Page 28 of The Guardian’s Bride (Highland Secrets #3)

Scotland, Kincraig Castle

September, 1307

“W ith Edward Longshanks gathered to God on the seventh of July,” Aedan said to those seated or standing about in Kincraig’s great hall, “it is true we can breathe a bit, if just for a short time.”

Standing beside her new husband, Rowena looked up. “We do have cause to celebrate now that his son Edward, now king, has left Scotland, taking his army with him.”

“Some of his army. He left his English lieutenants in place, and his knights and soldiers still garrison our captured Scottish castles. He will be back,” Aedan replied.

Henry approached, goblet in hand, to stand with them near the hearth, where a crackling fire radiated warmth and light on an evening gone chilly with autumn. “The younger Edward has gone south to see to his father’s burial in Westminster, and to meet with his advisors to discuss the troublesome matter of Scotland. He promised his father to gain absolute dominion in Scotland. Whether he will keep that promise remains to be seen.”

“We will be ready, but I doubt this Edward is up to the task,” said Sir Liam Seton, husband of Rowena’s sister Tamsin. Beside him, Tamsin sat content and beautiful as she held their newborn son bundled snug in her arms. Just six weeks old, his tender tuft of pale golden hair matched his mother’s. Rowena longed to hold him again before Tamsin and Liam departed for Dalrinnie Castle.

“Edward will be back, but Scotland will prevail,” Tamsin said quietly. “But it will take a few years. I have seen it.” Her shy smile was almost apologetic. “I believe so.”

“And I believe you,” Liam said quietly, dark-haired and serious as he watched his wife, his gaze soft with love. Rowena sighed, seeing that, so happy that her sister was content at last. Tamsin had inherited the Rhymer’s visionary gift, and had begun to understand it. If she said Scotland would endure, her words carried truth.

Glancing around the room as the others talked, Rowena felt content, too. Married recently, now a wife and stepmother, she wished her family could be together whenever they pleased. She knew that tonight’s gathering would be rare as long as there was strife in Scotland. She was grateful to be home after the events of the past months. She was grateful her siblings were here too: Henry, as lord of Kincraig in residence for a short time before his duties took him elsewhere; Tamsin, with Liam and tiny, mewling Robert, named for their father and the king, and already called Robin; and Margaret with her husband of a few months, Sir Duncan Campbell, justiciar in the north. Rowena had only met him days ago but found him not just very handsome, but quiet, wry, and likeable.

All too soon they would return to their homes. Aedan would travel, too, for he had promised to continue his work for the King of Scots as well as the Guardians of Scotland. The council would eventually take a new form once Robert Bruce drove the English out and established a firm seat of government as monarch.

A fortnight past, Bishop Lamberton had arrived at Kincraig with Marjorie MacDuff, Lady Jennet, and Colban, though the Keith siblings were not all there yet. The bishop was on his way elsewhere and could not stay—but as promised, he had performed their wedding.

The wedding was double that day, for Marjorie and Patrick Wemyss were married in a shared ceremony beside Rowena and Aedan. The day was full of laughter, love, and happiness, though Rowena was sad to bid farewell to Aedan’s kin when they returned to Fife. But she loved that small Colban wanted to stay with his father and new stepmother.

She smiled to herself, thinking of that. Even now, Colban was tucked in bed in Kincraig’s keep. Though he had begged to stay up with the others, he yawned so fiercely as he pleaded that Aedan had carried him up to bed while Rowena stayed to tell him another story about pirates.

Before she left the room, sleepy Colban had confided that he had four mothers—Alisoun, whom he had never known, then Marjorie and Jennet, and now Rowena.

“Could I call you my lady mother now?” he asked in a shy voice.

Her heart expanded, tears rinsing her eyes. “I would be honored, Colban MacDuff,” she said.

She could hardly believe that only months ago, she and Aedan had faced the unknown, all they knew in danger. Now life felt secure, the future bright again. While her family talked, she yawned behind her hand, sleepy in the late hour, but not wanting to disband this wonderful company.

Her sister Margaret, so lovely with her vibrant red hair and the glow of love around her, seemed more lively than most of them as she leaned to whisper to her husband. Duncan smiled and stood, clearing his throat.

“Now that supper is done, we can share some news,” he said, “I recently had a message from King Robert. Some of you know that Robert Bruce is leaving the southwest to make his way north. He plans to stop at Brechlinn in a few days, since it is a convenient place to meet with Scots lords from the central and Highland areas. He would like Liam and Aedan to join him there as soon as can be.”

