Kristin Vayden by Surviving Scotland

Author:Surviving Scotland
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

The evening meal was tense. Silence reigned as the food was eaten with the sound of trenchers shuffling and ale tankards thumping on the wooden table. A few times Cullon tried to break the tense atmosphere, but his efforts fell flat. Ioan ate in silence, his gaze meeting mine from across the table. I excused myself shortly after finishing, and retired to my room. I wondered how long I had to stay at Dumbarton. Was the danger past back at home? The tense atmosphere would undoubtedly break at some point, but I didn’t want to stay and wait it out, if it wasn’t necessary. The rhythmic tug of my brush, clearing out the snarls, was soothing. A knock sounded at my door and I jumped in surprise.

“Yes?”

“‘Tis I, Margaret.”

What could she want? With cautious steps I reached for the handle and pulled open the heavy door. Margaret stood just in the hall, strangely close to the door.

“May I come in?”

I nodded and stepped aside.

“Ye’re happy here, are ye no’?” Margaret questioned me, her fingers grazing the table beside the hearth’s warming fire.

“Aye.” I nodded, watching her movements with care and curiosity. I hesitated in closing the door completely and left it slightly ajar.

“Would it be so bad to live here?” She turned to scrutinize my face as I answered.

“No, ye have a lovely castle.”

“Then why did ye refuse Cullon?” Her eyes bore into mine, demanding an answer.

“Because I canna love him.”

“Is that all?”

“I love another.”

“‘Twill pass,” she responded lightly and clasped her small hands in front of her dress.

“Nay. Do ye want me ta marry yer son and be wishin’ he were someone else? Would that be fair? I couldna live knowin’ me husband loved another. ‘Twould break me heart.” I shook my head, trying to penetrate her defense.

“‘Tis done all the time. Love, life goes on.” Her cold approach to life shocked me.

“I donna want that. I willna willingly do that ta someone.”

She took a deep breath and studied my expression, as if searching for a weakness to exploit.” Ye must leave then. I donna want ta be reminded o’ what ye and yer uncle have done. He promised ye. Said ye had agreed to marry me Cullon. I saw ye as a daughter, treated ye as a daughter, and ye betrayed us all. I donna want ta see ye or my traitorous nephew.” The venom with which she spoke startled me.

“Mither?” a voice called from down the hall. Immediately her countenance changed to one of benign indifference. She patted my arm as she passed me by and walked to the door.

“So nice to have a chat with ye.” She nodded and walked out into the hall. “Here I am, Cullon. I was just havin’ a talk with Elle.”

The sound of her retreating footsteps along with Cullon’s heavy footfalls released me from my shock. Who would see love through such a skewed perspective? My heart hurt for Cullon. His own mother was willing to forfeit his happiness for prestige.

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