Page 12 of The Guardian’s Bride (Highland Secrets #3)

B efore light, they left the inn and ducked into the forest when Aedan reminded Rowena that the boatman would expect to see a king’s knight and his wee wife, so they must change. She was just as glad to be free of the helmet wrapped under her clothing, and draped his plaid over her drab reversed clothing against the cool air of the summer morning.

“Are you ready, Dame Grizel, my bluebell?” he asked as he adjusted the helmet and smoothed the snug fit of the red surcoat.

“A bluebell is still a poisonous flower, Hamish,” she said with a soft laugh.

“Just so, ma belle.”

Dawn bloomed pink and silver over the river as MacDuff paid the boatman, then guided Rowena to step down to the barge. As the platform wobbled under her feet, she gripped his arm for a moment, then let go, embarrassed to show uncertainty.

She sat on a bale of hay while Aedan spoke with the boatman. Mist clouded the calm river, birds sang and flitted above the trees, and all seemed peaceful. Though she felt anxious about traveling over water, she was glad that she had shared with Aedan some part of why she was so hesitant.

As the boatman and his son poled the barge eastward along the river, Rowena leaned away as several goats came close, nuzzling and chewing at the hay where she sat. They belonged to a surly farmer in a sagging hat who sat near her. At the front of the barge, Aedan MacDuff conversed with the boatman and his sturdy son as they poled along, the flat vessel moving along on a swift current.

Sensing the motion of the barge beneath her, Rowena felt a lurch in her stomach, and with it, a familiar dread. She was never fond of being on the water, ever since the childhood misadventure when she had tumbled out of a boat crossing a loch, and had sunk, flailing and fearful, hampered by a heavy cloak. She surely would have drowned that day, but her father had jumped in to bring her to the surface just in time.

Here, MacDuff had assured her that the river ride would not be long, and she clung to that. Aware of the urgency driving him toward Fife and sensing tension in him that morning, she would not add her troubles to his.

She glanced at him now as he raised a foot to a wooden crate and rested an arm on his knee, watching the river flow past, talking quietly with the boatman. In the red surcoat and helmet, with his height and natural confident demeanor, he had a determined authority. The wind blew through his rich walnut-brown hair and billowed the hems of the surcoat and the brown tunic beneath it. Rowena studied his handsome profile, once again glad of his company. But she wondered how long he planned to stay once they reached Fife. Surely, he would need to be there, and so she would have to find her way back to Kincraig.

A deep need to go home pulled at her, sucked her under at times as she worried about her sisters, her brother, her friends there, and the king’s looming demand. Her family knew she had gone to Soutra, certainly—but they might not know that she had been taken to Yester, much less had escaped with MacDuff. She did not want them to fear for her. The sooner she reached Kincraig, the sooner they would know she was safe—and the sooner they could decide together how to respond to Edward’s unreasonable demand.

The barge moved past a shoreline thick with trees as the sun rose higher, bursting through the leafy cover and glittering over the water. Looking at the rippling water proved too much for her stomach, so she watched the goats instead as they roamed and bustled and knocked into her knees. The farmer grinned at her.

“’Tis a good river for trout. I was fishing this morning. Do you fish? My wife likes it. Jumps in the water and grabs ’em. She is a Highland girl, my wifey.”

“I have never fished, sir,” she replied.

“Fishing early in the morning makes for a fine supper. See!” He reached down, grabbed a basket, and opened it to show her his glinting catch, some still flapping about. “Want a few for your supper? I have more than enough.”

“Uhh—nay, thank you.” She turned away, hand over her mouth. The sight, the smell, the thought of a fish supper only worsened her private struggle.

The girl had been glowing and content last night, Aedan thought, glancing at her. Now she looked deathly pale and oddly skittish. Neither of them had slept enough, and he knew how much she wanted to return to Kincraig, but was willing to delay that, knowing his need to reach Fife. What troubled her now must be her fear of water travel. Something was obviously affecting her.

Perhaps it was best to get her off the water. While the barge plowed through a river flux with last night’s rain, he decided to disembark before reaching the coast and take an unexpected route that could throw the English further off their tracks.

