The Devil's Laird Page 6

  As if she’d conjured her up, Agatha dashed into the room. “Praise the Lord, you’re awake.” She leaned against the wall holding her chest. “When I heard a noise, I thought you had fallen out of bed.”

  Siena watched Agatha in the mirror before turning on the stool to look at her. “I’m sorry, I’ve put you through so much worry, but you can stop worrying because I’m feeling much better today.” Siena turned back and placed the hairbrush back on the tabletop. “Did Elen come back to see me?”

  “Aye, she did. She declared you were doing well.” Agatha chuckled. “You slept all the way through her prodding, causing us to wonder how long you were going to sleep. However, Elen said it was good for your body to rest, so she didn’t wake you.”

  “I don’t remember a thing.”

  “Laird Scott will be pleased to hear you’re out of bed.”

  “Really?”

  “Aye, he has come by every day to see how you’re doing,” Agatha said. She went to another room, then returned with a trencher. “Here is some food for you, milady. You must be hungry. I’ve not been able to get you to eat anything but a few sips of broth.”

  Siena gratefully ate breakfast consisting of bannocks, butter, and blackberry jam. It was the first time that she’d had a bannock. It reminded her of a scone with a nutty flavor. After the first bite, she sighed. She couldn’t remember when food had tasted so good. She licked the butter from her fingers, then drank a glass of goat’s milk before saying to Agatha, “I would like to go outside for some fresh air after we dress. I’m not sure how far I can walk, but I need to get my strength back somehow.”

  “I’m sure that would be wonderful.” Agatha stood. “I’ve not been outside much myself. I’ll go and fetch our cloaks and gloves for it’s very cold outside this morning.”

  Siena grabbed her dark purple cloak lined with silver fox and slipped it on. It was the warmest thing she’d ever had and her nicest garment. She had been told that it belonged to her mother making it a cherished belonging.

  They stepped through the castle’s doorway into a bright winter’s day. Siena shivered as the first blast of cold air hit her face. She squeezed her eyelids tight against the bright sunshine. When she finally opened her eyes again, she could see much better after she dashed the tears away from her eyes. Evidently, she’d been in a warm room too long, and that made the wind seem so much colder, but this morning she didn’t care. It felt glorious to be alive. “Isn’t it wonderful to be outside in the fresh air?”

  “Aye, you were never one to stay inside for long periods,” Agatha said, pulling her hood over her head.

  “It was easier to escape my brother when I was outside.” Siena laughed, realizing for the first time that she was free of his torture. Maybe that was why she felt so happy today. She no longer had that sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. It felt good to be alive.

  A commotion sounded behind them, causing Siena to turn. There was an ox-drawn wagon loaded with barrels coming to a stop outside the great hall. Siena nodded to the driver but didn’t receive any acknowledgement in return. She wasn’t sure what she expected since no one here knew her.

  “I believe the Scotts like their drink, if that wagon is any indication,” Agatha said.

  Siena nodded. “I think you’re correct. Let’s walk a while before we have to go back inside. I must stretch my legs to get the blood flowing again. I feel as if I’ve been inside for weeks.”

  They stopped at the stables where Siena went inside to visit her horse and found Hercules was there as well. She rubbed Hercules’s soft muzzle. The man she’d seen when they first arrived approached her. He wore a brown jacket and the red plaid that the Scotts wore. His cap was also a red plaid.

  “I see he likes ye, lass. Ye must be good wi’ horses, cause Hercules dinna let anyone touch him.” He shook his head. “Nope, no one at all except me and the laird. His name suits him as he is a devil of stallion.”

  “I do love horses,” Siena said, rubbing the horse’s muzzle. “I don’t believe we were introduced the other day. My name is Lady Siena.” She didn’t bother with a last name not wanting to make enemies before people got to know her.

  “My name is Garvin. I be the head groomsman, milady.” He bowed his head curtly, and added, “I’ll take good care of yer horse. Ye needn’t fear. I think she’s taken a fancy to Hercules. After ye arrived, I put her in a stall at the end and she pitched a right good fit.” Garvin paused, then chuckled. “So, I let her out. And you know what she did? She sauntered down to Hercules’ stall and stood there.” He nodded at the horse. “Guess the lass was tellin’ me what she wanted, so I put her in the stall next to him and she settled right down.”

