Page 54 of The Guardian's Bride

Brian motioned for them to slow while Tom Robertson called to the crew, who slowed but did not stop. The two boats aligned, bobbing on the waves. Aedan looked toward Rowena, satisfied that the shadow of the high-curved prow and the slope of her hood would shield her face. In the distance, he saw the pirate ship fade into the fog. He turned back to the work of rowing.

“A-hoi! Do you have trouble?” Comyn shouted. From his position on the larger ship, he stood above them, looking down.

“Pirates!” Brian shouted. “Meikle John Reid and his rogues!”

“That rascal! Brian Lauder, is that you, sir? Where are you headed?”

“Dunfermline and back again!” Brian called in response.

Listening, Aedan drew the oars toward him and away in a rhythm.

“Who is the woman?” Comyn asked next.

“Wife!” Brian shouted.

Aedan was grateful for that, though if Comyn came close enough, he might recognize Rowena—and him too. Though he felt a powerful urge to confront the fellow for his reasons and Rowena’s, he would not endanger the girl. He ducked his head and continued to row as they glided beside the English ship.

“What is your business in Dunfermline, Lauder?”

“Supplies!” Brian shouted over the noise of waves and sails. A length of several feet separated the two ships now. “Wife wants to pray at Saint Margaret’s tomb. Where are you bound, sir?”

“Stirling Castle—king’s business!”

“You ought to pursue Meikle John!” Brian called. “If he wants to be useful,” he muttered within Aedan’s hearing.

“I have royal orders to go to Stirling and meet with De Valence, Edward’s chief lieutenant in Scotland.”

Malise did like to sound important, Aedan thought, and might give away too much because of it. He bent to the oar, listening.

“Then I will head back to Fife,” Malise continued. “Tell me! Have you seen Aedan MacDuff? You know the man!”

Aedan’s stomach sank. Brian paused. “Not recently!”

Bless him, Aedan thought, pushing the oars forward and back. If Comyn went to Fife, he would look for his son. Aedan wondered how much time he had to see to his family’s safety and also get Rowena back to her kin.

“MacDuff escaped custody. We are searching. He has a castle in Fife.”

“Fife, aye. But he would head west to join Bruce, I think!”

“He has a woman with him. We are looking for her too. A Keith of Kincraig. Edward wants her brought to him!”

“Must be serious! Head west to find MacDuff—he will not go home if he thinks he might be followed. You will waste your time in Fife. Will you go to Kincraig too?”

“Nay, I cannot waste the king’s time! I am not welcome at Kincraig,” Malise answered. Listening, Aedan almost laughed. “If I find MacDuff, I will find her.”

“If I hear news, I will send word to Stirling.”

“Look for me in Fife soon enough! Farewell!”

“Farewell, sir!” Brian drawled. Aedan heard the sarcasm in it, but Malise did not, for he waved as the galley sailed past.

Aedan bowed to the oar, pouring fury and frustration through muscle as he went forward and back in steady loops. He had to move his family out of Castle Black quickly, and help Rowena as well.

Regardless of what Malise had said, Kincraig was not safe either. All he could do was keep her close until he knew more. Somehow, he would guard against the threats piling on her, though he did not yet know how to resolve them.

Later, as sunlightwarmed away the fog and the longship carried them fast across the firth, Aedan stood near the mast and watched the shoreline of Fife growing closer.Home.His heart filled, expanded. Soon he would see his family, and see to the rest of it.

Glancing back, he saw Rowena seated on an empty rowing bench, face raised to the wind, veil blowing back, dark hair slipped loose. Her profile was delicate, beautiful, her cheeks pink from the wind. Perhaps she felt better, he thought, with land in sight.