by Sherry Ewing
“Nay!” Her voice bounced off the walls and rang in her ears. She knew the outcome of her son in the hands of Simon’s cousin. She would never put a child of hers in such danger now that she knew. Not for a second time. A thought whispered across her mind while her brows lifted in surprise. Of course! All her questions were answered, as how she would save her son fell into place.
“You think to gainsay me on this matter?” Simon snapped. “Think again, Ella.”
She reached for his hands and, although reluctant, he finally clasped them in his own. “I beseech thee, Simon. Please do not send our son to this man. I know of another place where he will be well taken care of.”
He gave her a roguish smile before he pulled her into his lap. She went willingly. After all, she knew he was going to be a good lover and the father to her own child one day. There was no sense putting off the inevitable.
“I like the sound of you speaking of our son, ma cherie,” he whispered, as though his anger was readily replaced with his need to lay claim to her. “Shall we seal our bargain with a kiss?”
Ella smiled down at her future husband before placing her lips to his. ’Twas at first gentle, then more demanding when he tightened his arms around her. Simon would be easy to love as long as she could control his temper and the rash decisions he tended to make. Her arms snaked around his neck, fingering the length of his curly hair.
When he finally broke off their kiss, he appeared pleased with the decisions they had agreed between them. “Now… tell me of this place that would be fitting to raise the son of the Lord of Hull,” he encouraged.
Ella smiled in delight, knowing her children’s future would be safe. “There is a place in the north called Berwyck…”
Months later, Ella gave birth to a healthy son with brown hair with reddish hues. His eyes were blue-green and a replica of his father’s, not that the lady ever told that to the Lord of Hull. They named him Conrad.
Although Simon had sworn he would be indifferent if the child was male, he still rejoiced at the arrival of Ella’s son. Upon his birth, Simon took the babe to the window and held the infant up so his people could see their child and also welcome him to the world.
And far to the north, a certain Scotsman suddenly halted the swing of his sword while training on the lists with his laird. He knew not what had caused his hesitation, but knew something in the world as he knew it had shifted. The thought was fleeting and left his mind just as quickly as it had entered before he returned to what he was doing… an attempt to best his laird upon the lists.
Two years later, after a difficult birthing, Ella produced Hull’s heir. This child also resembled his father with his dark black hair and grey eyes. Her husband was so pleased, he opened the doors of the castle in a celebration that lasted nigh unto a se'nnight. The boy was named Faramond and, unknowingly to the child as he grew, his fate had been changed.
Chapter 29
Berwyck Castle
The Year of Our Lord’s Grace 1164
Killian opened the stable door, peering carefully into the dimly lit interior for there was danger afoot this day! In his hands he held forth a wooden sword. Waving the makeshift weapon in front of him, he entered to stand in the middle of the room. Where were they?
A howl rang from the rafters, causing Killian to raise his eyes in fear when he saw a young lad swinging on a rope from the upper loft. Good Lord, his laird would have his head if the boy killed himself while in his care.
Holding out his arms he was prepared to catch the boy but before he could get a grasp on the lad, another bellow reached his ears from behind. The young scamps had planned a front and rear attack at the same time to catch him off guard. Well done!
The boy landed on his back while the other bairn attached himself to his leg… or was it the girl. ’Twas hard to determine, since they were both dressed as lads. The Lady Catherine would have a fit when she learned her daughter had been dressing thusly yet again.
’Twas hard not to laugh, but Killian held back his chuckle not wishing to injure the bairn’s pride. Aye, they were full of themselves and their ability to stand together as though one instead of two individuals.
He grabbed at the child at his back and held the scamp before him. A boyish guffaw escaped the lad. Aiden stared back at Killian with mischievous violet eyes.
“Get the nasty beastie, Amiria,” the boy called out to his sister.
Killian grunted when the lass bit the calf of his leg. This had gone far enough!
He tucked Aiden beneath one arm while his free hand grabbed at Amiria’s tunic. He held the squirming bairn before him, inspecting her from the top of her flaming red hair down to her boots.
“Bitin’? A knight of the realm dinnae resort tae such a tactic, lassie,” he scowled at the wee girl before giving her a bit of a shake.
“How else was I tae best ye, Uncle Killian,” Amiria said. There was such a serious expression on her young face his lips twitched.
Uncle… The word was meant with the utmost respect, although Killian knew they were not related by blood, other than belonging to the same clan. ’Twas a grim reminder he had yet to take a wife and sire a child, although the twins were more than enough for any one man to guard or handle. They were forever getting into one scrap or another whether with themselves or with their younger sister, Sabina.
“Ye seem tae know much for all yer… what… eight summers?” he asked, knowing full well their age. He set them both down to stand before him while he folded his arms across his chest to intimidate them.
They placed their hands upon their hips. “Ye know we are nine summers, Killian,” they said in unison then turned to one another. A peal of laugher leaked from their lips ’til they fell to the floor with their own jest. ’Twas a common occurrence for them to speak the same words or finish each other’s thoughts.