  Star stuck her head out upon hearing her mistress’ voice. Siena moved over to the other stall. Star nudged Siena. “I’m sorry, she has caused you so much trouble,” Siena said, kissing the animal. “She is a bit feisty.”

  “What do ye call her, milady?”

  “Her name is Star.”

  “Aye, it fits her wi’ her silver coat. She’s a rare one,” Garvin held his palm out, so the horse could have a carrot. “Not sure I’ve ever seen another horse like her. Most are white but she’s silver.”

  “I thought so, too.” Siena gave Star a final pat. “Thank you for your time, Garvin. We won’t trouble you any longer.” Siena smiled at Garvin and asked, “Do you know where your laird has gone?”

  “Aye, he is training wi’ his men in the outer bailey, milady.” Garvin pointed to his left. “Just follow the road to the end and ye’ll be on a hill that overlooks the training field. Ye can’t miss it.”

  “Are you feeling all right, milady?” Agatha asked when they turned to leave. “You look a little pale.”

  “I’m fine,” Siena sighed, but admitted to herself that she was very tired. However, she wasn’t ready to return to the keep. “That rest at the stable helped.”

  They passed the blacksmith who was hammering on a horseshoe. They heard the sizzle as he shoved a finished horseshoe into water to cool. Next was the master shoemaker where the smell of leather was strong. There were several other stalls, everyone busy with their daily chores, but they took time to glance at the ladies. Finally, they reached the outer bailey where cottages were scattered about.

  “Have ye noticed how everybody has turned to stare at us?”

  Agatha nodded. “Aye, but I do not know if it is because we’re strangers or maybe they know who we are. I’m sure Fidach wasn’t well liked here.”

  Siena sighed. “Aye. I don’t want to have to go through that again. I want to feel as though we belong someplace.”

  Making their way through the little village, they climbed to the top of a hill, overlooking the brown field down below where men were training. They were throwing spears and fighting with swords; the clanging of metal upon metal sounded loud, even at their distance. It wasn’t long before Siena spotted Roderick among his men. He was the tallest, of course, and there was something about him that made you know that he was the commander. She liked his long, brown hair and the way it curled just under his ears. The bright sun brought out the red highlights in his hair as he moved through his drills. When he turned, she saw his firm jaw and the way he carried himself. Aye, he was the commander. Siena smiled. She couldn’t wait to talk with him again, and that was something she had never thought about any man before. She usually kept her distance where men were concerned, thinking most might be like her brother.

  “No wonder they don’t get hurt, milady,” Agatha commented. “They fight as if it’s a true battle and they don’t seem to notice it’s cold outside.”

  “I’m sure the swords are not sharp. They wouldn’t want to lose men in a mock battle when there is enough bloodshed in real ones. Look over there.” Siena pointed. “They are practicing with bows and arrows.”

  “I see that,” Agatha said. “But I’m sure you could still best them, milady. I’ve never seen anyone better than you with a bow.”

  As if he sensed som
eone watching him, Roderick turned and looked her way, but instead of waving, he grabbed an arrow, placed it on the bow that he’d snatched from one of his men and pulled back the string. In the blink of an eye, he’d aimed at her and let the arrow go.

  What! Her mind screamed, and then everything happened in slow motion.

  “Get down, milady!” Agatha yelled, shoving the shocked Siena to the ground.

  Siena cried out in fright. She couldn’t move from the shock. There was a bellow from below, much like a war cry, and a scream behind her. Why would Roderick try to kill her when he’d just saved her life? Something didn’t make a bit of sense.

  Thank goodness, Siena’s wits returned quickly. She heard screaming from behind her, and this time the scream wasn’t hers.

  She didn’t have a chance to get to her feet because Roderick and Derrick were already beside her. Roderick pulled her to her feet and then steadied her, so she wouldn’t fall back down. “Are ye all right, lass?”

