‘Well, Archie,’ he replied, ‘some might say it’s not a woman’s place to fight off a gang of armed robbers either, but she did it all the same.’
Beneath the weight of that cool gaze the speaker coloured faintly. ‘Beg pardon, my lord. I meant no disrespect.’
‘I’m glad to hear it,’ said Iain. ‘Lady Ashlynn may do as she pleases without reference to you.’
The other lowered his gaze. ‘As you say, my lord.’
The words fell into the surrounding silence and rippled outwards. Iain remained quite still, waiting. However, no further comment was forthcoming from any quarter and a few moments later the men turned away and resumed their earlier conversation as though nothing had happened. A remark from Dougal about one of the nearby swordsmen reclaimed Iain’s attention and he made some reply, forcing his attention back to what his companion was saying. However, in spite of his best efforts his gaze was repeatedly drawn to the pair on the fringes of the wrestling. Ashlynn’s attention was seemingly absorbed by the spectacle and she never looked his way. Then Robbie spoke to her again and she glanced up, smiling. Iain’s gaze smouldered.
* * *
It was perhaps half an hour later when the combatants stopped to recover their breath and take a mug of ale. The gathering broke up into little groups, all talking and laughing together. Ashlynn excused herself and moved away then. It had been entertaining to watch the proceedings but, even with a cloak on, she was beginning to feel the cold. She was halfway to the door of the tower when a hand on her arm arrested her progress. She looked round quickly and felt her heart miss a beat.
‘Iain.’
‘I take it you enjoyed the practices,’ he said. The words were quietly spoken but carried a nuance of something harder to define.
‘Yes, very much, although that was not the reason I came out here.’
‘Oh? And what was the reason?’
‘I was looking for you.’
‘I’m flattered. For a while I thought it might have been someone else.’
His gaze flicked toward Robbie. Ashlynn stared at him in genuine astonishment. Surely he couldn’t have thought…For a second she felt a strong urge to laugh, then looked at his expression and decided she had better not. All the same he could not possibly be jealous. That was ridiculous. Before she could say more he took her arm and led her back indoors. Only when they reached the hall did he stop and draw her round to face him.
‘What was it you wanted to speak to me about, lass?’
She took a deep breath and seized her chance, explaining about her discoveries in the store room. Listening, Iain was taken aback and, in spite of himself, faintly amused. Whatever else he had been expecting it wasn’t that.
‘So I wanted to ask…may I put those things to use?’
She waited, wondering if he would be angry. However, his expression did not suggest it and his tone when he spoke was perfectly level.
‘You need not ask my permission, Ashlynn. This is your home now. Arrange it as you please.’
Footsteps on the stairs announced the arrival of some of his men and with that he favoured her with a bow and left. For a moment she watched him go, feeling strangely bereft. Clearly he had no further interest in the matter or in her either. Turning away, she summoned a servant and bade him find Morag.
* * *
Some hours later Ashlynn surveyed her chamber with something approaching real pleasure. The cold stone walls were concealed now by the glorious tapestries, hanging there in many-coloured splendour. By her bed the bearskin rug covered a large section of floor. The bed itself and the chairs were adorned with colourful cushions. In one corner was the carved screen. The mirror lay on the table with the flagon and cups. Now that the fire had at last taken the chill off the air the overall effect was of cheerful cosiness.
‘It looks fine, my lady,’ said Morag, surveying it critically.
‘Yes, it does,’ she agreed. ‘Much less like a convent cell.’
They both laughed. Then Morag turned to go. Ashlynn saw her check slightly and turned to see Iain in the doorway. He stepped aside to let the servant pass and then came in, looking casually around. She experienced a moment of misgiving, wondering what his reaction might be. However, she needn’t have worried.
‘You’ve done a good job, lass.’
‘Thank you. I think so too.’
He glanced down at her and smiled faintly. All at once the room seemed a lot smaller and a lot warmer. The bed on the other hand seemed to have grown much larger. Her heartbeat quickened and in the name of self-preservation Ashlynn took a step away.
‘The tapestries are finer even than I expected. Where did they come from?’