Seventeen

 

 

 

Something changed in Heath. Since he and his comrades returned to the caves, he’d been quiet and withdrawn. Lillia tried to get him to tell her what bothered him, but her pleas were to no avail. He spent little time with her and attended meetings with his comrades. At night, during the darkest part, he’d go missing for hours. It was all she could do to stay abed and not appease her curiosity.

She’d awakened to find Heath gone and decided she wouldn’t worry about him. Yet, she could do nothing but consider his woebegone nature of late. Lillia thought perhaps he regretted their marriage for he certainly hadn’t mentioned it since they’d parted the abbey.

She entered the ossuary and found Gilroy tending his tasks. “I need to do a chore. Have you anything I can do? May I tend to Kerrigan’s horse?”

The lad lifted a bucket and nodded. He approached with a currycomb and handed it to her. “Ye remember how to do it?”

She nodded and took the brush from him. “I find it relaxing and right now I need a diversion. My thanks, Gilroy.”

“I’m off to get water, m’lady, for the beasts. Be back in a wee bit.”

Lillia ran her hand along the smooth coat of the horse’s neck, Liam’s warhorse. He was quite an animal and was somewhat hostile for he stomped and snorted his objection at her ministration. She decided not to touch the men’s horses and moved to Kerrigan’s mare. “You’re a beauty, aye. Absolute perfection. I never asked your lady what she named you, but I imagine it is a name of splendor. If you were mine, I’d name ye Baroness, for you’re just as regal as any baroness I’ve ever met.” The horse whinnied and stomped its left foreleg.

Noise sounded outside the ossuary and for a moment Lillia thought Gilroy returned. A horse neighed and men’s voices came. She heard Heath’s shout outside.

Heath called, “James, what brings you to our caves? Have you news?”

Lillia stayed behind the mare, thoroughly hidden by the horse’s wide girth. She wasn’t certain if their company was an ally given Heath’s voice had a bit of tenseness to it.

They entered the ossuary. The man, James, removed his saddle bag and tended to his horse. Heath, Graeme, and Brodin stood watching. Liam was nowhere in sight.

“I came with news, aye. My horse needs a rest, mind if I keep him in here?” The others didn’t answer and James continued to see to his horse’s needs.

“Where’s your band of barbarians? You never travel alone.” Graeme approached, but stood too far from her.

Lillia remained still. She perused the man, James, and would never put the word handsome to him. His hair was as black as a moonless night and his eyes as dark as a devil’s. What’s more, his face covered with a thick beard and his garments filthy. She realized the tension in the ossuary and would’ve alerted them she was there, but with the surly man’s presence, she decided she best stay hidden.

“My followers await me near the village. I’ve given them a night’s leave. Rohan will be pleased with the business. Now I suppose you’re wanting to ken why I’ve come …”

Heath folded his arms and leaned against the stall in front of her. She couldn’t see his face. “Aye, if you don’t believe what I told you about Lillia Hunter … I spoke the truth.”

James bellowed a mocked laugh. “I ken ye did for I stopped by Sweetheart Abbey and spoke with Friar Hemm. He told me of it under duress. Unfortunately I had to use a bit of force to get him to tell me what I wanted to ken.”

All were quiet and the only sound within the ossuary was that of the wind entering the opening. Lillia held her breath for a moment. The friar must’ve bespoken of their union. She suspected this man wasn’t an ally of her husband’s or the guard’s.

James finished his tasks and turned to the men. His scowl well placed and furrowed his brow. He wasn’t pleased by their deceit if that’s what the guard had done. “Hunter’s lass would be better served being protected by Robert. I confirmed that you indeed wed the lass, Heath. Will you not consider her safety and allow me to take her to our king? Are you as devoted to Robert as you deem? I’ve wondered that for the length of the ride here.”

Heath pulled away from the wall. “James, we had to mislead you before … I have known Lillia my entire life … and now she is my wife. I told you this. Were she to be taken to Robert, she’d be imprisoned and no longer free to live her life. You ken the king wouldn’t allow her freedom. We are devoted to Robert, but she is my wife.”

Graeme added, “And she has done nothing to warrant such an imprisonment, for she doesn’t wish to pursue the throne nor covets it. She is no threat to Robert.”

