Tamed by the Barbarian

by June Francis

  ‘I have no notion of where our bedchamber is,’ she said.

  The lights in his eyes seemed to dance in the candlelight. ‘I see the path which your mind takes. I, too, wish to go to bed, but we cannot yet.’ He released her. ‘I have matters of importance to tell you.’

  ‘I, too, have news to impart. Mary Armstrong is still here. She was hiding behind the screen.’

  He nodded. ‘The servants told Robbie. How my mother thought she could keep her presence a secret from us amazes me.’

  ‘I thought that, too.’

  ‘But that is not the only secret she thought to keep from me.’ He paused. ‘Where is Mary now?’

  ‘Most probably with your mother. I felt sorry for Mary. I would be her friend.’

  ‘If that is your wish, then she must stay,’ said Mackillin, his expression lightening a little. ‘For I hold her blameless in all this.’

  ‘What is it?’ demanded Cicely.

  He hesitated only to take a sip of wine. ‘Robbie came by ship to Kirkcudbright from Yorkshire. By chance he met up with those of Killin who fought at St Albans. They were travelling here when they came across others from Killin, but they were all dead. A sack was found in some bushes with a solitary batted brass lamp nearby.’

  Cicely felt a stab of fear. ‘Armstrong?’

  ‘I fear so, but I have no proof. It could have been the Douglases or one of the other clans. I have ordered Robbie to have a guard mounted and to warn Northumberland’s men to have care on their return journey.’ His expression was strained and he took another gulp of wine before saying, ‘One of the men had an interesting tale to tell Robbie, which had been told to him by his elder brother, who has since died.’

  She felt a sinking at her heart, knowing from the tone of his voice that he was deeply disturbed. ‘What is it?’ She placed her hand on his arm.

  ‘He said that my mother and Armstrong have been lovers for years. If that is so, then most likely she was definitely party to his scheming to destroy us Mackillins.’

  ‘I am so sorry,’ she said, distressed for him. ‘Sorry, too, about Killin’s men who were murdered.’

  He sighed. ‘It is a sad day.’

  For a moment there was silence but for the crackling of the fire. Then Cicely said, ‘What of Mary? Do you think she could be of help to us? She has no love for her father and I think she fears your mother.’

  He nodded. ‘I will need to speak to her myself and, until we discover Armstrong’s whereabouts, you must stay close to the keep and not wander beyond the outer walls surrounding the herb and vegetable gardens and the outhouses.’

  She saw the sense in what he said and agreed. ‘What of you? Will you go in search of him?’

  He did not reply.

  His silence was answer enough for her and she squared her shoulders. ‘What weapons do we have in store? I had to part with my bow and quiver of arrows and I need replacements and to practise, just in case Armstrong should come beating at our door while you are away.’

  A smile tugged at his mouth. ‘You would fight him?’

  She returned his smile. ‘I would shoot at him from the walls.’

  ‘A much safer option, but let us pray that it will not come to that. I will have Robbie find a bow suitable for your size…but you must not go looking for trouble, Cissie,’ he ordered, his smile fading.

  ‘No,’ she said softly. ‘Where Armstrong is concerned, I am not such a fool as that.’

  ‘Good.’ He went over to the fireplace and took a log from the basket and rammed it amongst the glowing embers.

  She watched his agile movements and her heart swelled with love for him. He had yet to say that he loved her, but his actions said so much about his affection for her.

  The door opened and a couple of serving men entered carrying plates of food. A boy hurried forward with a bowl and a drying cloth.

  ‘Just what we were ready for,’ said Mackillin, smiling cheerfully at them. ‘When you have finished setting everything down, one of you run upstairs and tell my mother and Mistress Armstrong to come and eat. Then fetch the men from outside.’

  It was a good half hour later when Mary came hurrying into the hall. ‘Rory, it is so good to see you.’ She held out both hands to him. ‘Forgive me for keeping you waiting, but your mother changed her mind about coming down and said just now that she will dine alone in her chamber.’

  ‘So be it.’ He stood up and grasped her hands. ‘I am glad you are safe. Cissie tells me that you were hiding from us. There is no need for you to fear us, Mary.’

