Highland Blood

Chapter 9

We arrived the next morning at the ancient fortress of Cawdor. The keep, built upon the site of an old Pictish stronghold, was constructed of pale gray stone. We rode our horses through the gate to the ward.

“Welcome home, Lady Gruoch,” Fergus said as he helped me dismount.

Gillacoemgain’s household rushed outside to meet us, and the scene soon turned into a busy flurry of activity as horses were led away to the stables, servants headed inside with my belongings, and news was delivered.

A small man wearing a red tunic came to Gillacoemgain’s side and buzzed about him like a bee. He unloaded all manner of information on the Mormaer as soon as Gillacoemgain. “Enough, Artos. I must see to my wife,” he said then turned me. “Gruoch, this is Artos. He is my counselor here at Cawdor.”

“Lady Gruoch.” The man bowed deeply.

The raven eyed him and decided she did not like this man.

“Artos.”

“Corbie, we’ve employed a maid for you,” Gillacoemgain said then, waving over a red-haired woman who had been amongst the other members of the household. “This is Ute.”

“My Lady,” she said, dropping into a curtsey.

“Ute, please take the Lady of Moray to my chamber and get her settled in,” he told the girl then turned to me. “I must go to council now, but I will come as soon as I can,” he said softly then kissed me on the forehead. “Welcome home, my bride.”

“Thank you,” I said, squeezing his hand in farewell.

“This way, My Lady,” Ute said, motioning for me to follow her.

I whistled to Thora, who came padding along behind us.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Lady Gruoch. To think, you are the niece of King Malcolm. It is my pleasure to serve you.”

“Thank you, Ute,” I replied. “But please, no formalities between us. Let us be friends.”

Ute smiled. “Thank you, My L—thank you, Gruoch.”

I was led through the castle, which was not unlike Madelaine’s keep, to a bed chamber with a good view of the ward. The room looked as though it had been freshly spruced up for Gillacoemgain and me. I could smell the scent of freshly washed linens and new straw. From the look of the stones, the floors and walls had recently been scrubbed. A fire burned, driving off the last of the chill in the spring air. I sat down on the bed, realizing then that I was exhausted. The road had been long, and my body ached.

“Ute, I think I shall take some rest,” I told the girl.

“Of course.”

I looked down at Thora. “This is Thora. She is dear to me. Will you see that she has something to eat?”

Ute smiled down at Thora. “Well, bonnie girl, how about a bone?”

Thora barked, which made Ute laugh.

“Would you like some help getting undressed? The Mormaer had some things brought for you. You’ll find all manner of dresses in the trunk,” she said, motioning to a wood chest.

I shook my head. Suddenly, I felt quite dizzy.

“No, thank you.”

“Take your rest. I won’t wake you unless the Mormaer asks for you,” she said then left.

Sighing deeply, I crossed the room and opened the chest. Gillacoemgain and Madelaine, it seemed, liked the idea of seeing me in court gowns. Inside I saw red, green, and blue gowns trimmed with fine lace and embroidery. I pulled out a simple nightdress. Pulling off my riding gear, I slipped on the gown and lay down. I was a bride. And soon, I would be a mother. Taking one step out of Ynes Verleath had changed my entire life.

Ute woke me later that evening and helped me bathe and dress for dinner. I had already grown tired of the constant grooming. I pulled on the red gown, brushing out my long, dark hair, and then followed Ute to the dining hall where I was seated beside a very tired-looking Gillacoemgain. He smiled as best he could, but I could see that the ride, and the onslaught of news, had exhausted him. I was introduced to the Mormaers of Buchan and Mar and people talked of trade and of Thorfinn of Orkney. I listened.

King Malcolm favored Gillacoemgain to control the north over Thorfinn or Macbeth. The king questioned Thorfinn’s relationship with Norway and Macbeth’s relationship with Thorfinn. My marriage to Gillacoemgain was the king’s way of sending a clear message to any contenders that the king wanted Gillacoemgain to be the Lord of the North, as the Mormaer of Moray was generally considered. But if Gillacoemgain wanted to take control of Thorfinn’s lands, now was the time. These were things everyone knew, and everyone was waiting to see what Gillacoemgain would do. They also seemed to be wondering what, if anything, Gillacoemgain and King Malcolm had secretly planned. Gillacoemgain, however, only seemed to want to get married and think things through; at least that was my observation. And that night, I was certain, the only thing Gillacoemgain wanted was sleep.

“My Lord looks weary,” I whispered in his ear when those closest to us had turned their attention away.

“I’ve spent too long riding to hear all manner of news at once, but that is the nature of things for me,” he said, sipping a concoction of warm, honey-sweetened herbs.

“Will you have counsel all night or will you rest?”

“More hereafter, I’m afraid. Malcolm sent a priest north to wed us. He arrived a while ago but is sleeping. I hope you will forgive me, but I have not planned a lavish wedding. Moray’s money has been spent to ensure I keep my place here.”

“I need no trappings to wed,” I replied.

Gillacoemgain laughed. “If Malcolm had not offered your hand, Corbie, I would have come for you myself.”

My heart fluttered open. “Thank you.”

Gillacoemgain smiled and stroked my cheek.

I looked at Gillacoemgain, and for a brief moment, I saw a flash of red on his face, a glow like he was beside a fire. Strange. I closed my eyes, forcing the image away.

“Corbie?” he whispered. “Are you all right?

“I’m fine,” I said, pulling myself back together. It was nothing more than a shadow, a strange trick of the light.

“The ride was too much for you and the talk grows weary. Why don’t you rest?”

“Not yet. Will you come to our chamber tonight?”

Gillacoemgain sighed tiredly. “I must meet with Buchan and Mar. There is much to consider.”

“Will it come to war then?”

“So it seems. The last of those who support Thorfinn must be subdued.”

“There is no way to bring him to an accord?”

Gillacoemgain shook his head. “The Viking thinks his line rules the north. He’s wrong. I will not have our children’s birthright threatened. I will stamp him out and those who support him.”

“Has he much support?”

“Enough to give me a problem, but I have Malcolm.”

Rather, I thought, Malcolm had Gillacoemgain, but I didn’t say so.

He put his arm around me then and pulled me close. “What do you think of my castle?”

“I’ve seen little more than our chamber. But I love the ward, the green space inside the castle walls.”

“There is another garden,” Gillacoemgain said distractedly, “but it’s unused. The soil may be bad there,” he said, shifting in his seat. He sighed. “When this business is done, we’ll go out and hunt together, my birds and your dog. They’ll make a great team.”

“Birds?”

“My falcons,” he said, his eyes sparkling with buried joy.

“I look forward to those quiet days.”

“As do I,” Gillacoemgain said, stroking my hair, “as do I.”