“Damned if she isn’t. Whether she covets the throne or nay, others will use her to gain access to it. You give me no choice, my comrades. If you do not hand the lass over to me to be taken to our king, I will have to take her by force. Mayhap I shall have a lengthy discussion with Robert. Aye, he’d be interested to know where the King’s Guard hides, what they have done these past years. He will indeed send a legion of his most skilled men here to fetch you and take you to Edinburgh to be judged. You ken the punishment for treason …”

Graeme blocked the cave’s exit and frowned at the man. “James, you would betray us after all we’ve been through. After all we’ve done to aid the king, protected him in battle?”

Heath approached the garish-looking man and stopped in front of him. Lillia’s chest rose and fell with her fright. She thought they’d break out with fisticuffs, for she hadn’t seen her husband look so bedeviled before.

“Of course he would, would ye not, James? Aye, you’ve always been loyal to Robert, as have we. Och and once again you aim to take one of our lassies and subject her to a life of captivity? Was not what you did to Kerrigan enough to make ye see reason?”

Lillia drew a small gasp, but covered her mouth. What had James done to Kerrigan? She wanted to know, but would have to ask later.

“I never meant for Kerrigan to be harmed, just as I mean to see the Hunter lass safe and in the care of the king. If she remains here, ye ken she will be found by the Comyns. It is only a matter of time before they become aware of your whereabouts. All your protection is for naught. Be sensible, lads. Let me take her to Robert.”

Heath shoved his dark comrade’s shoulder. “Nay. She’s my wife and I’ll not allow her to go. She is my responsibility. I married her to save her from this misbegotten fortune, to keep her from Robert. If you betray us, James, we’ll never forgive you. Even if we must break our vow to Robert, we will not turn Lilla over to you.”

Lillia’s heart beat heavy. He’d married her only to keep her from going to the king? She suspected as much but didn’t want to admit his reasons for marrying her. Why hadn’t she listened to her heart then? She loved Heath, more than he knew, but she couldn’t let him or his comrades face certain death to keep her safe.

“You give me no choice then.” The dark comrade looked after Heath, Graeme, and Brodin as they left the ossuary.

Lillia stood still and pondered approaching the man. She had to do what she’d proposed to do when she’d learned of her birthright. With caution, she stepped around the horse and approached the man.

“I am the woman you seek.”

The dark warrior startled. He flashed a grin and bowed. “My lady … Lillia, I am Sir James Douglas, loyal servant to the king, Robert the Bruce.”

“I know who you are. Do you truly mean to take me to King Robert?”

He nodded. “Aye, I only mean to keep you safe. The guard … they don’t realize to what lengths the Comyns will do to possess you. You are a means to an end for them for they mean to rule the kingdom through you. It is their last hope at gaining the crown. They’re desperate in their search of you.”

“That may be. I do not wish the guard to be subjected to the king’s punishment. Would you really tell him of their location?”

James tilted his head. “Those lads … the guard are the most loyal men to the king, almost as loyal as I am. I consider them to be of the highest character, och I must force their hand. If they do not allow me to take you to the king, I will have no other recourse than to speak of their doings and location.”

“You would do so even though you consider them good friends?” Lillia was stunned by his admission.

“I owe King Robert my life and would do anything to aid him. The guard knows this. They would understand even if they disagree.”

Lilla moved around the stall and stood in front of the surly fellow. “If I go with you, will you promise to keep their location secret? I don’t want them harmed because of me.”

The man smiled, his cheeks puffed a small bit. “Of course, my lady. I am honorable and if I say I shan’t divulge their whereabouts, I won’t. But I must take you to Robert.”

She nodded. “Very well. I will come, but not right now for if I leave straightaway, Heath will suspect something afoul. I will meet you on the road to the village in the darkest part of night. Will that suit you?” That was the only time she thought to get away since Heath often went missing during the night hours.

“It will suit fine. You’re doing the right thing, my lady. The king would never hurt ye.” He turned to leave.

“Await.” Lillia stopped him from leaving. “Are the guard correct in saying he shall keep me imprisoned? I shall never see my family or Heath again?”

