MAKING NEW PLANS
The fire crackled in the grate, spreading its ruddy warmth outward and making Ettie sigh as the heat soaked her bones.
Why can't I stop thinking about that man?
Ettie, sitting by the fire in her quarters, wished she could relax. Brodgar preyed on her thoughts. It was silly, she told herself. He was just a young man, about her own age. It wasn't as if she had never met such a thing before! I haven't met someone like that.
She had to admit that, even though the fact in itself that he was a young man of her own age, or thereabouts, wasn't noteworthy, this one surely was.
She closed her eyes, thinking of the firm line of his jaw, his chiseled face, the way his hair glowed almost gold where the torchlight brightened it. He is remarkable.
She smiled, feeling a delicious warmth flood her at the memory of speaking with him on the ramparts. She had not known he was up there, of course, or she wouldn't have gone. However, having stumbled upon him without knowing it, at that point it would be rude to simply leave. Wouldn't it?
The fire made peaceful noises and Ettie sat and watched it, hoping she could settle her thoughts. She had more important things to worry about. Her parents – where were they? How did they fare? Two days before, she'd received word they were safely arrived. The news had taken a month to reach them. I pray they can return soon.
At this time, Ettie thought, it would have been a relief to have someone to talk to. Her mother might not have understood – or even approved – of her sudden, overwhelming feelings for Brodgar. However, she would have been someone she could trust. I don't know anyone here. Besides Uncle.
Ettie ran her hands down her biceps, feeling the cold leave her flesh. She knew Uncle Heath would be less than sympathetic with her thoughts. He might have been in love himself not all that long ago, but since then his monastic vows and the horrors of the Crusade had left him a dried-out husk, in which few tender emotions dwelt. At least, I thought that. Until I saw him here tonight.
Seeing Heath look at Chrissie had warmed her heart. It was sad that Uncle's calling had taken him away from the life he would have had. Then again, if it had not, Alf wouldn't have been born. He seemed like a gentle, kindly soul.
A knock sounded on the door, breaking Ettie's reverie. She jumped.
“Hello?” a voice called through the thick wood paneling.
“Uncle?” Ettie swiftly stepped to open the door. Her uncle was in a room just along from hers, and they were sharing the lower room of the turret, where she now sat before the warming flames.
“Niece.” He stepped in, briefly rubbing his hands down his arms with cold before coming to join her by the fire. “I trust you're settling in?” As always, he sounded wary when he spoke with her, as if not sure if he was transgressing some important law.
“I am, yes. Thank you, Uncle.” Ettie nodded. “It's warm here.”
He chuckled. “Thank Heavens, yes. It's a frosty night without.”
“It is.”
They sat silently a while, the only sound in the room the crackling of the fire, warmly reassuring. Ettie looked at her hands, considering what she wanted to say. “Uncle?”
“Mm?”
“Why did we come here?”
“We were invited,” her uncle said shortly.
“I know,” Ettie agreed softly. “By Lord Broderick?”
“Aye, by him. And Lady Chrissie.”
“Oh.”
Ettie wanted to smile. She had guessed the depth of the connection rightly.
“Lady Chrissie and I – I knew her as a young lass.” He coughed.
“Oh.” Ettie smiled at him. “I noticed your friendship.”
“We were friends, yes.” Heath nodded. “At a time, I thought to be more, but...” he sighed. “I followed my longing for knighthood.”
“You are a fine knight,” Ettie said.
“Thank you.”
They sat in a somewhat uncertain silence.
“You like the family?” Uncle asked at length.
“I do,” Ettie nodded carefully. She wanted to say that she liked one member quite intensely, but felt he wouldn't quite approve. “They seem a friendly sort.”
He chuckled. “They do. It's...strange for me to meet the youngsters.”
“I suppose it must be,” Ettie agreed cautiously. “Is...Are they much like their parents were, at their own age?” Is Brodgar like his father was? In which case, will he end up like him?
“Not so much,” Heath sighed. He ran a hand down his face, thinking about it. “Brodgar is...more still. Quieter sort of man, I think. Contemplative. He has a face to match – more regular, more smooth-skinned than his father's at his age.” He chuckled. “Broderick's always been lively.”
“I can imagine,” Ettie added. At that moment a tap sounded on the door. She tensed. “Yes?”
“Something warm to drink, my lady? Cakes and ale?”
Ettie glanced at her uncle, who nodded. “That would be welcome. Thank you.”
The maid appeared – a woman called Glenna who had been assigned to help Ettie during her time here.
“Thank you,” Ettie said as she placed the cakes and ale on a table and, smiling at her warmly, withdrew.
She and Heath took one of the warm, crumbly oatcakes each. They were heavenly and warm and Ettie found they distracted her restless thoughts. Swallowing, she turned to Heath. “You have visited Dunkeld before?”
“No,” Heath admitted, swallowing. “First time.”
“It seems lovely,” Ettie said fervently. “Not big, but well-furnished. And warm.”
Heath chuckled. “Indeed, dear niece.”
“We staying here long?” Ettie asked, reaching for a glass of mulled ale, boiled so that the alcoholic vapors were gone, leaving only the taste.
