Ann Carr (14 page)

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Richard raised his head as he heard footsteps round the corner and enter the courtyard. He was bent over the well taking a drink of water. He wasn’t drinking from thirst, merely for something to do. He’d now lost count of how long he’d been pacing the courtyard, waiting for his sister to return. He was furious with himself for not demanding more forcefully to see her last night when he’d arrived. If truth be told he was more than a little intimidated by the stranger who was now his sister’s husband, he had not had the nerve to defy the man so blatantly last night, but today he thought, today he would do everything in his power to see his sister, he would not be put off!

Pausing, still bent over the well, Richard experienced acute disappointment when he saw the small figure of a young boy with coal black hair and curious blue eyes. Puzzled by a wave of recognition for the boy Richard paused too long and the boy took it as an invitation to approach. Not in the mood to have idle chit chat with a child Richard once again bent to his task, indicating to the boy through actions that he shouldn’t approach.

“They say yer English!” Ewan questioned loudly from a safe distance away. He had been told by Mrs MacTavish to stay away from the English boy, not once, but twice already this morning. Curiosity had sprung up within him about the stranger the first time he had been warned to keep his distance, but when he was told a second time he was left in no doubt that he would have to disobey the old woman. He did so reluctantly because so far over the last few months he had managed not to disobey his father and he loved it when his father smiled down at him and when Elizabeth hugged him and told him how proud she was of him. No, he didn’t want to ruin this new relationship with his father but he also couldn’t suppress the natural urges of his character.

Ewan stared considering at the silent English boy before him, he had heard the servants whispering that this boy was Elizabeth’s younger brother, the wavy blond hair, piercing blue eyes and regal posture definitely reminded Ewan of Elizabeth, but where Elizabeth was happy, kind, loving and generous there was a slight edge to this boy before him, an uneasiness that in turn made Ewan weary in his presence. “Ye are her brother aren’t
ye? Elizabeth’s I mean!” His curiosity still managed to win out!

Standing up to his tallest height Richard turned towards the boy, resigned to the fact that the quickest way to make him leave would be by answering his questions, he
recognised stubbornness when he saw it! His whole family had more than their fair share of it, but Elizabeth was possibly the most stubborn of them all.

“Yes, Elizabeth is my sister. That is why I have come here”, he didn’t elaborate. He was in no mood to explain himself to a child, especially after the inquisition he had been put through last night from Duncan; he was still fuelled with resentment this morning about the whole thing.

“Well, I guess we’re family then, I’m her son” Ewan extended his hand, proud to say the words for the first time! He even managed to take a slight step forward; his father always said that when you wanted to take a step back always make yourself take a step forward instead so that the other person wouldn’t see your fear.

His pride didn’t last for very long though because almost immediately Richard began to
laugh, it was a harsh sounding laugh and contained very little humour. Ewan’s shoulders drooped and his small hand dropped to his side as though he carried a fistful of lead.

“That’s precious!” Richard scoffed, “a few months ago she didn’t even want to come here, in fact she begged with our father not to send her here, and now you’re walking around calling her mother! You really must be a needy little creature!” His harsh laughter filled the courtyard as he watched the boy race back in the direction he had come from, and he tried to squash any sympathy he felt for him as he watched him race away. He certainly wasn’t here to make any friends, his sister might have married into this family but they were still his enemy and he’d do well to remember that!

At the sound of a door slamming behind him he turned and looked in the direction of the kitchen, but there was no one there. Shrugging he returned to pacing up and down the courtyard, sending looks of hatred towards the two men leaning negligently on either side of the only exit of the courtyard. He had no doubt that they were there to stop him from leaving, to stop him from finding his sister, and he had no doubt that that big Scottish brute had ordered them to do so using any means possible.  

“Oh! Is that Ewan!” Elizabeth exclaimed as his small figure anxiously dashed across their path in the direction of the stables. “We’d best go and see what’s wrong with him”, she veered off along the path he had taken, then paused, looking back towards the castle and indecision crossed her face.

Turning pleading eyes up to Duncan, begging him to understand, she asked, “can you take care of him while I go and find Richard?”

“Of course I can!” Duncan was furious, not liking the choice she had made, “I was his father for a long time before ye arrived!”

“Are you angry?” she questioned, hearing the edge in his voice.

“No Elizabeth! Ye have your priorities and I have mine! Run along and find yer brother while I find out what’s upsetting my son!” and with that he stormed off, praying for patience, not wanting to scare his son with anger that wasn’t meant for him!

“Ewan!” Duncan bellowed as he entered the stables, louder than he had planned!

“Duncan!” William shuffled out of one of the stalls, locking the gate firmly behind him.

“Have ye seen Ewan? I saw him come in here not long ago!”

Nodding, William took Duncan by the arm, leading him out through a small side door that was rarely used by anyone but William. Keeping his voice low he explained, “He came in here mighty upset. He wanted to take one of the horses out. When I asked him where he wanted to go he just said that he
dinnae want to be here, I managed to calm him down somewhat and suggested that if he wanted time alone he could go and sit in my room for a couple of hours without anyone finding him. That’s where he is; at least that’s where I left him not long ago! He wouldnae tell me what was troubling him but hopefully ye’ll have better luck, I’ve not seen the boy so upset before!”

Thanking William, Duncan wasted no time getting to the little house built on to the back of the stable. Without knocking, he opened the door and stopped dead in the doorway as he saw his
bairn huddled in one corner, head in his arms which were rested on top of his bent knees. Duncan could tell from the shaking motion of his little shoulders that he was crying, thinking no one was there to watch. Silently Duncan closed the door, and slowly crossed the room to kneel down in front of his son. Reaching out he questioned, “Ewan?”

