“She was a sweet lass who would’ve taken care of ye. That is what ye need. A woman who would see to matters of home and hearth.” Gideon flashed a smile. “My wife takes good care of me and our son. Without her, I do not know how I would fare.”
“One day, my friend, I will marry and shall find a woman as worthy as your Deena.”
“Ye should be so fortunate,” Gideon said and chuckled. “Why are ye going to Edinburgh?”
“I wish I did not have to go because there is much to do here. The MacNabs still await word from me on when I will meet with them. Then—as you know—there are my brothers. I fear that they need a guiding hand and mine are tied right now. If only I could find out the truth about Marian’s death, I could put that behind me and settle the matter. But och, I’m off to do the king’s bidding, whatever that is…” Breckin hadn’t realized he’d walked so far and ended up passing the stable. He turned around and headed back so he could have Alton have his horse ready in the morning.
“Ye do not know why the king calls ye to meet?”
Breckin threw up his hands because he hadn’t the faintest notion. “Nay, och, I will find out when I get there. Look after my brothers and see that they do not kill themselves on your watch. I shall return with as much haste as I can and relieve ye of the duty.”
He walked away from his comrade and entered the stable. The beam that had fallen had been removed and the roof had been repaired. That his brother fell through the roof certainly gave forewarning that the wood needed to be replaced. At least his brothers hadn’t been killed in their pursuit of an escapade. Near the back, he heard Alton’s voice and headed in that direction. Peering over the door of an empty stall, he could see his stablemaster carrying on with a woman in an empty stall and Breckin hastily swung the gate open. He meant to startle the couple and indeed, his clansman stood hastily.
“Ah, Laird… I…did not expect ye back…”
Breckin heard the woman’s gasp as she hid behind the wall. He didn’t acknowledge her and hoped not to cause her embarrassment. “Alton, have my horse ready at dawn.”
“Oh, aye, will do, Laird.” Alton bowed to him and waited for him to turn away.
Breckin chuckled under his breath. He wasn’t aware that his stablemaster had a woman. The man notoriously stank of horses and manure. Surely no woman wanted to sport with him. But what did he know? He left the stable and continued home, letting the night air ease him.
In the last days, he’d gotten only a few hours of rest, and little sleep. He was tired and needed a respite before he’d make the long trek to Edinburgh. When he entered his aunt’s cottage, it was quiet. She sat beside the hearth in a chair, sewing something. He bade her a good night and strolled toward the bedchamber he used whenever he stayed in the cottage. With the door firmly closed behind him, he disrobed, lay on the cot in the corner with its straw-filled tick and pulled back the heavy tartan blanket.
Breckin closed his eyes, but sleep evaded him as his mind turned over the fact that he would be in Edinburgh soon, and the banter that Gideon had thrown at him.
A wife, ha. He’d be the worst sort of husband, surely unacceptable for any woman at this time. With all that weighed upon him, he wasn’t ready to settle down. There was too much to do before he’d take a wife. The distant future loomed as if he’d never achieve such an aspiration. Still, the thought of having a sweet, willing woman to warm his bed at night and caring for him during the day wasn’t too displeasing.
Maybe one day his life would be settled enough and he’d have an adoring woman caring for him. Breckin scoffed lightly at that thought. What woman would want to marry a warrior who only knew aboutbattles? He vowed then that he would take a wife before he reached two scores in age. That was if the senseless wars he participated in didn’t kill him first.
Chapter Three
Edinburgh, Scotland
Late February, 1260
Edinburgh was acrowded, busy town. On the lane that meandered toward the great castle, merchants and shopkeepers lined the way. It was market day and Eva was thrilled to see the many shops: a tailor, a cordwainer, and an apothecary. Many people came from surrounding villages to attend and make purchases even though the rain had soaked the stalls, lanes, and items for sale.
Their carriage slowed on the muddy thoroughfare when men in knee-length tunics drove their cattle in front of them. Women bustled their children to clear the lane and some wealthier women wearing rich garments and tall-heeled shoes to avoid the muck, made no move to hurry out of the way.
People stood about, some in groups, prattling and catching up on the latest news, unmindful of the rain that dampened their garments. A company of performers pulled a cart that held their costumes and stage, much to the children’s delight. Eva couldn’t see enough of all the excitement. There was so much to take in, she didn’t know where to look. When the town crier rang his bell, many of the people scurried forth to hear his message. She wondered what news he would announce.
How she adored market day. At home, their market couldn’t compare to the extensive sellers here in Edinburgh. Their town’s stallsbarely stretched down one side of a short lane. This town’s shops and stalls seemed to go on to the end of the road. If she had time, she would venture out from the castle and perhaps visit the tailor or purchase a new pair of shoes from the cordwainer.
Their carriage was pulled up the incline of the hill adjacent to the stone trestle bridge that led to the gatehouse. Guards stood ready to intercept them, but her father’s men gave their family name and they were waved onward. Over the cobbled stones, the carriage rocked and rolled forward until it finally came to a stop near the edge of the courtyard.
Eva’s eyes took in everything, from the flapping of the pennons atop the fortress to the large pen that kept horses secure, to the scurry of men and women attending to their tasks. It was so thrilling and she wondered why she had prevented herself from the experience previously. She should have traveled with her father to Edinburgh when he’d offered. There seemed to be a liveliness to the town as if there was a buzz of anticipation in the air.
The only apprehension she had was that she’d soon be married. Even that dreadful farce and the heavy rainfall they’d contended with during their travel couldn’t put a damper on the sights and sounds of Edinburgh.
One of her father’s men opened the carriage door and set a wooden crate for her to step upon. Eva disembarked and awaited her father. Throughout the journey, he’d continued to ail but he had improved a little before they had left for the trek. His wheezing lessened but she could still hear it and see his chest labor with his breath. Eva worried for him, and even more so because once she married, she’d be unable to care for him.
As they walked toward the entrance of the castle, they were met by a burly man. He hastened forward and bowed. “Lord Michael, you have arrived. And this must be your fair daughter, Mistress Eva.” He bowed again and when he straightened, he wore a smile.
“Eva, this is Chamberlain Edmund, the king’s man.” Her father staggered a bit as he bowed in return.
“Sir,” she said and curtseyed to him before taking her father’s arm to support him without letting him appear frail. Still, he somewhat leaned against her as they entered the castle with the chamberlain who walked quickly ahead of them without waiting for them to catch up.
“Welcome. I am sure you must want to take a respite from your journey and get dry from this horrid rain. Hopefully, it will cease soon. It seems to be lightening. The king will greet everyone on the morrow but the queen has asked that Mistress Eva attend her later in the evening. Follow me and we shall get you settled,” the chamberlain spoke rapidly.
