Master of Mayhem (The Enchanted Well #2)

Chapter Nine

T he kitchen staff weren’t the only ones who didn’t care for the English.

Sabine sat down at one of the long tables in the hall. She’d never felt so on display in her life. If there was a single person present who wasn’t looking at her, she couldn’t see them.

And there wasn’t a smile in sight. Not one.

Men contemplated her harshly. Their eyes were narrowed while they scowled at her. The hall was the place where the retainers of the Lindsey clan had their meals. Afterward, they would clear the tables aside and sleep on the floor. There was only a single chair left empty. It was at the end of the hall, and she realized that it was reserved for the laird. Ruben took her down the length of one of the tables until he was right next to the chair.

“This is Sabine,” Ruben filled the silence with his promised introduction. His voice carried throughout the quiet hall. “She is me guest.”

Eyebrows rose in response. Sabine wouldn’t have said that any of the hostility eased but people turned their attention to the meal.

It was a welcome reprieve.

And she was starving.

Her belly rumbled low and long. Allision looked at her. “You sound hungry. Here. Morven is a very good head of house.”

A hunk of bread landed on the plate in front of Sabine. Nothing had ever smelled so good. Sabine caught the nutty scent rising from it now that the loaf was torn open. Her mouth began to water.

“We have butter too.” Allision happily sat a small pottery dish near Sabine’s hand. “I do enjoy butter.”

Sabine started to reach for the bread, but Ruben swiped it off her plate first. He slathered it with a generous amount of butter and set it back in front of her. His action had immediate results. The men who had persisted in glaring at her lowered their gazes.

Some of the tension that had been tightening between her shoulder blades eased. More food was added to her plate. She lost interest in what people thought of her and she began to eat. The food was good and filling. The long journey caught up with her once she’d cleaned her plate. With a full belly, she yawned, ready for some rest.

“Ye must come with me to my chamber, Sabine,” Allision announced.

Allision was already rising, the chair she sat in making a skidding sound on the stone floor. A young retainer shot up out of his seat and pulled the chair back.

“Go on to bed, Allision,” Ruben instructed his sister. “Leave Sabine to me.”

The Lindsey retainers returned their stares to Sabine.

Allision looked at her brother in confusion. “But there are no other chambers with furniture. Since we are two women, we can share my bed. It will be much nicer than a bunk in the kitchen. I cannot be selfish.”

Sabine felt her cheeks heating. Everyone knew she’d spent the previous night in Ruben’s chamber.

Sabine shot up out of her chair. Beneath the table, Ruben caught her wrist.

“My bed is plenty large enough for us both. I have always longed for a sister.” Allision smiled sweetly, clearly still sheltered.

Behind Allision the Lindsey retainers were openly smirking but when Allision turned to head toward the passageway, those same men wiped their faces clean.

Sabine started to follow Allision.

Ruben’s grip kept her near the table. She turned to look at him. That was a mistake because in his eyes was a flare of determination. It set off an answering flicker of heat inside of her.

Was that wickedness?

Or wantonness?

Sabine didn’t know. But she was sure that if she didn’t follow Allision and separate herself from Ruben, what was flickering to life inside of her would grow until it consumed her.

Just as it had that morning…

She tugged on her wrist. The action brought her wrist above the table’s edge where Ruben’s grip might be seen. She heard a few snorts from the men who noticed. But Allision realized that Sabine wasn’t following her. The girl turned around to see what was keeping Sabine.

Ruben released her wrist and Sabine sank into a curtsy. “Thank you for such a kind welcome.”

There were a few choking sounds in response. Allision’s brow furrowed. She looked around the hall, trying to decide just what she was missing. The hall went so quiet, the popping of the fire was clearly heard.

Sabine ran after Allision. If that was cowardly, so be it.

For she didn’t trust herself alone with Ruben.

*

Laird Lindsey’s chamber—

Laird Oisin Lindsey had more color in his face than he had had for weeks. He held the heather garland crown in his frail hands, contemplating it intently while his captain, Arland, stood near his bed.

“So me son brought the May queen home with him?” Oisin asked.

Arland was a mature man. One who had seen his share of conflicts. But the question seemed to make him squirm. “Aye, laird, he did.”

Oisin looked at his captain. “And me son filled the girl’s plate himself in the hall?”

“Her being English and all…there was a bit of tension.”

“I’ll bet there was!” Oisin chuckled. He coughed a few times before he fixed Arland with a hard look. “Now tell me the rest of it.”

Arland sniffed. “Yer daughter recalled that there was no other bed for the lass. Young Allision insisted the English lass share her chamber.”

“And my son tried to hold onto her,” Oisin finished with a smirk.

Arland nodded.

“Do nae begrudge me knowing about it, Arland,” Oisin said with a grin. “There are those in this stronghold who think to assure their place by bringing me tales. Ye are wise enough to earn yer place through honest labor. I know the difference.”

Arland reached up to tug on the corner of his cap. Laird Lindsey had returned his attention to the May queen crown. The heather was beginning to droop now. After a time, he grinned and chuckled softly.

“It seems there are yet a few things for this old man to attend to.”

