ARRIVAL AT THE FORTRESS
Amice looked up from her tapestry, hearing urgent footsteps in the hallway. She laid her embroidery aside and reached up to adjust her hair.
I hope that's Brodgar. He should be back today.
She heard her mother's delighted voice.
“My son!”
Her own face split with a wide grin. It was Brodgar, and Henriette! They were back. She ran to the door of the solar, peering out into the hallway.
“Brodgar!”
“Amice!” Her brother ran forward, embracing her in a bear hug. She hadn't seen him for a year, but he was completely as she remembered him. Taller than her by a head, and strongly built, his shoulders even bigger than she remembered. He grinned down at her, his wind-chapped cheeks red and lifted in a huge grin. “You look very well, sister.”
At nineteen years old, she was graceful and pretty, though entirely unconscious of either. She always felt small and slight next to her brother, who was as tall as their father and even broader in the shoulder.
“Thank you, Brodgar,” she said, then turned to the tall woman beside him with the pretty blond curls. “Henriette! So good you're here.”
Henriette embraced her warmly. Only two years older than Amice, Henriette was her brother's wife. She had come to stay with them just over a year ago, which was when Brodgar had fallen for her. She was a sweet, quiet girl and Amice liked her a great deal.
“It's lovely to see you, my dear sister,” Henriette said, squeezing Amice's hand fondly. “Has it been so warm here all week?” She drew off her thick, fur-lined outer cloak, shaking out her curls.
Amice laughed. “Warm? Sister, I was only now wishing I had made myself another shawl. It's achingly cold.”
Henriette chuckled. “In the north it's been snowing all winter!” she looked up at Brodgar fondly. “If your brother hadn't stocked the place with enough sheepskins to make me think he's decimated all Scottish sheep, we'd be frozen solid.”
Amice laughed. “Trust Brodgar – he always would plan in advance.”
Brodgar laughed. He wrapped an arm round her and headed up the hallway to the solar. Amice felt her heart warm with pride and fondness as she walked with him.
“Am I so predictable, sister?” he asked.
“Only to us, brother,” she said, indicating herself, her mother, and Henriette. “To anyone else, you're completely inscrutable.”
He laughed, a big warm laugh that filled the chilly hallway. “Inscrutable, eh?”
The four of them walked up the hallway towards the solar. The pale light of the afternoon shone down through the high arched windows of the solar and Amice smiled, basking in the warm rays. Dunkeld was a beautiful castle, the grim fortress utterly transformed, or so she had heard, by her mother when she moved in. It was home now to all manner of beautiful things: oak tables, fine hardwood settees, and tapestries.
Amice looked round as aunt Alina appeared in the hallway, her pale face a picture of surprise.
“Brodgar!” She reached up a thin hand to tuck her dark hair behind one ear and then clasped his shoulders, looking at him at arm's length. “You look very well.”
“I feel very well, aunt. Though I am hungry enough to eat right through the winter storehouse and out the other end.”
“That's my son,” Lady Amabel embraced him. Her red hair was streaked with white now, but she still had that intense liveliness that Amice remembered from her childhood. “And Henriette looks so well too, does she not, Alina?” She paused, breathless. “Blaire! Brenna!” she summoned two maids who happened to be heading down the stairs towards the hall. “Small ale please! And wheaten cakes. We have two visitors. Hungry ones.”
Blaire and Brenna, seeing Brodgar in the hallway, broke into grins.
“Aye, mistress!”
“Yes, milady. We'll bring enough for everyone, and the same again.”
Brodgar rolled his eyes. “Will you all stop teasing me about my appetite?”
Amice grinned. It amazed her to discover how much she'd missed her brother. As he went through to the solar, she found herself studying him from the corner of her eye, noticing how much he had changed. He had grown, filled out into his strength. He looked settled, contented, and happy. So did Henriette.
They all sat down together, Amice rubbing her hands together to warm them from how they'd frozen in the hallway. She saw her mother head to the door, her face flushed with all the activity.