He turned to the boatman. “Tyningham is not far. My wife and I will stop there.”

“Not going all the way to Belhaven, then? There is a good tavern there. My brother owns it. I could get you a good price if you wish to stay there.”

“Tyningham,” he said. “We will hire horses and head to Edinburgh from there.” Might as well throw the fellow off the scent should soldiers question him later.

“Right, then,” the boatman grunted, and poled along.

Wading through a sea of bleating goats toward Rowena, Aedan reached out a hand. She stood slowly.

“Grizel, dear,” he said, making sure the others heard, “we will disembark soon and head north to Edinburgh.”

“Edinburgh?” She sounded wooden. “How much longer on the river, then?”

“An hour or so.”

“Oh.” She set a hand to her mouth.

He gave her a keen look. “All is well?”

“I am fine.” She pushed one of the goats away.

Certain she was not fine, and suspecting the cause, he took her arm. “Come with me.” He led her to one side of the barge, away from the farmer, the goats, the boatman and his son. “You dislike traveling by water. Nor did you eat before we left.”

She blanched. “No talk of food, please.”

“Come here.” He put an arm around her shoulders and drew her close, planting his feet firmly and holding her still to give her a solid wall of sorts. “I used to feel that way as a boy. It is very unpleasant.”

She looked up. “You?”

“Aye. It was embarrassing. You have my sympathy. Luckily, the problem cleared as I got older and rarely bothers me now. An old sailor once told me that watching something in the distance that looks straight and steady, like a castle or trees, can help. Better, standing like this?”

“A bit.”

“Look away from the water. Look ahead.” He took her hand, snugging her fingers against his chest, another anchor. “See that castle on the hill? Watch its tall tower rather than the water.”

She stared up at the castle, and nodded after a few moments. “That does help.”

“Stand here with me. We will be off this thing soon enough.”

“I wish I had some mint. It calms the stomach.”

“We will find some for you at Tyningham.”

“On land, I will not need it.” She gave a frail laugh. “Tyningham?”

“A friend is there. I need to ask a favor.” He patted her hand. “We will dock soon.”

“I am sorry for the trouble.”

“Eh, I do not mind standing here with you. Those goats stink.”

Rowena was glad to stand with MacDuff away from the goats and the fish basket, and glad of the fresh wind on her face as the barge moved along. Once the castle on the hill was out of sight, the barge’s motion crowded her senses again. She leaned anew against the rampart of Aedan MacDuff, and he settled his arm around her as if it had always been so between them. After a while, he pointed to another building on a hill in the distance. She fixed her gaze on the stability of its pitched roof, chimneys, and gray stone walls, which helped more than she expected.

“What is that place? It is not a castle.”

“Tyningham. My friend’s manor house. Then we are for Edinburgh,” he added, with a glance for the two boatmen.

Knowing he invented that part of their journey, she did not reply, focusing on the stable profile of his friend’s house and leaning into MacDuff’s calm solidity. When the barge pulled to the bank to dock at a wooden platform, MacDuff lifted her by the waist to set her on the dock, then stepped out with her. He gave the boatman additional silver, thanked him, and led her to an earthen path.

She flexed her toes in her leather boots, glad to feel firm ground beneath her feet. To the left, she saw a square bell tower and the rooftops of houses. Toward the right, a narrow path cut through trees and went upward toward the house on the hill.

“Wait,” Aedan told her. “The boatman does not need to see where we go.”

“That is Tyningham?” She gestured toward the old stone church and buildings.

“The village and manor house go by the same name. Once the barge is out of sight—ah, there he goes. This way.” He led her toward the inclined path.

“Will your friend be home? Will we be welcome?”

“Welcome, aye, even if he is not there. The path is steep. Can you manage?”

“The sickness passes quickly once I am off the water.” She took up her skirts and swept ahead of him to follow the zigzagging path. Above, the house stood on a cliff with a wide view of the river and surroundings. The clay-tiled roof was bright in sunshine, and soon she saw the top of the wooden palisade that enclosed the bailey.

“What if he is not home?”