Laird Lindsey chuckled once more. This time the sound grew until he was cackling. Arland discovered himself somewhat grateful to the English lass because he hadn’t seen so much life in his laird in a long time.

The lass seemed to have brought springtime into the stronghold.

It was very much welcome.

*

Ruben found his chamber lacking.

He’d learned to be a simple man out of necessity. Since he’d started riding with the Lindsey retainers as a youth, he’d hardened his body, enduring the cold and rough conditions because it was his duty to safeguard the Lindseys territory.

Returning to his chamber had become a time when he recognized his blessings. A soft, warm, dry bed. Pillows and walls to shield him from the bite of the north wind. A chamber was indeed a very fine treat compared with rolling himself into his tartan on the side of the road.

Tonight, though, he looked around the chamber, feeling as if something were missing. He had a longing deep inside of him that just wouldn’t let him settle into sleep.

Sabine.

He caught her scent clinging to the bedding. When he closed his eyes, he heard the soft sound of her sighs. Ruben snorted, frustrated by the way he couldn’t seem to think of anything but Sabine.

She’d become his obsession. Nothing else would explain the way he’d held onto her in the hall. His frustration was nearly intolerable. For some reason, since meeting Sabine, he’d lost all sense of self control. It was maddening for he wasn’t an adolescent.

Ruben punched the pillow and turned onto his side, determined to ignore the way he wanted to make an excuse to go and see Sabine. If he got her away from Allision, he’d kiss her again. That was a solid truth. So he closed his eyes and tried to sleep.

“Ye saw her face in the water, beneath the full moon. She is yer soul mate. Fail to heed the Midnight Well, and ye will live a life without love.”

Norla’s wrinkled face appeared in his dreams. Ruben opened his eyes, sweeping the chamber because it felt as if someone were there with him. The chamber was dark but there wasn’t anything there that hadn’t been there when he pinched the candle out.

Norla had just been a memory.

Her words still sent a shiver down his spine. He knew the tales of the Midnight Well. Who didn’t? Long, cold winters meant people needed their tales to keep their spirits up. Peadair and Rhona and their enchantment was a story he’d heard over and over throughout his childhood. It was no different than a hundred other fireside stories.

Well, except that he had seen Sabine’s face in the water of the Midnight Well.

Ruben lay on his back, looking up into the darkness above his bed. Even fully awake, he still recalled in vivid detail the way Sabine’s reflection had struck him.

Like he’d never really understood what fascination was until he’d set eyes upon Sabine.

Ye cannot be smitten. Such a thing is whimsy!

His inner voice made a passionate argument, but it didn’t seem to quell the desire to throw back the covers and seek out Sabine.

He wouldn’t do it. Honor demanded more from him.

*

Allision’s chamber was a fine one.

Perched on top of one of the towers, it had a beautiful view of the surrounding land. Once the window shutters were open, sunlight streamed inside along with the fresh air. There was a hint of newly turned earth and budding leaves.

Two maids arrived early in the morning to help Allision dress, but the girl frowned at the clothing they brought with them.

“Why did you bring me such a drab dress?” Allision asked.

“Yer father says ye will be going off to Hay land.”

Allision’s eyes widened with alarm. She looked toward Sabine. “My father made a match between me and laird Hay’s son. I didn’t think he would send me away so soon.”

Fat tears welled up in Allision’s eyes. They trickled down her cheeks while she stood still, waiting for the maids to finish dressing her. The moment the last tie was knotted, she dashed through the doorway, disappearing down the steps.

“Careful!” Sabine called after the panicking girl.

Allision stopped, looking behind her at Sabine. “Did yer father make a match for you?”

Shame nipped at Sabine. She’d failed to think of her father’s plight when it came to facing the Cressen family without the bride he had promised them. Allision didn’t wait for an answer. She went dashing off toward the bottom of the steps.

“Here now, young mistress.”

A huge man stood at the bottom of the steps. His face was marked with wrinkles and scars, giving silent testimony to his accumulated years of wisdom.

“Arland,” Allision had to pant for a moment before finishing. “Tell…tell me it isn’t true. I thought father promised to allow me to finish my education before sending me away.”

Arland opened his hands up in a soothing gesture. “There is no need to worry so much, mistress.”

“No need?” Allision lamented. “The midwife said I must mature more before having children. I do not want to die in childbirth like my mother did!”

“Ye are not getting married just yet, daughter,” Oisin answered his daughter.

Allision sucked in her breath. “Father…ye are outside yer chamber!”

Laird Lindsey was leaning heavily on a cane but he was there near the bottom of the steps.

“I am so happy to see ye on yer feet!” Allision changed emotions with the exuberance of youth.

Laird Lindsey smiled at his daughter. “I am not on me way to meet St. Peter just yet.”

Allision frowned. “Do not send me away father, please.”

Laird Lindsey lifted one finger to hush his daughter. “I’m sending ye over to Hay land for a bit of an introduction. Just a few weeks. Spring is a very fine time to be outside, eh? I do nae care to have ye setting off to marry a man ye have never met, so, for the next few years, I will send ye over to visit. Yer mother and I only met at the church doors. It was awkward sure enough.”