Mirth wracked Killian’s chest ’til he, too, laughed alongside the twins. He squatted down and picked up one of the wooden swords that had fallen to the floor in their efforts to get the better of him. He gave them each a playful poke ’til they looked upon him with a blank expression as though they had done no wrong.
“What am I tae do with the two of ye?” Killian asked, as they leaned on their elbows staring back at him.
Aiden quickly stood. “Train us, Uncle Killian.”
“Aye. Train us tae be a mighty warrior just like ye are, Uncle,” Amiria said agreeing with her twin when she, too, stood next to her brother.
“Bah!” Killian replied. “Ye are too young for that.”
Aiden puffed out his chest. “I am not,” he replied looking down at his sister. Although twins, he was already slightly taller than the lass and she did not care for difference in height one bit. “Why I should have already left to be a page at some other castle. Father said so, even though Mother told him nay.”
Amiria gasped. “Ye canna leave me, Aiden,” she cried out before she threw herself into his arms. They held onto one another before they appeared to recover themselves. Shuffling their feet, they peeked at one another shyly as though ’twas unseemly for them to share an affection between them that only twins could understand.
Killian stood and placed an arm around each of their shoulders. “Someday, Aiden, ye will be a great knight like yer father,” he predicted. “Ye will have the responsibility of being laird of the clan and taking care of our people.”
Amiria looked up at him with big eyes. “What of me, Killian? Will I be a great knight too?”
The poor wee lamb, Killian thought, knowing her lot in life would most likely lead her to being the wife of a Scottish laird at some distant castle. Laird Douglas would only want the best for his daughter.
He pulled Amiria to his side in a brief hug before he let her go to open the stable door for them to pass. “Ye shall be a fine lady, like yer mother.”
The lass stomped her foot. “But I wish tae be a knight!” she fumed.
Aiden gave her a push causing her to stumble through the door. �
�Ye cannae be a knight,” he teased, following her out into the sunlight. “Ye be a girl.”
Amiria let out a squeal of protest before rushing to her brother. Wrapping her arms around his waist she tackled him into the dirt. Fists began to fly and Killian entered the fray to pull the two apart but not before another had something to say on the matter.
“Aiden! Amiria!” their names being called out by their sire had them placing their hands behind their backs but not before they stuck their tongue’s out at one another.
Killian looked up to see the laird and lady of the castle greeting guests. A knight was descending from his saddle; two lads sat on their ponies while a woman waited in a wagon with her attendants. He assumed ’twas the wife and mother to the two boys. She was heavily garbed, a thick veil covering her head. He briefly pondered if she was mayhap one of those pious women who did her duty to her husband but devoted her life to God. ’Twas none of his concern, in either case.
Lady Catherine excused herself and made her way to Killian and her disobedient children. She wagged a finger at the twins.
“You embarrass me and your father in front of guests?” she accused while the bairns had the decency to look down.
“Sorry, Mother,” they replied.
“Get to the keep and clean yourselves up this instant,” she scolded, before she took hold of Amiria’s tunic. “And you, young lady, will don clothes that befit your station in life. You are the daughter of the Laird of Berwyck. Do not let me see you in hose and tunic again!”
“Aye, Mother,” Amiria whispered, her eyes filling with unshed tears. She took the back of her hand to wipe her face before glancing at Killian. He nodded towards the keep in a silent demand to do as she was told.
“I appreciate you looking after them, Killian,” Lady Catherine said while placing her hand in the crook of his elbow. “I know they can be a trial.”
“’Tis an honor tae be entrusted with their care, my lady,” Killian replied, glancing toward the new arrivals.
“I fear Amiria will never conform to being a lass unless Douglas does something about allowing her to play with her wooden sword.”
“They are just bairns, Lady Catherine.” Killian answered, before pointing towards the group who awaited the lady’s return. He watched when the lady across the bailey descended from the wagon. “Who are they?”
“Come and let me introduce you to the Lord and Lady of Hull. They have brought their sons to foster here.”
“They appear too young tae be squires,” Killian replied.
“Conrad, the oldest, is ten summers and Faramond eight. Douglas has insisted we take the boys on. I would not gainsay him.”
They began walking towards the couple and he watched while the woman moved behind her husband and sons while introductions began. He could not fully see her face and yet, when their eyes met, Killian swore he knew her. What the bloody hell?
Chapter 30
Ella held onto the back of Simon’s surcoat for dear life. My God! There he is. She knew she would eventually see Killian here but she thought mayhap she could venture to Berwyck without this chance encounter. She needed to remain unseen, an obscure face in a chance meeting that would leave no memory in his mind.
Simon attempted to pull her forward. “Whatever is the matter, dear?” he asked, concern etched upon his features.
“I fear I am unwell. The travel…” her voice, hoarse in her own ears, trailed off. She could not take her eyes from Killian, although she knew she should. He was so young… so incredibly handsome with his broad shoulders and brownish-red hair with no hint of grey like she remembered. He looked upon her as a complete stranger, which broke her heart all over again. Time seemed to be playing tricks with her mind for she could not in all honestly work out how many years it had now been since she had last seen Killian.
