Wanting to get out of the office and away from Castor, Ivy bit back the scathing reply that sat on the tip of her tongue. It was not worth having an argument about him thinking he could dismiss her like common staff members. Instead, she got to her feet and walked out of Castor’s office, slamming the door behind her, just to irritate her brother.
As she strode back to her chambers, her mind was buzzing with a million different thoughts about her brother and whether he was or was not involved with the Duke’s attempted assassination. He had lied to her, that much she knew to be true. But was it a benign lie? The sort of white lie people told to avoid admitting something far more embarrassing? Or was it a lie that was more sinister and one he told to avoid admitting something far more appalling?
She hated to think that her brother could possibly be involved with these ghastly deeds. But in light of the information she had in hand right now, she did not know what to think. Nor could she definitively say that Castor had not played a role in the entire episode.
And that bothered her more than anything.
Chapter Seventeen
Ivy
She had heard the shouts from the guardsmen that a rider was approaching and she grew excited. They did not often get visitors to Welton Manor, and it was always cause for excitement. For her anyway. Aside from the usual flow of petitioners from Elix, and a few merchant trains that passed through, nobody ever really came to see them here at the far reaches of the realm.
She and Mira stood on the ramparts of the curtain wall, watching the road. The man on horseback was approaching slowly as if he was in no hurry whatsoever. Overhead, the thunder rumbled ominously, and she felt the first few soft drizzles of rain begin to fall.
“Oh, what a fine day it is,” Mira grumbled.
“It could be worse,” she offered. “It could be snowing.”
“Do not say that,” Mira said with a laugh. “You do not want to tempt God to prove you wrong now.”
Ivy laughed softly and turned her eyes back to the oncoming rider and felt her stomach lurch. That familiar warmth formed in her belly, and her heart stuttered drunkenly in her chest.
“You know who it is, don’t you?” Mira asked.
“Why would you say that?”
Mira laughed. “Because your skin just got even paler than normal,” she said. “But, your cheeks are burning the most amazing shade of scarlet.”
Ivy laughed and looked away from her best friend quickly. She tried to control her physical reactions. Tried to keep her heart from somersaulting and her cheeks from burning. But she knew she would have an easier time forcing the rain to stop falling.
“It is him, isn’t it?” Mira asked with a note of awe in her voice. “It is the Scotsman?”
Ivy smiled softly. “It is Fin. Yes, it is the Scotsman.”
“Oh my,” Mira said, feigning like she was fanning herself. “I can see why you would do the things you did to be alone with him.”
Ivy squealed and laughed hard, slapping Mira lightly on the arm. She clung to her handmaiden, watching the large form of the Scotsman growing closer and closer. And as he did, the harder her stomach churned, and the harder her heart beat within her breast.
“What is he doing here?” Mira asked.
Ivy shook her head. “I do not know.”
From the moment she had seen him on the road, she had thought he was coming to see her. That he had formed some sort of pretext to come see her. She was sure of it. She was sure that he had made up some fiction for the chance to start the conversation they had not finished yet. It was a thought that sent waves of emotion rippling through her and put a wide smile on her face.
“We should go inside and get you ready to properly receive him,” Mira offered. “You look a fright. And for a man that beautiful, you are going to want to look your very best.”
Ivy laughed. “Then come and help me.”
Together they turned and sprinted back into the keep, shaking away the fine mist of rain that had fallen upon them. They ran back to her bedchamber, and Ivy was already stripping off her wet dress and tossing it atop the drying rack. With the busy work of trying to make her presentable for the most beautiful man she had ever known. A man that made her insides feel like warm mush.
She sat down at the dressing table, and Mira immediately went to work on her hair, brushing it out quickly and using a towel to pat it dry. Once Ivy’s hair was to her liking, Mira put it up in an intricate bun that wrapped around her head.
“You seem nervous,” Mira noted.
“It is that obvious?”
