She hurried across the bailey with Thomas and Jamie in tow. On the way, she stopped a passing servant to give instructions.
“Jane, tell Cook we have guests and need refreshments brought to the hall at once. Tell Alys to have rooms prepared.”
She did not recognize the livery of the dozen men waiting on the other side of the portcullis, but they had the look of Northerners. Perhaps it was all the ginger hair and beards, or the way they stood as though they owned the world and were almost hoping for a fight.
She signaled for the guards to open the gate and waited as the men rode in. A well-dressed youth of perhaps twelve or thirteen dismounted and stepped forward, fidgeting with his hat. He was a good-looking boy with auburn hair, warm brown eyes, and a smattering of freckles across his cheeks and the bridge of his nose. He looked not one whit like William.
The lad looked over her shoulder, as though expecting someone else. Realizing his rudeness, he colored.
Catherine had to stifle a smile as he gave her a beautiful, if rather dramatic, bow.
“I am Stephen Neville Carleton.” His voice broke with nervousness as he said it. “I thought to find my brother, Lord William Neville FitzAlan, here. If you would kindly tell him I am here, m’lady, I would be most grateful.”
“I’m afraid Lord FitzAlan has been called away,” she told him. “I do not know if you received news of your brother’s marriage, but I am Lady Catherine, your new sister-in-law.”
She gave him a warm smile. Though she did not know it, from that moment, young Stephen was hers.
“Welcome to Ross Castle,” she said to the men who accompanied Stephen. “I am sure Lord FitzAlan will be as grateful to you as I am for bringing his brother to us safely.”
The men took turns bowing and introducing themselves.
“The servants will take care of your horses,” she said, bidding them to follow her. “We have refreshments for you in the hall.”
She took Stephen’s arm and walked with him toward the keep. They were of a height so that her face was close to his as she asked him about his journey. He had an appealing, almost pretty face, with large dark eyes, a straight nose, and full rosy lips. As he got older and his looks turned more masculine, he would have the ladies sighing.
As they passed through the second gate to the inner bailey, Edmund came running down the steps of the keep two at a time. He shouted greetings at a couple of the Northerners who came with Stephen.
“So this is young Stephen,” Edmund said, thumping him on the back. “I would not have known you. You were crawling on all fours and smelling of piss when last I saw you.”
Stephen scrunched his shoulders and made a face, but Edmund did not appear to notice.
“This will be quite a surprise for William,” Edmund said.
It sounded like a warning; from the wary look on Stephen’s face, the lad took it as such.
As soon as she had the visitors settled at table with wine and ale, Edmund appeared at her side.
“Pardon us a moment,” he said to the others. His smile was polite, but his grip on her arm was unyielding. “The lady and I have an urgent matter to discuss.”
He marched her into the corridor outside the hall.
“Why was I not called?” he demanded. “William made me responsible for the safety of this castle. You should not have ordered the gate open without my permission!”
“I do not need your permission to admit guests here,” she said between clenched teeth. “I admitted no dangerous men, only my lord’s young brother and his escort.”
“God’s beard, how could you be sure it was his brother? And a man’s brother may also be his enemy. William can tell you that, if you do not know it.”
“But you know these men,” she argued, “and that boy is surely no threat.”
“My God, woman, we are in the midst of rebellion,” he said, raising his hands in the air. “You shall not act so foolishly again while I am in charge.”
Catherine was too angry to concede anything. “You hear me well, Edmund Forrester,” she said, shaking a finger in his face. “I have been the mistress of this castle since I was twelve years old. You may order the men about, but you shall not give orders to me.”
She jerked her arm from his hold and left him there, wishing she had a door to slam.
Thomas watched Edmund take Lady Catherine from the hall. He did not like it. Not at all. Hearing their raised voices, he grew more concerned. He drummed his fingers as he thought of an excuse to interrupt them.
The door was flung open, and Lady Catherine entered, eyes blazing and silk skirts flowing out behind her. The men in the hall stopped, their cups midair, to watch her.