Ella
Ican see the facade of Galloway Castle through the trees as Willow and I trot alongside Magni and Alasdair. We entered his family’s lands over an hour ago, and the long ride here has been nothing less than spectacular. The forest is a rich green, dense with a wide array of plants and trees, some of which are enormous. I simply cannot wait to explore these woods, and I have told Alasdair exactly that at least ten times so far.
The sun is blinding as we exit the canopy of trees, making my eyes blink and water. When my vision finally adjusts, my heart flutters with excitement as I take in the opulence of my new home.
“Alasdair! This is so beautiful. I never imagined…”
“Aye. It was built in the 1500s by my great-grandsire many times over. A few others added to it over the centuries, but maintaining its integrity has been the utmost priority of my family for almost three hundred years.” I can hear the pride in his voice.
We dismount when the groomsmen arrive to take Willow and Magni to the stables. I take a minute to talk to her, bringing my nose to the long bridge of hers. “Thank you, Willow. That was more fun than we’ve had in a long time, huh, girl? Although Magni might be a bit moody for a day or two, he’ll get past it soon enough.” Willow knickers and nods her head in response.
“Ah, ye do know that was loud enough fer both of us to hear, aye?”
I can’t help but laugh, and I swear Willow does the same. “Was it?”
“Yes. It was. An’ I suppose you and yer magic horse are never going to let us live it down, hmm, Lady Stewart?” I see the corner of his mouth lift into a charming half smile.
With a hardy laugh, I look at Willow, patting her side, “Did you hear that, girl? Alasdair thinks you are a magic horse!” She whinnies and stomps her front hoof, making Alasdair and me burst into laughter.
“Weel, aren’t you two the happy couple. Found yer wedded bliss so soon, aye?”
The raspy brogue startles me, and I turn to find an elderly man leaning on his cane and wearing a rather charming grin.
“Hello, Father,” Alasdair calls out, then takes my hand. “Come. Let me introduce ye, and do’na worry, he only looks like a grouchy ol’ curmudgeon.”
“I heard that,” his father says before gasping on a cough.
After a short flight of stairs, we stop on the landing at the grand front entrance of carved, dark wood double doors, guarded by two noble lion statues.
“Father, I’d like to introduce my lovely wife, Lady Ella Stewart.”
His father reaches for my hand, shakily bowing down to offer a proper kiss. His breaths are heavy with a rattling wheeze.
“Ella, this is my father, Callen Stewart, Earl of Galloway.”
“Yes. Well, not fer long. I’ll be dead any day now. But at least I got the chance to meet yer bride. She is lovely indeed.” He is interrupted by another coughing fit, and I can see the concern in Alasdair’s eyes.
“Ye should be resting inside, Da. Ye did’na need to push yerself fer a simple greeting.”
“That’s kind of ye, son. But at this point, it does’na make a difference. Therefore, I do what I want.” He finishes his statement with a wink in my direction and a half smile that reminds me of Alasdair. I feel my own sadness set in knowing that I will not have the time to get to know this man as well as I would like.
“’Tis a fair point, and we are glad yer here. Shall we go inside? I know Ella is excited to see her new home.”
“Ye should be,” Callen says succinctly as he shuffles toward the door. “It’s an impressive manor. The only problem is that it’s too damn big. It’s a bloody pain in the arse to get from one end to the other.”
Alasdair and I laugh as the footman holds open the door. Once inside, my breath stops on a sharp inhale. “Oh my! Lord Galloway, this is impressive indeed.”
“It’ll be Callen to you, my dear. When yer knocking on death’s door, formalities seem a waste of time.” He stops then to catch his breath as the servant brings over a chair on wheels.
“Please, sir, sit here. I’ll take ye to the parlor,” the man says to Callen.
“Fine, fine, thank ye, Douglas.”
Callen sits down in the well-worn chair and closes his eyes as Douglas pushes him through the foyer.
I turn to Alasdair. “I’ve never seen a chair such as that. What a brilliant idea.”
“Aye. There is a local craftsman that is a very skilled wheelwright. We had him fashion wheels for Da’s favorite chair. He did’na use it much at first, but as his health has declined, he has a renewed appreciation fer it.”