“I am known here,” he said as they approached the palisade and its high gate. “Halloo the house! MacDuff here for Sir Brian Lauder of Tyningham and Bass Rock!”

A bolt was thrown and the gate opened a crack. An elderly man with a gray head and white beard peered out.

“Ye’re not MacDuff!” He began to shut the gate.

“Wat Johnston! It is me.” Aedan removed his helmet.

“Hah, Aedan, is it! Come in!”

Aedan ushered Rowena through the gate and into the bailey within the palisade, then grasped Wat’s hand. “Where is Sir Brian?”

“Here, but leaving for the Rock soon. It is good you came now and not later.”

Rowena glanced about. They stood in a modest bailey yard fronting a two-story fieldstone house; a stable hunkered on one side and outbuildings crammed along the palisade elsewhere. The compound sat high on the hill, so the windows would command a far vista all around, from the river to the distant sea before and land behind.

“Aedan!” A woman rushed toward them, green skirts flowing around her. She was small and plump, with round cheeks framed in a wrapped veil, and a big cheerful smile as she held out her arms to greet him.

“Lady Ellen!” He kissed her cheek. “I am sorry to arrive without notice. I was hoping to find you and your husband at home.”

“You are lucky to catch Brian here. He is leaving for the Rock today and may be gone for weeks. I sent one of the grooms to tell him you are here. And this is—?” She turned to Rowena, brown eyes sparkling.

“Lady Ellen—Lady Rowena Keith. I am escorting Lady Rowena home to Kincraig by way of Fife. I hope we are not interrupting your day.”

“You are always welcome here! Lady Rowena, it is good to meet you.”

“Aedan!” The man striding toward them was lanky with wavy red-gold hair, a reddish beard, and a smile as bright as Lady Ellen’s. “Good to see you! I heard you got caught again. Did they let you go, the fools? What is this English kit you wear?” He clapped Aedan’s shoulder in the red surcoat.

“Took this off a fellow at Yester, where I was stuck for a bit. But here I am and heartier for it. Sir Brian Lauder of The Bass, baron and worthy knight—this is Lady Rowena Keith of Kincraig.”

“Ah, my lady, welcome to Tyningham. Keiths of Kincraig, is it? Your father and mine were allies over the years,” Brian Lauder said. “In fact, years back, Sir Robert arranged a marriage between my brother and your sister Margaret. Sadly, my brother did not survive to join your family. I trust your sister is well?”

“She is, thank you. Recently she married Sir Duncan Campbell of Brechlinn.”

“The justiciar? Good man. And how is your brother Henry? Still in Selkirk?”

“He is well also, and deputy sheriff there.”

“Excellent. We need loyal men there. Come in. Aedan, we have much to talk about. After our midday meal I am off to the Rock. You are welcome to sail with me if you like.”

“I hoped for an invitation,” MacDuff said as they walked toward the house.

“Sail?” Rowena asked, as Lady Ellen took her arm.

“We can visit here in my solar until the meal is ready,” Lady Ellen said as she sat with Rowena in a small room off the main hall. The house was not large, its raftered ceilings low over whitewashed walls in rooms made cozy with curtains and cushions and embroidered hangings. The lady’s solar was fitted with seats beneath windows of painted glass and open shutters. A little black dog slept by the hearth, and Rowena noticed baskets in the center of the room filled with books, wooden document boxes, leather boots, rolled garments, and other items.

“We are packing,” the lady explained. “Tyningham is our home much of the year, though Sir Brian often goes out to the castle on Bass Rock. I will go there in a few days, after one of my daughters arrives to visit. The Rock is such a drafty place, and I dislike sailing back and forth, as we must do for supplies and such. The castle is garrisoned by Scots, so it is more like a fortress, and the seabirds are so noisy! I prefer being here, but I want to be with my husband when I can.”

“Of course. Where is Bass Rock?” Rowena sat at the lady’s invitation.

“Just off the coast. It is a great rocky island that was granted to the Lauders by an earlier king of Scots. Do you know of it?”

“I do. I heard it has a fortress, but I thought it was a prison, not a lord’s castle.”

