A great crowd came for the king’s autumn festival. All within the clan were excited at the prospect the king would actually attend. The king’s imminent presence caused a furor of activity for many wanted to make his stay as complacent as possible. Lillia Hunter finished her chores and chose her best overdress for the occasion. In her rush to get outside, she ran a comb through her hair and pulled on her softest slippers. She was on her way out of the keep when her father stopped her.

“Lass, you are to stay within the keep.”

She turned on her heel and noticed the deep frown of his eyes. “But why? I should like to join the entertainments, Da.”

Her father, Laird Aylmer Hunter, wasn’t one to refute or make demands of. He held up his hand and shook his head. “You are forbidden to leave the keep. Do you question your laird?”

“No, Da, but—”

“Go to your solar and stay there.” His tone suggested she not argue.

Lillia turned and marched up the stairs with as much forcefulness as she could muster, effectively letting him know of her displeasure. She entered her bedchamber and closed the door, utterly defeated. She’d worked hard for the past days helping her mother and those within the clan ready for the event. And now she wasn’t allowed to attend? As she stood by the window casement, looking out at the festival revelry, she couldn’t help but be seething mad.

Her view of the courtyard gave her an idea of how to escape the chamber. Yet climbing down a rope would be risky and she wasn’t certain it would be worth her neck. Besides that, the courtyard now filled with people and she would be noticed. If only her father would leave the fief. She’d have to keep watch and wait until he did so and then abscond outside.

Were her brothers at home, she might get them on her side and vie for her father’s permission to join the festivities. Hamish and Gawin no longer lived at the main keep. They were married and unfortunately, not concerned with her paltry plights. Being the middle of five siblings boded ill for her because her father doted on his sons. She was a meaningless, insignificant daughter.

That falsehood almost made her smile. Lillia leaned on her elbow and watched midday pass. She couldn’t stay ireful with her father, for he was a kind man and even though he teased her and said she vexed him at every turn, he did so with a grin. There had to be a good reason he wouldn’t let her attend the festival. She wished she knew what that reason was.

As she stood by the window casement feeling quite sorry for herself, her two younger brothers burst into the bedchamber. Their yells were enough to rattle the walls. Miles and Macon drew their makeshift swords and swung them high. They surrounded her and she tried to grab hold of one, but the other tripped her and she ended up on the floor.

“You two will be the death of me. Why are you not at the festival?”

Macon gripped his wooden sword and pouted. “Father won’t let us. He said we were too young. We’re not, are we?”

“Perhaps a wee bit.” She commiserated with them. Being twins of seven winters, the two hardly resembled each other. One had dark hair, Miles, and the lighter-haired, Macon. Though they were alike in many ways, Miles was a mite heavier in body, and Macon slightly taller. Lillia adored the lads, but they were often troublesome. Like her older brothers, they too like to play tricks on her or anyone for that matter.

“I’m sorry father won’t let you attend. If you were guarded, you’d be safe. Did you suggest he send the sentry with you?”

“Nay,” Macon shouted. “We should’ve suggested that.”

“We shall go and suggest it now,” Miles said. “Come, brother, onward.”

The two of them departed the chamber with as much noise and vigor and ran down the long hall to their parent’s solar. Lillia followed, for if her brothers might attend the festival, she might as well if she had a guard.

Outside the door of her parent’s bedchamber, she waited and listened. Her father grumbled at the lad’s suggestion, but her mother cheerfully agreed.

“That is a wonderful suggestion, Macon. I don’t see why you can’t attend with a guard.” Her mother held his chin and laughed when he pulled away. “They are wee lads out for merriment, Husband. Will you not concede and allow them to attend?”

Her father grumbled. “They’ll soon begin their training. I suppose they are old enough. Very well, dearest, but they will not flee from their guards. I want their pledge to remain with the guard.”

The two lads nodded and rushed from the chamber, all but running as if their father would change his mind and call them back.

“Be sure to take two guards with you, lads. Return to the keep before dark,” her mother yelled after them. “Don’t make us search for you.”

Lillia was about to enter and make the same suggestion, but her father’s tone stopped her.

“I ken not what to do, my love. We must send the lass away.”

She pressed her nose to the door and listened.

“But must we marry Lillia to a clan so far away? The Sinclairs are remote and we shall never see our fair daughter again.”