“Excellent,” Aedan said. “I have news that he will want to hear with his own ears.” He smiled at Rowena, but his deeper glance held meaning.

She knew he thought of the hidden regalia, which Bruce might decide to leave in Fife or move elsewhere. The sword with the crystal stone, and her charm stone, were twin stones. Each stone had played an unusual role, as it turned out, in saving Scotland. The sword’s stone had come to the new king—and the healing stone had played an unexpected role too, for Malise Comyn had tripped because of the stone, injuring the king—who had died days later, freeing Scotland in his way.

Thomas the Rhymer had been correct after all. And with Longshanks gone, all Scotland could breathe more easily and begin the long road to recovery, redemption, and independence.

“I would be glad to join you to meet with Bruce,” Liam Seton was saying.

“I can stop there briefly as well,” Henry said. “Robert gave me a new assignment. I will be leaving my post in Selkirk to join Edward Bruce, Robert’s brother, in Ireland.”

“That is so exciting, Henry!” Margaret’s eyes twinkled. “Henry—you have never said much about what Grandda Thomas gave you as part of his legacy.”

“I have not. But I will say that while in Ireland, I should look for the faery ilk rumored to be thick upon the ground there. They may know what I should do.”

“Henry, tell us!” Tamsin said.

“Someday, dear.” He grinned. “Truly, I am not sure yet.”

Rowena leaned toward Aedan. “After you go to Brechlinn, I hope you will come back to Kincraig for a bit before Bruce sends you away on some new task.”

He reached for her hand. “For a bit, sweetling, I promise,” he murmured. She knew him now, so well, in so many ways—and knew he kept his promises.

“Tamsin’s vision will prove true, I think,” Henry went on. “The younger Edward will want to show his might as a new king. But he lacks his father’s hatred for Scotland. He is—insouciant, they say. He lacks his father’s cunning. Bruce is a determined and strong king, and Scotland will grow stronger and more unified under him. But we all know that victory will be neither easy nor quick.”

All murmured agreement. Listening, Rowena was glad that here at Kincraig, they could all find respite in the comfort of home, family, and friends.

At the far end of the great hall, the door opened, and she whirled to see three newcomers—a knight, a gentleman, and a woman. For a moment, she recognized only Sir Gilchrist Seton—then realized the others were his twin brother and their sister. She moved toward them to greet them just as Liam Seton took the length of the room in long strides to greet his siblings.

“Gilchrist—and Gideon!” she said, as she approached. “And Agatha! How wonderful to see you all.” She hugged each in turn. “I have not seen you since we were at Holyoak. I feared you might not be able to join us here.”

“We had some delay,” Gilchrist said. “As you can see, Gideon and Agatha have made some decisions, and needed extra time before we could leave for Kincraig.” With a wide and handsome grin, he indicated his twin brother—their smiles identical—and their dark-haired, beautiful younger sister.

“Indeed!” Rowena grasped Gideon’s hand and took one of Agatha’s as well. “Gideon, the last I saw you at Holyoak, you wore a monk’s robe and a shaved tonsure, and were still undecided about taking your final vows.”

“I made that decision since.” He gestured toward his clothing, a simple long garment of dark brown, with a long plaid pinned over his shoulder in a pattern similar to those worn by the other Scotsmen in the room. “I will tell you all about it later.”

“Good,” Rowena said. “And Agatha, I am so pleased to see you. This is my husband, Sir Aedan MacDuff.” She embraced the young woman, who had just greeted Tamsin and Liam, admiring the new baby.

“Dame Agatha.” Aedan took her hand cordially. “I am glad to meet you.”

“It is Lady Agatha again, I suppose,” she said. “I recently resigned from my position as prioress and decided to leave the order altogether.”

“I know you were considering it,” Rowena said.

“It was the incident at Dalrinnie last fall that made me realize that I wanted to be with my family again. My brother Gideon felt the same as a lay brother at Holyoak. We discussed it endlessly, and decided together.”

“Ah, the nun!” Aedan said. “You are a legend where I come from, my lady.”

With a curious glance, Agatha tilted her head. The light caught the long scar that traced from her left eyebrow to her mouth. Rowena noticed the scar anew—but the young woman was so beautiful in face and in spirit, radiating calm strength, that the scar seemed to all but disappear.

“A legend?” Agatha asked.

“The one who took down Malise Comyn,” he said, inclining his head.

“I heard you took down Malise.” She made a little fist and imitated a punch.

“I bow to your greater accomplishment,” he said, bending low.

Gideon laughed. “Rowena, I see you and Sir Aedan found each other again, and with a lovely outcome.”

