Coira hoped that was true. However, something in her gut told her that as long as she stayed at Liddel Castle, there was always going to be fear from the past lodged in her brain.
Scottish Rose
Elizabeth Rose
Chapter 6
“Are ye sure about this?” asked Coira from across the room as she finished dressing. Lance felt vibrant and full of energy this morning and as if he could tackle anything. Last night, they’d consummated the marriage, and he came to the realization that he now had a wife. And a very beautiful one at that.
“Aye, Coira, I think it is for the best.” Lance lured the hound over to him and scooped it up, dropping it into yesterday’s bathwater. The hound splashed and paddled and tried to climb out of the tub. “Not yet you dirty mutt. I am going to give you a bath, no matter if you agree with it or not.” He struggled with the animal, using some of the soft soap to wash its fur, rinsing her as well.
“Lance, she doesna like that.” Coira pushed her shoes onto her feet and came running over, taking hold of the dog protectively over the edge of the tub. “It’s all right, my little Sweetcakes.” She kissed the dog on the head.
“Sweetcakes? What kind of a name is that?” Lance grumbled, grabbing the dog and putting her on the floor. She shook, getting both of them wet.
“I only meant it as an endearment, but I think I like the name. Aye, she’ll be called Sweetcakes from now on.” Coira grabbed a towel and dried the dog.
“How about sweetmeats instead?” Lance suggested with a chuckle. “At least meat is something dogs like.”
“But sweetmeats are no’ even meat, they’re dried fruit,” she reminded him.
“You’ve got a point there,” he said, knowing that whatever she named the dog he wasn’t going to like it. “What if we call her –”
“Nay, Lance. Ye gave me the dog as a weddin’ gift. I want to call her Sweetcakes.”
Lance found himself being drawn in by Coira’s childlike innocence. He thought back to last night, and the intimate time they’d shared together. She had been so frightened, but he managed to make her feel safe and secure. He liked the fact he could do that. It was his responsibility to watch over and protect his new wife.
“All right,” he said with a sigh, bringing her to a standing position and pulling her into his arms. He kissed her passionately, immediately feeling a response within him. “I wouldn’t mind going back to bed and starting this day all over.”
“Me, neither,” said Coira, running her hands down his chest.
Lance was about to take her back to bed when there came a knock at the door. The wet dog shook again, splashing both of them and ran to the door barking.
“Who is it?” Lance called out.
“It’s Jack,” came a muffled voice from out in the corridor.
Lance sighed, and walked over and opened the door. When he did, the dog sped past Jack and ran away.
“What was that?” asked Jack, peering down the corridor after the hound.
“Just Sweetcakes – and don’t ask.”
“Lord Lance, I came to tell you Sir Philip of Sussex and some of his men have arrived. He is requesting your presence in the great hall.”
“Uncle Philip is here?” asked Lance. “I wonder what he wants. Coira, I will meet you later to show you the castle.”
“I dinna need to see it,” she said, suddenly becoming very closed off.
“But there is a special place I’d like you to see,” he explained. “I have a feeling you’re going to like it.” Without waiting for her to answer, he took off down the corridor at a good clip with Jack right on his heels.
“Slow down, my lord. I can barely keep up.”
“He wants the castle. I know that’s what it is,” mumbled Lance.
“But you have a missive that says Lord Ralston left it to you, don’t you, my lord?”
Lance stopped in his tracks and turned around. “Why do you ask? Have you heard otherwise?”
“Nay, my lord,” Jack answered. “Why do you seem so nervous?”
“I’m not nervous.” He ran a weary hand through his hair. “All right, I am. Jack, there is something I need to tell you, but you have to promise not to say a word to anyone.”
“Of course, my lord. What is it?”
“My uncle didn’t will me this castle. His estranged wife owned it after his death. I heard that she died recently. That’s why I hurried here right away and was even late to my own wedding.”
“You stole the castle?”
