After thanking her, he moved on, watching the way the crowd now embraced both Allegra and young Hamish. As they moved from booth to booth, partaking of sweets, admiring bits of lace and stooping to watch the geese in their pens, the people milled about, exchanging pleasantries and even daring to touch her as she passed.
The crowd swelled to even greater numbers, and Merrick caught sight of his own cook and several of the castle servants visiting the booths. At one such booth, while several people gathered around Allegra, the servant Mara was smiling as she handed Hamish a sweet. The lad devoured it in a single bite.
Though Merrick forced himself to enter into the spirit of the day, strolling with his son and Allegra, calling out to friends and neighbors and even lifting a tankard with the men of the village, he couldn’t get the words of the old woman out of his mind.
Was she entreating him to enjoy the treasure and partake of the healer’s sweetness for his own pleasure? Or were the words meant as a warning that danger was near?
He shrugged off his uneasiness. The old woman had always spoken in riddles. He had neither the time nor the patience to unravel this latest one.
* * * *
The blazing sun had crossed the sky and now lay on the horizon, casting the land in shadow. At a touch of the reins, the little pony cart veered from the path and danced across a meadow.
Allegra turned to Merrick. “Why have you chosen a different route?”
He shrugged. “I thought I’d show you as much of the countryside as I could. Just beyond this meadow another path intersects, leading us back home.”
He glanced at the fields of heather. “I’ve always loved this place. It’s where I played as a lad, and where later I was given my first lessons in a warrior’s skill with broadsword, dirk and longbow.”
Allegra noted the sword in its scabbard and the glint of the knife’s hilt tucked at his waist. “Do you really need those weapons just to visit the village on market day?”
He turned to her with a look of surprise. “Do you think the invaders give a warning before attacking? Look around you, woman. Those trees could be harboring an army of barbarians. Even the fields of heather can hide the enemy, lying amid the blossoms, waiting for the moment. Danger can strike with no warning. It can lurk in a peaceful meadow, just as it can in a Highland forest. The wise man is always on guard against the unknown, unseen enemy.”
“Forgive me, my lord. I meant no...” Allegra’s words faded as Hamish fell against her with the weight of a boulder. Instinctively her arms came around him. “Quickly, my lord. Stop the cart.”
Even as she shouted the words, she was fighting to keep the lad from falling. It took all of her strength to hold him, for he had once again left all that was warm and comforting and had slipped away into that other world.
Chapter Twelve
Merrick brought the cart to a sudden, lurching halt and leaped down before circling to the other side and taking the boy from her hands. As he laid him in the heather he was forced to watch helplessly as Hamish’s body began twitching violently.
He looked up, his voice a hoarse cry. “Help him.”
“Aye.” Allegra dropped to her knees beside the lad and placed her fingertips on his temples. As she connected with him, she could feel one emotion overriding all others. Fear. It coursed through his veins like icy fingers, leaving her chilled and shaken.
“What is it?” Merrick looked from the boy’s face to hers. “What do you feel?”
She shook her head. “He’s afraid.”
“Of what?” Merrick touched a hand to the hilt of his sword. “If you but show me the thing that frightens him, I’ll gladly slay it.”
She sighed. “If only it were that simple, my lord. I doubt even Hamish can put a name to his fear. Something he saw, or heard, caused a glimmer of memory. But only a glimmer. As yet, it has taken no form in his mind. At least, none I can discern.”
“Can you help him? Can you bring him back again?”
She closed her eyes. “I can try.” She moved her fingers in slow circles, sharing with the lad her strength and her calm center.
As the tremors ceased and his body stilled she began chanting the ancient words.
Merrick sat back on his heels, watching and listening. The words, which were now becoming more familiar to him, soothed, though he knew not why. Everything about this healer was soothing. Not just the gift she used so generously, on behalf of others, regardless of the cost to her. It was more her easy acceptance of those things beyond her control. The very fact that she was here, fighting for his son, gave him comfort. If anyone could heal the lad in mind and body, it was this woman. He felt it with absolute certainty.