He nodded, but otherwise didn’t affirm her suspicions. Before he turned his back on her he sighed. “I’m certain the king will constrain your movements, but you’ll be housed and kept in the way you’re accustomed, in comforts befitting your station.”

Lillia raised a brow, but couldn’t retort for the surly man left the ossuary. She wasn’t given time to reflect on her decision because Gilroy returned with water for the horses. After helping him feed and bed down the animals, she ambled toward the main cave. She didn’t want to go inside and stood by the vines, hoping for a way to avoid being in the same chamber as Heath and his comrades. Surely she’d give herself away, for she wasn’t good at hiding her feelings. Her husband would suspect something were she to remain quiet throughout the evening.

Heath joined her by the vines. “There you are. I was about to search for you …”

“I was enjoying the solitude of the evening.” Lillia embraced him and closed her eyes, taking in his scent and the feeling of him against her. After this night, she’d likely never see him again. Tiredness came to her body and she wished to be alone, to wallow in the dejection of having to leave him. She envisioned herself isolated in a chamber by her lonesome. That was how she’d end, a tired, old, forgotten maiden.

“’Tis cold and the wind is picking up. You should come inside. I must warn you, there’s a comrade inside. I would that you not speak to him.”

She nodded, but kept her eyes averted when she entered. Annag made a delicious meal of venison and filled the table with lighter fare. Lillia found herself replete and wouldn’t eat a bite. Throughout the evening, most kept quiet and only small conversation was had. Whatever James had done to Kerrigan must’ve been forgiven for she conversed easily with the man.

Lillia excused herself and went to lie upon the bedding she shared with Heath behind the screen. As soon as she was out of view, she felt a sob tear at her chest. There was only one way to keep herself and Heath safe and that was to present herself to the king. As much as she’d rather stay with Heath, the peril was too great.

She gathered a few of her belongings and stuffed her satchel, the one she’d hid behind the large rock on the night she left home. The remembrance of that night and how she met Gilroy came. Faced with the prospect of never seeing Heath again saddened her and she wished she had never come across him at the king’s autumn festival. She could hear her sisters-in-law now speaking their wisdom: ‘tis better to have loved and gone astray than never to have loved at all. But in truth, she’d rather not be tormented with the memories of his touches, his kisses, and his smile.

Yet Lillia had loved and lost once, long ago when he’d been sent away. There must be a good reason why God would put Heath in her path again. Nevertheless, she had to go through with her plan. If she reasoned with the king, she might gain her freedom. Mayhap she could sign a writ to promise not to covet his crown even if his enemies got hold of her.

Heath joined her in bed a short time later. She snuggled against his hard body and sighed. He never slept and only peered at the rocky slope of the cave above them. She waited patiently for him to leave, which he did each night. Lillia didn’t move for a good ten minutes after he left. She grabbed her satchel and snatched Heath’s tartan from the bed and stepped lightly through the main great chamber of the cave.

Outside, the night was quiet. She heard the guard’s voices afar from the caves. Fortunately they were on the opposite side of where she trekked. Lillia hurried through the fields and into the nearby woods. Once there, she hastened her pace and found her way to the lane that led to Dumfries’ village. The night air chilled her and she pulled the tartan around her shoulders. Her breath fogged the air as fast as she moved and soon she was breathless from the jaunt. Slowing her pace, she meandered toward the village and kept watch for James.

She about jumped a foot from the ground when he bounded from the trees. Lillia held her chest and tried to calm herself.

“By all that is holy, you scared the shit from me. How unchivalrous of you.”

“My lady, my apologies. I didn’t mean to frighten you. I wasn’t sure you’d come.”

“I have kept my word, Sir James. Will you keep yours?”

“Of course. Have no worry of that. We’re off to Dumbarton. The king has made a residence there. He will be relieved to see you.”

She kept her musings quiet for she knew right well the king would be relieved at keeping his kingdom. Lillia stepped back when Sir James held his hand at her.

“You’ll ride with me. We’ve a fair distance to travel.”

She was about to demand her own horse when he flung her behind him. Lillia firmed her lips and kept herself from crying out as the warrior rode forth. His men, a bunch of heathens, no less, rode in front and behind them. Although she was gladdened by their presence, their manners lacked chivalry much akin to their leader. They discussed all manner of ill-begotten topics on their journey, from how best to kill a foe to how to slice open a boar and use every last bit of the animal. Graciously, they didn’t talk of romantic pursuits, for she was certain they’d speak vulgar terms which would assuredly burn her ears.