“I
dinnae want him here father! Why did he have to come!” Duncan didn’t need to ask who Ewan was referring to, for his son’s feeling matched his own completely. Gathering Ewan in his arms, “shh” he tried to sooth.

“He’s
gonna change everything! It’s not gonna be the same! And these past months with Elizabeth here have been great!” he wiped the tears out of his eyes.

“Elizabeth’s not going anywhere”, he caught Ewan’s chin in his hand, forcing his eyes up to meet his own, willing him to believe, “she is my wife and
yer mother now, here place is here, we are her family!”

“But he laughed when I told him that”, he choked out on another wave of tears, trying to turn his head, trying to hide his tears from his father.

Not letting him hide, Duncan demanded, “and what did Elizabeth say about the whole matter?”

“She said that I was her son now, and that it is my decision whether or not I call her mother!” The tears dried, and a hopeful look appeared in his blue eyes, “do ye think she meant it?”

“Has Elizabeth ever lied to ye?” Duncan asked in return.

Thinking hard Ewan eventually shook his head no, “then she must have meant it after all!” he said with wonder in his voice.

“Richard doesnae know of anything that has happened here over the past couple of months, I’d wager he just said what he did to hurt ye and to make himself feel happier”.

“Really?”

Nodding, Duncan rose to his feet, holding his hand down for his son to take, “come on! Let’s go out for a ride, I havenae looked around some of the farms for a couple of days, ye can come and tell me what ye think!”

“Really?”

Again Duncan nodded, and Ewan jumped to his feet and made a dash towards the stables. Staring in his son's wake Duncan wished that he still had the resilience of a child because he had a feeling he was going to need it!

“Richard!” Elizabeth entered the courtyard, arms extended in welcome.

“Elizabeth!” His smile lit up his face and changed his countenance completely. He was now
unrecognisable as the boy who had behaved so cruelly towards Ewan. He raced forwards taking Elizabeth into his arms. God! but he’d missed his sister, his life had been hell at home with his only alley gone.

Elizabeth’s arms tightened around his shoulders, it was so good to see her little brother again! “Oh! But I was so worried about you Richard, when you rode off from the church that day I didn’t know what they would do to you!”

“Nothing!” he laughed, “I just kept riding, didn’t stop until I reached home! Father questioned me about why I had returned early but he didn’t pursue it for long. Indeed he’s been too preoccupied with the wedding arrangements for all our sisters!”

“What? Who got married?”

“All of them!” he laughed, “You should have seen the men he chose! I almost felt sorry for them!” he grinned mischievously, “but then I thought of you up here” he sobered. “I heard about you getting shot with an arrow! Father never found out, but I managed to hear a few men talking about it. That’s why I came all this way, to make sure you were alright. They didn’t even know if you were alive or dead, but then when father received the letter from your husband explaining that you had recovered well, I wanted to come and make sure for myself!”

“What? Duncan wrote to our father?” Elizabeth’s heart jumped, he hadn’t told her that! But knowing Duncan as she did it would not be something that he cared to boast about! So he wasn’t as opposed to her family as he pretended!

“Anybody there?” Richard questioned sarcastically, waving his hand in front of her face. “You’ve not heard a thing I’ve said for the last couple of minutes! To think I came all of this way only for you to ignore me as though I’m not here!” he half joked, used to having his sisters full attention.

“As you can see Richard, I’m perfectly recovered!” arms out, she spun around to prove just that.

“So I can see. You always did have a good constitution!” Taking her arm, he led her further into the courtyard and as far away from listening ears as he could manage, “I have to be honest Elizabeth, I also came for another reason all together”.

“Why Richard?
What’s wrong”, concern for her brother washed over Elizabeth.

“I’ve come to help you escape this place”, his voice was full of scorn, “and take you back to England with me!” he waited expectantly for her gratitude which he knew must come. He had taken a terrible risk coming here, surely she could appreciate that.

“Take me where in England Richard? Father won’t take me back now!”

“I admit that that’s the part of the plan that I haven’t quite figured out yet, but I’m sure we will find somewhere safe
for you to live” he paused, pondering the dilemma, Elizabeth almost groaned aloud when she saw excitement touch his eyes, “I’ve got it Elizabeth! A convent! You could go and live in a convent, spend your days tending to the sick and needy. You’d love that!”

Elizabeth immediately regretted the shout of laughter which his words had surprised out of her, she hadn’t meant to hurt him but the very idea of going to live in a convent was preposterous!
and the very thought of leaving this place was unbearable. Reaching out a soothing hand, she tried to explain, “It was very brave of you to come all of this way so that you could help me to escape. But truth be told Richard, I don’t want to leave here, I love being here. This is my home now!”

“You’re only saying this because it’s what
he
has told you to say!” Richard voice rose angrily. Elizabeth didn’t need to ask which
he
he was referring to.

“No
he
hasn’t told me to say anything! And
he
is my husband so I’d appreciate it if you’d show him some respect!”

“Well!
he
is a Scott and our sworn enemy and you’d do well to remember that!” He scolded, not liking her attitude.

“He is not my enemy Richard! In fact, my loyalty belongs to him!” With that
said, she spun around on her heel and marched past the guards and out of the now stifling courtyard.

“Elizabeth wait!” he pleaded as the guards blocked the exit, not allowing him to follow. “Please!”

“Why? So that I can listen to you insult my family some more?”

“No!” he shook his head, “to apologize. We’ve never had bad feeling between us before, I don’t want any now. I want to hear how you’ve been these past few months.”