Chapter Six
Elle didn’t know what to expect as Darach led the group of horses up a steep incline. As they reached the top, he stopped his mount and gave her waist a squeeze. “My home is before ye.”
She squirmed in the saddle, grateful her time atop his horse had come to an end—his nearness made it difficult to concentrate on anything of importance. Darach did something to her, something new and very unsettling. And though he claimed to be her enemy, judging by the way he held onto her while they galloped across the fields, she knew they shared a connection of some sort.
She admired the fortified structure. Surrounded by a stakewall, the well-built timber house demonstrated the kind of wealth Darach’s family possessed. As they rode through the gates, men and women alike greeted Darach and his warriors. The inner bailey was filled with people and animals. Not unlike her home in the Trondelag, the smells of everyday life assailed her. The scent of fresh bread baking merged with animal dung. She smiled at the memories it provoked.
Darach dismounted first, then reached for her. He gently set her on her feet. “Welcome to my home.”
Curious onlookers already surrounded them. And if she listened hard enough, Elle could understand some of their comments. Her gown stood out, and so did her red hair. Children pointed at her. The women grimaced, and many of the men leered as she walked by, Darach keeping a firm hold on her left arm.
“Ignore the talk and looks,” he advised. “Ye are like an exotic bird blown to shore by the storm.”
She stopped and looked up at him. “A caged one.”
He chuckled. “Aye, that ye are, lass.”
They entered the house through a side door, where a dark-haired woman waited. She wore a wool gown dyed deep green, suggesting she was of some importance. “Darach.” She embraced him and Elle moved aside, letting the two share an intimate moment.
Was this woman a valued servant? His wife? Sister?
“We heard the warning.” She pulled back so she could see him. “Father ordered all the livestock brought in, then we sealed the gates. It is good to see ye safe and sound.”
“Aye,” Darach said. “Twas a wayward ship, not a threat.”
The woman was his sister. Deep inside, Elle felt relieved by that fact. Why, she didn’t know.
“And what have ye here?” His sister finally noticed Elle. “Another stray?”
“A lady of noble birth we found hiding on the longship.”
His sister’s pleasant features darkened some as she studied Elle from head to toe. “Ye’ve brought a Norsewoman into our home? How could ye do such a thing, Darach? What will father say? What will our people think?” She wiped her hands on her apron. “Tis not right.”
“What would ye have me do, Lili? Leave her to die?”
“Ye’ll be taking her to a cell, then?”
“Nay. She will be treated as any other guest—given a room of her own and an escort.”
Lili clicked her tongue disapprovingly. “Very well,” she said reluctant to do her brother’s bidding. “What men will ye assign to watch over her?”
“Can ye bring us some bread and ale, first? I’ll worry over such details after I’ve eaten and had time to think.”
“Father will want to see ye.”
“Aye—but not before I break bread.”
The great hall was of a respectable size, with a high table, a dozen trestle tables, a central fire pit, tapestries hanging on the walls, and skins covering a good portion of the earthen-packed floor. Sunlight filtered in through rectangular slits cut into the south-facing wall, making it a comfortable room.
Darach pulled a bench out from the closest table. “Sit and eat with me, Elle.”
She nodded and sat down, folding her hands on the tabletop. “From what I’ve seen and heard, Darach, I am an unwelcome presence here.”
“People fear what they do not know.”
She could not disagree with his way of thinking, but . . . “Is it your intention to introduce me to your people?”
He sat beside her, angling his big body so he could look at her. “Tis the only choice beyond locking ye in a cell. If ye prefer solitude—”
“I prefer the warmth and comfort of this hall.”
“Aye.” He nodded his approval and accepted a cup of ale from the serving girl who approached the table. He took a deep drink, then set his vessel down. “Bring water, too, lass.”
After the girl placed two loaves of bread on the table, she hurried away.
Elle didn’t attempt to hide her hunger. She picked up one of the loaves and tore it in half, savoring the first taste of the warm bread as she swallowed it down, followed by a gulp of ale. Nothing had ever tasted so good.
“Ye are ravenous, lass.”
Several minutes of silence passed before she spoke again. “If your sire rejects me, what will happen to me, Darach?”
He thought on it a long moment before answering. “As long as yer claims are proven legitimate, that ye are indeed the daughter of a chieftain, and yer ma was born in Scotia, my father will have no choice but to treat ye as an honored guest. The MacAlpin’s are an ancient clan—noble born—their blood as much a part of this land as mine. Honor requires we provide ye with sanctuary, lass. But if ye lied . . .”
