While Ban did not greet him with open hostility his expression was carefully neutral. Iain concealed a smile knowing the lad was reserving judgement.
‘You are making good progress I see.’
‘Yes, I thank you.’ The tone was courteous but stiff.
Iain gestured to the stool that Ashlynn had not long since vacated. ‘May I?’
‘As you wish.’
For a moment they regarded each other in silent mutual appraisal like two combatants weighing each other up.
‘I think that there are things you must want to know,’ said Iain. ‘If you wish it you may ask what you will now and I will answer truthfully.’
For a moment he saw surprise in the blue eyes, then it was gone and the neutral expression returned. The lad was evidently better at hiding his thoughts than his sister was.
Ban nodded, his gaze never leaving the other man’s face. ‘It is true that I have questions to ask. Ashlynn has told me much but…’
‘But?’
‘There are things she did not say.’
Iain was quite sure of it. He waited.
‘I cannot pretend that I was overjoyed when I learned of your marriage.’
‘I had gathered as much.’
‘But she speaks well of you.’
Iain only just managed to hide his surprise. ‘Better perhaps than you think I deserve.’
‘You do have a certain reputation.’
‘True.’
‘However that may be, my lord, she has told me how you saved her life and how you took on the role of her protector.’ Ban paused. ‘For that I must thank you.’
‘Believe me, it is an honour.’
Ban searched that handsome face for any sign of mockery but he found none. The tone had been earnest too. Was it mere smooth courtesy or could it be that the man cared rather more than he let on?
‘My sister and I are very close. Her well being and her happiness are important to me.’
‘To me too. I promise you to look to the first, and that I’ll strive by every means for the second.’
Ban unbent a little. ‘She tells me that you have treated her well.’
For the second time Iain concealed surprise, feeling strangely pleased. His wife had demonstrated a degree of loyalty he had not expected. Did that stem from mere gratitude or could it be that she had warmed towards him of late? The notion produced an answering heat within, the kind he had not expected to feel again.
‘Did she so?’
‘Yes.’ Ban hesitated. ‘I must confess that when I first saw those bruises on her face I thought…’
‘That I had put them there?’
The young man reddened. ‘Yes. I’m sorry.’
‘It was a reasonable suspicion, under the circumstances.’
‘She told me what really happened and that you slew most of the bastards responsible.’
‘Aye. Now that really was a pleasure.’
The tone was perfectly even but Ban did not miss the glint in the dark eyes. It confirmed him in the opinion that his new brother-in-law was not a man to cross with impunity. Not that he had any intention of doing so. On the contrary, he was beginning to warm to him rather more than he had thought he would. For all the man’s dire reputation there was a directness about his manner and speech that Ban liked. Of his prowess in battle there was not the least doubt. However, the Laird of Glengarron had one more surprise in store. Crossing to the door he summoned the servant who had been waiting without. The man entered bearing a sheathed sword which he handed his master before withdrawing once more.
‘I believe this is yours.’ Iain reversed the weapon, offering it hilt first.
For a moment Ban was speechless. With a trembling hand he reached out and took it. One glance sufficed for the rest. Then blue eyes met brown. It was several more moments before he felt able to control his voice.
‘I never thought to see this again. Where did you get it? How did you know it was mine?’
‘It was found beside you after the battle. It bears the device of a falcon on its pommel, the crest of the Thanes of Heslingfield, I believe.’
‘Yes.’ Ban’s hand clenched round the hilt. For the first time it occurred to him that he was now the thane, albeit fugitive and dispossessed. The sword suddenly became a most poignant symbol of all that was lost, and his throat tightened.
Seeing the powerful play of emotions on his face Iain made a shrewd guess at the thoughts behind. From the moment he saw it he had recognised the quality and craftsmanship of the weapon but, looking at Ban’s expression now, knew it had significance far beyond its own intrinsic beauty.
‘It is a fine weapon. I thought you would be loath to lose it.’
With an effort Ban got his voice under control. ‘Indeed I would, my lord. It was a gift from my father. I thank you for its return.’ He paused. ‘It would seem that now I am doubly in your debt, and in truth I know not how I can repay it.’