  ‘Aye.’ She flashed a tentative smile in Cicely’s direction. ‘Your wife spoke kindly to me. I appreciated that very much, considering she might have resented me.’

  ‘Why should she do that? It is some years since we last saw each other and no agreement was ever reached between our parents.’

  She sighed. ‘I know. Besides, I have not changed and you have. You carry yourself differently. You walk proudly now. You’ve seen so many exciting places and have learnt to fend for yourself and grow brave and true.’ There was a wistful note in her voice.

  Rory looked amused. ‘I was a poor kind of creature, then. I am surprised you had a fancy for me at all. I had to go away before I could become my true self.’

  ‘I wished I could have done so, but it is different for us females.’ She turned to Cicely. ‘Is that not so, Lady Mackillin?’

  ‘In part it is, but a woman can still fight, only she has different weapons she can use.’ Cicely patted the seat next to her. ‘Come sit beside me, Mary, so we can become better acquainted, and do call me Cissie.’

  Mary complied instantly. ‘I am so hungry. I have not eaten since breaking my fast this morning. Lady Joan was in a fury when she received the news that you were on your way here. She even considered leaving, but then she dictated a message to her cleric instead.’

  His lordship shot a glance at her. ‘Do you know whom this message was for?’

  ‘My father.’ She picked up her spoon as a serving man placed a bowl of pottage in front of her.

  Cicely and Mackillin stared at her. ‘My mother told you this?’ he asked.

  Mary gave a hollow laugh. ‘You jest. I was hiding behind the screen.’

  Cicely was curious. ‘Do you make a habit of doing that?’

  ‘Only when I tire of being treated like a lackey.’

  ‘Did you hear where the message was to be delivered?’ asked Mackillin.

  She shook her head. ‘Unfortunately, I did not.’

  Cicely grimaced. ‘What a shame.’

  Her husband agreed, but then said, ‘I would deem it a favour, Mary, if you would—’

  ‘Keep a watch on her and let you know if aught untoward happens?’ Her violet eyes twinkled at him.

  He laughed. ‘Exactly. My thanks.’

  Cicely felt the teeniest bit jealous of their easy manner with each other and wished she had known Mackillin in his youth. At that moment, Northumberland’s men entered the hall and the matter was dropped. They continued their meal in silence.

  After the table was cleared and the three of them went and sat close to the fire, Mary asked Cicely about her family. She was happy to talk about them and did so. Then Mary asked how she had met Rory, and Cicely told her of her father’s murder and how he had saved her brother’s life.

  ‘It’s just like one of the tales of derring-do that my mother used to tell me!’ exclaimed Mary, her face rapt.

  Cicely glanced sidelong at her husband. ‘There you are, Mackillin,’ she said. ‘A story could be written about your ventures. Perhaps one day I will do so during the long, freezing winter nights up here at Killin. You can dictate to me those exciting happenings I played no part in.’

  A smile lit his weatherbeaten face and there was a message in that smile that told her he was thinking of other ways they could spend those evenings and she felt quite breathless.

  An hour or so later Rory and Cicely were in the marital bed. It had no curtains and it was pitch
black and icy cold in the chamber. He had forced shut the swollen-with-damp wooden shutters as best he could. Beneath them a sheet covered a blanket that concealed a hair mattress. At least there were plentiful woollen blankets, thought Cicely as she waited for her husband to approach her.

  For a moment neither of them spoke or moved. Then suddenly he shuffled closer and his arm went round her shoulders. ‘Not the most luxurious bedchamber we have slept in,’ he muttered. ‘Forgive me, Cissie, for bringing you to this. I had intended to spend time making improvements to the place.’

  ‘It is of no matter. I will enjoy sharing what needs to be done to turn this keep into our home,’ she assured him.

  With that said, she daringly toyed with one of his nipples. He quivered and her hand stilled, for she was suddenly unsure of whether she should have been so bold as to caress him there. Then he took her hand and placed it on his hip and now, encouraged, she caressed the line downwards, including the curve of his buttocks. How strong were the muscles there, she thought. In the darkness she pictured his naked body, aware not only of her own heartbeat but the thud of his beneath her ear. She jumped when his fingers touched her jaw and his lips found hers unerringly in the dark. When they made love, she could not resist moving in tandem with him and soared into a higher realm of pleasure.

