She giggled, causing her breasts to tickle his taut torso. He groaned. Again, he had to have her at least two more times before dawn.
“Callum, once the treaty is done, shall we stay here or Stirling?”
His lips paused – for the moment. Leaning back, he looked down at her. Cheeks flushed, hair spread about the pillow same as a peacock’s fan. How the hell had he managed this feat of having her here with him again?
“Callum?”
“Pardon, my Nella, the moment took me,” he admitted. “Your gesture here.” He glanced at the candles glowing about, causing his mind to revisit the moment she had shed her robe… He began hardening again. Talk. They needed to talk first.
“You cared for it?” she asked, hopeful.
“More than words may express, my bonniest lady,” he replied, his voice roughened from shouting her name when they crested. “To your original query, we shall travel with the king’s court as deemed required.”
“I believe Lady Dagny may be joining King Alexander’s court shortly as well.”
“Oh?”
“When Sir Sean spoke with her at the feast, they shared tales of an enemy.”
“Sir James.”
“Aye, something about it seemed to take a deeper root in connection between them. Lord Kolson’s fears regarding her reputation were unfounded.”
“Northman,” Callum cursed under his breath.
“Thank you for settling the feud once and for all with him. I believe the drink made him bolder.” Nella caressed her nose against his tenderly.
“Aye.” He grazed his lips over hers. “Kameron seems ‘settled’ in his fresh post of squire.”
“Very much. He helped me in delivering many of the lanterns here and spoke with almost a giddiness that he would be sending word to his ‘lass’ about his new station and seeks for them to be wed.”
“Speaking of wed, there is a matter I have yet to convey.” Her brows rose in question. “Being the wife to the captain of the royal guard, there shall be many times as this eve where duty will claim my time. In many other circumstances, as with other married guards, the wives normally wait for their husbands’ return. Well, we are a unique pairing, Nella. I would hope for you to be at my side on as many tasks which lay ahead, ensuring we are together more. Would you be amicable to this idea?”
“You worry Sir Nathrach has other possible sympathizers to Simon’s cause among us?”
His fingers brushed the damp hairs from her brow. “I believe threats to the throne will forever lurk in the shadows. Even those from a rival kingdom.”
“You fear Henry III? He is the King of England, but Alexander’s queen consort is Henry’s daughter.”
“Aye, Henry would never invade Scotland, but I worry for the future regarding Henry’s heir. Edward, some call Longshanks. I do not care for him in the least.”
“Callum.” Nella pressed her fingers upon his heart. “I am at your side always and would be honored to keep watch withyou as deemed needed. Circling the bailey in a conveniently planted herb garden will do very nicely as a way to remain close without arising too many suspicions.”
He grinned before claiming her lips again.
Chapter 49
JULY 2ndYear of Our Lord 1266
TREATY OF PERTH
Nella looked at the massive parchment which seemed to swallow the large oak table as King Alexander’s signature from the quill in hand joined those representing King Magnus. The pews shined brightly in freshly polished beeswax which sweetened the occasion’s scent even more.
Sunshine sparked thought the unshuttered windows as if knowing this was a most noted of days in Scotland’s history. The defining of lands reclaimed to the Scots. She bowed her head.What an honor to be here.
Callum was completing his circle on the interiors at his post of “watcher” while Sir Brayden and Sir Sean remained near the king on the far side of the nave’s center.
Only a cluster deemed “essential”, as a precautionary measure, had journeyed here. This included the Northman, who looked at Callum when he arrived on the other side of her while she and Holger remained near the nave’s entry which led out into the cloister.
