As they rode past the first of the cottages, people paused their work to greet the men, and many curious eyes gazed upon Ella. She saw them exchange puzzled glances, even as Ceann must have. But he offered no explanation for her presence. He only traded brief pleasantries with his people without stopping or even slowing his pace, then continued on to the castle gates, the horses kicking up dust and scattering a flock of chickens that had been scratching industriously in the road. Despite his fierce and forbidding demeanor, Ella could feelthat the people respected their laird, liked him, even, which to her meant he must be a fair man and treated them well. She could see it in their eyes; they admired him; a less than common thing between most Lairds and their clan.Her sense of the character of the man beneath the grim countenance was becoming clearer. If the people he ruled thought him honorable, then he almost certainly was. It would be a very difficult thing to fool so many, for so long.
They rode through the gates and entered the bailey, stopping before the stables, where Ceann handed her down without a word before dismounting himself and passing the reins off to a waiting groom. He started purposefully for the keep, leaving her staring after him. When she made no move to follow, he stopped and turned to look back at her, crossing his arms across his chest.“Come on, then,” he said gruffly, and began walking again.
Ella heaved a sigh and followed him despite his lack of manners. She could hardly feel her feet touch the ground, with her mind racing and nerves suddenly even more on edge. Coming here had seemed so abstract, as if she had been reading a story in one of her books, or making one up in her mind, as she so often did. But now, she was really here at Tulloch, and it felt so very strange… so different than what she had imagined. But then, she hadn’t imagined Ceann at all.
They went through the huge oak doors into the great hall, and she paused to look around. The room was grand, to be sure. The furniture was fine, large windows let in light from every side, and rich tapestries adorned the walls. It was by every appearance a warm and comfortable hall, but as she paused just within the room, she felt immediately as if something was missing. It was that feeling she had when sheknewshe’d forgotten something, but couldn’t remember justwhat.There was an emptiness that should not to be there… but she couldn’t put her finger on exactly what it was. It was… hollow somehow, wanting, and she found herself longing to fill it and make it whole. What an odd feeling to be having just now, she mused.
Ceann’s powerful voice interrupted her thoughts as he gave orders to a waiting servant.
“Take the lass to the south chamber and have her bathed and fed. When she is ready I will be waiting in my study to speak with her.” He looked at Ella, his expression as ever hard and unreadable, but his eyes seemed to pierce her very heart.“Don’t keep me waiting lass, I am not a patient man, and we have much to discuss.”
With that he turned and left her with the maid, whom she followed to a staircase at one end of the room.They climbed the narrow, winding stone steps to the second floor, where the maid showed her to a door at the end of the short hallway.Opening it, she ushered Ella inside, giving her a shy smile.
“I will see to having your bath brought up, and a meal. Until then, please make yourself comfortable.”
Ella nodded and gave the girl a warm smile, “Thank you, you’re very kind.”
She closed the door and looked curiously at her new surroundings, her heart still beating too fast, her hands still trembling just a little.God! She was really here, on her own at Tulloch! It was a fine room, well furnished and cozy.The centerpiece was a large four-post bed with red velvet curtains drawn back to show fine white linens and plump pillows. Beautifully woven rugs covered the floor, and colorful tapestries lined the stone walls. And this was the guest solar, no doubt!The laird was evidently not short of coin. She went to the window, which stood open to the fresh air. Looking out, she couldn’t help but admire the lovely view of the loch below, and beyond it, the mountains stretching into the distance.The mountains…old as time itself. She loved how they seemed to enfold and protect her, so different from being in the open and flat terrain to the south.
She left the window and moved about the room, running her hands over the smooth wood of the furniture, touching the fine fabric of the bed curtains. She sat on the bed, and found it to be as soft as it looked. She certainly could have done worse than to find herself here.Here. Nervous chills suddenly prickled at the base of her neck as the strangeness of the moment again caught up with her. She was here on her own at Tulloch Castle.Really here.At the mercy of the laird, since she could not tell him who she was or where she had come from. Andshe needed to make him keep her here long enough to complete her quest. If he sent her away, it would be nearly impossible to get back inside these well guarded walls. That must have been why Malcolm had left her to be found by the laird. Of course her being alone in the woods would be suspicious, and of course she would be brought back here to the castle. It was a brilliant plan, really. Why hadn’t they told her? Did they think she would balk at the idea? Could she not be trusted to keep a secret? But that didn’t make any sense. If they didn’t trust her, they surely wouldn’t have sent her here on an important task… unless they were trying to get rid of her… She put her hands to her head.I just can’t make sense of it all!