“Greer?” she called to a guard. “Fetch Lord Broderick down from his study, will you? And, is Duncan about?” Lord Broderick was Amice and Brodgar's father, lord of the castle. Duncan was their uncle, his youngest brother.
“In the practice yard, my lady. Teaching the boys how to use spears.”
“Well, call him up, straight away! It's a celebration!” Amabel insisted.
Amice watched as her mother quickly organized everyone. Being the chatelaine of a vast castle suited her – something she'd been born to. As she thought about it, Amice wondered if she would ever want to do the same herself. It seemed very demanding. However, if she married Hal, it would be her life.
Her mother returned to her place, turning to Brodgar.
“Now, son. Tell me all about your journey while we wait for those cakes to arrive.”
As she listened, Amice found her thoughts wondering to their earlier notion. Hal McTae, the son of her father's ally Lord Alistair, was the natural match for her. She had spoken of it with her mother, who had suggested the idea some years ago. What better way to strengthen the alliance, than to wed? Hal and Amice were well-matched as well.
I've known him almost all my life. Lord Alistair had visited since Amice was a child, bringing his son Hal with him. Responsible, courtly, and brave, Hal was surely the epitome of what a woman should want to wed.
Her mother shifted on the settee next to her and stood, disrupting her train of thought. Amice saw her head out through the door. A moment later, her mother's voice broke in on her thoughts. “Daughter?”
“Yes?” she asked politely. Her mother seemed worried. Her face was flushed again, and she coughed.
“Dear, do you think you could head down to the kitchens and tell them to plan a dinner for next week? I just had some surprising news.” She indicated a messenger Amice had scarcely noticed, standing by the door. She glanced at Aunt Alina. Her pale cheeks were flushed and her eyes shone, almost as if tears shone there. Whatever news it was, Amabel had clearly passed it on to her first.
“Yes, Mama. Of course. What news?” Her heart thumped. What could have upset her serene aunt so?
“Your cousins Conn and Leona will visit from France.”
No wonder Aunt Alina was so moved. She wasn't distressed, but happy. Leona was her only child. She had not visited in years. She had her own son now, a little boy called Francis. It would be wonderful to see them again!
“When will they arrive?” she asked.
“They are supposed to arrive in Scotland today. They'll travel up from Edinburgh, though...it should take five days. Mayhap more, with this weather. I expect them on Monday.”
“Oh!” Amice felt excited. It would be so nice to see Leona again! And cousin Conn, too! Aunt Alina had been a bit subdued since Leona left – it would be nice to see her happy again.
“Will they bring my new little cousin with them?”
“Assuredly they will!” Amabel nodded. “Now. Where are those two men?” She looked about the room impatiently, seeking Broderick and Duncan.
“Here, my dear,” Broderick said, appearing in the doorway. He came across to them, smiled at Amabel and ruffled Amice's hair. “I received your message. Are we...” he paused when he saw Brodgar and stared. “Son!”
Amice swallowed as her tall, somber father went briskly to her brother, embracing him in a crushing embrace. She loved her family and it was such a pleasure to see them all together again. It seemed it had been too long since it was just her, her mother, and aunts here in the solar, with Broderick in his study and Duncan and Blaine in the practice yard.
“Ah! Here's the refreshment. Amice?”
“I'm going,” Amice nodded to her mother, heading down to the kitchen to deliver the news. As she went upstairs again, she almost walked into a sentry, who was running up the stairs.
“My lady!”
“What is it?” she asked.
“More guests! There's a man at the gate – Hal McTae.”
Amice felt her cheeks flush red. Hal was here. Calm, Amice MacConnoway. He's just a person. Breathe. “Well, let him in. I'll announce him. Don't fret.”
“Oh! Thank'ee, milady.”
Amice went quickly up the stairs, twitching the skirts of her green velvet dress to check it hung well. Oh, why had she chosen this one, she thought a little desperately. It was old and even aunt Chrissie said it was time she passed it on to someone else.