“Shhhh,” said Lance, covering his squire’s mouth and looking around. “I have everyone thinking Lord Ralston left it to me but that I couldn’t claim it until the death of his wife. In reality, the castle should go to Ralston’s brother, Philip. I am sure he is here to challenge me.”
“What are you going to do?” asked Jack.
“What can I do? I’ve already claimed Liddel Castle. If Philip wants it, he is going to have to fight me for it.”
“Do you think it’ll come to that?” asked Jack.
“I hope not. I only had a manor house before this and want more than anything to make my new wife happy. Coira deserves a castle, and I am the one who is going to give it to her.”
“But you just met her two days ago. How do you know she deserves anything, let alone a castle?”
“I can tell she is a good woman.” He nodded, thinking about her. “She deserves so much more than I could ever give her. Don’t you see, Jack? For once in my life, I have everything I ever wanted. I am lord of a castle and have a beautiful wife as well. With any luck, last night’s consummation will produce an heir. I want many children, and Coira is the one I want to give them to me. Aye, this is all going to make her very happy.”
“Excuse me, my lord, but it sounds to me like you want all these things for yourself, not for Coira. How do you even know these things will make her happy?”
“How could they not make her happy? After all, look around.” Lance stretched out his arms to make his point.
“There you are, Nephew,” said Sir Philip, sticking his head out of the doorway of the great hall. “I was starting to think you weren’t going to show.”
“Uncle,” said Lance, walking forward with his arm extended to clasp hands with the tall, burly man. “I’m sorry to have kept you waiting. You must realize that I was just married and have been spending time with my new wife.”
“Married?” Philip raised a brow. “To whom?”
“He married a Scot,” Jack told him. “Her name is Coira MacDuff.”
“You married a MacDuff?” Philip’s brows angled downward. He pulled Lance to the side where no one else could hear them. “What is the matter with you?”
“Whatever do you mean, Uncle?”
“I know you were away campaigning in France for the last six years, but don’t you know what you’ve just done?”
“Of course, I know.” Lance grabbed two tankards of ale off a server’s tray, handing one of them to his uncle. “I married a Scot and have made an alliance. Thanks to me, we’ll be safe from future invasions. Highlanders or Lowlanders will not attack Liddel Castle, so we don’t need to worry.”
“We? There’s no we involved, you fool. We both know you stole this castle right from under my nose. Ralston’s wife just died, and now the castle is mine.”
Lance took a swig of ale. His eyes narrowed as he studied the brash man. He didn’t doubt the only battle held here would be between him and his uncle. “This is my castle, and you need to leave.”
“Once I tell King Edward you have married and are harboring a MacDuff, he’ll have your head.”
“Why would he care who I marry?”
“You fool! It was the MacDuffs who crowned Robert the Bruce, or did you forget? Plus, my brother had the Stone of Destiny in his hands, and because of a MacDuff it is no longer in possession of the English.”
“I’m sure Coira had nothing to do with it.”
“On the contrary, I think she did. You need to
find out from your traitorous wife where the stone is and bring it back to England.”
“Why should I care about it?”
“Because, if you can find it and bring it to Edward, you will be his champion. If you don’t find it, or even look for it, I will fight you and take back what should be mine.”
“So, you’re saying if I find out where the Scots hid the Stone of Destiny, you’ll leave me alone?”
“If you do, you can have this broken-down castle.”
“I see. You want me to do all the work while you take the glory even though it isn’t yours.”
“No different than you taking Liddel Castle out from under me.” Philip gulped down the ale, keeping his eyes fixed on Lance. “Your precious, little bride thinks this castle is yours. I am sure you don’t want to disappoint her.”
Lance’s eyes snapped up. “You’ll not say a word of any of this to her.”
“Then you’ll find out from her where the Scots hid the stone?”