It seemed an eternity before the fluttering eye movement behind closed lids heralded a return from that other world. At last the lad’s eyes opened and he stared up at Allegra and Merrick with a look of confusion.
“What has happened? Was it the... spell that Mordred spoke of?”
“Not a spell. It was more a sleep.” Allegra sensed that the boy needed to move beyond the fear of the unknown. A spell was a fearsome thing, but to a lad, sleep was normal and natural. “Did you eat or drink anything today that might have weakened you?”
“I drank some goat’s milk, and shared a sweet or two with the servants.”
“Can you think of something that might have caused you to be afraid, Hamish?”
He shook his head and sat up weakly. “I know not.” Then his gaze was captured by the cluster of tall trees behind them. He stared in fascination. “Could those be the trees I was climbing when I fell?”
Allegra arched a brow and glanced over her shoulder. “They could be. Perhaps we could ask Mara, to show us where it happened.”
“And if this isn’t the place of the accident?” Merrick asked. “What then?”
Allegra shrugged. “It could have been something Hamish heard. A word. A phrase that unlocked a memory.”
“Think, Hamish.” Merrick touched a hand to the lad’s shoulder. “Can you recall anything at all?”
The boy seemed afraid to search too deeply. Instead he looked up at his father. “May we please go home now?”
“Aye, if you feel strong enough to sit.” Merrick took the boy in his arms and placed him gently on the seat, then settled Allegra beside Hamish.
As he caught up the reins, he noted with satisfaction that the healer had lifted the boy onto her lap and was holding him close to her heart.
There had been another who had loved the lad, and cuddled him close. And now she lay in a grave.
A shudder passed through him, and he was reminded of the blind woman’s words. He’d been foolish to dismiss them so lightly. As the fortress came into view he whispered a solemn vow to do all in his power to keep the healer and the lad safe from anything that might threaten to harm them.
In the courtyard Merrick handed over the reins to a stable lad and took Hamish from Allegra’s arms.
As he entered the keep, Mistress MacDonald hurried forward. The minute she spied the lord carrying his son she gave a little cry of distress. “Now what’s happened to our lad?” She began wringing her hands. “Don’t tell me he’s fallen?”
“Nay, Mistress. He’s merely weary.”
The old woman gave a sigh of relief. “Cook made special honeyed biscuits to welcome ye back home, m’lord.”
“Be certain to thank her.” Merrick started up the stairs, then paused as a thought struck. “Instead of the great hall, we’ll take our evening meal in my chambers.” He glanced down at his son. “How does that suit you, lad?”
“Will we be alone? Just you and the healer with me?”
“If you like.”
“Aye.” The boy wrapped his chubby arms around his father’s neck, feeling suddenly safe and warm and content. “I’d like that, Father.”
“It’s done, then.” He turned to the housekeeper. “See that there’s a lire laid on the hearth at once.”
By the time he and Allegra walked into his
chambers, half a dozen servants were scurrying about. A table was being set in front of a roaring fire. A chaise, covered with furs, was placed to one side.
Merrick set his young son on the chaise and covered him with fur before handing him a goblet of hot mulled wine.
“Here, lad. This will warm you.”
He offered a second goblet to Allegra, who accepted it gratefully.
As she walked close to the fire, Merrick studied her, noting her pallor. He kept his voice low enough that the lad couldn’t overhear. “Forgive me, Allegra. In my fear for my son, I’d forgotten what this does to you. Perhaps you’d prefer to retire to your chambers.”
She shook her head. “I’m just a bit chilled. The fire and the wine will soon enough work their magic.”
“You’re the one with the magic, my lady.” He regarded her over the rim of his goblet. “I can’t bear to think what would have become of Hamish without you.”
“You mustn’t dwell on it, my lord.” Without thinking, she laid a hand on his arm and was stunned by the warmth that rushed through her veins.
