Page 16 of Scottish Rose: Coira

Lance’s eyes snapped up. “You’ll not say a word of any of this to her.”

“Then you’ll find out from her where the Scots hid the stone?”

Lance didn’t want to be put in this position. He was happy here and didn’t care about the stone. He only wanted to live a normal life and raise children with Coira. But he also wanted Coira to be proud of him and to be happy. She seemed so frightened and frail. Last night, they had made progress. And this morning, she had seemed like a different woman once again. Aye, it was best not to upset things. If he could nonchalantly find out from her where the Scots hid the stone, all his problems would be solved. He didn’t care about the coronation stone at all. If one action would keep his uncle away and secure Liddel Castle as his own, he had no choice but to do it.

“All right,” he said, finishing off his ale and slamming the tankard down on the table. His uncle made him so furious that he was ready to strangle the man with his bare hands. “I’ll find out where the stone is, but then you will leave my castle and never threaten me again. Do you understand?”

“Done,” said Philip with a grin spreading across his face. “Now, where is this bride of yours? I would like to congratulate her on her marriage.”

“You’ll meet her when I say so, and not before. So, make yourself scarce,” spat Lance, storming off to meet up with Coira.

Chapter 7

“Zara, I had an incredible night with Lance.” Coira strolled the courtyard with Zara at her side. The day was bright and sunny, and she felt happier than ever before.

“Well, I should hope so,” said the old gypsy. “After all, it was your wedding night. Was he gentle and did he treat you right?”

Sweetcakes walked at her side. The dog’s fur was still wet so Coira wanted it to dry in the sun. She reached down and petted the dog on the head, smiling as she answered Zara. “Oh, aye. He was very lovin’ and carin’. I was frightened before, but now I feel safe when I am around him.”

“As it should be,” answered Zara.

“Coira!” Lance flagged her down from across the courtyard, dodging several servants and knights as he hurried over to her. Sweetcakes barked and jumped up to greet him. He quickly touched the dog on the head and then put his arm around Coira. “I’m glad you’re here. I wanted to take a walk with you and show you around the castle.”

Suddenly, Coira’s mood changed. She couldn’t help remembering the time she had spent here six years ago as a prisoner. She no longer wanted to go anywhere and found herself with the urge to flee the courtyard.

“I dinna care to see the castle,” Coira announced.

“Why not?” asked Lance.

Coira’s eyes interlocked with Zara’s. Zara nodded, coaxing her to tell Lance her past experiences at Liddel Castle, but she couldn’t. Not yet. Not here. She had been so happy this morning and refused to go back to that dark place in her mind where she felt she could never escape. “I suppose a short walk would be all right. Where did ye have in mind to go?”

Zara threw her a scolding look and excused herself, leaving Coira and Lance alone.

“I have another present for you, Coira.” He took her hands in his, smiling at her and making her forget her surroundings. All that mattered when she was with Lance was that they were together. He was her husband, and she decided she liked the idea.

“Another present?” she asked. “But ye already gave me the dog.”

Sweetcakes barked and led the way as Lance guided her toward the side of the castle.

“I was going to end here, but I am too excited to show you. So, I will start here instead.” He opened a small, wooden gate and led her into a garden just off the kitchen. It was overgrown and had lots of weeds but, to her surprise, there were also beautiful flowers blooming.

“It’s a garden,” she said, reaching out to touch the soft petals of one red rose.

“It’s not just a garden, but it is your garden, Coira. From now on, you can do whatever you want with it. If you want the servants to plant herbs or, mayhap, more flowers, it is your decision.”

“Oh, I love it,” she said, feeling very special. “But I dinna want servants to work in the garden. I want to do it myself.”

“Coira, you are a lady now, and should be spending your time sewing in the ladies solar, or perhaps learning about the ledgers.”

“I will do all that in time,” she said, going from one flower to the next, sniffing them all. “But for now, I want to work in my garden.”

“It’s very overgrown and will require a lot of work,” he told her. “You will need help. You can’t do it by yourself.”

“Then I’ll have Zara help me,” she said, the smile returning to her face. This was one place she’d never seen in the time she’d spent at Liddel Castle. Then again, the only part she knew well was the courtyard where she spent most of her time locked in a hanging cage. This place was different. Instead of being surrounded by dark memories and death, there was new life here. Yes, this is where she wanted to spend most of her time.

The dog sniffed around the garden, then saw a squirrel and took off chasing it.

“Sweetcakes,” she called out, running after the hound. “Come here, ye curious, little hound.” She exited the garden and ran to the back of the castle, chasing the dog. But she stopped dead in her tracks when she turned a corner and bumped into something she didn’t expect to see. She screamed, looking at the cage on the ground that had once been her prison. Next to it was a second cage – the one that had been occupied by her sister, Effie.