Lance didn’t want to be put in this position. He was happy here and didn’t care about the stone. He only wanted to live a normal life and raise children with Coira. But he also wanted Coira to be proud of him and to be happy. She seemed so frightened and frail. Last night, they had made progress. And this morning, she had seemed like a different woman once again. Aye, it was best not to upset things. If he could nonchalantly find out from her where the Scots hid the stone, all his problems would be solved. He didn’t care about the coronation stone at all. If one action would keep his uncle away and secure Liddel Castle as his own, he had no choice but to do it.
“All right,” he said, finishing off his ale and slamming the tankard down on the table. His uncle made him so furious that he was ready to strangle the man with his bare hands. “I’ll find out where the stone is, but then you will leave my castle and never threaten me again. Do you understand?”
“Done,” said Philip with a grin spreading across his face. “Now, where is this bride of yours? I would like to congratulate her on her marriage.”
“You’ll meet her when I say so, and not before. So, make yourself scarce,” spat Lance, storming off to meet up with Coira.
Scottish Rose
Elizabeth Rose
Chapter 7
“Zara, I had an incredible night with Lance.” Coira strolled the courtyard with Zara at her side. The day was bright and sunny, and she felt happier than ever before.
“Well, I should hope so,” said the old gypsy. “After all, it was your wedding night. Was he gentle and did he treat you right?”
Sweetcakes walked at her side. The dog’s fur was still wet so Coira wanted it to dry in the sun. She reached down and petted the dog on the head, smiling as she answered Zara. “Oh, aye. He was very lovin’ and carin’. I was frightened before, but now I feel safe when I am around him.”
“As it should be,” answered Zara.
“Coira!” Lance flagged her down from across the courtyard, dodging several servants and knights as he hurried over to her. Sweetcakes barked and jumped up to greet him. He quickly touched the dog on the head and then put his arm around Coira. “I’m glad you’re here. I wanted to take a walk with you and show you around the castle.”
Suddenly, Coira’s mood changed. She couldn’t help remembering the time she had spent here six years ago as a prisoner. She no longer wanted to go anywhere and found herself with the urge to flee the courtyard.
“I dinna care to see the castle,” Coira announced.
“Why not?” asked Lance.
Coira’s eyes interlocked with Zara’s. Zara nodded, coaxing her to tell Lance her past experiences at Liddel Castle, but she couldn’t. Not yet. Not here. She had been so happy this morning and refused to go back to that dark place in her mind where she felt she could never escape. “I suppose a short walk would be all right. Where did ye have in mind to go?”
Zara threw her a scolding look and excused herself, leaving Coira and Lance alone.
“I have another present for you, Coira.” He took her hands in his, smiling at her and making her forget her surroundings. All that mattered when she was with Lance was that they were together. He was her husband, and she decided she liked the idea.
“Another present?” she asked. “But ye already gave me the dog.”
Sweetcakes barked and led the way as Lance guided her toward the side of the castle.
“I was going to end here, but I am too excited to show you. So, I will start here instead.” He opened a small, wooden gate and led her into a garden just off the kitchen. It was overgrown and had lots of weeds but, to her surprise, there were also beautiful flowers blooming.
“It’s a garden,” she said, reaching out to touch the soft petals of one red rose.
“It’s not just a garden, but it is your garden, Coira. From now on, you can do whatever you want with it. If you want the servants to plant herbs or, mayhap, more flowers, it is your decision.”
“Oh, I love it,” she said, feeling very special. “But I dinna want servants to work in the garden. I want to do it myself.”
“Coira, you are a lady now, and should be spending your time sewing in the ladies solar, or perhaps learning about the ledgers.”
“I will do all that in time,” she said, going from one flower to the next, sniffing them all. “But for now, I want to work in my garden.”
“It’s very overgrown and will require a lot of work,” he told her. “You will need help. You can’t do it by yourself.”
“Then I’ll have Zara help me,” she said, the smile returning to her face. This was one place she’d never seen in the time she’d spent at Liddel Castle. Then again, the only part she knew well was the courtyard where she spent most of her time locked in a hanging cage. This place was different. Instead of being surrounded by dark memories and death, there was new life here. Yes, this is where she wanted to spend most of her time.
