Jerry interjected playfully. “Aye, she is lass and ’tis damned annoying. I canna silently begrudge her anything without her finding out about it and charming me into forgiving her.”
Morna laughed and leaned gently into her husband. “I am no that good at it, but ye are quite open with yer thoughts. ’Twas easy to see the things ye desired most from your trip here.”
She was spot on. There was nothing more that I wished to get. Everything I thought I would be unable to find was here. As far as I was concerned, we could make our way back to the castle immediately. But as I glanced over to see Mary gleefully playing with the running water in the kitchen, I thought better of suggesting we leave right away. “I cannot thank you enough, Morna. There’s no need for me to make a trip into the city now, but would it be all right with you if we stay here tonight and leave in the morning?”
“Of course, lass. I wouldna have it any other way. I’m anxious to catch up with Mary, and I canna wait to hear her cries of excitement when we allow her to take a hot shower.”
Chapter 5
Near Conall Castle
1646
The wind blew icy snow roughly into his face, and Hew could barely see the path in front of him. His fingers and nose burned from the pain of the harsh wind and bitter cold. With each step forward, his horse slowed his pace.
He didn’t wish to stop for the night. He was so very close to the end of his journey, but he knew that his four-legged companion would not be able to go much further. He groaned inwardly at the thought of where he knew he must stop. Conall Castle, his sister’s place of residence, was so close that he could make it out in the distance, its grandness evident even through the storm.
Hew knew it had been far too long since he’d paid a visit to Mary, nearly ten years by his count, possibly longer. He missed her, but he knew she would treat his arrival as a celebration. The thought of such attention caused him to cringe inwardly.
Still, there was hardly another choice. Bracing himself for the torture he knew was about to ensue, he leaned down close to Greggory’s ear whispering words of encouragement as he nudged the old horse to the right. “Just a wee bit further, lad. There shall be a fine stable and blankets to keep ye warm just ahead. I’m sorry to have taken ye out in such a storm. I shall see ye well fed tonight, old fellow.”
*
Flames flickered in the stables, so Hew knew before he approached that someone was still at work within them. They were most likely preparing the horses for the evening, making sure they were properly tended to in the cold weather.
He rode straight into the stables before calling out to whomever worked inside. He knew enough of the Conalls’ generosity to know that they would not protest to anyone seeking shelter for their horse on such a night.
Hew dismounted, quickly brushing the snow off of Greggory’s coat, jumping at the sound of the voice in the stall at the end. “What sort of a fool would travel in this weather? ’Tis no so good for yer horse, sir. What be yer name?”
Hew’s cheeks suddenly warmed. For a moment, he feared he would be unable to utter a word. He’d not spoken to another person in many moons. He swallowed, steeling himself and spoke boldly. “The fool’s name is Hew. I apologize for the intrusion, but I must ask yer permission to allow me and me horse to rest here for the night. The poor lad willna be able to go much further.”
A strong lad as tall as him, with long, shaggy blonde hair stepped out of the stall and smiled as he walked toward him. He knew the man must be the youngest Conall brother, Arran, but the lad had been much younger the last Hew had seen him.
“Aye, of course ye can. It would be a wretched man to turn away anyone in a storm such as this.”
Hew continued to rub the sleeves of his covering over his horse’s coast, doing his best to dry the animal. “Thank ye, sir. I shall help ye in the cleaning of the stables come morning in payment for yer kindness. Ye are Arran, are ye no?”
Arran reached for a blanket draped over the doors of one of the stalls and moved to help him in his efforts. “Nay, that willna be necessary. Aye, I am Arran. Should I know ye, sir?”
Hew shook his head as they worked alongside each other, warming and drying the beast. “Nay, I doona expect that ye would remember me, but I believe that ye know me sister, Mary. Is she still in service to yer family?”
The strapping lad next to him patted the horse gently on the backside before casting a rather surprised expression in his direction. “Nay, ye canna mean it? Ye’re Mary’s brother? Well, ’tis a pleasure to meet ye. And aye, we know Mary well, but I wouldna say she is in our service. This castle is more hers than me brother’s.”