“About a week,” Heath said. “That was what we were invited for, anyhow.” He shrugged.
“A week?” Ettie frowned. She felt at once apprehensive and worried. Apprehensive at the thought of sharing a roof with Brodgar so long. Worried because it wasn't long.
He smiled. “Mayhap we could make it flexible. It's much more pleasant here than at Grenleigh, isn't it?” He rolled his shoulders, soaking in the warmth. “And besides,” he added. “Your father would want you to be somewhere to meet people. Grenleigh's not much good for that. Is it?”
Ettie swallowed. “Grenleigh is...comfortable, Uncle.”
He chuckled. “No more, nothing less.”
Ettie shot him a wry glance. “You know what I mean. Truly, it is.”
“Comfortable in the sense of meeting our needs. Not exactly palatial, though, yes?” he chuckled.
“No,” Ettie agreed, laughing. “Though a palace isn't necessary.” She looked around the room, meaning what she had said. The place was comfortable and adequate and she felt safe in these walls. Anything else would seem, well, not so safe as this was.
“No.” Heath looked down at his hands, lost in thought. “Niece?”
“Yes?” Ettie asked.
“How would it be if...” he paused. “If you stayed here a while?”
“You mean, here?” Ettie pointed at the floor. “In this room? Or...” she trailed off as she shook his head, a sweet smile on his face.
“No. I mean the castle. Dunkeld.”
“You won't stay too?”
He shook his head. “I need to move on in spring,” he explained. “Promised I'd head up to the knight's hospital, help with some training. Didn't expect, then, I'd have someone staying on.”
“No,” Ettie agreed, running her tongue round her mouth nervously. Did he mean it? That she'd stay on here? Alone, at Dunkeld Fortress?
Alone with Brodgar?
She sighed. It wasn't exactly like she was alone with him – his aunts and uncles, cousins and friends and servants and men-at-arms were all in the castle, after all. Nevertheless, she would be alone here, without Uncle. She swallowed hard.
“I could do it.” She sighed. “I'd miss you, though.”
She was surprised when his eyes softened. If she hadn't known very well that he couldn't possibly be weeping, she would have thought he was blinking back tears.
“I'd miss you, too,” he said. His voice sounded strained too.
Probably just the chill, Ettie reasoned. Uncle Heath wouldn't cry about her, would he?
“Would it be allowed?” Ettie asked.
“It's not like we're stabbing a constable in the street,” Heath chuckled warmly. “I'm sure it's allowed.”
Ettie chuckled too. “I mean, would Lord Broderick allow it?”
“He already said he'd be happy to host you as long as you'd like it.” Heath paused.
Ettie stared at him. “Truly? Oh...”
So many thoughts came into her mind at that moment. Thoughts of staying here, walking with Brodgar in the halls, on the wall of the castle, in the courtyard far below. She imagined springtime and going for rides together. Picking flowers.
“I'm not surprised they want you to stay,” Heath grinned. “You're a dear lass.”
“Oh...”
Ettie found herself blinking back tears, something that had happened more often recently than she'd have liked. “I can't say goodbyes,” she whispered. “So don't expect me to.”
He smiled. “I find it hard too,” he said. “Too many people I've said it to over the years, too few returned.” He ran a weary hand down his face, and suddenly seemed much older than the seven and thirty years she knew him to be.
Ettie didn't say anything, just waited while he gathered himself.
“Well, then,” Heath said with a sigh. “I'll be moving on shortly. And you'll remain behind. We neither of us are any good at goodbyes.” He chuckled.
“No,” Ettie said. “I won't say it. I'll just wish you fare well.”
“As I to you.” Heath nodded. He stood, then, drawing his cloak closer. He walked up to her. Stroked her hair. “It's been a pleasure having you, niece.”
“I've enjoyed our talks, Uncle.”
They looked into each other's eyes and he sighed after a long moment. “Well, I should get myself gone. Got a long day tomorrow. Promised to help Duncan with the men.”
“Oh?” Ettie asked, curious.
“He trains the garrison here – he and Blaine,” her uncle explained as he walked out. “It's them taking advantage of a knight to train this lot.” He jerked a rueful head toward the armory and the practice ground, smiling at her.
“Well, they're benefiting,” she acknowledged. Heath beamed.
“That's a very nice thing to say, lass,” he acknowledged gravely. “Now, goodnight. Sleep well.”
“You too, Uncle. Goodnight.”
He went out and shut the door behind him, leaving Ettie alone. Her thoughts swam.
I am to stay here, alone, with Brodgar and his family. Uncle didn't say for how long. And they accept me.
She felt her heart soar with excitement. Of all the things that she had expected to occur when she and Uncle set out from his fortress a few days before, this was not one of them. She would not have expected to find herself in such a luxurious – if small – holding, surrounded by friendly people and such warmth. And she would especially not have expected to meet someone like Brodgar MacConnoway.
I wouldn't have thought someone like him existed.
The thought made her smile. The prospect of staying here while Uncle trained the new recruits in the north was a pleasant one indeed.