“Quite.” Aedan shook hands to welcome Gilchrist and then Gideon. “Thank you again for your help at Holyoak when I was ill, and for escorting Rowena.”

“Alas, we did not reach her at Soutra before she was taken away. Finley and I searched frantically until we had word that she was safe,” Sir Gilchrist said. “Where is Finley?” He glanced around.

“On the parapet with a couple of the garrison,” Rowena said.

“Kincraig and all Scotland remain under constant vigil,” Aedan said. “The conflict is far from over. But it brought many of us together.” He gestured around the room.

“Come sit and rest from your journey, and have some refreshment,” Rowena urged. She led them to the trestle table where a maidservant had just refilled jugs of wine and set out platters of bannocks and cheese.

A while later, Gilchrist sat back. “We have some additional news,” he said. “I managed to leave Carlisle without much notice in the kerfuffle following Edward’s death. And I heard some word of the captive Scotswomen. Aedan, I know your kinswoman is there—and yours as well, Duncan Campbell, your brother’s wife, aye?”

“You have word?” Duncan asked, as he and Aedan sat forward.

“The ladies kept in cages, Lady Mary Bruce and Lady Isabella MacDuff, will be moved to convents in England once negotiations are agreed between the new King Edward and Robert Bruce. Edward will honor his father’s promise about the women, since several witnessed MacDuff’s request of the old king.”

“Aedan informed the council, who submitted another letter,” Duncan Campbell said. “We are all indebted to you for exacting that promise, sir.”

“Not me,” Aedan said. “I took it to old Edward, who was ill, so he conceded.”

Because he wanted the Rhymer’s stone, Rowena thought. “What of Malise Comyn?” she asked. “He and a monk were taken away, but where are they now?”

“They are in the Tower in London, both accused of hastening the old king’s death,” Gilchrist said. “Apparently the monk was dosing him with a medicine that weakened him. And Malise somehow injured the frail king. All that, with Edward’s chronic illness, was too much.”

“To be fair,” Rowena said, “he was already dying. No one could have changed that. When I saw Edward in the royal camp, I remembered what Grandda Thomas once told me about healing.”

“What was that?” Tamsin asked.

“He said that no matter what a healer does, naught is stronger than death once God wills it. I saw it on Edward’s face. He knew.”

After a moment of quiet, Gideon spoke. “You did all you could, Rowena. Heaven decided in its own way—the only remedy for what seemed an incurable illness.”

“And the only remedy for Scotland,” Gilchrist murmured.

Rowena glanced at Aedan. His gaze met hers, held. She knew he had the same thought as he leaned toward her, seated beside her at the table.

“Thomas said your crystal might save Scotland one day,” he murmured.

She nodded. “And the crystal in the ancient sword went to the one man who could help save Scotland too, as king.”

He took her hand. “The twin stones—Thomas knew. And he knew we were part of it.” She smiled up at him, then heard her name.

“Rowena,” Gilchrist said, “I heard that you will soon have official word about the charges against you. You can expect them to be canceled. Sir Malise and the monk will be held accountable for the king’s death.”

“Thank you,” she said in relief, setting a hand to her chest.

“I will look into that to be sure it is sealed and done,” Duncan Campbell said.

“And share your news, brother,” Gideon reminded his twin.

Gilchrist nodded. “I saw Bruce in the southwest before I came up here with Gideon and Agatha. Bruce wants me to act as an ambassador to northern England. I will be granted a forfeited castle along the Scottish Border. Gideon has agreed to go with me. Our sister Agatha as well.” He grinned at them.

“That is outstanding news, all of you,” Liam told his siblings. “Agatha too?”

“I left the priory, but I am not sure where to go,” she said. “Liam, I know you would welcome me at Dalrinnie, where we grew up. But that is your home with Tamsin now. I want something different—some challenge. I am happy to manage Gilchrist’s castle and see what comes of that.”

“She needs adventure, having been stuck in a convent for years,” Gideon said.

“If you want adventure,” Aedan said, “there is no wilder place than the Borders.”

“In the safe company of her twin brothers,” Gilchrist said.

“I wish you all a promising future,” Rowena said. “For those going to the Border, or to Ireland with Edward Bruce, or the Highlands with Robert Bruce—and here at Kincraig as well. Blessings to everyone—and Scotland too!” She lifted her goblet in salute as they drank together.

Smiling, she leaned against Aedan’s shoulder, the feeling of love and camaraderie warming her even more than the hearth. He bent and kissed her head.

“I love you,” he murmured. “Always.”

“Always,” she whispered.