THE TRUTH
Rufus woke on a pillowing softness and looked up at a ceiling that was gray stone and lost somewhere in the haze of morning sunlight over his head.
He sat up, blinking.
His mind was fogged with weary sleep and he had at first no idea where he was. The first thought that came to his mind was to wonder where Amabel was. He seemed to remember they were in the forest, hiding, and she should be close by somewhere.
With the thought came memory. He recalled he was at the castle. He had arrived the day before and Amabel was where she should be, in her own chamber on the other side of the hallway. He recalled the previous evening and blushed.
He was so happy.
He slid out of bed and headed down to the great hall for breakfast. There, he was surprised with news.
“You're summoned to the audience room.”
Rufus frowned. “Me?” he asked. “Why?”
His commander shrugged. “No good asking me, Rufus,” he said honestly. “Might as well ask me to dance a quatrain. Not going to happen either.”
He yawned and Rufus laughed. He sat down to breakfast, and then hurried to the audience room.
As he went up the stairs he heard footsteps coming down. He looked up. In a long blue gown with a wide skirt patterned with embroidery, her black hair a flag of darkness, was Amabel.
He smiled uncertainly.
“Hello,” he said.
She grinned. “Well, this is unusual, isn't it?” she laughed. “Come. We have to see who's here!” she sounded excited and Rufus felt his tension give way to joy.
In the audience chamber, he was surprised to see a tall man with black hair and a long, granite-hard face. Amabel looked at the man with complete joy in her eyes.
“Rufus,” she said with delight. “Come and meet Father.”
Rufus felt himself take root. This stern, imposing man with the black hair and the brooding physique was Amabel's father? He felt nervous. He swallowed hard.
“My lord,” he stuttered, bowing low.
When he looked up, the man's expression was the same, though his black eyes had a look of interest in them that had not been there before.
“Come forward, Sir Rufus,” he said softly. “I have heard much about you. And may I say how pleased I am to meet you? I think I might have met a terrible fate without your help. To say nothing of my daughter's own escape. I shudder at my own part in endangering her now.”
Rufus shook his head. “You didn't mean it, sir,” he said gruffly. “I'm glad to see you well. Amabel was so worried.”
“I believe so,” he said with a thin-lipped smile that, for all its severity, reminded Rufus stupidly of his daughter. “I have already received much censure in that regard.”
Rufus chuckled. “I believe you.”
Amabel looked at him with big eyes, lips parted and cheeks flushed. Then she looked at her father. She laughed.
“You two!” she said, shaking her head and still chuckling with mirth, though she was pretending to be cross with both of them. “Anyone would think I was the worst tempered person on earth. Stubborn and intransigent and impulsive and...” she shook her head.
“Worst tempered? No,” her father said gently. “Intransigent? Not really. Stubborn and impulsive...” he gave a big grin that included Rufus in the merriment, gently.
“Oh, Father,” Amabel said, laughing as she embraced him. “You are a tease. Both of you,” she added.
Later, they talked. Amabel's father explained that he had been called away to Astmarsh, another fortress of the duke of Astley, a day and a half away. He had reached there to find no sign of insurrection on the border, and had sensed something was wrong. When he returned to the castle, the day after their own escape, he'd heard of matters from the steward.
“Your grandfather is safe,” he said. “He never reached the port. His horse threw a shoe and he insisted on stopping at the inn the night to see his horse re-shod for the journey. We fetched him from the inn the next morning. He's safely ensconced at home, complaining bitterly about the lack of care paid to his horses.”
Amabel laughed delightedly. Rufus watched her, feeling his heart glow with warmth. He was so pleased she was so happy.
“Now,” her father said to him. “I understand you are my daughter's choice. She always had her own choice in this matter. I was deeply distressed to hear how the arrangement with Lord Callum was exaggerated. It was always meant to be a possibility only, never rigid as the man made out.”
Rufus saw Amabel let out a long sigh. “I should have believed in you, Father,” she said softly.
Her father grinned. “I don't blame you. I'm also a stubborn and impulsive creature, not that different from you. You thought I'd made up my mind overnight, suddenly. I am only sorry I wasn't here to tell the truth.”
Amabel shook her head. “It wasn't your fault, Father. None of it is. I'm just so glad to know that at last. I should have trusted you.”
“Well, now you can,” her father said with a twinkle in his eye. “And now, I think that, once we have taken luncheon here, we should be on our way. Your mother will want time to prepare Lochlann for the event. And you know her...we shall have to give her an advance warning.”
Amabel chuckled and Rufus grinned, and then the three of them went down to luncheon together.
Afterward, they left the castle. They rode in a long retinue. Amabel's father was at the head, with Amabel behind. Glenna, her maid, rode a palfrey beside her and Rufus rode on her other side. Seamus was behind him, and Brogan. They had five guards as escort on the road, courtesy of Lord Glendower, who insisted that they do their utmost to remain safe.
“The journey will take five days,” Amabel informed Rufus as they rode. “When we reach Lochlann, you are of course invited to stay with us as long as you wish.” She looked down at her delicate-fingered hands on the reins.
Rufus smiled. “I wish to stay with you as long as you'll have me, Lady Amabel,” he said sincerely.
Amabel blushed and they rode on into the afternoon.
The journey went faster than Rufus would have imagined possible and it did not feel like five days had passed by the time they were riding up a long cobbled pathway uphill toward a castle.
Rufus watched as Lochlann approached. With its dark walls and high, severe towers, the place had a grim, imposing quality. He shivered as they rode, as much from the anticipation as the cool breeze that had risen with the late afternoon sunset.
“My lord!” the sentry called out, sounding astonished. “Welcome home! Sean..! Open the gate.”
The gate was drawn up and then they were in the courtyard. Rufus saw Amabel tense and then she slid out of her saddle, running up the stairs.
“Mother!”
He smiled as a tall woman with dark auburn hair and grave gray eyes embraced Amabel. Then she turned to Rufus.
“Welcome,” she said, and it seemed as though there was no explanation necessary between this pair of mother and daughter. Rufus sensed she knew exactly who he was.
“My lady,” he bowed.
She smiled and turned again to Amabel, who was smiling breathlessly.
“Well, then,” the lady of Lochlann said, turning to both of them. “I think we have some planning to do, yes, Amabel?”
Amabel grinned, pale face flushed. “Yes, Mama.”
Laughing, the three of them went inside together.