“Remember, he is just a man,” Mira said. “A beautiful man who looks like he could have been carved from stone to resemble an ancient Roman god, but a man nonetheless.”
She laughed softly. “This is silly,” she said, almost to herself. “We were friendly. But I am no more to him than he is to me.”
“If that were true, you would not look as if you were on the verge of being ill.”
“It must be something I ate this morning,” Ivy said.
“Yes, that sounds reasonable,” Mira scoffed.
Her hair done, Ivy ran over to her wardrobe and pulled it open so quickly, she nearly tore it off the hinges. She rifled through her large collection of dresses, rejecting most everything she touched.
“The green one,” Mira offered. “The dark green with the black scrollwork.”
Ivy pulled it out of the wardrobe and looked at it as she held it to her body. It had always been one of her favorites. It was a deep, rich green with a scoop neckline, long sleeves, a black sash around the cinched waist, and intricate black scrollwork that ran up the length of her sleeves. It had been a little while since she’d worn it, but she thought she had always looked pretty in it.
“Definitely the green,” Mira said. “It will most definitely turn Fin’s head.”
“I do not know if that’s what I want,” she countered.
Mira gave her a mischievous smirk. “If you weren’t considering it, you would have rejected the green dress outright.”
Ivy laughed, knowing her handmaiden had a point. Ivy quickly got dressed, and Mira helped her touch up her looks. Ivy’s mind was consumed with thoughts of Fin - and questions. Why had he come to Elix? Had something happened to the Duke? Had something happened to Gillian? The latter thought made her stomach tighten almost painfully.
She pushed the thoughts away and tried to focus on the positive. Ivy truly believed that thinking positively would ensure a positive outcome. Granted, it was not always easy for her to live by that creed, but she tried. But after Gillian had always shown her such kindness, Ivy truly did not want anything bad to happen to her.
“How do I look?” Ivy asked.
Mira smiled wide. “You look stunning. Beautiful,” she said. “Every superlative known to the world and then some.”
“Thank you, Mira,” she said. “I feel pretty right now.”
“As you should.”
Ivy took in a deep breath and let it out slowly, doing her best to steady her nerves. She focused on her breathing and tried to slow her racing heart. Slowly, as her tension began to ease, she looked over at Mira.
“Are you ready?” she asked, impressed there wasn’t even the slightest tremor in her voice.
“Of course,” Mira replied. “Let’s go see what this big, handsome Scotsman wants, shall we?”
Ivy nodded, and together they walked out of her bedchamber and straight for the great hall where her brother, in all his pomposity, would no doubt be receiving him. If it were up to Ivy, she would have received him in the salon where it was a little more intimate and seemed friendlier. In her opinion, receiving people in the great hall was just a way her brother liked to show off his superior position. Ivy believed the grand hall should only be used for important House functions and receptions. Not for one man who traveled from York.
As they walked down the halls together, Ivy found herself curious about what he was doing there. About what he wanted. But that made
her thoughts turn inward, and she began to wonder what it was that she wanted.
Chapter Eighteen
Fin
“I thank ye for seein’ me, Baron Welton,” Fin said.
“It would have been rather rude if I had not, given that you have traveled such a distance,” Castor replied.
A wry grin touched his lips. “Twas nae a terribly long ride, Me Lord.”
“And what can we do for you here in Elix, Master Begbie?”
“Fin’ll be fine, I’m nae a master of anythin’,” he replied. ‘And I came tae deliver some news tae ye.”
He stood in the keep’s grand hall at the foot of a raised platform. Castor sat on an elaborately carved chair on the platform, looking down at him imperiously. Fin thought it was all a bit dramatic. He thought Castor, sitting atop his hand-carved throne, seemed to be styling himself as some sort of king or emperor, and it was all Fin could do to keep from rolling his eyes.
He’s a bleedin’ peacock, this one. A preener.