It does fit me well, though, she reminded herself. The gown was sewn in two parts, the front of the bodice paneled with green velvet and yellow-gold silk. The color brought out the red-brown of her eyes and the waist fit her own narrow waist perfectly, accenting her curves.
At the doorway to the solar, she cleared her throat. The family looked up expectantly.
“We have a visitor,” she announced.
“Another one?” Amabel asked with a frown. “Who, dear?”
“Hal McTae.”
“Oh!” Amabel stood up, beckoning Brenna. “More ale.”
“Is he alone?” Broderick asked. “Or is Alistair with him?”
“He's alone,” Amice said, swallowing. She felt a little nervous of seeing him suddenly. What if he had come to ask for her hand? It was possible.
“Oh. Well. It's good to have him here,” Duncan said easily. “Another fellow who might just know something about these new axes coming out of Burgundy.”
“Halberds?” Brodgar wanted to know. “Heath mentioned them to me earlier this year.”
“Oh.” Duncan turned to him, interested. “How are they deployed on the field?”
As Brodgar and Duncan talked about weaponry, Amice glanced around the solar, her own heart thumping in her chest. Alina was sitting opposite her, tapestry work on her knee. Duncan and Brodgar were nearer to the fire, Henriette sitting beside her husband. Amabel had just returned to sit down beside Amice, and her father was looking out of the window into the yard.
“There's Blaine! Someone should fetch him up,” he added, going to the door. “If anyone wants to hear about those axes, it'll be...”
He paused in the doorway as the sentry came in. Behind him was Hal.
Amice stared. He stood in the doorway, tall, dark haired and handsome, the green tartan cloak of his clan hanging down his back and around his broad shoulders stiffly. His eyes, blue and piercing, went from Brodgar and Henriette to Alina, then lingered on Amice.
“Good afternoon,” he said. He sounded a little shy. “I hope I've not arrived at an inconvenient time? I see you already have a guest today.”
Brodgar grinned at him. At the door, Broderick stood back so that Hal could come inside.
“Nonsense, Hal, you're very welcome. Come in! Sit down.”
“The ale and cakes are already on their way,” Amabel said, indicating the table where some tankards and a plate of spiced cakes sat, ready for their visitors.
Hal smiled and bowed graciously to Lady Amabel. “Thank you, my lady. A sight for sore eyes.” His gaze swiveled from her to Amice, and he bowed. Amice swallowed hard as his eyes met hers, warm and twinkling. When he looked at her in that way she felt a strange warmth shoot through her and her heart went faster. She glanced at her mother, to check she hadn't noticed her reaction. Her mother seemed calm and Amice felt herself relax.
Amabel laughed. “I can imagine how hungry you must be now, Hal. It's cold outside.”
“It's not that bad,” Brodgar demurred, and Amice groaned.
“I'll have you know it's more than cold for the rest of us,” she said teasingly.
Brodgar stuck out his tongue. Henriette laughed. Hal turned to face her. He was smiling.
“My dear Amice. I am pleased to see you,” he said warmly. In that moment, it seemed almost as if she and Hal were the only people in the room. Amice swallowed again, feeling suddenly shy.
“I...it's a pleasure to see you too, Hal.”
He gave her a gentle smile. He was so handsome, she thought. She sensed that her family was watching her and coughed, looking at her hands. Hal moved, heading across to the settee opposite, where Broderick had sat.
“Is there place here?” he asked. Amabel nodded.
“Of course, Hal. Sit where you like. Ah! Here's something for our guest to eat.”
The fresh ale and more refreshments arrived, and Hal's eyes widened as he took in the sight of the full tray that the maid laid before him. He reached for a tankard of spiced, boiled ale and lifted it appreciatively.
“Thank you, my lady,” he said to Amabel. “Your hospitality is an example to everyone.”
“Not at all,” Amabel laughed. “It's a fine wind that blew so many people to our door this day.”
Brodgar chuckled. “I would we had come that fast! The ride down was not unpleasant, though ...we stopped with Alf on the way.”
“How is Alf?” Amabel wanted to know. “Your aunt Chrissie will be so pleased with news of him!”
