‘I know it.’
‘What does your sister think about this?’
‘She is just glad to be away from the Neils and from Dunkeld.’
‘Then she does not seek revenge?’
‘No. Belle has spirit and courage but she does not thirst after blood. Of course, that is because she is a woman.’
‘Women often show wisdom in these matters.’
‘You think the insult should be swallowed?’
‘By no means, but ideally it should be avenged without wholesale slaughter.’
‘How?’
Ban smiled faintly. ‘It is not hard to accomplish. A few whispered words in the right ears: that the Neils are treacherous; that their word means nothing; that they hold honour cheap and so forth. It would damage their social standing and tarnish their reputation irreparably.’
Hugh regarded him keenly. ‘The right ears?’
‘The king and the powerful members of the court around him, particularly those who have little love for the Neils anyway.’
‘I have no influence with the king.’
‘No,’ said Ban, ‘but you have staunch allies who do.’
‘You mean McAlpin. Would he be prepared to act for us in that way?’
‘You can ask him when you come to Glengarron, can’t you?’
‘I shall.’
‘Good.’ Ban paused. ‘Such revenge is not swift but it is extremely effective.’
Hugh grinned. ‘I can see that. I will think well on what you have said, my lord.’
Ban breathed a private sigh of relief. He could understand his companion’s anger and admire his loyalty to his sister, but the last thing anyone needed now was for a passionate youth to plunge headlong into an ill-advised adventure that could only end in disaster. If that possibility had been averted, then it was all to the good. He would speak to Iain about it later. No doubt something could be arranged to satisfy Hugh and put the Neils’ noses out of joint without them ever being able to pinpoint the cause.
Quite apart from the lad’s antipathy towards his erstwhile in-laws, he had let slip some interesting detail about Isabelle’s former marriage. It tended to support the idea that it hadn’t been happy. In what way had Alistair Neil been worthless? Ban would have given a great deal to know.
* * *
When he met Isabelle at table, he decided to broach the subject albeit indirectly. Everyone else was engaged in conversation so they were as private as they were going to get in the circumstances.
‘I spoke to your brother earlier. He is a young man with a lot of promise.’
She smiled. ‘I think so too. He can be impulsive at times but his heart is in the right place.’
‘He will make a good laird one day.’
‘I believe he will.’
‘He holds you in great affection.’
‘And I him. We have always got on well.’
‘As I have with my sister.’ Ban paused. ‘He harbours considerable resentment against the Neils on your account.’
‘I know it. He has good reason to resent them but it worries me all the same. He would like to slay them all and raze Dunkeld to the ground. But for my father’s intervention I think Hugh would have tried.’
‘Your father shows good sense.’
‘He is nothing if not shrewd.’ She shook her head. ‘He knows very well what the consequences would be.’
‘You do not wish for revenge then?’
‘What would be the point?’
‘You might get your dowry back.’
‘It would become blood money.’ She sighed. ‘I have come to regard it as the price of my freedom from that family.’
‘Was your association with them so unpleasant then?’
‘Not at first, but in the end...well, let’s just say I’m glad it’s over.’
‘But surely your late husband would have sided with you, assuming sides were taken.’
‘Alistair was much under the influence of his mother and she was a force to be reckoned with. He had other traits too which were not particularly attractive.’ She smiled wryly. ‘Of course I did not find out until after we were married.’
‘I see.’
For a brief moment her expression suggested that she very much doubted that. Then it was gone. He would have liked to question her further but it was difficult ground and he didn’t want to push things too far and possibly alienate her.
‘Marriage is a gamble,’ she went on. ‘There are winners and losers. I count myself among the former since I was lucky enough to escape.’
‘It’s good that you can take such a positive view of things.’
‘There is no point in taking any other, is there?’
‘Do you not fear leaping from the cooking pot into the fire?’ he asked.
‘It is a risk. I should not like to be burned again.’
Beneath the words he glimpsed her vulnerability and the shadow of a former hurt. It awoke strangely protective emotions in him. He would have liked to offer the appropriate assurances but knew that he wasn’t in a position yet to make any such promises.
‘No one wishes to be burned,’ he replied, ‘and certainly not twice.’
She regarded him curiously. ‘Do you speak from experience?’
‘I too have known disappointment, albeit of a slightly different kind.’ He paused. ‘However, it was years ago and is of no consequence now.’
‘And yet these things shape us, make us who we are.’
‘So they do.’
‘We don’t forget either although we may learn to forgive.’
‘Some things only God can forgive,’ he replied.
‘You are thinking about King William’s destruction of Northumbria.’
‘Amongst others.’
‘He has shown himself to be a brutal tyrant. Perhaps even God will not forgive him.’
‘If there is any justice the bastard will burn in hell for all eternity.’ Ban paused and summoned a smile. ‘But these are sombre topics for conversation, too much so for a woman’s ears.’
‘Do you think a woman should be shielded from the truth?’
‘Women should be protected from unpleasantness as far as possible. Unfortunately it isn’t always possible.’
‘We are stronger than you give us credit for, my lord.’
‘In some things,’ he acknowledged, ‘but I would wager on the power of my sword arm over yours.’
