Page 13 of The Guardian’s Bride (Highland Secrets #3)

“W ere you taken leaving Berwick?” Brian Lauder asked. “I thought you were headed that way last month.”

“Near Selkirk, where I attended a meeting of the Guardians. Edward’s men discovered I was there, and jumped me in the dark.”

“He is after all the MacDuffs, I fear. And you are an easy fellow to spot.”

“They shut me in Yester Tower for a month, but I took a helmet and surcoat off a guard and left their hospitality.”

“Good! Did the council settle the negotiations regarding the captive women?”

“Not yet. I went there to stand in for Fife, but not all of us could gather, with some too far away, others captured—Edward has the bishops of Glasgow and Saint Andrews now.” Aedan shook his head. “Sir Malise Comyn was one of the signees on the king’s letter refuting our latest attempt to regain the women.”

“Has he recovered? He had quite an injury, I heard.”

“Bit of a limp now, but smug as ever. A nun took him down, but it did not knock the arrogance out of him, I know that.” He sighed, thinking of what Rowena had said.

“I had heard something about a nun!” Brian chuckled. “And your niece needs you there during these discussions. Your voice may help.”

“I am doing all I can. But Edward is as inflexible as ever. He seems satisfied that he is doing enough simply by replying to us.”

“You do not hold out hope, then.”

“Not much. Lady Mary Bruce is coping, but they say Isabella is ill. The council has requested a physician, and Edward must comply or risk a reprimand from the Pope. Bruce is still excommunicated for killing John Comyn before he took the throne, so he cannot appeal directly to Rome in this situation. And naught will change Edward’s heart of stone.”

“He has little honor left, though I hear he was different in earlier years. Showed more mercy, had a sense of fairness and courtesy. My father remembered him as a better man. But this fervor to rule Scotland has brought out the worst in him.”

“The need to force Scotland into subservience is like a poison in him.” That irony did not escape him, considering Rowena’s situation.

“What charges put you in Yester? Treason for escorting Isabella to Scone and taking part in the crowning of Bruce?”

“That, and being a MacDuff.”

“I wonder what Malise Comyn has to do with this. He is Edward’s man, but he is also kin to the Abernethys in Fife, who took down your brother. The attackers were exiled, one of them executed, so it could be that.”

“Such grudges do not go away easily. But I need to look the other way. There are more important matters than revenge.”

“True. But you should know that Sir Peter Abernethy, the attacker’s son, is back in Scotland. Just be careful, Aedan. Malise Comyn and Peter are cousins.”

“I am always wary, lad. We all must be these days.”

Brian sat up as two maidservants entered the hall carrying trays of food. “Supper is ready. The ladies will come in soon. I must ask—how is it you are with the Keith girl?”

“She was brought to Yester on charges of treason as well. And she is the very healer who helped me months ago at Holyoak. I did not expect to see her again. We have much in common, as it happens.” He shrugged to make light of it, though it meant much. “When I left, I took her with me.”

“Why would the English arrest a Scottish healing woman?”

“She is accused of poisoning King Edward. She had occasion to give him some remedies. It did not go well.”

Brian frowned. “Did she do it on purpose?”

“I would have, and you might. But that lass would not hurt a flea. My guess is someone arranged her fall. She is a great-granddaughter of Thomas the Rhymer, you see. Edward is likely drooling over that.”

“The Rhymer! Is she the Keith girl you were once betrothed to?”

“Almost betrothed. Aye, the same. As I said, much in common.”

“Curious! Would you marry again, Aedan?”

“Someday, perhaps. Not yet.”

“Indeed, you have much on your mind and your shoulders. How is your lad?”

“Good, last I saw him, a few months past.” He leaned forward. “I must get to Fife, but I dare not hire a boat to cross the firth nor go by land, in case of pursuit.”

“If you want a boat, take my longship and my captain after we reach the Rock.”

“I appreciate that. You do not need it?”

“We use longships often here along the east coast, as you know, especially useful as we go back and forth often to the Bass Rock. I have two ships, and one is yours if you need it. I may go with you to Dunfermline, as we often fetch supplies there.”

“Excellent. I am in a rush to get there,” Aedan admitted. “At the council meeting, they said my nephew may never return to Fife as earl. He has been raised to believe in English might over Scottish right. And truly any of us who might have the blood-right of crowning could be in danger from Edward.”

Brian sucked in a breath, pushed a hand through his red-gold hair, and shot his friend a grim glance. “Which includes you, your sister Marjorie—and your lad.”

“Exactly.” A muscle punched in his cheek. “When Lady Rowena was at Lanercost in Edward’s presence, she overheard Edward order Malise to take Castle Black—and my son.”

“Jesu! We must get you there quickly. I am glad you came here for help.”

“You have always been like a brother to me.” Aedan smiled, though it felt flat with worry. “There are other matters I must tend to in Fife as well.”

Brian gave a grim nod. “I know Bruce gave you something of value at Scone, but I will not ask.” He lifted a hand. “They watch me too, the English. The less I know about your business, the better for all of us.”

“Something of value, true. And I may have to move it, but I cannot take it over water. Too much risk of losing it.”

“Huh. And a risk of pirates if they think a boat carries something they want. But a twelve-oar longship going for supplies will not catch attention.”

