It was comforting to know at least that she would always be safe, safe and loved.

Ban was startled out of his thoughts by Iain’s voice.

‘Shall we try a little practice now?’

‘Why not?’

The blades engaged and they moved through the regular drills. Ban, tense at first, began to settle into the familiar rhythms. Though he had already seen Iain fight he was once again awed by the lithe power of the man, of the tireless repetitions and the grace of the movements in which the blade became an extension of his arm. Ban was a capable swordsman but all at once he knew he was seeing the standard to aim at. However, it soon became evident that it was going to take a while to achieve his goal for after a short spell of more vigorous use his shoulder began to ache and the weight of the weapon to increase dramatically. Seeing it shake in the young man’s grasp Iain lowered his own blade.

‘That’s enough for today, I think.’

Ban smiled apologetically. ‘I fear it is.’

‘Even so that shoulder has made remarkable progress.’ Iain sheathed his sword. ‘It will not be long before it’s as good as it ever was.’

‘I pray you are right for I hope to make my living thus.’ Ban brushed beads of moisture from his forehead, noting as he did so that his brother-in-law hadn’t even broken into a sweat as yet. With a rueful smile he sheathed his own blade. ‘I imagine my sister has told you as much.’

‘Aye, she did.’ Iain bent to retrieve his tunic. ‘She said you were thinking of going to Dunfermline.’

‘That’s right.’

‘Well, if you still wish to do so then I’ll gladly furnish you with an introduction.’

‘That is most generous, my lord. Particularly when I consider how much I already owe you.’

‘You owe me nothing.’

‘I think you understate the matter.’

‘Not so.’ Iain shrugged himself into the tunic and belted it. ‘Family must stick together.’

Hearing those words Ban felt a surge of pride and pleasure for in that one brief and casual comment he was brought into the fold, given a place and a sense of belonging.

‘You speak true, lord.’

‘That being the case I have a proposition to put to you.’

Ban stopped in the act of reaching for his own tunic. ‘A proposition?’

‘Aye. Stay here at Dark Mount. I can always use a good man.’

For a moment there was silence. Iain smiled faintly.

‘You don’t have to make up your mind now. Take your time. Think it over.’

The younger man reddened but recovered himself quickly. ‘You mistake, my lord. My silence was not due to hesitation but surprise. Do you really mean it?’

The dark eyes met and held his. ‘I should not have said it else. Besides, I would be loath to see you go.’

‘I would be loath to go, my lord.’

‘That’s settled then.’ The easy smile appeared again. ‘Now I need to speak to Dougal. In the meantime perhaps you should go and tell your sister.’

* * *

Ban found Ashlynn in the hall by the hearth. She looked up and smiled as he entered.

‘How was the practice?’

‘Well enough, but there’s a long way to go yet.’ He flexed the shoulder and winced a little. ‘It still lacks much of its original power.’

‘It is like to take some weeks, but there’s no hurry. You can’t leave anyway until the warmer weather comes.’

‘I’m not leaving at all.’

‘I don’t understand.’

‘Iain has asked me to stay. To join him.’

‘What…what did you say?’

‘I said yes of course.’

For a moment she was speechless for the feeling of joy and relief was so intense that her throat was too tight for words. Then she was out of her chair and hugging him tightly.

‘I’m so glad.’

‘To tell you the truth I’m glad too.’

‘Are you really?’ She held him at arm’s length for a moment and her blue gaze met his. ‘You’re not just saying that? It’s not just because of me?’

‘No. When Iain made the offer to ride with him I was more than happy to accept. He’s a man I respect, a man I could follow.’

Ashlynn nodded. She had seen his growing admiration for his brother-in-law and had been glad to see the friendship between the two. However, she knew that Iain had not just made the offer because he saw potential in her brother. It had been done to please her. The knowledge warmed her to the core of her being. With that simple gesture he had made her happier than he could ever know.

Even as she was thinking about him he arrived with Dougal, and the two of them came over to the hearth where she and Ban were standing. Dougal beamed to see them and held out his hand to her brother.

‘Lord Iain’s just told me the good news. I’m delighted.’

Ban reddened a little as he took the proffered hand. ‘It is an honour, believe me, sir.’

‘Let us drink to it.’

Iain called for wine and presently proposed a toast. ‘To friendship and brotherhood.’

Ban raised his cup solemnly as he repeated the words, a brief and informal version of the oath of fealty he would swear later before his lord and in the sight of his men. Once he looked at Ashlynn and saw her answering smile. When the toast was done the conversation fell into more general topics and she let the men talk, allowing the words to wash over her, having eyes only for Iain. He had done this for her. With a full heart she met her husband’s glance and saw him smile, the familiar easy smile that made her heart leap.

Seeing Dougal and Ban deep in conversation he came to join Ashlynn. She looked up at him with shining eyes.

‘How can I thank you?’

‘No thanks are necessary. It was a logical step to take. Ban needs to make his way in the world and I need good men. Two birds with one stone, you see.’

‘Three,’ she replied, ‘for you have also made me very happy.’

‘If you are happy then I am content.’

‘I am happy, Iain, more than I ever dreamed of being again. After Heslingfield was destroyed I could see no future. You made me look beyond that.’

His throat tightened for he had never thought to hear such words from her. Yet they were heartfelt, of that there could be no doubt.

‘We will build a good future, you and I,’ he replied.

