A NEW DAY
“Amabel.”
Amabel woke to delicious warmth. She opened her eyes and smiled. She rolled over. Broderick was beside her in the bed. She moved to lie beside him.
He put his arm around her, and she nestled against him. Together they lay and watched the room change from gray to white as the sun rose to shine through the screen before the windows.
Amabel could feel his hand stroking her waist. She moved her own hand to rest on the center of his chest. Here she could feel his heart beating. She closed her eyes and let the memories of the night return. She smiled.
“Good morning, my dear.” She leaned up and kissed his cheek.
“Good morning, sweet Amabel.”
He stroked her hair gently, smiling into her face. She cuddled closer, and together they lay and listened to the tiny sounds of the castle coming awake.
“I missed you when I was away,” Broderick whispered. He stroked her hair.
She turned and looked up, eyes glowing. “I missed you.”
He laughed and cupped her cheek with his hand. “I am sorry.”
She tightened her embrace around him. “You'd better be.”
He laughed. “I promise I shan't do it again. Not if I can help it.”
Amabel was so surprised she sat up, looking down at him with wide blue eyes.
“Really?”
He stroked her shoulder where it was exposed below the curtain of hip-length hair.
“Yes. I promise you, my Amabel. I will never again let fighting and war be more important than love.”
Amabel blinked rapidly, feeling tears start. She had not realized how much that would mean. How much it meant to her that his love and hers were worth more than revenge.
“Oh, Broderick,” she said.
Her throat closed up and she cried. Great sobs that shook her shoulders, even though she was smiling.
Broderick sat up and cradled her in his arms. He held her, rocking her back and forth.
“It is well, my sweet. It is well. I promise. I promise. I am sorry.”
They sat like that together, her crying and him rocking her, until her crying subsided.
She sniffed.
“I am sorry, my dear. I did not realize how much it would mean to me that... that you care for me. That I matter – that we matter – more than war.”
Broderick stroked her hair. He sighed. He leaned forward and kissed the top of her head.
“I am so, so sorry. I was a blind, arrogant fool. I did not see what I was doing. What I was missing.” He laughed. “Do you know?”
She blinked. “Know what?”
“I thought you hated me.”
She covered her mouth, feeling herself laugh. “Broderick! You... you couldn't have! Why did you ever think…” She trailed off, incredulous.
Broderick laughed. “You did rather give that impression, you know. I thought you didn't want to touch me, or didn't want me near you. That you found me distasteful somehow.”
“Broderick! I thought you did that! I thought you wanted me only as a help! I thought I was repulsive to you.”
Broderick was staring at her. “Repulsive!” he almost-shouted. “Lass! Lass. How on Earth?”
Amabel was laughing and crying. She reached for her handkerchief and dabbed her face. “Because... you did rather give that impression, you know!”
Broderick laughed, too, and the two of them collapsed into a laughing, happy heap.
They lay together for a moment, taking solace in each other's presence.
“Broderick?” Amabel asked. She was stroking his shoulder.
“Yes?” He rolled over and the two of them exchanged a kiss.
Amabel could feel her body catching fire as he touched her. She fought for calm. She had to say this first. “Do you think you're fighting the right people?”
Broderick looked into her eyes. His brown eyes were level, a small frown above them.
“Why, lass? In what way?”
“I only thought... well... I know a little of the story of the raid,” she said carefully. Duncan had told her one night at dinner, but she did not mention that, not wanting to get the man into trouble. “I wondered... how many Bradley did you count in the raid?”
Broderick thought a moment. “I couldn't tell you, lass. One thing I do know for sure is that there were hundreds of men. Enough to overrun our household guard without much effort.”
Amabel rolled over. She looked down at him, frowning. “And the Bradley have a large stronghold near Dunkeld? And a large force to command?”
Broderick's eyes flew open. He nodded. “They have a stronghold near Dunkeld, yes. But it is a small one. I would say they could command no more than forty. Maybe fifty?”
Amabel's eyes shone. “Well, then! Might it not have been Bradleys you saw at all, then?”
Broderick paused. He bit his lip, thinking. “It might not have been Bradleys, you are right. At least, it could not have been all Bradleys. They don't have such a strong force. You're correct.” He sat up. “But they have strong allies. The MacAdams...” He trailed off.
“They have a large force near Dunkeld?” Amabel persisted.
Broderick closed his eyes. When he opened them, his expression was serious. “Not near, no. If anything, they are much further away. But still…” He paused. “There is nothing to stop them marching overland, is there?”
“No,” Amabel agreed. “Besides the fact that someone might see them, mightn't they?”
Broderick bit his lip. “That is true. But, lass, why? Why would anyone go to all that trouble? Why pretend to be Bradleys to make a raid? It makes little sense.”
Amabel frowned. She nodded. “There's more to guilt than those who are doing.”
Broderick frowned at her. “What is that?”
Amabel shook her head. “I don't know,” she said, feeling cross with herself. Why could she not solve this mystery?
Together they lay on the bed. Amabel curled up, tucking a bolster under her head. Broderick leaned over and drew her back beside him.
“Lass,” he said gently, stroking her back in a way that made her shiver. “I promise you. Whoever it is who did it... and I promise, we shall find out... I will not pursue vengeance anymore. My heart is light without it. I am free.”
Amabel snuggled under his arm. “You are.” She leaned against him. “You are free and so am I. We are free to love.”
Broderick half sat. He looked into her eyes. He kissed her. His mouth touched her in a way that sent fire coursing through her. When his hands moved on her shoulders, stroking lower, she thought she might actually die of pleasure. His fingers tickled down her spine while his other hand tickled along her chest-bone, reaching her nipple.
She giggled and rolled over, giving him access to her whole chest. He leaned in and took her nipple in his teeth, working it.
The castle rose and woke about them and the day grew bright.
Neither of them left the chamber until noon.
Broderick told Amabel the tales of all his scars, and Amabel told Broderick the stories of the castle and her childhood. They lay in each other’s arms and they kissed and made love.
If anyone in the solar noticed their grins when they finally emerged for dinner, flushed and laughing, no one thought to make a comment.
That dinner was a happy time of peace, joy and laughter.