Alf, Amice's youngest cousin, had wed into the notorious McDonnell family, who had been their enemy. Now, with his wife Ambeal, the two had united their houses. Chrissie, Amice's aunt, was Alf's mother.
“Where is Chrissie?” Brodgar asked.
“Out riding.”
As talk rose and fell around them, Amice and Hal looked at each other. Hal’s eyes widened as he looked at her and Amice fought the lump down from her throat. Why was talking to him so hard?
“My lady, you look radiant, if I may say it. I trust you had an enjoyable Christmastide?”
“It was very enjoyable, yes. Thank you, Hal,” Amice managed to say. “I hope your uncle is recovered?”
His uncle had fallen ill, which was what prompted his family to leave early. They would usually spend the days of Christmas with Amice's family here in Dunkeld.
“Yes, very well, thank you,” he nodded. “I must thank your aunt for her advice and medication. I trust it is what saved him.”
“She'll be pleased to hear that,” Amice nodded. Hal licked his lip, wiping away a trace of cake, and then he turned to Lady Amabel.
“If you'll excuse me a moment, my lady, I would like to stretch my legs. It was a long ride. Amice?” he asked.
“Yes?” she looked up.
“Would you mind accompanying me for a brief walk along the ramparts? I think the cold wind may invigorate my tired mind.”
Amice blinked. Then she nodded. “Of course, Hal.”
They headed out of the room together.
On the ramparts, the wind was less than it had been, though it still blew cruelly and cold every time they reached a part that faced south. Amice shivered.
“At least the wind brings fair weather to us,” Hal commented. “The weather coming from the coast is always fine.”
Amice nodded. “You're right, Hal. It is. Which is good, for my cousin Leona lands today.” She had nearly forgotten Leona and Conn – they should arrive next week
“That is very good,” Hal nodded gravely. “I'm sure you miss her sorely.”
“I do,” Amice nodded.
They talked of simple things: home, family, the weather, and Hal's new horse. Amice was surprised to find that, up here and out of the sight and hearing of her family, her tongue loosened and she could talk to Hal as naturally as if he were Brodgar.
Almost exactly like Brodgar, in fact, she realized with surprise. The tingle and urgency reduced here a little and he became more like her brother. A close friend and someone she admired. Not necessarily the glamorous and mysterious future-husband.
“And have you been riding yet?” he asked, breaking into her reverie.
“Uh...not yet, no,” Amice commented. “You must know how Uncle Blaine is about the horses by now. Though he's not nearly as possessive about my horse, Dancer, as he is about the war-horses.”
Hal chuckled. He had a nice laugh, warm and infectious. “I can imagine. Your uncle Blaine is a formidable soldier.”
“Uncle Blaine is obsessed with all things war.”
Hal nodded. “It seems so. I cannot fault him in that.”
“No, I suppose not.” Amice nodded.
As they walked along the wall, Amice found herself wondering if Hal was the man for her. She was extremely fond of him, and he was close to her – very close. However, he had been raised alongside her and, after the initial tingle of unfamiliarity had worn away, she found she fell into treating him like Brodgar: trusting, taunting, and teasing.
It was a lovely friendship. Did it have the magic or the mystery she would really want in someone she would wed, though? She didn't know.
“Shall we go inside?” Hal asked then.
“I think so,” Amice nodded. She shivered a little in the cold and drew her long fur-lined cloak about her. It was cold up here. Cold and gray.
“Well, then.” Hal stood back for her to pass, and then opened the small door that led back into the comparative warmth of the castle's hallway. “After you.”
“Thank you, Hal,” Amice nodded politely, going in ahead of him, holding back the door for him to enter after her.
“Thank you, Amice,” he said politely.
She giggled and they headed up the hallway together, back to the solar where the sound of conversation still drifted out through the high, vault-arched door.
Inside, Amice took a seat opposite her mother, shivering in the sudden heat of the fireside. She reached for a warm cup of small ale, finding herself wondering, not for the first time, about her future.