Page 43 of The Forest Bride

“Wildcat,” he said. “Going out on a rope of blankets. Dear God. Sleep now.”

“My sister escaped a tower on a rope of linens.”

“Is that where you got the inspiration?”

“She needed to escape a threat. I thought I could do the same.”

“You are not threatened here, my girl. Did she survive the fall?”

“She was fine. A knight came by who aided her, since she was being pursued.”

“Fortunate she did not break her neck. Who was in pursuit?” He half turned in the darkness. The low rumble of his voice sent a warm thrill through her. “Is this the Keith daughter who lately married Seton of Dalrinnie?”

“You heard of that?”

“Lennox mentioned it. Apparently King Edward caused trouble for the lady over something she possessed.”

“A book. Edward demanded to take what did not belong to him.”

“It is sometimes his habit.”

“Sometimes! He expects all Scotland to buckle under his bidding until he owns every plot of land, every castle, board, blanket, and book we own. Our very lives too.”

“Go easy, wildcat. Though many would agree with you.”

“I suppose you would not, since you are in Edward’s employ.”

“My position as justiciar is overseen by Edward and his commanders. I did give him my knight’s oath, but that was to preserve life and limb. I do what I must. But I would not say I am in his employ, exactly.”

“You cooperate with the English rule of law.”

“I keep to Scots’ law, lass.”

“You still have a castle, while Edward takes any Scottish castle he can.”

“Brechlinn is small and too remote to bother. They did come through and tried to burn it down, but I am rebuilding. My father left it to me and I am grateful to have it.”

“I remember your father. I liked him. My father is gone now.”

“I know. I was sorry to hear it.”

“I remember hearing that the great Caelin Mor Campbell had been killed. My father was upset. He said he was a good man, the best of his kind.”

“Aye, and taken down heinously,” he growled. She felt the chill in it.

“So you have his position as justice now. That seems a good thing for you.”

“I do my best. So your sister had something the king wanted?” he went on. “Would you have anything Edward might covet?”

The brooch. She caught her breath. Would Edward covet the Rhymer’s brooch as he had coveted the book that Tamsin had? “An—item a king would want? I doubt it.”

“Good. If you had something valuable, it might be another reason your escort was attacked. You could be a target on Edward’s orders.”

That surprised her. “King Robert’s daughter was the target. And Menteith’s knights came after us, not Edward’s. So you believe me now about the attack?”

“Possibly.”

“Decide, Sir Justiciar. We have no time.”