Elle looked deep into his eyes. “I swear upon my father’s good name—upon my mother’s very life—by everything holy—I am who I say. Tis by God’s grace I ended up here and not in the hands of the greedy lords of Orkeneyjar. Though it is rumored they care little for what gods a man worships, there is a shortage of childbearing-aged women on the islands. I might have been subjected to humiliating circumstances, my honor compromised . . .”
Darach frowned at her. “Is that what ye worry about the most, lass? Yer virginity? Is not the breath of life of more importance?”
“You misunderstood me, sir.”
“Did I now?”
“My honor includes my very life. But what would my life be worth if I didn’t possess my chastity? I would never accept a fate as a bed thrall—or be satisfied baring bastard sons for a tyrant. I share the same dreams as any young woman. I want a husband who respects and loves me, and legitimate children with a happy future.”
Darach waved his hand dismissively. “Aye, tis a dream for sure.”
“Is it?” Elle gazed around the spacious hall. “Unless my eyes deceive me, you live in relative comfort. None of the people in the bailey were poorly dressed or looked as if they were starving.”
“A fact we never take for granted, lass. On any given day, a fleet of longships could appear on the horizon, promising our end. Aye, our bellies are full and our wool is of the highest quality and warm. But fear lives in our hearts.”
“You are a confusing man,” Elle commented. “By the look of you, I’d never guess you feared anything.”
He responded with a mirthless laugh. “Not the kind of fear ye think. Not for myself, lass. I care little for when I die if it’s to protect my family and lands. But I fear for my clan’s future, every waking moment.”
Before Elle could collect her thoughts, the quiet inside the hall was shattered by the throng of soldiers and people who flooded inside through the main doors.
“Is it true, Darach?” A younger man who looked very similar to Darach stood at the forefront of the crowd. “Is that woman . . .”
Darach sighed and stood, shoving the bench he shared with Elle back several feet. Any trace of appetite she had left disappeared the moment she met the young man’s angry eyes.
“Is what true, Aidan?” Darach asked.
“That she’s Norse.”
Darach folded his arms over his broad chest. “I see the rumors are already swirling as fervently as sand in the wind. Twould be best to bite yer tongue, lad, until all the facts are known.”
“We know enough already,” Aidan assured him, his gaze never leaving Elle. “She is a Viking whore.”
Darach slammed his fist down on the tabletop. “Apologize to the lady.”
Elle swallowed her last sip of ale and stood up next to Darach. Without thinking, she rested her palm on his arm. The last thing she wanted to do was cause trouble. Especially for Darach. He’d been so kind and understanding. “Please,” she pleaded. “If I am the cause of such distress—”
“No,” Darach cut her off. “My brother is a fearmongering fool sometimes,” he bellowed. “Rude and undisciplined.” He pinned his sibling with a fierce look. “Beg the lady’s forgiveness. Now.”
A low rumble rose from the people standing behind Darach’s brother—obviously in shock and disagreement over what Darach demanded from Aiden.
“Tis midday,” Darach pointed out. “Get back to work if ye wish to eat in my sire’s hall tonight.”
Slowly, the crowd dispersed, leaving Aiden and a handful of soldiers behind.
“Stirring up shite with our kinsmen won’t endear ye to our father,” Darach warned his brother. “If ye have questions, come to me directly.”
“Is she?”
“Aye. But there is more to her story, lad.”
“Her bloodties are enough to convince me she belongs on the executioner’s block.”
“Thank the Almighty ye don’t have the authority to make that decision,” a deep voice sounded from the other side of the hall.
Everyone turned, finding who Elle guessed was the laird standing with his attendants.
Tall and imposing for his advanced age, his dark hair and beard was peppered with gray. He took a few limping steps. “When a man can’t sit in his solar in peace, it is a sad day, indeed.”
“Father.” Darach bowed.
“I didn’t mean to disturb ye,” Aiden said, bending at the waist.
“Forgive my errant, youngest child,” the laird said to Elle as he approached. “Lady Elle, I believe?”
Used to dealing with men of power, Elle immediately curtsied. “No forgiveness is required, sir.”
“How did ye know?” Darach looked about the room, finding Cameron standing in the shadows from the direction his father had come. “Bloody Christ,” he cursed. “Did ye have time to wipe the dust from yer feet before ye made yer way to my father?”
Cameron walked deeper into the room, no trace of regret on his face. “I did what I thought was best to protect ye.” He quickly left.
Darach started after him.
“Darach,” his sire called. “Cameron can wait.”
“Aye,” he growled, turning back to his father. “But not for long.”
“My captain tells me ye have a story to tell, Lady Elle.”
“Aye,” she said.
“Then join me at the high table. All we have is time, and ye’ll find me a patient man.”
Elle didn’t hesitate, she accepted the laird’s arm and walked with him to the other side of the hall, ready to present her story, hoping she’d find a sympathetic ear.