  Siena pulled back and glared at him, expecting to see anger in his eyes not concern. “I—I think so.” Her chin jutted out. “Why did you shoot at me?”

  Roderick chuckled.

  Siena scowled. How dare he laugh at her. She didn’t think her question was funny at all. The bloody man had shot an arrow at her head, and if not for Agatha, he could have killed her. “I don’t see the humor in you trying to kill me,” she snapped.

  “I’ve gone to too much trouble to kill ye, lass.” He turned her around. There lying on the ground behind them was a woman with an arrow protruding from her arm. “She was getting ready to stab ye in the back.” He pointed to the knife lying in the dirt beside her.

  “Milord, I’m so sorry,” the woman whimpered. “Please don’t punish me.”

  Roderick set Siena aside and stepped over to the woman on the ground. “Helen, ye dare to attack someone under my protection? Ye should be glad I dinna kill ye.”

  “Ooo,” Helen moaned. “But she is Fidach’s sister. Her brother murdered my son. And ye promised all of us revenge, yet ye bring her here to the castle.”

  “Aye, I did promise ye. However, once I arrived at her brother’s castle, Lady Siena had already killed her own brother. By doing so, she destroyed our enemy. Ye should be thanking her not trying to kill her.” Roderick turned to Derrick. “Take Helen up to the keep,” he ordered with a wave of his hand, “so someone can mend her arm.”

  “I can mend her arm,” Siena said.

  Roderick whipped around. “Ye would mend Helen’s arm after she attacked you?”

  “I’m sure Helen is sorry now that she knows I have no love for my brother.” Siena glanced down at the woman on the ground and said, “I would probably have felt the same.”

  Duncan snapped the arrow shaft and pulled it from Helen’s arm. After he tied a cloth around her wound, he tossed the woman over his shoulder and headed back toward the castle. Helen continued to cry out, “I’m sorry, milord. Truly.”

  “I will go and get your things ready,” Agatha said as she hurried to catch up with Duncan.

  “Come and walk with me back to the great hall,” Roderick said, taking Siena’s elbow. “I want everyone to see that you’re with me, so we dinna have to worry about yer safety again. From now on, one of my men will be with you when you go outside.”

  “I’m sorry. I do not want to be trouble.”

  “Lass, it’s been an adventure since I first laid eyes on ye.”

  “I can’t promise that will change, but I’m a good healer, and I would like to take care of your people. With your permission, that is.”

  “Aye. I think that is a grand idea.” He nodded. “Elen has complained for years that she needs help. I’m sure she’s told you she’s 105.” He smiled, and Siena found him so handsome and devilish all at the same time. He took her breath away.

  “Actually, she told me she’s 103.”

  Roderick chuckled. “Proves my point that her memory is slipping with the passing years.”

  Once they had reached the castle’s steps, he stopped. ’Tis good to see ye up, lass. I will leave ye here wi’ yer patient and return to my men.” He looked at her for a moment as if he were trying to figure something out, then added. “I look forward to yer company tonight at dinner.”

  Siena nodded because she couldn’t think of anything to say. Roderick made her feel things she’d never felt before. His smoldering black eyes seemed to capture hers, her heart turned over in response. Every time he talked to her all her sad thoughts floated away. She shouldn’t have these feelings when he was married, and most likely, she would be meeting his wife tonight.

  That thought made her sad.

  Chapter 7

  Siena dressed in a cream-colored gown with a light blue bliaut. She wore a braided belt of the same material draped on her hips. It felt good to be dressed in something other than the drab gray she’d worn today.

  “Please do something special with my hair,” Siena said.

  “I take it you want to look your best tonight, milady?”

  “Yes. I’m not sure why, but I feel nervous as if I’m seeing everyone for the first time.”

  Agatha laughed. “How about the first time you have actually been awake?”

  Siena smiled. “Well, that is true.” She wasn’t sure why it was so important for her to look her best, but she did want to make a good impression on Roderick’s family. So far, he’d been kind to her, however, she wasn’t a relative; therefore, she wasn’t sure what that meant for her future.

