Page 86 of The Falcon Laird

She lowered her eyes, gulped, and nodded.

“And there is a sentinel there, wide awake,” Gavin went on. “It is a wonder he did not see the children the first time. He drew his sword when I cracked the door, but he nodded when he saw me, and I waved a sign of peace, to let them be.”

“He recognizes you from the other day,” Fergus said. “Even if Hastings’ men did not.”

Gavin flashed him a grim look, then turned a stony glance on Christian. “Did you invite these guests, my lady?”

Christian lifted her chin. “He is my cousin. My king. What will you do?”

“I will honor a debt,” he said curtly, then spun and walked away.

“Ach,” Fergus said. “He’ll say no word to the English. But he has a hellish look in his eyes.”

“He does,” she murmured. “And I put it there.”

Chapter Twenty-One

“Was it heatherale you were after when you went to Moira’s house?” Gavin guided his taller black stallion alongside the leggy white mare that Christian rode sidesaddle. His words were mild enough, but his tone was grim. “Or was it rebellion?”

She looked at him warily. Following the path of a wide burn, they headed northwest toward Ayr. Cool mist floated around them, though the rain had finally ceased. Tense silence, but for brusque necessary remarks regarding the journey, had been the norm, even when they had stopped once to rest and nibble some oatcakes. She was grateful now to ease that with a clearing of the air.

“We have been drinking Moira’s heather ale this week. Some think it worth any bit of trouble.”

“It is fine stuff, but this time its price comes high,” he growled. “Did you plan to join the rebellion the day you went to fetch the ale?”

“I did not. And I am no spy.” She remembered then that she and Fergus had listened through the well shaft. But she had said nothing to Bruce of it herself.

“But you saw Bruce?”

“It was arranged. He is my cousin,” she added.

“I am aware. Did you invite him to Kilglassie?”

A blush heated her throat, spilled up into her cheeks. “He rather invited himself. He knew about the storage chamber and considered sheltering there in this foul weather. He is my kinsman and my king.” She raised her chin higher, flaring hernostrils. “But I did not let them in, and that is the truth,” she went on. “There is a sally port in the rock on the lochside. A tunnel leads to the underground chamber. They came that way, and I never saw them until we all went there together.”

A frown flashed over his face. “A hidden entrance in the promontory? You knew about it?”

She nodded. “It is my home. I had always heard about it, but it has not been used since my father’s time. Perhaps my grandfather’s time. I did not even think of it.”

“I see. Why did you meet with him?” His tone was quieter.

“I was captured with the other women last September, but I am free now. I wanted to tell him what I knew of his other kinswomen. He needed to know that. He is just a man,” she said pointedly, glancing at him. “He needed to know.”

“I wish,” he said after a stretch of silence, “you had told me any of this. All of this.”

“Tell my Sassenach husband?”

“Will we ever get past that? I hoped we were.”

“I thought so. But when I knew I could see Robert, I could not tell you because of your obligation.”

“Obligation?”

“I know there may still be a garrison installed at Kilglassie, and I know your orders include helping to destroy my cousin, the man I call king and you do not. I also know Kilglassie’s gold could be stolen if it is ever found. You are committed to that. I understand. I try to. But you must understand that I had to be cautious. It is important to me and to my cousin. To Scotland.”

“And it is important that I have your trust. I honor that, what I can get of your trust,” he added.

“Honor it best you can,” she pointed out.