Movement in the corner of his eye drew his attention, and Fin turned his head. From a side door, he saw Ivy walk in and drew in a sharp breath. Wearing a green dress with a high collar and black scrollwork down the sleeves, Fin thought she was a vision. She seemed to glow with an inner light that made her ethereal in his eyes and stirred something deep within him. Not wanting to be too obvious about it, though, he cleared his throat and turned back to Castor.
“So, what news do you bring from York?” Castor intoned, his voice echoing around the hall.
“I come tae tell ye the Duke has improved,” Fin said. “His physician expects him tae make a full recovery.”
“That is certainly good news that I welcome with open arms and heart,” Castor replied with a smile that looked as false as the cheer in his voice had sounded.
“And also that we have the assassin in custody,” Fin said. “He’s in the dark cells now.”
He watched Castor closely, but the man was either innocent, or he was very good at controlling his emotions and expressions. Other than a slight twitch of the eye, the man was as blank as a stone.
“That is certainly more good news,” Castor said with what seemed like more feigned enthusiasm. “And what is to be done with him?”
“I imagine the Duke will have his head off,” Fin replied. “As soon as he’s back on his feet. Which should be soon.”
“Good. That is good,” he replied. “Excellent news.”
Castor nodded, and although outwardly he appeared to be in good spirits and high cheer, behind his eyes, Fin thought he looked trouble. He pursed his lips and continued to study Castor closely. Although he had his suspicions, he had no proof. Everything lined up for him, and he was sure that Castor was behind the assassination attempts, but he could not make an accusation without proof. And he did not want Castor stumbling onto the fact that he suspected him of anything. Not yet, anyway.
That was what he’d come to Elix for in the first place. To find proof of Castor’s guilt that he could take back to the Duke. But he had to wonder if deep down, that was the only reason he had come to Elix.
“I imagine, though,” Castor started, “that you could have sent a courier with the news rather than come all this way yourself.”
Fin cut a quick glance at Ivy, who stood to the side of the room with a woman he did not know who was tall, had golden hair, and pale blue eyes. Ivy held his gaze for a moment, and he saw her cheeks flush with color before she looked away. He turned his attention back to Castor, who looked at him closely.
Fin saw something flash through Castor’s eyes that he couldn’t interpret. But as quickly as it had appeared, it vanished again. It was an almost reptilian coldness that sent a chill up his spine, and Fin assumed Castor had not missed the shared look between him and Ivy - and did not approve. That did not surprise Fin in the least. After all, he was lowborn, and Ivy was a Lady.
“Or was there some other business you had hoped to attend to while you were here?” Castor said, his voice carrying a brittle, suspicious edge to it.
“Nay, Me Lord,” he said with a grin. “Truth be told, I just needed tae get out of York for a wee bit, and since I’d never seen Elix before, I thought I would take the ride tae deliver thae news ma self.”
Castor eyed him closely for a long moment, but then his expression eased, and he seemed to relax. A small smile gently curled the corners of his mouth upward.
“I understand. York can be a cloying place at times,” Castor said.
Fin nodded. “Aye. Eventually, ye feel like thae walls’re closin’ in on ye.”
“Well, please stay and enjoy the hospitality of my home. I will have quarters made up for you,” he said. “You may take your ease with us for the night.”
Fin gave him a short courtesy bow. “Thank you, M’Lord. I appreciate yer hospitality.”
“Of course,” he replied, then cast a look over at Ivy. “I believe my sister can show you to your quarters.”
“Of course,” Ivy replied.
Fin gave him a nod and turned away, crossing the chamber as Castor’s men immediately descended upon him. They began whispering in urgent, hushed tones and cutting glances his way, which piqued his curiosity.
“You certainly seem to be an object of some curiosity with my brother’s advisers,” she says.
“Aye. Mebbe they never seen a man as handsome as me b’fore,” Fin grinned.
Ivy stifled a grin, but the golden-haired woman with her, could not hold back a laugh. It echoed around the chamber, drawing the attention of Castor and his advisers. After looking at them for a moment, they turned back to their huddle, and Ivy turned back to him with a mischievous grin on her face.