“Both now.” Ellen sighed. “My husband inherited it, but Robert Bruce has sent some English prisoners there. Brian keeps watch over them. May I ask how you come to be traveling with Sir Aedan?” The lady smiled and took up a small embroidery frame as she spoke, fingers flashing a needle and red thread in and out.

“A long story,” Rowena said. “I should apologize. We arrived suddenly and you are so busy here. And so kind to show us hospitality.”

“Aedan MacDuff is like a brother to Brian Lauder. Aedan fostered here for a few years as a lad, and later, he married Brian’s sister. But I suppose you know that.”

That surprised her. “I know he is a widower with a son, but he has shared little more than that. I did not know he fostered here.” So his wife had been Sir Brian’s sister, she thought, which made Brian Lauder an uncle to Aedan’s son as well. They were like family to Aedan, and she was glad of that.

“They have known each other twenty years and more. Lady Alisoun died shortly after her son was born, alas. It still saddens me, and reminds me to be grateful for my son and daughters. The girls are recently married and our son is a new knight riding with the English to fulfill his pledge.”

“You must have a lovely family. Indeed, how sad that Sir Aedan lost his wife. The lad is well?”

“Aye. Five years old now, living in Fife. Aedan will be anxious to see him.”

“I am sure he will.” Aedan had confirmed that he had a son, but had said little of him otherwise. Nor had he mentioned the Lauders of Tyningham and the Bass. Suddenly she felt more like an acquaintance than a friend, though she had begun to feel that, and perhaps more. But she reminded herself that he did not owe her explanations.

“You wear a veil. May I ask—are you married, my lady?” In Ellen’s sweet smile, Rowena sensed curiosity.

“I have been widowed for over four years. When I came into some trouble recently, Sir Aedan kindly offered to escort me home. Lady Ellen,” she said quickly, feeling a touch of guilt, certain Aedan would confide their situation to Lauder, his close friend. “You are so kind, and I want to be honest. Sir Aedan and I were both in English custody, you see, and we escaped together. So we are each going home.”

“Oh dear. Brian had heard that Aedan was arrested, but you as well? How awful! So you may be pursued?”

“They may look for us, aye.”

“You are safe here. Any place held by Brian Lauder is a haven for Aedan MacDuff. So, in prison again, was he? Goodness!” She shook her head.

“Again?”

“He takes risks, but he is a capable soul and the king relies on him. I trust you know which king I mean.” Ellen raised her brows.

“I do. And I agree, Sir Aedan is a steady sort. I marvel at how he can be so cheerful even when things seem at their most bleak.”

“That is his nature, that cheerful constitution. It is a marvel indeed, considering what he has faced in life. But he puts on a good face.”

“A jester’s mask,” Rowena said, and Lady Ellen nodded. “He has told me a little about himself. It seems he has a good deal of responsibility.”

“The MacDuffs of Fife have closely supported the throne of Scotland since we had kings in this land. With that comes danger as well as privilege. He would be inclined to take you under his protection. That is his way. What put you there, a lady of rank?”

“I am not sure, to be honest. I am trained in healing remedies, and sometimes help in infirmaries. There was an accusation—from a great lord, an unfair charge that caused my arrest. I had met Sir Aedan before, months ago when I treated his injuries.”

“That was you? We heard about that. I am even happier to know you! So you are one of the cunning folk, as we call healers where I come from. Aedan is well today thanks to you.”

She shook her head. “His healing is a tribute to his strength and vigor.”

“And your skill. I think he would give his very life to repay you for that. He is loyal beyond loyalty, our Aedan. But you will have seen already what a fine man he is.”

“I have,” Rowena said.

“We will eat soon, but first, may I ask if you need anything?” Lady Ellen smiled. “You seem to be traveling with just the clothes on your back.”

“We did leave in a hurry, and I came away with very little.”

Ellen gestured toward the baskets and boxes on the floor. “I have so many garments, and some no longer fit me. I would be pleased if you would help yourself.”

Rowena blushed, noticing that the flaxen lining of her gown was torn and smudged. “Thank you. I could use some things, truly.”

Ellen took her hand. “Aedan and Brian are like brothers, and I feel as if we can be good friends too. Come, look at what’s here and take what you need.”