Isabelle caught the gleam in his eye and she laughed. ‘So would I, every time.’
Ban surveyed her appreciatively for laughter lit her face and made what was beautiful even more alluring. A man might feel justly proud to have such a woman at his side, to run his household and bear his children. It created a host of unwonted sensations, not least of which was to have an end to present uncertainty. Of late stability and permanence had become increasingly attractive propositions. He looked forward to the day when he could commit himself, turn his back on war and death and live in peace again. With her he might find the contentment he sought.
He reached for his cup and took a sip of wine. As he did so he became aware that he was being watched. Murdo’s gaze locked with his own. The man’s expression was impassive but Ban could feel hostility emanating from him. He clearly recognised and resented Ban’s interest in Isabelle: what he didn’t know was just how far his own hopes were blighted. That was too bad. All was fair in love and war. Ban checked himself there, mentally revising the statement. All was fair in war and in winning a bride. Love was another matter entirely.
Chapter Nine
Being so caught up in his thoughts he found sleep elusive that night. Around him other men snored and grunted. Somewhere in the darkness outside he heard an owl hoot; an ill omen according to country folk, presaging doom and death. It was a foolish notion. He forced it away and drew the blanket higher.
When sleep eventually came to him it was disturbed by troubled dreams. In them he was running through thick mist, while ever before him went the elusive fig
ure of a woman. She had her back to him so he could not see who she was. However, he knew he must follow and find her, but whenever he drew near enough to touch her she would vanish into the mist again. Each time the sense of loss intensified until it achieved the acuteness of physical pain. Distress and loneliness increased unbearably. He knew that if he could find the woman then he would be all right, that she held the key to things he did not yet understand. He had to find her. He stumbled on in desperation and through the pale swirling vapour he heard her call his name...
‘Lord Ban! Lord Ban!’
He woke in the grey dawn light to find Jock shaking him by the shoulder.
‘Wake up, my lord! You must come quickly!’
‘What is it?’ he muttered. ‘What’s the matter?’
‘Archibald Graham is dead.’
‘What!’
Coming instantly awake, Ban stared at him in stunned surprise. ‘Dead?’
‘Aye, my lord. It seems he passed away in the night,’ Jock went on. ‘When his servant went in this morning he thought the old man was still sleeping, but the body was already cold. I had it from the steward.’
Ban leapt to his feet and began to pull on his clothing, his expression grim. This news would be a grievous blow to Isabelle. It would be a grievous blow for all concerned. Worse was the knowledge he couldn’t put it right. The best he could do was to offer some poor words of comfort.
On reaching the courtyard a few minutes later it became apparent that the news of Graham’s demise had spread, sending shock waves through Castlemora. Already they could hear the shrill keening of women, and groups of men stood without the hall in dismayed surprise or else exchanged huddled whispers. Gritting his teeth Ban threaded his way through them. When he reached the hall he saw Hugh there with Murdo at his side. Ignoring the latter he turned at once to the new laird.
‘I have just heard the ill news, my lord. Pray accept my condolences. I know I speak for Glengarron too in this matter.’
‘I thank you,’ replied Hugh. From the whiteness of his cheek it was evident that he too was still in shock, and just now coming to realise the implications of his father’s demise.
‘On behalf of Glengarron, and on account of the deep ties between our houses, my men and I would wish to join you in paying our final respects to your honoured father.’
‘I thank you for your courtesy, my lord.’
Ban inclined his head in acknowledgement to Hugh and ignored the cold stare from Murdo. If the other man objected to his presence, that was too bad. Fortunately he had no say in the matter.
‘Pray offer my condolences to the Lady Isabelle.’
Hugh nodded. ‘I shall do so. She keeps to her quarters at present. This news has hit her hard.’
‘Of course. Your father was a great man. He will be much missed.’
‘That he will, my lord. I little thought to take his place so soon. I hope I can live up to his expectations.’
‘I think there is no doubt of that,’ said Ban.
Hugh summoned a faint smile. ‘I’ll do my best.’
With that he moved on to speak to the other men gathered there. Ban drew off to one side with Jock.
‘Now what, my lord?’
‘We stay and pay our last respects to Archibald Graham.’
‘Aye, he was a good laird by all accounts.’
‘I imagine the funeral will be tomorrow.’
‘Will we be leaving after?’
‘Not immediately. There are matters I must attend to first.’
‘As you will, my lord.’
In truth Ban had no clear idea yet how he was going to deal with the situation. He didn’t know if Archibald Graham had informed Hugh of the secret betrothal. If he hadn’t, it was going to make things exceedingly awkward. There must already be speculation about his extended stay at Castlemora. It was difficult to see how he could remain longer without declaring his interest. At the same time Isabelle was going to need time to come to terms with her father’s loss. Ban was no stranger to grief and he knew all too well what she must be feeling now. More than ever he wanted to speak with her.
* * *
Unfortunately his wish was disappointed. He waited around for the rest of the morning hoping for a glimpse of her but she did not appear. In the end he gave it up. Probably she didn’t want to speak to anyone at present. Leaving the company he took himself off, needing a little space himself to reflect and consider what he was going to do next.