He sat on the bed next to her mother and clasped her hand. “It is the only way I can keep her safe. Even now there are those who will come to seize her. We cannot let that happen. I love the lass if she were my own. I made a pledge to the Guardians we would keep her safe.”

Lillia covered her mouth in shock at what she’d heard. She realized they were speaking of her. Who would come to seize her? Lord above, he was trying to betroth her again. She’d done her best to stay unattached, and even after her father introduced her to several men, she refused them all. With her oath to her own heart, she vowed she wouldn’t wed anyone but the man she’d given her heart to when she was a young lass.

Her parent’s discussion redrew her attention.

“At least with the Sinclairs she will be protected. I will not have the lass in danger. My spies tell me the Comyns openly discussed the possibility of Queen Yolande’s bairn surviving and of their plan to use the lass to unseat Robert.”

Lillia’s heart heaved. They would send her away? And more disturbing, she wasn’t their child? Astounded by her parent’s discussion, she held tight to the door frame. Could she be the queen’s child? All heard how the queen gave birth to King Alexander’s child after he died. It was bespoken that she birthed a dead bairn. Were the rumors a falsehood?

“All believe the queen lost the bairn. Why would the Comyns care if the queen’s child survived?”

“My dear, the child would be a direct descendant of King Alexander’s. That child would then be in line to rule the kingdom since there are no legitimate male heirs. I thought she was safe since the Guardians who witnessed the event are dead. The Bruce is the rightful ruler, and he’s gone to great lengths to secure our kingdom. If anyone finds out her birth, she’ll be used as a pawn to oust King Robert. We cannot let that happen, Gillian. Please agree with me, for I will be disheartened if ye don’t.”

“I suppose I have to agree with you. Very well, Aylmer. Have the Sinclairs arrived? Will you make the betrothal this day? Even now there could be Comyns attending the festival. She might be endangered and should leave at the soonest.”

Her father ran his hands through his light hair and over his face. “Aye, which is why I’ve forbidden her to leave the keep. The Sinclairs arrived before noon. I will meet with them shortly to settle the agreement. You may want to ensure Lillia is readied for she will depart with them when they leave the festival.”

Her mother wiped at her eyes and nodded. “How am I to say farewell to my only daughter?”

Lillia bolted down the hall and closed the door to her chamber. Her heart beat frantically. She’d be wedded to one of the Sinclairs? That’s why he wouldn’t allow her to leave the keep. What did he mean about used as a pawn and the king will be ousted? Would those who searched for her truly put her on the throne? She wasn’t about to sit around and await the terrible news. Lillia pulled a tartan over her shoulders and hurried down the steps.

She left the keep and practically ran through the mass of people standing in the center of the courtyard. Never in her life had she wanted to flee from her home. She’d never intently disobeyed her father either. Until this day. Lillia wanted to be gone, to be as far away as possible. She certainly didn’t want to be wedded to a Sinclair. Likewise, she didn’t want to be put on the throne.

As she reached the cottages near the back of the keep, she slowed her pace and tried to control her breath. The mad dash sent of rush of warmth through her and she couldn’t calm. Several of her friends, most married women, sat together enjoying their midday meal. She took the open spot on the bench next to Hilde, a beautiful lady who married her brother Gawin. Susannah sat across from her. She wedded her brother Hamish.

“Lillia, we were wondering where you were and expected you earlier. Here,” Hilde said, and handed her nephew over.

She held the bairn and smiled. There was nothing akin to a baby to brighten one’s spirit no matter how down one was. Lillia adored her nephews and nieces. Thomas was the youngest and newly born. She set a light kiss on his head. “He sleeps.”

“Aye and don’t jostle him or I’ll never finish my supper.” Hilde piled her trencher and sat back with a contented smile.

Lillia needed aid and thought of her brothers. Surely they would get her to safety. “Where are Gawin and Hamish?”

Hilde grumbled and swallowed her food before answering, “They’re likely besotted by now. Aye, they took to drink earlier in the day and took to carousing with the other clansmen. I fear we may have to put our husbands to bed this night.”

“Aye, if they can walk home.”  Susannah laughed at something Maudie whispered in her ear. Maudie, Susannah’s sister, was shy and often spoke low when the ladies met for entertainments.

Hilde poked her arm. “What’s wrong with you? I can tell something is bothering you? You’re never this quiet.”

Lillia shrugged her shoulder. She wouldn’t speak of what she’d learned this day and the apparent trouble she was in. “Nothing really. Tell me what you were discussing before I came? Obviously Susannah finds it humorous.”

