Page 27 of Halloween Knight (A Knights Through Time Romance #17)
William guided his horse along the narrow forest path, keeping a watchful eye on the surrounding woods. Though they’d had no trouble over the past two days, he remained wary. Callan rode behind him, lost in thought.
He glanced back at his half-brother, his hair loose around his shoulders, showing off a harsh face, the dirty plaid worn proudly, even though William had offered him a tunic and hose.
A highlander for a brother? A snort escaped as his horse snorted in agreement.
Those damnable Thornton cousins in the north would have much to say on the subject.
No matter how he told himself the man’s tale was untrue, all he had to do was look at Callan, and, as Lucy pointed out, the family resemblance was unmistakable, though William did not scowl as much.
The towers of Blackford Castle rose up before them, imposing and enduring, having withstood the ravages of time and war for well over a century.
A profound sense of relief swept through him at the sight of the familiar walls.
After worrying he had truly lost Lucy, they were together again, and almost home.
He heard a sharp intake of breath as Blackford Castle came into view.
“Formidable, isn’t it?”
“Aye, ’tis a splendid stronghold with the sea at its back and views from all sides to see your enemies approach.” Callan sniffed. “The smell of the sea keeps the odors away.” Then he cast a cutting glance at William. “Though does not smell as pleasing as my highlands.”
A small smile lifted the corner of William’s mouth at the insult.
“Your wife said you won Blackford?”
“’Twas given to me by Edward I for my service.
” He told Callan about Blackford, the lands, and how Callan should take care, as there were many passages running through the castle and down to the cove.
In the summer, when repairing the chapel, they had discovered yet another passage that led from the chapel to an underground storage room.
The lads were disappointed that this one did not contain Roman coins or Viking plunder.
Thomas and the rest of the guard would have searched the castle and grounds by now. William thought mayhap the mercenaries had given up and gone to find easier prey. Whilst Lucy was still worried, saying Agnes was out of her head and would find a way to breach the gates.
If he would have known Georgina had a daughter, William would have accepted her into his household.
When he’d asked Lucy why Agnes waited so long to come forward, Lucy said her cousin made her wait until he thought the time was right to strike.
He had poisoned her thoughts for so many years, the girl would never hear reason.
As they rode through the portcullis, through the long tunnel, with its thick stone walls, William glanced over at Callan, who nodded back at him. ’Twas a strong and beautiful home. He was most proud of it.
Word of their arrival had proceeded them, for everyone was waiting to welcome them home.
Before the horses fully halted, a lanky boy came barreling out of the stables. Catching himself, Albin skidded to a stop and bowed, though his eyes were bright and his cheeks pink.
William looked on with an amused twitch of his lips. “Rise, lad. All is well now.”
Grinning, Albin sprang up and nodded eagerly. “I am glad to see you returned safe, my lord, my lady. We were most worried.”
Unable to contain herself, Lucy dismounted, laughing, and pulled him into a fierce hug. “Oh, I have missed you, Albin. I heard how well you served our lord as his squire, how you made sure the horses arrived safely.”
He talked and talked, telling Lucy of his adventures, then went quiet, peering past her at Callan, still mounted on his horse, taking in the sights of the bustling courtyard.
“Who is that man with you?” Albin asked curiously.
Lucy and William exchanged a glance. How could they explain Callan’s sudden presence?
“This is Callan. He...” William hesitated for only a moment. “Aided our lady.” Later, they would tell everyone that Callan was his brother, but for now, it could wait.
Bertram appeared, narrowing his eyes at Callan, but when William told him how Callan had aided Lucy, the older man smiled.
“Would you show Callan to a chamber? He’ll be staying with us.”
Thomas made his way to William. “We have searched the passages, but there is no sign of Agnes or her men.”
Wymund strode over. “My men have searched. They are not in the village either.”
“Double the guard for the next few days.” Lucy swore they would come. Since she had spent much time as their captive, he decided they must be vigilant.
Lucy couldn’t wait one more second. She hugged William, patted Callan on the shoulder, and ran for the hall, waving at everyone, not stopping. Not until she saw Jason and Peter with her own eyes. Then and only then would she be able to breathe again.
By the time she pushed through the doors to the nursery, William was on her heels.