Allision wasn’t won over just yet. She contemplated her father from narrowed eyes. “An introduction…that is all?”

“Aye!” her father assured her. “Now come and kiss me cheek before ye leave. The horses are ready. The weather decent enough.”

Allision happily complied. Laird Lindsey shared a look with Arland over his daughter’s shoulder. Sabine felt a tingle go down her back for it was a serious look.

A very serious look.

“I will miss you, Sabine.” Allision turned to wrap Sabine in a hug. “I hope you are here when I return.”

When Allision went down the passageway, her steps were light, proving that she had faith in her father’s words.

“Ye must be the May queen.”

Sabine discovered that she had Laird Lindsey’s full attention.

That tingle went down her back once again, this time it left goosebumps along her arms too. There was something in Laird Lindsey’s eyes that warned her he had plans for her.

The problem was, she was in his stronghold, and he was the laird.

“Father.” Ruben suddenly appeared. His voice filled the passageway giving away his surprise. “Ye are out of yer chamber.”

Laird Lindsey grinned. He didn’t turn to look at Ruben but continued to study Sabine. “Do nae make this lass think I’m halfway into my grave, Ruben.” He used the cane to help him walk closer to Sabine. “I have a little life left in me.”

Ruben inclined his head. “Forgive me, father.”

Laird Lindsey chuckled. There was a flicker of something in his eyes before he looked at his son. “I am famished. Let us break our fast. Come, lass, I want ye to sit beside me and share a bit of the May queen luck with an old man who can surely use it, eh?”

Laird Lindsey looked at her questioningly.

“Of course,” Sabine answered him.

Laird Linsey nodded approvingly. “Would ye do me a kindness, lass?”

The laird looked around, seeking Arland. The captain stepped forward in response, revealing the May crown of heather that she’d worn.

“Would ye wear yer crown, lass?” Laird Lindsey enticed her with a big smile. “I seem to have missed May morning. Having the May queen beside me will brighten people’s spirits.”

Sabine followed the old man happily enough. The traditions of springtime were deeply rooted in people. Her misgivings melted away with every scraping step the old laird took. If she’d somehow inspired him to get out of his bed, she’d consider it a fine service to provide.

*

The Lindsey retainers were happy to see their laird in the great hall.

True smiles brightened up the meager first meal of the day. Even with the season of lent behind them, Morven only put out porridge and cream. Meal portions would be strictly monitored until the season started to yield a harvest.

No one appeared to mind. They were all absorbed with looking at the high table where their laird sat.

Laird Lindsey sat in the chair that had gone empty the night before. Morven hurried to tuck a blanket around his thin frame.

“Not today.” Oisin waved her away. He laid his hand on the table, banging on it, but his frailness was evident in how soft the sound was.

The hall fell silent anyway.

“Since we have the May queen here, I hope ye will all indulge me,” Laird Lindsey announced.

His men nodded with their willingness to please him. Arland was prepared, setting two mugs of cider on the table in front of his laird and her.

The Lindsey retainers pounded enthusiastically on the tabletop.

“Drink with me, lass….” Oisin lifted his mug up high. “Let us raise our mugs to coming prosperity.”

Sabine didn’t hesitate until she had the mug close enough to smell the strong cider. The pounding on the tabletops grew louder in anticipation of her taking a long sip from the mug. Laird Lindsey already had his lips on his own. The Lindsey retainers began to cheer them on.

Modesty might have hesitated, but Sabine tipped her cup up so that the cider flowed into her mouth.

It was sweet and spicy. Delighting her taste buds. And when she swallowed, the strong drink warmed the inside of her stomach, making her smile.

Was that wanton of her?

Perhaps but the truth was, she liked it. When she lowered the mug, it was to find Ruben watching her. Heat flowed freely through her, and she knew it wasn’t just because of the cider.

No, it had a lot more to do with the way Ruben was looking at her. And the fact that she liked making his eyes fill with approval.

“Ruben…my son…drink with the May queen!”

A cheer went up, bouncing between the stone walls. The level of excitement was intoxicating, giving rise to something very precious—hope.

Hope was a magical elixir. No matter how dire the situation might be, hope made continuing on possible. Arland was passing mugs of cider down the tables for the rest of the Lindsey retainers to join in with.

Sabine stood. She lifted her mug high, waiting for Ruben to join her in the toast. Their drinking vessels clanged against one another, a little froth shooting up into the air.

“Drink…drink…DRINK!”

Sabine wasn’t going to disappoint the Lindsey. She kept going until her mug was empty. She held it upside down to prove it to the retainers.

They cheered in response.

“It is going to be a fine year for the Lindseys!” Oisin declared.

His men were off their benches and on their feet. They lifted their hands into the air to cheer before they were all suddenly in a hurry to get busy with the tasks of the day. Even the weather cleared up, offering some bright sunlight that streamed in the open windows to drive the winter gloom from the hall.

“Now that, was a fine job, lass. Ye have made a fine start to the season.”

Oisin reached out and laid his hand on top of her belly. “I am looking forward to what comes next.”