  They woke just before dawn and he took her with a hunger and swiftness that left her gasping for more. Afterwards they talked about their situation and what needed to be done. Then Cicely mentioned her need for a change of clothing.

  ‘Perhaps Mary has a gown and undergarments you can borrow for now,’ he suggested.

  ‘I doubt it. The gown she was wearing was a poor thing. I must purchase cloth and make some new gowns,’ said Cicely firmly. ‘Either that or we send another messenger to Milburn, so that those I already have can be dispatched to me.’

  ‘Until I discover where Armstrong is, I cannot put a man’s life at risk for clothes, Cissie,’ he said just as firmly.

  She understood and said no more.

  He pushed back the blankets and climbed out of bed. ‘You rest a little longer. I will go and see if anyone is up and about.’ His hazel eyes gleamed down at her. ‘I hope that you have enjoyed your first night in your new home.’

  She blushed. ‘I cannot deny that I did.’

  ‘Good.’ He moved away from the bed, knowing Cicely was so essential to his happiness that if she was torn from his side then it would break him. He must find Armstrong and get rid of him.

  Mackillin went downstairs to the hall and found one of the men placing logs on the fire. After a few words with him, he went to check with the guards that they had seen naught suspicious. Then he visited the outhouses, including the armoury; the latter was almost empty, containing only a few rusty swords, a battered shield, a number of arrows and a couple of unstrung bows.

  It was as he returned to the hall that he heard hurrying footsteps descending the stairs. He looked up and saw Mary. Her face was flushed and she looked frightened. ‘What is wrong? Is it my mother?’

  ‘I cannot find her and her best cloak and a couple of her gowns are missing, too.’

  Mackillin said grimly, ‘That doesn’t sound promising.’

  ‘You think she has left the keep?’ Her voice trembled. ‘Forgive me if she has done so. I did mean to keep my eye on her, but I was so tired, I fell asleep.’

  ‘If she rose during the night, it is not your fault if you did not hear her.’ His voice was calm, concealing his irritation. ‘The guards did not notice anything amiss, although she could have slipped away when they were changing watch. The stable lad made no mention of any of the horses being missing, though.’

  ‘What will you do?’ asked Mary, clutching his sleeve.

  ‘What is wrong?’ called a voice.

  Rory looked up and saw Cicely descending the stairs. ‘Mother is missing. Mary informs me that her best cloak has gone and a couple of her gowns.’

  Cicely drew in her breath. ‘You think she has joined Armstrong?’

  ‘It’s possible. I must speak to the stable lad again.’

  Whilst his wife ordered breakfast, Mackillin returned to the stables. This time he was told that his lady mother had placed her mare in the smaller stable, saying it had injured its leg and she wanted it kept away from the other horses. She had forbidden him to tend it, adding that she would do so herself. Immediately Mackillin went in search of it and found the stable empty. It was enough for him to rouse Robbie and the rest of the men before returning to the hall. There he ate a hearty breakfast and asked Cicely to see to it that food be made ready for him to take along on the journey.

  ‘You are going in search of your mother and Armstrong?’ He nodded. ‘You know where to look?’ asked Cicely.

  ‘I have an idea. I could be away for several days, though.’

  Cicely did her best to hide her fear. ‘You will take Robbie and some of the men? And you will not take any risks?’ she demanded, her hand resting on his leather body armour as she looked into his face.

  Mackillin covered her hand with his own. ‘Aye. But I will leave some of the men here for your protection. Northumberland’s men will have to return home.’ He sighed. ‘I hate leaving you alone so soon.’

  ‘It cannot be helped,’ she said, holding back her tears.

  He kissed her. ‘Promise me that you will not wander from the keep?’