A sudden knock at the door made her jump, but before she could answer, it burst open and several maids came in bearing a small wooden tub and buckets of steaming water. Another followed with a tray of bread and cheese. She smiled despite her uneasiness.After all those days and nights in the woods and on a horse it would certainly feel good to be clean again. She had just stood from the bed when yet another girl appeared carrying fresh clothing.
“I thought you wouldn’t want to put yours back on, milady, until they could be washed.”
Ella gave her a look of genuine gratitude.To be clean after a week’s journey would be a fine thing indeed.“Thank you, fresh clothing will be wonderful. I… I’ve been travelling for quite a few days.”
“You’re most welcome.” The girl bobbed and left the room, with the other maids turning to follow her. Alone again, Ella quickly took off her plain brown riding gown and kirtle, and sank into the warm water.The staff of the castle, she realized, were treating her as a guest, not a… what was she exactly, a hostage?A captive? Had the laird told them to do so, or did they just assume?Treacherous thoughts of all that could go wrong rushed into her mind, and the trouble she could find herself in. She willed such thoughts away; she would need a clear head to see this through.
Someone had lit a peat fire in the hearth. Her mind was so flustered she hadn’t even noticed, but the gentle heat of it warmed her face. She scrubbed herself clean with the lavender scented soap they hadbrought, and washed her hair.Lavender scented soap, no doubt reserved for family and esteemed guests, certainly not what the servants would use. What were his plans for her? Would he want her to share his bed? Surely he would never find out the truth…Stop that, Ella! You have to keep your mind focused on what must be done!
She ate a bit of bread and cheese from the tray on the table beside her before the water cooled enough to chase her from the tub, and dried herself with a linen towel. No sooner had she put on the clean shift then the maid returned with a brush and comb, as if on cue.
“I thought you might want some help with your hair, milady.”
“That’s very thoughtful of you...” She looked nervously at the maid, still uncertain in her new surroundings, and this strange situation.But she could tell right away the girl was kind and had a good heart, and she smiled. “What is your name?”
“I’m Fiona, Milady.”
“Please, call me Ella.”
Fiona nodded and sat Ella in a chair by the hearth to begin combing out her hair where the heat from the fire would dry it.
“Tis a beautiful name,Ella.Do you mind me asking, how did you come to be… ah… staying with us?I don’t mean to pry, mind you, it’s just everyone’s a bit curious. ”
Ella almost flinched, but caught herself in time. It was not in her nature to tell even half-truths, never mind out-right lies. Then she smiled to herself with relief, realizing the real reason for Fiona’s question. Gossip was coin among a household’s servants, and as the one who tended her, Fiona would have an edge on everyone else. “Ah, well, I was travelling and was separated from my party. Your laird happened upon me in the forest on his way home, and was kind enough to bring me here until I can arrange to leave. I truly appreciate the hospitality; I’m not sure what I would have done, otherwise.” There, that was quite truthful.
“Oh, I see. It’s lucky our laird found you, then, before you could meet with any trouble.”
Ella furrowed her brow. The girl seemed a bit disappointed by her explanation. It was probably only that the Laird finding a lost lady wasprobably not the juicy tidbit the girl was hoping for. But she couldn’t think on it now. Right now she wanted to begin her search and start turning the castle upside-down, and crawl into the bed and hide under the covers, all at the same time.
Fiona interrupted her whirling thoughts.People were forever interrupting her thoughts, she mused. Perhaps because she spent most of her time lost in thought…
“Well, your hair is dry enough. Let’s see about the gown. Milaird was most insistent that you speak with him as soon as you’re able, and already the hour grows late. He’ll not like to be kept waiting.”She slipped the delicate pale blue gown over Ella’s head and set about lacing the matching kirtle.
“Is the laird truly an impatient man, then?He’s not… is he ever… cruel?”
Fiona pursed her lips, considering the question.“In some matters he’s quite impatient, aye. I’d say he’s a hard man, and certainly without mercy when it comes to protecting what’s his, and of course he’s a fine warrior, one of the best, but no, not cruel.”She finished dressing Ella and stepped back to look at her.“Ah, you look lovely, ‘tis a perfect fit. Now, on with these slippers and we’ll be done.”