He headed for the orchard. It was pleasant and private and well suited to his present mood. The place also had associations with Archibald Graham since it was here they had come to discuss Ban’s betrothal to Isabelle. He smiled ruefully. The old man’s intimations of impending death had been accurate after all.
Ban made his way among the trees, laden now with ripening fruit, and then checked abruptly as he realised he wasn’t alone. A woman was standing by the wall. She had her back to him, apparently looking at the view beyond, but he knew her at once. Suddenly he wondered if his presence here might be intrusive; perhaps she too had wanted time apart. He hesitated.
‘Isabelle?’
She turned abruptly. Her face was pale and he could see that she had been crying. In that moment she appeared younger than before and intensely vulnerable.
‘I’m so sorry.’ He crossed the intervening space to join her. ‘This has been a terrible shock.’
‘I didn’t even get the chance to say goodbye to him.’
‘His passing was swift and painless. Take comfort from that.’
‘I do and yet I would have him back again.’ Water sprang to her eyes and she looked away.
‘It is hard to lose a parent, to lose any of your kin.’
‘My mother died when I was young. I have only vague recollections of her. My father was always the heart of Castlemora for me.’ She swallowed hard. ‘We did not always see eye to eye and he was not one to show his feelings openly, but I believe he cared for me, loved me in his way.’
‘I am certain of it.’
‘I cannot believe he is really gone. When I sat with him it was as though he were only sleeping; that if I reached out and touched him he would wake. But he did not.’
The words ended in another flow of tears. Ban’s jaw tightened. However, he said nothing just then, knowing there was nothing he could say. Instead he put his arms round her and stroked her bright hair as she wept on his shoulder. It went on for some time but he made no attempt to stop her. Grief needed an outlet.
Eventually the tears abated and she drew away a little in evident confusion, drying her face again.
‘I’m sorry. I think your tunic must be as damp as my sleeve now.’
‘It doesn’t matter,’ he replied. ‘A tunic and a sleeve will dry. Sorrow takes longer to deal with.’
‘You have known your fair share of sorrow, have you not?’
‘Indeed, though the sight of yours hurts me too.’
The words drew a wan smile. ‘I thank you for your kindness, my lord.’
Her gratitude smote him as hard as her tears. Kindness hadn’t been the motivational force in his behaviour thus far. It had a distinctly exploitative quality that didn’t make for comfortable viewing. Her plight had always been unenviable; today it had become a whole lot worse and for that he was partly responsible.
* * *
The funeral took place with all due solemnity. It wasn’t until she stood by the open grave that her father’s death achieved the status of fact in her own mind. It was still hard to imagine a world in which he didn’t figure. He had always been there, ultimately a strong, protective presence even if they hadn’t always been in accord. Now he was gone and, somehow, life went on.
However, it was only as she received the condolences of others that she began truly to appreciate how respected a figure her father had been, and how big were the shoes her brother must endeavour to fill. The thought of what lay ahead for him made her feel deeply anxious. Her gaze flicked once towards Murdo. His
expression revealed nothing of what was passing through his mind, but with her father out of the way the master-at-arms would certainly try to increase his grip on affairs here. Would Hugh be his own man? Would he be able to keep Murdo in check? It seemed like a tall order.
Ban was a reassuring presence. He had been considerate and kind, more so than she might once have anticipated. It was an unexpected side to his character. He had shown no impatience with her tears and he had been quietly supportive of Hugh. It wasn’t an easy situation but he hadn’t shirked it. Nor did he neglect his public duty now.
‘This is indeed a sad day, my lady. I speak for Glengarron when I say that your father will be sorely missed.’
She found her voice. ‘I thank you, my lord.’
‘Glengarron will always stand ready to support Castlemora. In the meantime you will let me know if there is any service I might perform.’
She thought that the greatest service he could perform for her now would be to acknowledge their betrothal, but that wasn’t going to happen yet. What if it never happened? The thought of losing him filled her with momentary panic. She fought it, telling herself that all might yet be well. She must cling to that hope; it was all she had now.
* * *
Ban knew he was going to have to speak with Hugh after the funeral. It was just possible that the younger man knew about the betrothal but if not he would have to be told. Since it was not Ban’s secret alone he must first consult Isabelle on the matter, and that would have to wait until the morrow.
He glanced from her to the new laird at her side. Hugh was pale but in control, no doubt trying to come to terms with the situation in which he found himself. Just a pace away from him was Murdo. The tall, dark-clad figure reminded Ban of nothing so much as a great carrion bird. Behind Murdo, at a suitably respectful distance, were ranged his men. Apart from the belt knives all men wore they were unarmed on this occasion, no doubt at his instruction. Nevertheless, their collective presence was not so much reassuring as disquieting.
* * *
However, Hugh was impressively self-possessed, then and later, overseeing all the formalities until the last of the mourners had departed. Isabelle regarded her brother with pride. Young he might be but his manner and bearing suggested that he took his new role most seriously and that gave her real hope for the future. Seated in their father’s chair now, he did not look out of place.
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