  Cicely gave him her word. Then, with a cold chill about her heart, she watched him ride out until he and the men were out of sight.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Cicely stood up on the roof, looking out over the rolling windswept countryside of Mackillin’s border domain. A few cattle grazed close to the keep, watched over by a herdsman. She had been informed that barley and oats had been planted and now the shoots had begun to break through the soil. Spring was on its way, but still her husband had not come. It was more than two weeks since he had left and sometimes she feared that he was dead. Yet something inside her would not allow her to give up hope, telling herself that she would have heard if he was dead.

  Her bow and a quiver of arrows lay close to hand, just in case she should have need of them. During the long days and nights of his absence, she had done her best to fill them with useful toil, but it was not easy when she longed to ride out in search of him. In the evenings there were no books to read and she had not the means to make herself new clothes. Of course, she did spend time chatting to Mary and she had found quills, ink and a few sheets of paper, so had made a start writing down some of hers and Mackillin’s ventures.

  A sigh escaped her as once more her worried eyes scanned the now familiar scene. Then she froze as she saw several riders in the distance. Her heart began to thud, but she remained where she was as they approached. She was almost ready to fly downstairs, but as they drew closer, she realised with a painful disappointment that her husband was not amongst their number. Who were these men? At least she could not see Armstrong with them.

  She decided to go down and speak to them. She climbed through the trapdoor, careful not to jam her bow in the opening, and hurried down the stairway to the hall.

  Mary turned as Cicely entered and said excitedly, ‘I was coming to fetch you. King James’s envoys are here.’

  Cicely could not conceal her astonishment. ‘So that’s who they are?’

  ‘They have been here before. Come, you must talk to them.’

  Cicely hurried outside to discover two of the guards conversing with the visitors. At the sound of her footsteps, one turned and said, ‘Here’s her ladyship now. She’ll be telling ye that Mackillin’s away and we don’t know when he’ll return.’

  Cicely brushed past him and gazed down at the horsemen gathered at the foot of the steps. ‘For what reason do you seek my husband?’ she asked.

  ‘The king orders him and his men to go to the aid of King Henry of England,’ called up one of the men. ‘There is going to be a great battle in the north of that country near York. Men are already gathering
there.’

  Cicely felt heartsick, remembering the cries of the wounded and dying at St Albans. She thought of more blood being spilt, more lives lost, more families grieving for their loved ones and was almost glad that Mackillin was not here to answer his king’s command. ‘I will inform my lord when he returns. God grant you a safe journey.’

  She watched them depart and returned to the hall.

  ‘So they wish for Scotland’s fighting men to spill their blood for your king again,’ said Mary, who had listened at the window.

  Her words annoyed Cicely. She thought of the likes of Armstrong, pillaging and looting English lands. Then she thought of her brothers and Diccon and felt dizzy with anxiety. She sat down quickly.

  ‘What is the matter?’ asked Mary, worriedly, placing a hand on Cicely’s arm.

  ‘I am concerned for my brothers and my stepbrother.’ She took several deep breaths and then rose again and wandered over to the fire. She kicked the log so that sparks flew up.

  Mary followed her over. ‘They will fight?’

  ‘My stepbrother certainly will. The twins—? No. But even so, after a battle the bloodlust can still be on a warrior. Who knows what harm might be done to innocent folk then?’

  ‘What are you going to do?’

  ‘Wait,’ she said shortly.

  Mary sighed. ‘That is all us women can ever do. If only Rory would come home, he would know what could be done to keep your brothers safe.’

  ‘Where can he be?’ cried Cicely, kicking the log again.

  ‘Perhaps he has gone to Kirkcudbright,’ suggested Mary. ‘Lady Joan spoke of the port, saying that she had stayed in Rory’s house before leaving for France a while ago.’

  Cicely gazed into the fire and thought about Mary’s words. ‘I will give it another day,’ she murmured. ‘And if he has not returned, then I will take a couple of the men and go in search of him there.’ She picked up the sheet she had been darning and abandoned two hours ago.

  The following day Cicely was in the yard, issuing orders to one of the men when she heard a clamour outside. The man’s head turned away from her and she fell silent, listening. Then her heart leapt as she recognised her husband’s voice. Without more ado, she picked up her skirts and ran in the direction of the noise. And there he was at the head of his men. She saw his eyes brighten at the sight of her. A smile started within her like a shaft of sunshine that grew until it shone in her face.