Simon nodded. “Mayhap we may see to my lady wife and she can be shown to a chamber to rest. She has never been one to easily endure a journey over a great distance.”
Laird Douglas nodded but ’twas Lady Catherine who spoke first. “But of course. Please follow me.”
Ella was going to faint. She just knew when she had to pass by Killian she was going to land at his feet in a heap, and how the hell was she to explain such a happening? But she somehow managed to stay upright. She kept her head down, the veil becoming a shield hiding her face to the best of her ability.
She could not let the inhabitants of Berwyck become familiar with her. She had but one task… to see her sons to Berwyck and then get out as quickly as possible. She would feign sickness and the need to be at her prayers as an excuse to stay inside the chamber she was to be given.
She had been to this keep before, albeit a decade or more from now, and mayhap all would be well. The lord and lady were unknown to her, although she hated the thought of Amiria’s parents being dead in the future. Ella began to wonder just how old Amiria was. She started ticking off the years inside her head while she continued following Lady Catherine into the keep and up the turret stairs.
“I hate ye both,” a child screamed, running down the fourth floor passageway.
Ella barely moved out of the way before a child threw herself into her mother’s body.
“There, there now, Sabina. Whatever is the matter?” Catherine said soothing the lass by leaning down and hugging her.
Sabina… the third child of the lord and lady of Berwyck and probably no more than seven summers, Ella supposed. Sabina would one day be a handful and end up being abused as no woman would ever wish. She had joined a nunnery after her ordeal, much to Amiria’s dismay. Ella wondered if the girl had ever taken her vows.
The child sobbed again. “They be so mean to me, Mother. They put mud in my new shoes.”
“I see,” Catherine replied. She stood and kept her arm around the lass. “We shall see if they can be cleaned and if not, I shall get you another pair.”
“You will?”
“Aye, of course, sweetling.”
“What about Aiden and Amir—”
Lady Catherine gazed at Ella with a patient smile. “I will deal with the twins. Off you go. I need to see the Lady of Hull to a chamber so she may rest.”
Ella watched the young girl skip down the passageway before she disappeared from view. “You have twins?” Ella inquired, as though she was not privy to such information.
“Aye, and another daughter, Lynet, who is but four summers. The twins are a handful and most mischievous. I never know what they shall do next.”
Ella smiled, happy to meet Amiria’s mother. “Children will be children.”
Catherine chuckled. “Aye, you have that aright. You have two fine boys as well. Are they close?”
“They are my pride and joy, Lady Catherine. Conrad and Faramond get along well enough… they are brothers after all, and much like your own children, they have their moments.”
“I only wish I could get my Amiria to act like a girl instead of following her brother into one scrap or another. The lass will be the death of me, I swear,” Catherine said, coming to a door and opening it. She motioned to a servant who was leaving another chamber and pointed inside. No orders were given. ’Twas as though the woman knew what was expected of her. The fire was banked, the coverlet turned down on the bed before she left just as quietly as she had entered.
When the lady motioned for Ella to enter, she was about to step inside the chamber but paused briefly at the threshold. Did this lady have some inner knowledge that this exact room would be the one Ella would be given whenever she ventured to Berwyck? She raised a questioning brow to Lady Catherine who only smiled, strode across the room to take up a pitcher and pour a chalice of wine.
“You must be parched after your trip. I hope you will be comfortable here while you remain at Berwyck,” she said, holding out her offering to Ella, who took it in trembling hands.
“We will not stay long,” Ella replied, her nerves rattled in her body. “Only long enough to rest our horses so we can then return to
Hull.”
“Aye, I know,” Catherine murmured with a strange smile.
“You do?”
The woman nodded before reaching over to squeeze Ella’s numb hand. Catherine pulled her over to a chair near the hearth and Ella fell into it before her knees gave out.
“Our healer Shona sees many things and tells me of her visions if she feels they are of import. Her daughter, Kenna, has the same gift, although she is but a child of eleven summers,” Catherine replied. “I believe you will one day meet her on your return travels to Berwyck.”
“Aye…” Ella whispered not daring to say more.
“Your secret is safe with me,” Catherine said as if to calm Ella’s fears, “and your sons will be well taken care of. Douglas will see to Faramond’s training. Killian, to Conrad’s.”
“I do not know how to thank you, my lady. You have lifted a great weight from my shoulders,” Ella replied, humbly grateful to this kind woman.
Lady Catherine went to the door. Before she opened it, she turned to once more stare at Ella. The woman’s eyes sparkled with unshed tears “Perchance you can return the favor one day and look after my children, though they may be grown by the time you next return. They will need a mother figure in their lives considering what is to come.”
Ella could only stare in wonder that the lady before her could stand there so calmly while she sputtered on about future events, including her own demise. “’Twould be my privilege, Lady Catherine.”
Relief swept across the lady’s visage as she mumbled her thanks and quit the room, leaving Ella in a daze. She and Simon needed to get the hell out of Berwyck and fast!
A se’nnight later, Killian watched as horses were readied in the outer bailey along with the wagon prepared to carry the Lady of Hull on her return trip home. Her sons stood near their father who was whispering to the boys, most likely telling them to behave.