“Once I do what I need in Fife, I must get Lady Rowena safely to Kincraig. After that, I will find Bruce and see what he has for me next.”

“Ever the guardian, my friend. But this Keith girl adds more responsibility.”

“Not much. I owe her.”

“Ah, here are the ladies. Now we will eat. Hungry?”

“Always!” Aedan stood as the women entered. Rowena had changed, he noticed immediately, wearing a dark blue gown that skimmed her form and flowed with each step. He could look only at her, as if she had a glamourie around her, a spell of beauty and kindness and an allure of magic so strong, suddenly, that he stepped forward.

He was weary and easily distracted, surely, but the attraction felt deeper, compelling, as if he were caught in a glorious dream, reluctant to awaken. He had to resist that enchantment. Now was not the time.

The wind blew back his plaid and ran brisk through Aedan’s hair as he stood in the bow of Lauder’s longship. The sea lapped in frothy peaks, spray dampening his face while seabirds swooped and the sails snapped overhead. The boat skimmed low and swift through the water, just eight men pulling the twelve-oared ship. Ahead, Bass Rock rose massive and ancient. On its dark landward face, a flat plain supported a castle, while the summit and sides were covered in turf and more birds than a man could count.

He felt invigorated by strong winds and the powerful sea, ready for whatever might come next. But when he glanced toward Lady Rowena, he saw she was pale and silent, hunched at one side of the boat. He stepped over ropes and sacks to sit beside her on a cross bench.

“How are you feeling? We are nearly there.”

Her eyes were shadowed, cheeks sallow as she nodded, pushing at her dark hair as it whipped free, her white veil crumpled in her hand like a towel at the ready.

“You can cure nearly anything, but not this, hey?” he asked. “That great rock is the only steady thing ahead. Watch that. Does it help?”

“Not this time.” The prow rose and fell on the waves, and she tipped sideways. Aedan put a bracing arm around her. “I will be fine once we land.”

He looked up as Sir Brian approached and noticed the man’s concern. “The water is a bit rough. She dislikes sailing,” Aedan explained, and stood.

“Lady Ellen is the same, so I understand. The light is falling fast. You can stay the night on the rock rather than try to cross the firth this evening.” Brian looked at Rowena. “We have a médecin of sorts at Bass Castle. Perhaps he can help.”

“Seems the best cure for this is just to be on land. A physician, truly?”

“One of our Scottish guards worked as a barber-surgeon before he was pulled into knight service. Bruce sent him here, and when I learned of his training, I put him on that duty. We have a few prisoners on the rock, English lords who must stay healthy. Bruce intends to exchange them.”

“Ah.” Perhaps the captives were important enough to trade for his niece and the others. But Aedan knew better than to wish for stars to fall in his lap.

Brian glanced at Rowena. “Your lady could stay on Bass while you go to Fife. Then you could take her to Kincraig when you return. We could send word to her brother to come fetch her from the Rock if you prefer.”

“Henry Keith will want to know she is safe. We could send a messenger.” Aedan wanted to keep her with him; he had told her something about the hidden regalia, though he was not sure quite what she knew. He trusted her, but the men pursuing her—including Malise—would not hesitate to harm her to find out what she might know.

The captain called to Brian, who made his way to the bow, and Aedan turned back to Rowena. “My lady—”

“I heard. If we could send word to Henry at Selkirk and at Kincraig too, that would be helpful. But I would rather go with you to Fife than wait on Bass Rock.”

He was relieved to hear that. “We will go to Kincraig soon, I promise.”

“I will hold you to it. Oh—” She set a hand to her stomach as the boat rose and slapped down on a swelling wave. Aedan merely shifted his weight with the motion, for sailing did not bother him. But he felt awful to see her suffer with it.

“Steady,” he said. “I will not let you fall in.”

“I will hold you to that too,” she managed, hand to her mouth.

He stood still to support her, and began to hum low in his throat. That became a melody that he sang softly so only she could hear. It was one his aunt, of the purest voice, sometimes sang when she took him and his sister down to the beach below the castle to watch the sea. Now he sang a refrain and a verse or two in Gaelic.

Hì ri bhò hò ru bhì

Hì ri bhò hò rinn o ho

ò hì shiùbhlainn leat

“What is that?” Rowena asked. “It is lovely, but I do not understand the words.”

“Something my aunt sang when I was a boy. About a man who drowns at sea, and his lover cries and keens for him.”

“Oh dear.” She put a hand to her mouth. “You have a beautiful voice. Would you sing a bit more—in English?”

He went on, adding a verse.

O hey, I would go with you

If sand be your pillow

If seaweed be your bed

If fish be your candles bright

If seals be your watchmen

O hey, I would go with you—

She listened, leaning against him. “I love it, though going into the water is not something I want to think about just now,” she said when he finished.

“The song is just to say that if it all goes wrong, I would be here for you.”

“Or down there,” she said, pointing to the waves.

“Or down there. Look, the Rock is close.”

The longship entered the shadow of the rock and the oarsmen slowed their pace. Rowena came to her feet and took Aedan’s offered hand. She wanted off this boat, that was clear. But tomorrow the journey would be hours over the water and possibly rougher than this short trip. He felt guilty about that, especially when she looked up at him with a trusting smile.