As she started to pull away, Merrick closed a hand over hers. His eyes burned into hers with a brightness that held her even when she tried to look away. “You feel it, too, don’t you, Allegra?”
“I know not what you’re saying.”
“Don’t you?” His eyes narrowed. He leaned close. “You can’t deny the heat that sparks between us whenever we touch.”
“I know not...”
“Here ye are, m’lord.” Mistress MacDonald came rushing headlong into the room, trailed by the servants bearing a feast fit for royalty.
Merrick’s head came up sharply and he was forced to step aside, watching with impatience as the meal was arranged on a sideboard.
When all was in readiness, the servants stood back while Merrick, Allegra and young Hamish took their places at the table. Then the servants, under the direction of the housekeeper, began filling plates and goblets, before being sent away, leaving only the housekeeper to serve them.
Determined to put the old woman at ease, Allegra said, “I must remember to ask Cook what she does to get the mutton so tender.”
“She’d be pleased to tell ye, m’lady. ’Tis a source of pride to her.”
“As well it should be. My mother and grandmother will be happy to learn that I’ve developed an interest in cooking, since they’d despaired of it ever happening.”
The old housekeeper gave her a shrewd look. “Most lasses take no interest in cooking until a lad comes along to snag their heart. Then they think of ways to please him. Could it be there’s a lad on ye’r mind, m’lady?”
As Merrick turned to study her, Allegra could feel herself blushing clear to her toes. For a moment he simply enjoyed the high color on her cheeks as he said, for her ears alone, “I hope to heaven it’s someone I know.”
That only caused her blush to deepen.
To spare her any further embarrassment, he bit into a biscuit and turned to Mistress MacDonald, drawing attention away from Allegra. “I believe Cook has outdone herself. You’ll convey my thanks, Mistress.”
The old woman nodded. “Aye, m’lord.”
If she wondered at the lord’s uncommonly thoughtful behavior, she gave no indication. It occurred to her that everyone at Berkshire Castle had undergone some changes since the arrival of the healer.
As yet, she hadn’t decided if the changes were for the better or the worse.
“Cook baked honeyed biscuits for the lad. And for ye, m’lord, sugar cake dotted with currants.” She served him a huge slice, drizzled with heavy cream, which he devoured within minutes.
Then she stood back, enjoying the way the lord and his lad took similar pleasure in their sweets.
As for Allegra, she nibbled a small slice of currant cake and smiled her approval. “Cook has indeed outdone any expectations I might have had. I hope you’ll convey my thanks, as well.”
“I will, m’lady.”
When they’d eaten their fill, Merrick returned his son to the chaise before signaling for ale. At once the old woman filled a tankard and offered it to the lord before calling for the return of the servants.
When the table was cleared and the servants took their leave, the housekeeper lingered. “Would ye care for anything else, m’lord?”
“Nay, Mistress. I thank you for your service.” She blinked, as though uncertain whether or not to believe what she’d just heard. Had the lord actually humbled himself to thank her?
She gave a slight bow. “It’s my pleasure to serve ye, m’lord.” She turned to Allegra. “I’ll say goodnight now, m’lady.”
“Good night, Mistress MacDonald.”
When they were alone Allegra glanced over to see Hamish stifling a yawn. “Would you like me to take you to your chambers?”
He shook his head. “Just a few minutes more, please.”
She turned to Merrick, who nodded.
The little boy patted the chaise. “Will you sit here, Allegra, and tell me more about your home?”
“If you’d like.” She settled herself beside him, tucking her feet under the furs. “What would you like to know?”
“Do you have your own horse?”
“Aye.” She smiled at the memory. “Sunlight. He is a lovely golden winged horse with silvery mane and tail.”
“Winged?” The boy looked astonished. “You mean he can fly?”
“Indeed. I still recall the first time I climbed upon his back. He soared so high I feared we were headed for the sun. But he merely swooped all around our lovely kingdom, then settled down right where we’d started. It was a most delightful experience, and one I’ve enjoyed many times since.”
