Page 22

C aledonian Forest

I t was early morning and the frost still covered the ground.

They stood before the woods, the mist creeping around the border like a stealthy predator.

Blackbourne and Trystan had gone ahead to announce their arrival.

Rolf watched Melissa’s face as recognition lit her face.

Her hair gleamed like golden honey beneath her hood.

“I’ve been here in my dreams.” She turned to Rolf. “You kissed me in those woods.”

“Aye, my lady. I apologize for that. You’ve married a mannerless oaf.”

She grinned. “So I have met Merlin before. Will he remember me?”

“He forgets naught. You would be wise to keep that in mind if you plan on being my champion and shaming him for my childhood.” The thought of Melissa shaking her finger at the watery image of that feisty old man made him laugh.

“Are you laughing at me?”

“Nay, my lady wife.” Then he sobered. “I do have another serious matter to discuss, however.”

“About Misfit Manor?” She smiled at his look of surprise. “William let the nickname slip but would not share any details. He said I was to ask you.”

“It was Merlin’s hunting lodge in his day. You’ll find it quite comfortable. The hall is adequate and we will have a private chamber.” He hesitated. “You will meet Edric and Elsa—”

“The couple who raised you?”

Rolf shook his head. “Elsa came later. Edric is only ten years my senior. In age, he is more like an older brother, but he has been a father to me. He was a fierce warrior until he received a battle wound to the leg. It left him with a significant limp, and no one wanted the services of a cripple. My father appreciated his skill and courage and used him to train young knights.”

“As he did you. So your father sent his trusted man to watch over his son.”

Rolf nodded. “His lessons have been invaluable in a mêlée. But his common sense and innate ability to read people were invaluable beyond these woods. ‘Always listen to a man and watch his face. Let him say his piece without interruption. You’ll learn more from his eyes than from his words.’ Good advice I’ve used often. ”

“And his wife?”

He opened his mouth and then closed it again. He hated to frighten Melissa but didn’t want her to be shocked when she saw Elsa. The poor woman needed no more pain inflicted on her, by design or accident. It had been many years since she had seen anyone outside Rolf’s small circle.

“I need to prepare you for your introduction to Elsa. She has a…deformity. Her father was not a kind man and became cruel when he drank. One night, he stumbled into the house, tripped, and fell. She was only six and giggled at the sight of her father sprawled on the dirt floor. In a rage, he grabbed her by the neck and held the side of her face to the hot brazier.”

Rolf paused at Melissa’s small sound of horror.

He looked directly into her shimmering green eyes, seeing the pity there.

“I will not have her cowering and feeling uncomfortable in her own home. I ask that you guard your expression when you meet her. There is not a woman in this land with a more generous heart than Elsa.”

Melissa shook her head, a tear rolling down her cheek. “I am glad you warned me. I will do my best to treat her well and not look upon her face overmuch.”

“I thank you. Edric and Elsa are part of my family. I would give my life for them as I would you.” He gave her a side-glance. “As you are my family now.”

Melissa reached across the space between them and placed her hand on his. “And I hope our family is growing this moment.” She leaned back again and placed her hand on her belly with a smile.

The Caledonian Forest was as magnificent as it was intimidating.

Melissa’s horse baulked and sidestepped, refusing to enter the woods.

Rolf flipped the reins over Thunder’s head and led him behind his own courser.

The smell of pine saturated the air, and the cold dimness settled around them.

Melissa shivered and pulled her mantle tightly around her as she peered into the shadows.

“I begged my father not to enter these woods when he first brought me here. The Scots called it the Forbidden Forest. I thought we would meet the devil himself and disappear from this earth. Now it is where I go to renew myself. When the King or my liege lord need me, messengers pin a note to a border tree with an arrow.”

“So this is a safe haven from the world?” Melissa looked doubtfully around at the gloomy interior.

“Aye, I have always thought so.” A squirrel chattered at them from a birch tree and jumped across their path onto a low-hanging pine branch.

Melissa startled, shaking her finger at the furry red rodent. “Do that again, and you’ll be lining for my next hood!”

As they approached a clearing, the horses slowed.

In front of them stood a stone gatehouse with its portcullis partially lowered.

A ten-foot-thick stone curtain surrounded the bailey.

As a boy, Rolf had tried to scale the stone wall.