“Mama. Papa.” Jason chortled in delight as he careened across the stone floor and barreled straight into her skirts.
“My beautiful, darling boy. I’ve missed you so much.” Lucy kissed him all over his face, making him laugh. She didn’t realize she was crying until Jason touched a finger to her face.
“Why are you leaking, mama?”
William laughed. “Womanly matters, my boy. All women weep.”
He stuck his finger in his mouth, frowning. “Tastes like the sea.” Jason reached out, “Papa.”
William took their son, swinging him around and tossing him in the air, making him laugh.
“You have grown tall since I have been gone.”
Jason grinned and waved his little wooden sword proudly. “I fight bad men, keep you safe.”
Her breath caught at the sight of Peter gurgling happily in his crib. Kneeling beside the cradle, she gently stroked her baby’s downy hair, heart brimming with love and gratitude. After so much fear and uncertainty, she was home.
Heart overflowing, Lucy cradled Peter close as William talked to Jason about sword fighting and horses. Being with her children, seeing with her own eyes that they were safe, these were the moments worth fighting for.
William turned to one of the servants. “Please inform Cook we shall take the evening meal in the solar. And have a bath readied for Lady Blackford.”
The woman dipped a quick curtsy. “Right away, my lord.”
“You need one as well.” Lucy laughed when Jason shook his head, chanting, no, no, no.
“Not you. Papa needs a bath. He stinks.” She held her nose, making her son laugh and hold his nose.
By late afternoon, Lucy bathed, changed into fresh garb, and made sure that Callan was comfortably settled into a guest chamber so he could refresh himself after the long journey.
Thankfully, Catherine and Isabella said the pox had passed, and no more were ill.
Father John’s sister was settling in. She and Catherine had finished organizing the supplies in the healer’s room, and the two of them got along well.
Isabella was due in four months, so there would be a new baby to brighten up the castle when winter was at its darkest.
The gray dress she’d put on was one of William’s favorites. It had silver embroidery of ravens around the hem and sleeves, and he said it turned her gray eyes silver.
When she went outside to find everyone, Lucy stopped near the lists, mouth open. Callan was wearing a blue tunic and hose, his hair tied back, Jason holding his hand, babbling away, as Thor followed them to the stables.
William was already there, dressed in a clean black tunic and hose. She used to tease him about wearing so much black until she saw for herself that black did, in fact, hide the blood.
“Do you like your horse?” William held Jason up so he could see the brown palfrey her husband had purchased. He’d bought a black horse for himself, a gray palfrey for Lucy, and another brown horse for Peter, who had blinked in astonishment when the horse snuffled his head.
On her way outside, Lucy stopped to look in the root cellar to make sure the mallow plants were still viable.
They had been put away in a cloth bag, and were still good, making her smile.
Normally, the plants were harvested in the spring.
They kept the extra plants in the cellar to use for sore throats and other ailments.
With Halloween only a few days away, she couldn’t wait to make the Rice Krispy treats.
Not paying attention, she’d obviously missed half of the conversation, as William said, “Let us see how you fare with a blade.”
William strode forward, sword up on his shoulder as he waited for Callan to choose a blade.
The two of them facing each other made Lucy blink. They looked so much alike.
Rolling his shoulders, Callan stepped forward. “I’ll no go easy on ye.”
Without warning, he launched himself at William. The ring of steel loud in the air as the sound brought the men to watch. Back and forth they danced across the hard-packed earth, trading strikes and insults as the men shouted encouragement.
“The wee kitchen maids swing harder than that,” William scoffed, deftly sidestepping Callan’s lunge.
Callan feinted left, then swung at William’s unguarded right side, which he barely managed to block in time.
“Ye leave your right unguarded.” Callan laughed.
In their element, Lucy sat back, enjoying watching them as they sparred. It was good for them to spend time together, to connect. Not through words, but through steel.
“Not bad, for an Englishman,” Callan grinned when they finally halted, both winded.
William snorted. “I thought you bloody Scots preferred daggers?”
Callan nodded. “Aye. Much easier to conceal.”
As Lucy watched, the men took turns sparring in the lists, still distrustful, but willing to give Callan a chance. Her husband and Callan kept their faces blank, but she could sense the hope in them, and in time she thought the bond of brotherhood would grow between them. For now, it was a start.