Iain, alive to every nuance, sensed that something was wrong and determined to know the reason for it. However, the demands of the guests were many and the laws of hospitality required that their needs came first.
* * *
It was therefore much later when they had retired that he found his moment. Ashlynn had gone ahead of him and when he entered the room he was surprised to see her still up. She was sitting by the fire and had evidently been deep in thought for she started on hearing him enter. He saw her smile and crossed the intervening space to take her in his arms. Then he sat down and drew her on to his knee.
‘Something is amiss, Ashlynn, and has been all evening. What is it?’
‘How did you know?’
‘Your face speaks before you do, my sweet. It always has.’ He smiled. ‘So tell me.’
‘It’s what Jeannie said earlier.’
‘About what?’
‘About you leaving in the spring.’
He surveyed her in surprise. ‘When the warmer weather comes I’ll ride again with my men. But do you really think I would stay away from you for very long?’ He kissed her lightly on the brow. ‘It couldn’t be done.’
‘But you will still seek out Fitzurse.’
‘You know I must.’
‘Yes, and if you find him he may kill you and if he does what shall I do then?’
‘Hush, lass. There’s no need for you to be afraid of that.’
‘How can I not be?’
‘Fitzurse likes to win by treachery. In a fair fight he has little chance and he knows it.’
‘Can there ever be such a thing as a fair fight with such a man?’
‘Aye, there can, and one day he’ll have to meet me.’
Ashlynn sighed and looked away. Very gently he turned her face to his.
‘The ghosts of the past must be exorcised, Ashlynn, or haunt us ever more.’ He paused, surveying her closely. ‘But this is not just about Fitzurse, is it?’
She shook her head. ‘Ban is going to leave.’
‘Ah.’
‘He plans to go to Dunfermline and seek service there.’
‘I’d say he’d every chance of success.’
For a long moment she was silent and the blue eyes were veiled beneath sooty lashes. Then he saw a glis tening tear slide down her cheek.
‘Ach, lass, don’t cry.’
Unfortunately this had the opposite effect to the one he had intended and more tears followed. He regarded her in concern. Ashlynn took a deep breath and tried to recover herself.
‘Forgive me. I know that you must go and Ban too, but I cannot bear the thought of anything happening to either of you, of losing you.’
His arms tightened about her. ‘You’ll never lose me, lass, no matter how hard you try, or Ban either if I know aught about him. Not at odds of less than twenty to one anyway.’
It drew a reluctant laugh. ‘I never used to be insecure—until the Normans came.’
‘You need never feel insecure. Nothing shall hurt you if I can prevent it.’
He took her face in his hands then, brushing her tears away, kissed her very gently on the mouth.
‘You mean a great deal to me, lass, and I would never wish to be the cause of tears in you.’ He smiled. ‘As for that brother of yours I will speak with him as occasion permits. If his mind is set on going to Dunfermline, then I might be able to help him; I have certain acquaintance there who could be useful.’
‘Thank you.’
‘Now, my dove, the hour grows late and you should be abed.’ He got to his feet bringing her with him. ‘I mean to see to it that you are—right soon.’
In a very short time he had unfastened and removed her gown, tossing it over the chair. Then he led her to the bed and watched her climb in, burrowing down beneath the pelts. Without taking his eyes off her he removed his own clothing and came to join her. Then he made gentle and tender love to her, afterwards holding her close until she slept.
* * *
The following day dawned with leaden skies and rain. Mist shrouded the hills and the air was bitter. It was no weather to tempt the guests out of doors so the men amused themselves with chess and dice while the women talked. Hamish took the younger members of the company aside and devised pastimes for their amusement.
At his suggestion that chill afternoon they gathered for a game of foxes and hounds. Hamish carefully established the physical parameters within which it could be played.
‘The foxes may hide anywhere in the tower, but not beyond. The hounds will give them the count of one hundred to get away. Then they’ll come looking. Whoever is found last wins the game.’ He paused. ‘However, first found must pay a forfeit.’
The youngsters clapped delightedly. Hamish looked around to where his host was standing with several older members of the gathering.