Page 57 of Fearless Heart
“You give me no choice then.” The dark comrade looked after Heath, Graeme, and Brodin as they left the ossuary.
Lillia stood still and pondered approaching the man. She had to do what she’d proposed to do when she’d learned of her birthright. With caution, she stepped around the horse and approached the man.
“I am the woman you seek.”
The dark warrior startled. He flashed a grin and bowed. “My lady … Lillia, I am Sir James Douglas, loyal servant to the king, Robert the Bruce.”
“I know who you are. Do you truly mean to take me to King Robert?”
He nodded. “Aye, I only mean to keep you safe. The guard … they don’t realize to what lengths the Comyns will do to possess you. You are a means to an end for them for they mean to rule the kingdom through you. It is their last hope at gaining the crown. They’re desperate in their search of you.”
“That may be. I do not wish the guard to be subjected to the king’s punishment. Would you really tell him of their location?”
James tilted his head. “Those lads … the guard are the most loyal men to the king, almost as loyal as I am. I consider them to be of the highest character, och I must force their hand. If they do not allow me to take you to the king, I will have no other recourse than to speak of their doings and location.”
“You would do so even though you consider them good friends?” Lillia was stunned by his admission.
“I owe King Robert my life and would do anything to aid him. The guard knows this. They would understand even if they disagree.”
Lilla moved around the stall and stood in front of the surly fellow. “If I go with you, will you promise to keep their location secret? I don’t want them harmed because of me.”
The man smiled, his cheeks puffed a small bit. “Of course, my lady. I am honorable and if I say I shan’t divulge their whereabouts, I won’t. But I must take you to Robert.”
She nodded. “Very well. I will come, but not right now for if I leave straightaway, Heath will suspect something afoul. I will meet you on the road to the village in the darkest part of night. Will that suit you?” That was the only time she thought to get away since Heath often went missing during the night hours.
“It will suit fine. You’re doing the right thing, my lady. The king would never hurt ye.” He turned to leave.
“Await.” Lillia stopped him from leaving. “Are the guard correct in saying he shall keep me imprisoned? I shall never see my family or Heath again?”
He nodded, but otherwise didn’t affirm her suspicions. Before he turned his back on her he sighed. “I’m certain the king will constrain your movements, but you’ll be housed and kept in the way you’re accustomed, in comforts befitting your station.”
Lillia raised a brow, but couldn’t retort for the surly man left the ossuary. She wasn’t given time to reflect on her decision because Gilroy returned with water for the horses. After helping him feed and bed down the animals, she ambled toward the main cave. She didn’t want to go inside and stood by the vines, hoping for a way to avoid being in the same chamber as Heath and his comrades. Surely she’d give herself away, for she wasn’t good at hiding her feelings. Her husband would suspect something were she to remain quiet throughout the evening.
Heath joined her by the vines. “There you are. I was about to search for you …”
“I was enjoying the solitude of the evening.” Lillia embraced him and closed her eyes, taking in his scent and the feeling of him against her. After this night, she’d likely never see him again. Tiredness came to her body and she wished to be alone, to wallow in the dejection of having to leave him. She envisioned herself isolated in a chamber by her lonesome. That was how she’d end, a tired, old, forgotten maiden.
“’Tis cold and the wind is picking up. You should come inside. I must warn you, there’s a comrade inside. I would that you not speak to him.”
She nodded, but kept her eyes averted when she entered. Annag made a delicious meal of venison and filled the table with lighter fare. Lillia found herself replete and wouldn’t eat a bite. Throughout the evening, most kept quiet and only small conversation was had. Whatever James had done to Kerrigan must’ve been forgiven for she conversed easily with the man.
Lillia excused herself and went to lie upon the bedding she shared with Heath behind the screen. As soon as she was out of view, she felt a sob tear at her chest. There was only one way to keep herself and Heath safe and that was to present herself to the king. As much as she’d rather stay with Heath, the peril was too great.
She gathered a few of her belongings and stuffed her satchel, the one she’d hid behind the large rock on the night she left home. The remembrance of that night and how she met Gilroy came. Faced with the prospect of never seeing Heath again saddened her and she wished she had never come across him at the king’s autumn festival. She could hear her sisters-in-law now speaking their wisdom: ‘tis better to have loved and gone astray than never to have loved at all. But in truth, she’d rather not be tormented with the memories of his touches, his kisses, and his smile.
Yet Lillia had loved and lost once, long ago when he’d been sent away. There must be a good reason why God would put Heath in her path again. Nevertheless, she had to go through with her plan. If she reasoned with the king, she might gain her freedom. Mayhap she could sign a writ to promise not to covet his crown even if his enemies got hold of her.
Heath joined her in bed a short time later. She snuggled against his hard body and sighed. He never slept and only peered at the rocky slope of the cave above them. She waited patiently for him to leave, which he did each night. Lillia didn’t move for a good ten minutes after he left. She grabbed her satchel and snatched Heath’s tartan from the bed and stepped lightly through the main great chamber of the cave.
Outside, the night was quiet. She heard the guard’s voices afar from the caves. Fortunately they were on the opposite side of where she trekked. Lillia hurried through the fields and into the nearby woods. Once there, she hastened her pace and found her way to the lane that led to Dumfries’ village. The night air chilled her and she pulled the tartan around her shoulders. Her breath fogged the air as fast as she moved and soon she was breathless from the jaunt. Slowing her pace, she meandered toward the village and kept watch for James.
She about jumped a foot from the ground when he bounded from the trees. Lillia held her chest and tried to calm herself.
“By all that is holy, you scared the shit from me. How unchivalrous of you.”
“My lady, my apologies. I didn’t mean to frighten you. I wasn’t sure you’d come.”
“I have kept my word, Sir James. Will you keep yours?”