“Fin, I would like you to meet my oldest and dearest friend. This is Mira. She is also my handmaiden,” Ivy said. “Though, to be honest, we have been together so long, it almost feels more like we are sisters.”
Mira offered him a slight curtsy and a smile, and Fin inclined his head, returning her greeting.
“Tis nice tae meet ye,” Fin said.
He cut a glance back at Castor and his advisers who remained standing close together, their conversation growing animated. Whatever they were discussing was apparently a matter of some importance.
“Let us leave my brother to his whispers and secrets,” Ivy said, sounding bored.
Fin followed Ivy through the door and down a long corridor. Mira glanced over her shoulder at him, and when he caught her looking, her face flushed scarlet, and she turned away quickly. She whispered something to Ivy, too low for him to hear, then peeled off and strode down a hallway, leaving them alone.
Fin quickened his pace and fell into step beside her, the sound of his heavy boots echoing through the corridor around them. The silence between them was thick. Heavy. It seemed to have a physical weight, and Fin felt it pressing down on him. He recognized it as the weight of unspoken words between them. Fin cleared his throat and cast a glance at her.
“Y - ye look beautiful,” he said, cringing at the strained awkwardness he heard in his own voice. “The dress… the color looks wild on ye.”
“Oh… thank you,” she replied as her cheeks flared with color. “Y - you look very nice as well.”
Fin gave her a cocksure grin. “Aye. I dae look fine, daenae I?” he chuckled. “What, for somebody who’s been on the road for most of a day, anyway.”
Ivy gave him a small smile. “Yes, well, let me see to your chambers straight away,” she said. “Once you refresh yourself, perhaps I can show you the rest of the castle.”
“That sounds fine tae me.”
Ivy led him through a warren of corridors, turning one way, then another. She finally stopped at a heavy oak door and pushed it open, then stepped aside. Fin walked into the room while Ivy lingered at the doorway.
“I will send the staff in to help prepare your room,” she said. “I’ll have some warm water, and a washbasin sent as well.”
“Thank ye.”
She shifted on her
feet and wrung her hands together, dropping her gaze to the floor. Ivy gnawed on her bottom lip, uncertainty etched into her every feature.
“I will return in a little while to fetch you for dinner,” she said. “We can tour the grounds after that.”
“That sounds like a plan tae me.”
Ivy lingered for another moment and looked like she had something else to say, but she seemed to swallow it down and gave him a nod before turning and walking away. Fin watched her go, admiring the way her dress clung to her curves, making them even more appealing. A smile touched his lips, and he felt a stirring down deep inside of him.
He tore his gaze away from Ivy’s backside and cleared his throat before turning and walking back into the chamber. He looked around and thought it looked very similar to the chambers he was using at York - and to his chambers back at Westmarch Hall. It was very utilitarian. Four stone walls, a bed, desk and chair, a sitting table with two chairs, a large hearth, and a floor covered in furs.
He set his bag down on the table as a small army of servants came into his chamber and began to freshen it up. They moved through like a whirlwind, changing the bedding, opening the shutters to let the sunlight in, and lighting candles and incense to make the smell of must and disuse disappear.
“Will there be anything else, My Lord?” A young chambermaid gave him a curtsy and a smile.
“Nay. This is fine,” he replied. “Thank ye.”
She nodded and ushered the rest of the staff out of the room, closing the door behind them on their way out, leaving him alone to get himself washed up as well as a little bit of rest before Ivy came back for him.
Chapter Nineteen
Ivy
“And this is the library,” she said.
Fin stood in the middle of the room, turning in a circle as he took in the floor to ceiling shelves crammed full of books. He had a look of near awe on his face and a small grin curling his lips upward.
Siren of the Highlands: Scottish Medieval Highlander Romance (Highlanders of Cherrythorn) Page 12