The dog sniffed around the garden, then saw a squirrel and took off chasing it.
“Sweetcakes,” she called out, running after the hound. “Come here, ye curious, little hound.” She exited the garden and ran to the back of the castle, chasing the dog. But she stopped dead in her tracks when she turned a corner and bumped into something she didn’t expect to see. She screamed, looking at the cage on the ground that had once been her prison. Next to it was a second cage – the one that had been occupied by her sister, Effie.
“Coira, what’s the matter?”
She turned around and barreled into Lance, hiding her head against his chest. Perhaps by blocking the cage from her sight, she could forget the awful memories as well.
“You are trembling,” he said, running a soothing hand down her back. “Did something scare you?”
Lance didn’t understand how Coira could go from being happy to being frightened out of her mind so quickly. He heard someone approach and looked over his shoulder and moaned when Philip joined them.
“So, is this your bride, Nephew?” asked Philip. “She’s a skittish little thing, isn’t she?”
Coira looked up, and when she saw Philip, she gasped. She gripped Lance’s arm, squeezing so tightly he swore her knuckles turned white.
“Coira, I’d like you to meet my uncle, Sir Philip de Selby of Sussex.”
“What’s the matter?” asked Philip. “You seem startled.”
“Ye remind me of someone,” she said, her body still shaking.
Philip chuckled. “Oh, perhaps it’s because I once had a twin brother. His name was –”
“Lord Ralston the Bold,” Coira recited through gritted teeth. Her eyes narrowed as she perused Philip.
“Coira, did you know my late uncle?” asked Lance. “I had no idea.”
“Well, Lady Coira, perhaps we can get better acquainted over a goblet of wine,” suggested Philip.
“Nay. I’m sorry, but I’m feelin’ ill. Please excuse me.” Coira broke away from Lance and ran toward the keep with the hound following her.
“I wonder what’s the
matter with her?” asked Lance. “She acted like she’d seen a ghost.”
Philip chuckled deeply. “Perhaps, in a way, she has.”
* * *
The door banged open and hit the wall as Coira bolted into Zara’s chamber.
“What is it, Child?” Zara stared at her as if she thought Coira had gone crazy. “You look like a scared rabbit being chased by a hound.” The dog ran in after her, almost as if to prove Zara’s words right.
“It was awful,” she cried. Tears formed in her eyes. “I saw the cages, Zara. They are still here.”
Zara headed across the room, putting her arm around Coira. “Sit down,” she said, leading her to the bed. Once Coira sat, Zara continued. “Now take a deep breath and release it.”
“Zara, I canna do that. My body is still shakin’. And to make matters worse, I saw the twin brathair of Lord Ralston.”
“Lord Ralston? Who is he?” Zara sat next to her and rubbed Coira’s back to calm her.
“He’s the man who – who – kept Effie and me as prisoners in the cages because he wanted the Stone of Scone.” She buried her face in her hands and cried.
“Shhhh,” said Zara. “You need to calm down.”
“Aye. I agree.” Lance stood in the doorway with his hands on his hips. In a few long strides, he was across the room. “Wife, I think you have some explaining to do.”
“Lord Lance, she is very upset. Please be gentle with her,” scolded Zara.
“Coira.” Lance reached out and lifted her chin. “Look at me,” he commanded. She looked up, biting her lip and trying not to cry. “Zara, will you leave us, please?” he asked.
Zara left the room grumbling and closed the door.
Lance sat down next to Coira and lifted her chin again. “Shhh,” he said, using his thumb to wipe away a tear. “I don’t like to see you so upset. Why don’t you tell me what’s troubling you?”
“It’s the cages. And Sir Philip.”
“What? My uncle? What has he done to make you cry?”
“Nothin’. No’ him. It was his twin brathair, Lord Ralston the Bold.”
Rogues to Lovers: Legend of the Blue Rose Page 16