By the time they reached Dumbarton she wanted to scream. James was no better, for he rode hard and barely stopped to rest. Her body nearly done in by the time her feet touched the ground. As they rode toward the king’s keep, she realized he lived in a thatched stone house. It wasn’t as grand as she’d envisioned a king lived in, but quite large. The stone structure had several wings and various outbuildings.

Lillia followed James inside and King Robert stood upon their entry. He waved James forward. Lillia was content to await by the door. She shifted from one foot to the other, anticipating the king’s harsh words. But he surprised her by bidding her to join him at the table.

“Come and join us.”

She warily approached and inclined her head, curtseying to him. “My lord, Your Grace.”

“So you’re the woman the Comyns deem to use against me?”

“Apparently so, my lord. I have no designs on ruling Scotland or taking the crown from you. As you can see, I am a simple woman only interested in keeping my husband’s home and perhaps giving him a bairn or two.”

King Robert laughed and his eyes crinkled. He appeared to be kind-natured, with trusting blue eyes, and a curl about his dark brown hair. She might put the word handsome to him, but since he was her adversary, she decided not to like him.

“Nay, and I am grateful for it is a trying task, ruling this kingdom. Trust me, for I’ve done nothing but give myself to the cause and the duties are never ending. Are you hungry?”

She nodded. “A wee bit.”

“Join me.” He hitched a finger, and a woman stepped forward and set a trencher before her filled with meats and bread.

Lillia ate until she couldn’t stomach another bite. James kept quiet through the meal although he ate enough to fill two trenchers. Remarkably, he actually used manners which verily shocked her.

“Lillia Hunter, we need to discuss this situation.”

“Aye, my lord. I was going to suggest—”

He cut her off by holding up his hand. “I bid you to remain here under mine roof whilst we ferret out the traitorous Comyns. Until they are dispatched, I cannot have you unguarded.”

“My lord, I promise I shan’t do anything to go against you. I do wish to return to my husband for he will worry.”

Robert’s regard turned to James. “You did not speak of a husband, James. Who is the lass wedded to? One of my fighters?”

James nodded. “Aye, but I agree with you, sire, for the woman needs remain here for her safety and protection. The Comyns continue their search of her and will stop at nothing to obtain her. If they do get to her, they won’t have a care that she doesn’t wish to vie for the kingdom.”

Lillia scowled at James. Damn him for going against her. James was a churlish, dour-faced, heathen. The tirade in her mind ceased because she’d continue coming up with vile names for the lout. “They cannot make me do something I am not wont.”

King Robert laughed. “A strong-willed woman, are you? It matters not, Mistress, for if the Comyns wish to use you they shall. Nothing you do or would do could stop them. Nay, for your husband will have to do without you for now. When the threat has passed, I shall consider releasing you. For now, you will reside here.”

Lillia wanted to object again, but the king rose. “Sire, please …”

“You will stay within these walls until I can get you to a safer residence. We shall leave within the sennight for Turnbury.” King Robert motioned to his guards. “Take the lass and put her in my chamber. I will find another. Be sure the door is well locked. She is not to leave.” When she gave him a dismayed glance, he added, “’Tis for your own safety that I keep you locked in the chamber, Mistress.”

She beseeched him, “Sire, please I must return to my husband. Will you not listen to my proposal? I vow that I shan’t vie for your kingdom. No one—”

He turned his back to her and held up his hand, ceasing her speech. “I will not listen your pleas, Mistress. Our discussion is over.”

The men took hold of her arms and forced her to a chamber down a small hallway. She was pushed inside and the door forcefully closed behind her. Their abruptness caused her to misstep and she tripped on a floorboard. Her head struck the edge of a wooden bedframe and her vision blurred. A burn came to her face, and she realized she’s scraped it in her fall. She lay on the floor rubbing the forming bump and stinging of her cheek. Tears filled her eyes.

Lillia was crestfallen to realize there were no windows and her escape thwarted. So much for her plan to appease the king and be on her merry way.