When his boot missed a gap, he almost broke his neck when he fell and landed on his backside.

“Oh Rolf, it’s massive. I expected a small half-timbre house with, perchance, a stable. This is a miniature stone castle with a keep and turrets and outbuildings in the bailey. It’s delightful.” Her smile brightened. “There shall be plenty of room here for all of us.”

He chuckled. “Did you think we would all be sharing a blanket in the hall? There is a stable, a mew, a kitchen—you will not want for anything.”

“I did not mean…” Her eyes were already on the couple coming toward them. She gave Rolf an encouraging smile and nudged her horse forward with her heels.

“I have returned with my bride,” Rolf announced. He dismounted and handed the reins to Edric out of habit. Helping Melissa from her horse, he tossed Thunder’s reins to Trystan, who had just scampered from the stable.

“Welcome, my lord. It is good to see you return triumphant.”

“This is my loyal and good friend, Edric, and his wife Elsa. A better cook will not be found in all of Scotland.” Elsa snorted and went into a giggle. Then as if remembering there was a stranger about, she ducked her head and stepped back behind her husband.

“And this is Lady Melissa Garr—no, Lady Melissa Arbrec.” He could not wipe the ridiculous grin off his face.

Edric bowed to Melissa then took his wife’s hand and pulled her forward.

Elsa curtsied low and pulled nervously at her bonnet as she rose. Without looking up, she mumbled, “Welcome to Tearmann Manor, milady.”

Melissa moved forward and held out her hands.

She squeezed Elsa’s fingers and gave her a warm smile.

Not a flicker of disgust or horror clouded her eyes, not a moment of hesitation in her greeting.

“I have heard so much about both of you. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I hope you have something roasting in the kitchen for I am ravenous.” She turned to Rolf.

“Would you excuse us, my lord? It is so good to have a woman’s company after these long weeks of travel, and a bath would be heavenly. ”

“I have water heating now.” Elsa flapped a hand at Trystan. “Go see to the buckets and get the tub filled for Lady Arbrec. Run now.” She moved to the other side of Melissa as they walked toward the house, presenting her good side to her new mistress.

As they left, Edric gathered the reins from both horses. “Methinks you’ve found a good woman. Sincerity cannot be feigned.”

He was right, of course. Rolf had expected a forced smile and a polite nod from his wife.

It was all that he could ask for and more than Elsa had been used to before coming here.

The genuine warmth that had emanated from his wife filled him with pride.

As the air escaped his lungs, a weight lifted from his shoulders.

Though he loved Melissa with all his heart, he realized he barely knew her.

There is not a woman in this land with a more generous heart than Elsa. He had been wrong.

***

They entered the hall and Melissa stopped a moment while her eyes adjusted to the light.

She examined the old but costly tapestries covering the wall.

A large hearth took up part of a sidewall, with two benches and several stools arranged near the cheerful fire.

An enormous oak table in the middle of the room held fresh bread, hard cheese, and a pitcher with clay cups.

Elsa busied herself pouring wine, and Melissa sank into a chair with a backing. It felt so good to lean her shoulders against the sturdy wood. She gratefully accepted the wine and sipped the liquid warmth. “Elsa, please sit. I have barely had a conversation with another woman since we left London.

The woman lowered herself onto a bench and sat with her marred side facing away.

Her auburn hair shone copper when the firelight struck the glossy curls that escaped her scarf.

She had smooth ivory skin with a pink blush across her cheek at the moment.

Soft brown eyes darted everywhere except at Melissa. Her profile was quite pretty.

“What did you call this place?”

“Tearmann Manor. It means sanctuary in Gaelic.” She picked at her sleeve; her foot tapped nervously, sending fresh rushes and herbs scattering across the floor.

“Sanctuary. Yea, I can see it is well named.” Melissa picked up a piece of cheese and took a bite, followed by some bread. It was still warm, and she closed her eyes, enjoying the yeasty taste. “So you are a Scot?”

“Aye milady. May I…” Her attention returned to her sleeve. “We’ve been so anxious to meet you. Milord has been waiting for such a long time. I just wanted to say… We are glad that he finally found ye.”

Melissa leaned forward and squeezed Elsa’s arm. “I am very glad he found me also. Now, did you mention a bath?”