‘Will we?’

‘Can you doubt it?’

‘I want so much to believe, Iain, to let go of the past but it lours over us yet.’ Her eyes met his and he saw the quiet anguish there.

‘What is it, lass?’

‘Fitzurse.’

For a moment or two the name hung between them. Ashlynn laid a hand on his arm.

‘If you really want to build a future let go of your hatred, Iain.’ She paused. ‘Such ancient grudges cast a long shadow and they are corrosive. I do not want our life together to be tainted with the evils of the past.’

His expression grew sombre. ‘You do not know what you ask, Ashlynn.’

‘Yes, I do know—more than anyone.’

‘I made a sacred promise. Would you have me break it?’

‘I demand nothing. I ask only that you think about it.’

‘This is not fair, Ashlynn.’

‘It was not fair that Fitzurse destroyed Heslingfield and murdered my kin,’ she replied, ‘and I have thought often of revenge. But it will not restore my home or make my family live again. They are gone and nothing will change it.’ She paused. ‘The only way now is forward, to make the most of what we have.’

‘With you I have found what I never thought to have again, but I cannot know true peace until Fitzurse is dead.’

‘Will you allow him to taint the future as well as the past, Iain? If so, then he really will have won.’

She turned sadly away, leaving him alone. He sighed, watching her go, torn between wanting and frustration. Did she expect him to break his oath? To be forsworn? Time might have made his memories easier to bear but it did not change the instinct for revenge. His hand tightened around his cup. What Ashlynn asked was impossible. How could he have the kind of future he wanted and know all the time that somewhere his enemy lived and prospered?

* * *

Ashlynn did not return to her room but instead left the tower and took a turn about the courtyard, needing the air and the space to clear her mind. At least it had stopped raining now though everything smelled of damp. She glanced up, watching rags of cloud scudding across the sky above the water-darkened stones of the tower, and shivered, drawing her cloak closer. It wasn’t the weather to be out of doors and yet she had no wish to return to the hall just yet. Seeing the stable door just a few yards away she made for it. It was dry within and warmer too, the air sweet and pungent with hay and horses. Letting her eyes adjust to the dimmer light she walked along the stalls until she came to the one that housed Steorra.

The mare heard her step and turned, whickering softly. Ashlynn smiled, and slipped into the stall, rubbing the horse’s nose affectionately. When the bad weather let up it would be good to get out for a ride. Iain had mentioned a hunt. The prospect was alluring.

The thought of Iain brought their recent conversation to the fore again and she sighed. She had hoped her arguments might prevail with him but in retrospect wondered if she had done right to raise the topic again. A blood oath could never lightly be forsworn and he had every right to want revenge. Considered dispassionately it was understandable, and yet how hard it was to be dispassionate when considering the possible price of such revenge. Would it take him from her? Was this newfound happiness to be so soon destroyed? She understood then that her request had been in part about her own insecurities. The knowledge did not make her feel any better.

A footstep behind her made her turn, expecting to see one of the grooms. However, it was a very different figure that stood there. For the space of a dozen heartbeats they faced each other in silence.

‘I thought I might find you here,’ he said.

Ashlynn gave Steorra a final pat and came to join him at the entrance to the stall. ‘Iain, what I said before…I’m sorry. I had no right to ask it.’

For a moment the dark eyes registered surprise. Then he sighed. ‘You had the right, lass.’

‘No, an oath like that is sacred. I see it now and I apologise.’

‘Ach, lass, you’ve nothing to apologise for. Besides, there was much truth in what you said.’

Now it was her turn to feel surprise but before she could say anything he went on. ‘I have carried the desire for revenge in my heart for so long it has become part of me. Not one of the better parts, I fear. Even now, I’m not sure I can let it go.’

‘Iain, I—’

‘No, hear me out, I beg.’ He took a deep breath. ‘If ever our paths cross, I will slay Fitzurse, but I’ll not deliberately seek him out any longer.’

Her heart began to beat a little faster. ‘Do you mean it?’

‘I would not have said it otherwise, lass.’ He eyed her keenly. ‘Will that content you?’

It was so much more than she had ever expected that for a moment it was hard to speak. Then she nodded. ‘Yes.’

Iain knew that a week ago, a day even, he could not have made that promise, but for the first time he had glimpsed something he wanted more than revenge. At some deep level he understood that a fundamental change had taken place and that it was due to his feelings for Ashlynn. He should have felt angry or resentful but he didn’t. The feeling was liberating, as though a burden had been lifted.

‘Then let the matter rest there,’ he said.

‘Thank you. In truth I did not expect so much.’

‘I want that future we spoke of.’

‘And I also. I want your children, Iain, and I want them to grow up knowing their father, not hearing about him at second hand.’

He smiled wryly. ‘They’ll come to know me well enough. More perhaps than they’ll like.’

‘I doubt that. It’s my belief you’ll make an excellent father.’

‘Is it so? And what put that thought in your head?’

‘Watching you with your little niece. You have a talent there.’

‘Well, I’ve been practising, ye ken, for the real thing.’

‘God willing, you’ll have the real thing soon enough.’

She stepped closer and reaching up drew his face down to hers for a lingering kiss. When at length they came up for air he saw her gaze move beyond him towards the far end of the building. Instinctively his own turned to follow it and came to rest at the rear on the ladder that led up to the hayloft. Then he gave her a quizzical look.