She watched how Fergus delicately took pieces of food from the trencher with his fingers and copied his actions, noting that he left the finer portions of meat for her.This must be etiquette and Leila mimicked him easily.
“Sweet after savory,” Fergus counseled when she was certain there could not be more food.“Ensure that you can sample the next course lest Xavier be insulted.”
“I thank you for the warning,” Leila said.
“You said it was your intent to win allies.”His eyes twinkled as he looked down at her and her heart skipped.
“And I must have one in the kitchen, to be sure.”
They laughed together and continued to eat.There were no minstrels in Calum’s hall during the meal as there often had been in Gaston’s, but conversation was lively.The use of spice was liberal and the food was hot, the combination leaving a warm glow in Leila’s belly.
Calum was the first to sit back and to take a healthy drink of the mulled wine.He smacked his lips.“And now I will tell you all what you have missed.”
Duncan leaned forward, undoubtedly to hear better, and Leila felt the weight of Fergus’ hand land on the back of her waist.His thigh was pressed against hers, solid and warm, and she tingled in anticipation of their first night together.
“It was April, almost exactly four years ago, that you two rode away from Killairic,” Calum said.“That year passed peacefully enough—”
“Though Lady Isobel wed,” Duncan murmured.
“A merry occasion,” Calum agreed.“And a great feast presented by her father.The fields around Dunnisbrae were filled with tents.”He sighed.“Who would have anticipated that the next year would be filled with such strife?”
“What strife?”Fergus asked.
His father raised a finger.“Gille Brigte, son of your namesake, Fergus, died early in the year, which seemed a portent of trouble.”
“Surely his lands passed peacefully to his son.”
“Nay, for that man is still a hostage of King Henry.Lochlann, the son of Uchtred, desired to claim his uncle’s lands in Galloway, it became clear.We should have guessed in April, for there was an earthquake.It was far to the east but still felt in this very hall.As the priest said, it was a warning to us all.”
“Father, you know that the earth does not grant portents...”
“As above, so below, Fergus,” Calum said sternly.“And on the first of May, we were warned again for the sun disappeared in the middle of the day, swallowed by the moon, so the whole world went dark.”
“An eclipse,” Leila said.
Calum granted her a look.“A warning from the divine.Twice that year, Lochlann ravaged Galloway, intent upon claiming his uncle’s holdings by force.”His expression was grim.“We were hard-pressed to hold the border for the king.”
“I wish I had been here,” Fergus said.
“So did I, lad.So did I.”Calum had another sip of wine.“But to our relief, Lochlann was compelled to make peace with King Henry at Carlisle in 1186.I attended the council and signed the treaty myself as did King William of Scotland.Since then, Lochlann has been William’s lapdog.He even aided in putting down the revolt of the MacWilliams in Moray.”
Leila saw the flash in Duncan’s eyes before he dropped his gaze, but Calum carried on without noticing.“And I am glad of it.Lochlann has been occupied away from Galloway and of peaceful inclination when he returns.It is a welcome change from his past tendencies.”
It seemed that violence and war had no borders.Leila supposed her new life would have some unwelcome similarities with her old one.
“And Isobel’s husband?”Fergus asked.“What are his allegiances?”
His father pursed his lips.“Stewart MacEwan was a strong ally to Lochlann and fought with him in that dreadful assault upon Galloway.Perhaps he wished to have an allegiance with the Isles via Isobel.”His father arched a brow.“You will have to tell them about Kerr, and such tidings cannot be delivered by a missive.”
“Of course, Father.I intend to go to Dunnisbrae on the morrow.”
Calum’s eyes narrowed.“I would leave the news a bit, Fergus,” he advised softly.“You should be calm when you confront Stewart.He is a man to seize upon any provocation.”
Leila realized that she was not the only one to have noted the tension in Fergus and to disapprove of his acting upon it.It added to her growing sense that she and his father could be strong allies.
“Iamcalm,” Fergus insisted, but the tightness in his tone betrayed him.“I will go on the morrow and see the task done.”
Though Calum appeared to agree with Leila, he was less inclined to argue with Fergus.Perhaps her assessment of Stewart’s reaction had not been unreasonable.She found her hands clenching together in her lap and tried to calm herself.
