Page 59 of Much Ado About a Scot

“Gamelshiel Castle is located east of here, nestled between Stenton and the Lammermuir Hills. It is not far from here, a two-hour ride on horseback.” He took her hands in his. “It is where I can best show you all the parts of myself.” He suddenly frowned. “You’re trembling? After you have braved a difficult harvest, fire, kidnapping, torture, and being tried as a witch, why does going to my home frighten you?”

“It is not fear,” she said honestly. “I suddenly realize that I am unburdened. I have not been free of worry for . . .” She laughed. “I cannot remember a time.”

“I promise you there will be more worry-free days in your future.”

*

Xander’s chest felt unaccountably tight. Hopefully he would feel worry-free himself very soon. If they were to have a future together, then her accepting him for who he was—the good and the bad—was critical. He had long ago given up on ever finding a woman like her, but she stood before him now. He might not have all the pretty words she might want him to say, nor was he the epitome of a proper gentleman, but he was sincere in his affection toward her and he would move mountains to make certain she had a more secure life than had been afforded her thus far.

Before he got ahead of himself, he had to take her to his home. That was where he would know if his dreams would become a reality or not—within the walls of Gamelshiel Castle.

Chapter Twenty-One

Dusk was nearly upon Xander, Isobel, and Jamie by the time Gamelshiel Castle came into view. The dying rays of sunlight struck the whinstone that comprised the massive structure, making it sparkle with a jewel-like brilliance. Xander smiled. The sight brought with it a bittersweet pang of happiness. “Welcome to my home.”

“This is a fortress.” Isobel’s face was alight with curiosity as they rode their horses over the drawbridge and into the outer bailey. Torches had been set to light their way. At the clip-clop of the horses’ hooves on the packed soil, shuttered windows in the outbuildings swung open and curious onlookers followed their progress through to the inner bailey. When they reached the courtyard, Xander stopped, causing Isobel’s horse to stop beside his.

“This is the biggest castle I’ve ever seen,” Jamie said from his seat on Xander’s horse.

Isobel chuckled. “This is the only castle you’ve ever seen.”

“How do you get to live here?” Jamie asked, his eyes wide as he looked around.

“Gamelshiel was given to me by the king as repayment for saving his life.”

The castle’s massive double doors swung open and two servants rushed out to gather the reins of their horses. Xander slipped from his saddle with Jamie in his arms. He set the little boy on his feet before reaching up to assist Isobel down.

Upon their arrival, three men and four women of the castle spilled out of the doors. They arranged themselves in a line ready to greet him. Xander would never grow tired of that feeling of being welcomed home after a long absence. As a boy he’d never had that. Now as a man, he appreciated that feeling of being cared for and even missed. “This way, Isobel, Jamie. I’d like to introduce you to the people whom I consider my family.”

He took Isobel’s hand and brought her first to meet Hardwick, his steward. “Hardwick, and all of you, I’d like to introduce you to my wife, Isobel and her son, Jamie.”

The older man bowed then straightened to beam a wide smile at her. “Welcome, milady.” To Jamie who followed them he said, “Master James, ’tis good to meet you.”

“Master James? Mummy, did you hear what he called me?”

Isobel turned to Jamie. “Show Hardwick proper respect with a bow.”

The little boy bowed low, almost touching the ground, which brought a round of chuckles from those farther down the line.

Isobel returned Hardwick’s smile before they continued to his chatelaine. “This is Mrs. Becks. She runs this castle with more efficiency than anyone else in the land could do.”

The middle-aged redhead blushed. “You are too kind, m’laird.”

“Your laird has promised to only tell the truth from now on, so I must believe what he says is the truth,” Isobel said with a wink at the chatelaine.

He introduced her next to Mrs. Ellon, the cook; Grace and Allory, the maids; Mr. Anoroff, the groundskeeper; Mr. Pratus, the mason; and finally Joel and Fritz, the two grooms who had rejoined them after seeing to the horses. Isobel graciously greeted them all.

Xander led her and Jamie through the massive double doors and into the great hall that was as resplendent as any hall in the kingdom. Overhead a many-candled chandelier burned brightly, illuminating the cavernous room. The walls were adorned with six massive tapestries. Three on either side of the hall. The tapestries were of a young maiden and a unicorn and set upon a red background with gold embellishments.

“They are beautiful,” Isobel breathed, moving closer to examine the woven textile.

“My brother-in-arms, Cameron Sinclair, who is not only a laird but also owns a fleet of merchant ships, was able to secure them for me from a weaver in Flanders. The series is called ‘The Lady and the Unicorn.’ They represent the five human senses, with the sixth tapestry representing understanding, intuition, or the sixth sense.”

Mrs. Becks joined them in the chamber and noticing Jamie was not as interested in a tour of the castle asked, “Master James, would you like to come with me upstairs to the nursery? There are many toys for you to play with up there.”

“Toys?” Jamie bounced up and down. “Can I go, Mummy? Please?”

“As long as you are on your best behavior for Mrs. Becks,” Isobel replied.