  After getting final approval from Agatha, the two of them made their way downstairs. Once they were on the steps leading to the great hall, they stopped and looked at all the long tables that were already filled with brawny soldiers. Black Dawn’s great hall was so much larger than the one back home. She supposed Roderick did have more men to feed. There were four long, wooden tables plus the high table.

  The high table stood upon a wooden platform to one side of a massive stone fireplace, which was ablaze with a roaring fire. Roderick was seated at the table with his back to a stone wall. The candles held in loops on the wall brackets bathed the room in light along with the tripod candlesticks on the tables.

  Roderick glanced up and motioned for her and Agatha to join him. Carefully, they made their way among the tables, listening to the grumbles as some of the bigger men had to lean in, so she could pass by them. She noticed that the rushes were clean and smelled of fresh mint, which was very nice and much different from home. Her brother’s men had been pigs when it came to eating. She’d usually eaten in her room to avoid them.

  “Where shall I sit, milord?”

  “Why don’t you and Agatha sit here. He pointed to the chairs on his right.”

  “But, sire,” Agatha protested. “Should I sit at the high table?”

  “If I commanded it,” Roderick replied. “We are not that formal here. Ye are my guest, so please have a seat.”

  Siena noticed the chair to his left was also empty. Tonight, she would meet his wife. She couldn’t remember the woman’s name, but she did remember that she had been very pretty, and lucky to have someone strong like Roderick to protect her.

  “’Tis good to finally have ye dining with us,” Roderick said. “How are ye feelin’? You are not as pale as ye were this afternoon.” He couldn’t believe how beautiful Siena appeared tonight. There was still a little discoloring under one of her eyes, but other than that she had healed nicely. Where her hair had been dull before, now it was a glossy color that was as black as a raven’s wing, and when she turned his way, he noticed her eyes appeared silver as if they glowed.

  “I’m much better, thank you,” she said. “I’d probably be dead if not for you.”

  It took Roderick a few minutes before he remembered he’d asked her a question. The woman made his mind meander and that was never a good thing for a warrior. Warriors should not feel anything, and to let their minds wander could get them killed. He would have to work on that problem and remember his discipline.
But Siena’s eyes seemed to capture him as they changed from silver to clear blue.

  “Did yer patient give ye any more trouble?” he asked, breaking the spell.

  “Nay.” She shook her head. “Helen was as docile as a kitten; however, I was wise enough not to turn my back on her until I was sure she didn’t want to kill me anymore.”

  He nodded his approval. “’Twas probably a wise thing. My clan has hated yer brother for a long time.”

  Siena saw Duncan approaching the table. She smiled. There was something about Duncan that she really liked. Perhaps, he reminded her of the kind of father she wished she’d had, and she found it comforting to have him near.

  “I see we have lovely ladies with us tonight,” Duncan said. “’Tis better than seeing all these grumpy old faces all the time.” He motioned toward the tables in front of him. “’Twill make the food twice as good tonight, I’d wager,” he finished as he sat down next to Agatha.

  “You have a sly tongue.” Agatha laughed, as did Roderick.

  “Ye have the measure of him, Agatha,” Roderick leaned forward so he could see Duncan. “How did the lads do wi’ training?”

  “They still prefer the swords and spears.” He shrugged and added, “The bows and arrows are no to their liking.”

  “Siena is excellent with a bow and arrow,” Agatha boasted.

  Roderick looked down at Siena. “Is that so?”

  Siena felt her cheeks burn. “Aye.”

  “Then ye’ll have to show me one day.”

  A horn blew to signal the time for ‘washing hands’ immediately followed by the servants with ewers, basins, and towels for everyone to wash their hands. Next, trenchers were passed out. They were made from large loaves of stale bread with the middle taken out so there would be someplace to hold the food. Then came the platters of meat that were set in several places down the long table, followed by plates of cheese and vegetables. Then their cups were filled with ale.

  Siena pulled her knife from her belt and began to sample the food. She had eaten some of the mutton and found everything very tasty. The fact that Roderick’s family had not joined them still bothered her. Siena felt as though she was sitting on pins and needles waiting to meet his wife again. When she could stand it no longer, she asked in a soft voice so only Roderick could hear, “Is your wife not joining us?”