Hilde choked on a piece of meat she’d just stuck in her mouth. After she swallowed and drank a sip of water, she grinned. “Our discussion was comical, but not for your ears. It involves marital duties.”

She raised a brow. “Oh? I’m certain my ears can handle such discussion. What say you? What marital duties? Do you mean those in the bedchamber? Mother told me all and was descriptive. She says there’s nothing to fear. Besides, I’m well past the marriage age.”

Susannah chuckled. “Hilde told us that Gawin wanted her to use her mouth to—”

Hilde smacked her hand over Susanna’s mouth. “Gracious be, Sus. Speak not of that. Lillia is young and hasn’t coupled yet. She shouldn’t know of such things.” She turned away and hid her blush.

Susannah giggled and touched her arm. “My dearest sister, we spoke of things beneath the covers, but mostly we debated about how many times it takes … coupling in order to … well, that is …”

“For goodness sake, Susannah, the cat has your tongue this day, doesn’t it? She means to say we think you can only couple with your husband three times before he begets you with child. Aye, so if you wish to remain free of bairns, don’t allow your husband to prickle the kitty … any more than twice in a short amount of time.” Hilde’s words fervent and solemn. “I shouldn’t have allowed Gawin to touch me, but he’s so handsome I fear I’d never refute him.”

Lillia scrunched her eyes at the term ‘prickle the kitty’ for it was the humorous phrase they’d used when referring to making love. “This is what you’ve been discussing? Good Lord, you should be ashamed of yourselves. I need to go before it gets dark.” She handed her wee nephew back to his mother. “I shall see you later … I … I must leave.” Lillia swallowed a sob, certain she would weep at the thought of leaving her home and never seeing them again. She hastened away before they could ask what had upset her.

Her friends were delightful, and she was gladdened they never excluded her from their marital discussions. Now that she would marry, she wanted to remember all their discussions. The last was definitely of interest because she certainly didn’t want children right away. Lillia wanted to ensure her and her husband’s relations prospered before they added anyone to the mix.

Oh Lord Above. Why was she thinking nonsensical thoughts? Who cared? Right now she was in danger. Forget a husband … begetting children … How was she going to go through with the marriage to a Sinclair? What about her vow to her heart? She couldn’t renounce what was in her heart and the likelihood of her loving another didn’t seem possible.

Should she thwart the marriage? The possibility that she’d ever see her love again was doubtful since he’d been gone for numerous years. For Lillia love was too important to cast aside. Many women wedded men whom they did not love. Obviously her father thought she’d be safer with the Sinclairs. Perhaps she should obey and marry the man. Her friend’s discussion would definitely be considered if she went through with the betrothal.

She ambled through the festival grounds with nowhere to go in sight. With her father’s declaration, she realized this would be her last night on Hunter land. It might be the last night she’d be with her family. Despair came upon her thinking such, but being a dutiful daughter, she had to follow her father’s dictate. She always knew he’d choose her husband even if she’d rejected a handful of suitors already. But why, oh why, did he have to live so far away?

Lillia stopped by a large bonfire that lit the center of the courtyard and felt the heat from the high flames on her face. The sky was light enough to see everyone within the square, but dusk would soon send its shadows. She would eventually find her way inside and deal with the consequences of fleeing the keep.

And her impending betrothal.

Around her strangers jested and their celebration jubilantly rose. She didn’t recognize most of the people and didn’t see any of her family. As she walked past the gatehouse, she waved to the sentry, but kept retreating away from the keep. A chill came upon her and she pulled the tartan around her shoulders.

Lillia wasn’t one to imagine things, but for some strange reason, she felt someone watching her. Her hair stood on end and her breath quickened. She kept gawking behind her, certain she was being followed. With her father’s comments about the Guardian and her birthright, an odd sense overcame her. Two men dressed in dark garments followed. Their stride intently kept up with her pace. Her steps hastened, and she peered ahead searching for someone to rescue her.

A man perused her from a nearby cottage. Lillia glanced at him and her heart practically leapt from her chest. She realized who he was, and a sob constricted her throat. God was looking out for her. His face set hard with a frown, but she had no time to tell him the cause of her abruptness. She ran at him, pulled his arm, and yanked him around the corner of the cottage.

“Lillia, it is you. What are you about?”

She threw her body against his and embraced him and used his large figure to hide hers. Excitement and fear prickled her skin. “Heath, kiss me.”