There were archers on the top of the wall, clearly on high alert. The points of their arrows followed the group as they rode underneath. The guards at the door were tripled, all armed, alert, and grim-faced. The instant they rode under the portcullis, it was lowered, filling the air with a horrible, screeching clanking sound. It made Una flinch.
Gates were closed and locked behind them, the clunks and scrapes of bolts shooting home echoing through the courtyard.
The courtyard itself was empty. Not surprising, since most of the Keep servants would be busy with their own breakfasts. There were soldiers dotted all over, however, clutching pikes or swords and glaring balefully around. Directly opposite the now-closed portcullis stood wide, ancient stone steps leading up to the entrance to the Keep proper.
Astrid stood at the top. She wore a rough gown of green wool, and a cloak of Kenneth tartan swung around her shoulders, rippling in the breeze. Her husband stood beside her, brawny arms folded. He stared grimly down at them all.
Una tried not to mind. Kai’s anger wasn’t directed towardsthem, but rather towards the threat that they posed.
More specifically, it was aimed towards Struan.
The group clattered to a halt in front of the steps, the horses’ hooves echoing.
“Welcome,” Astrid said, her voice carrying clearly and easily. “Welcome to my Keep.”
She was Lady Kenneth, but it was through her line that the lairdship came. Her father, recently deceased, was Laird Kenneth, who’d lured his daughter back home only to try to force her into an arranged marriage. A marriage with Struan Dickson, no less.
Una bit back a wince. This could be an awkward meeting.
She swung one leg over the saddle and slid slowly and painfully down to the ground. Her legs throbbed, and she could scarcely walk straight.Everythinghurt. She could only imagine how Struan felt, who hadn’t even been able to brace his weight with his arms.
He sat very still and upright as they cut through the ropes binding him to the saddle. When a mounting block was placed beside the horse, he lowered himself down with surprising grace, considering that his arms were tied behind his back. He moved stiffly, but did not allow any pain to show on his face.
It was hard not to be impressed.
Then his gaze fell on Astrid, and his eyes narrowed. She was looking at him too, her lips pressed together in a thin line.
“Ye are welcome too, Struan Dickson,” she said, her voice tight. His name seemed to echo in Una’s ears. “Ye are not free to leave, but I hope that ye will be safe and comfortable here. The Abbess has said so, and her word carries a great deal of weight with me. Untie him, somebody.”
At once, Kai was at her side.
“Is that wise?” he murmured. “The man’s dangerous.”
“Aye, but I don’t hold with folks being tied up like animals,” Astrid answered firmly. “Untie him, please.”
Janson glanced at Thomas, shrugged, then deftly cut through Struan’s bindings.
Struan let out a barely audible gasp of relief. He rolled his shoulders, twisting his neck until it cracked, and gingerly brought his arms around to the front of his body.
“Many thanks,” he said, his voice low and quiet. He began to massage his forearms, probably to bring some blood back into them. He met Astrid’s eye squarely. “It’s good to see ye again.”
Before Astrid could respond, Kai pushed his way between them, already seething.
“Do not address my wife,” he hissed. “Do not look at her. Ye are lucky ye did not marry her, because I would have cut yer throat to free her. Oh, aye, I rememberye, Struan Dickson. I remember ye very well.”
Struan gave a slow smile, teeth bared, and Una felt the hairs on the back of her neck prickling.
“Enough!” she heard herself say before Thomas or Kyla could intervene. “That’s enough.”
Judging by the grim expression on Thomas’ face, he would have been quite happy to let Kai beat Struan into the ground.
If he could manage it,Una thought, with a faint grin.Struan is stronger than he seems.
Kyla, however, was pale and looked miserable. She’d made no further attempt to speak to her brother. Whether that was due to her hurt at what Struan had said or whether Thomas had warned her against it remained to be seen.
Turning her back to Struan, Una smiled nervously up at Astrid. “We’ve had a long journey. Are there rooms for us? I suppose more importantly, I should ask if there are rooms forhim.”
She jerked her head backwards at Struan. Astrid’s gaze slid away from her and landed on Struan, narrowing.
