Page 20 of The Forest Bride

“A word with both of you, aye, from—Robert.”

“Aye then.” Duncan glanced at Constantine, both knowing who Malcolm meant. Lennox was a big man, beyond thirty years, with deep brown eyes and nearly black hair, his black beard long and full and streaked with silver, his brown cloak and tunic tattered and plain. Not much of a disguise, Duncan thought; Lord Lennox was a striking fellow in any crowd, and his voice, deep and rich and distinctive, carried far. But the man kept his voice muted as he spoke with them.

“Can we talk here?” he murmured.

“If you whisper and keep that great head down and covered,” Constantine said. “Is that gray I see in your beard?”

“Life is hard, lad. I should be judging contests and eating pies,” he said. “But I am not willing to serve King Edward, so there go my lands.” He shrugged.

“The king you admire will get your lands back someday,” Duncan said. “Did he send you here?”

“He sent me to find you both. He awaits the arrival of a very important lady who came this way, and he needs to know her status. She has disappeared,” he added.

“A fugitive from king’s justice?” Duncan asked in a low tone. “Was she on her way to Brechlinn? I have three guests there, priests who will be moved soon. My men will do that before I return, but we have room for more.”

“I have news about that as well. Another cleric will be sent to you to be conveyed to the Isles. But not this lady.”

“And what of her?’

“Bruce arranged for her to be taken safely to the Isles. But she never arrived at the Firth to meet the ship. I am here to find out why, and to alert you both as justiciar and sheriff’s deputy. He needs to know she is safe. I am to bring back any news.”

“Who is she?”

“A very significant and very young lady.”

Exchanging a glance with Constantine, Duncan frowned. “We heard of a young girl traveling this way with an escort party,” he said. “They were ambushed by brigands. She was rescued by another party, and taken to meet her kinfolk.”

“But that girl was a child,” Constantine added.

“Who were the kinfolk?” Lennox asked.

“MacDougalls, we were told,” Duncan said.

“Not the same lady then. I cannot say more here.” Malcolm glanced around.

“Menteith’s men saved the girl, so he claims,” Duncan went on.

“The one we must find was accompanied by Keiths and some of Bruce’s men.”

A cold chill ran through him. “Keiths?”

“Henry Keith and his sisters hosted the young lady at Kincraig for a while, until Robert requested that she be sent toIreland. It was arranged that one of the Keith sisters would help escort her out of Scotland.”

“Keith’s sisters are still at Kincraig?” Duncan asked.

“One is at Dalrinnie, I hear, having married a Seton. There are two others.”

“The Seton who runs with the outlaws in the Ettrick Forest?” Constantine asked. “I know of him. A good and loyal fellow.”

“Aye. Bruce trusts him,” Duncan added. His heart was pounding unaccountably. “And the other sisters? Are there three?”

“I do not know how many sisters Henry has, but I have heard they are beauties, desirable to any man, and even more desirable for their kinsmen and their fortune. I only know Bruce wanted this young lady taken from Kincraig to Ireland. But if the child you mention went to MacDougalls, she is not the one I seek.”

Mention of the Keith sisters had shaken him, but Duncan nodded. “I will find out what I can. Give me a day or so.”

“Very well. I will find you again. Bruce has gone south, have you heard? Men are gathering behind him in great numbers in the southwest.”

“We heard.” Constantine nodded. “Word is spreading that his forces are growing. Duncan, they are calling for the next set of archers. Here.” He handed the bow and quiver to Duncan. “We will cheer you on, hey.”