“Can he fly you to faraway places, as well?”
She shook her head. “He can’t leave the Mystical Kingdom. If he were to leave, there would be hunters hoping to ensnare him for profit.”
“If I were to visit your kingdom, would Sunlight take me flying?”
“I don’t see why not. As long as your father has no objection.”
“Would you, Father?”
Merrick had listened to this in utter silence. It confirmed what he’d suspected. And yet it sounded so improbable, he wondered how such a thing would be regarded by others. Except for children, with their wild imaginations, and those few like him who’d actually visited the Mystical Kingdom, it seemed like something out of a dream. But it was no dream. He’d seen these winged horses, even though at the time he’d questioned his own sanity.
He sipped his ale. “I should think it would be great fun to ride a horse across the sky.”
“You’d let me ride Sunlight?”
“I suppose, as long as Allegra assured me he would bring you no harm.”
“He’s a very gentle creature.”
Gentle. Merrick studied the young woman reclining beside his son. Nothing in this world could be more gentle, nor more sweet. And right this moment he wished he could take her into his arms and fill himself with her sweetness.
He felt the jolt to his heart and stared down into his ale to veil his thoughts.
“Do your sisters also ride Sunlight?” Hamish had dozens of questions whirling through his mind.
Allegra shook her head. “They have their own winged horses.”
“And your mother and grandmother?”
The young woman gave a mysterious smile. “They have no need of such things, for they can fly of their own accord.”
Merrick’s head came up sharply. His eyes narrowed.
Hamish seemed delighted. “You’ve seen them fly?”
Allegra nodded. “Aye.”
“They have wings?”
“Nay.” She was quick to explain. “They have no need of wings, for they don’t exactly fly. They simply... appear.”
“How?” The boy was clearly enchanted.
“I know not. For it’s one of the gifts my sisters and I fail to possess.”
“No matter.” The lad patted her hand. “It’s enough
that you have a winged horse that lifts you into the sky.” He closed his eyes, trying to imagine such a wonder. “I hope I can visit your kingdom and ride Sunlight.”
“I would enjoy showing him to you.” She brushed the hair from his forehead and pressed her cheek to his. “You would love my home and family, Hamish.”
When the little boy didn’t reply, she lifted her head and looked down at him. His eyes were closed, his breathing slow and easy.
She slid from the chaise and called to Merrick, “The lad’s asleep.”
“I’ll carry him to his chambers.” Merrick set aside his tankard and lifted the boy in his arms.
With Allegra trailing behind, he carried Hamish down the hall and into his room. As soon as he laid him down, Allegra covered him with a fur throw and brushed a kiss over his cheek, as though she’d been doing so for a lifetime.
Merrick felt a rush of tenderness at the sight.
When they exited the lad’s room, they walked together along the hallway until they came to Allegra’s doorway.
Before she could step inside, Merrick touched a hand to her arm. Feeling the rush of heat, he quickly lowered his hand to his side. “Thank you, my lady.”
She paused. “For what?”
“For all that you do to comfort my son.” He shook his head and turned away. “You’ll never know how frightened I was, seeing his little body twisting and writhing in pain.”
Without thinking, she pressed her hand to his back. “You mustn’t dwell on it, my lord.”
At her touch he flinched, and she withdrew her hand quickly. In that same moment he turned and caught it between both of his. The heat that had flared moments earlier now became a flame that neither of them could ignore.
She tried to step back, but his hands at her shoulders stopped her. She looked up into his eyes and wondered at the hot, fierce look in them. As though with but a glance he could devour her.
They both looked up as Mordred and Desmond appeared at the top of the stairs.
“Here you are, cousin.” Mordred was smiling broadly. “We’ve been awaiting you in the great hall.”
“And drinking great quantities of ale, it would seem.” Merrick, furious at this latest distraction, narrowed his eyes on the men. Was his entire household conspiring against him?