Elaine twined her hands in her mud-splattered skirts as she followed her father into Trellham’s great hall. Aye, she was worried for her father and Finn’s reaction to hearing that she’d led her guards on a merry chase right into potential danger. It would only confirm what they already thought—that she couldn’t be trusted with more than childish fripperies.
But a second rope of nerves twined with the first in her stomach. Jerome Munro’s nearness sent a bolt of awareness through her that had her skin warming.
She’d been entirely mistaken about him with her first glance. Indeed, he was a dark, imposing figure. As they crossed the hall toward one of the trestle tables, she noted that his head was level with Finn’s, who normally towered over everyone. And like her brother-in-law, Jerome was built for battle. His broad shoulders and muscular arms were unmistakable beneath his loose white shirt. He carried himself with taut control, the coiled power of his strong, lean frame obvious even when he was at ease, as he was now.
She had felt that power when he’d held her fast against his chest, and again when he’d lifted her down from her horse as if she were naught more than a leaf. Gracious. Her wayward thoughts were bringing heat into her face.
Yet he was no lawless rogue, as she’d initially feared. He was one of Robert the Bruce’s elite warriors, trusted enough to take on the mission of collecting seals for the Declaration of Arbroath. Jerome’s presence would make her set-down all the more embarrassing—and not just because she found her gaze tracing each hard-set line of his face and the contours of his body.
There were few things in Elaine’s life that truly stirred her. Riding with Gertie was one such thing. The other was Robert the Bruce’s cause for Scottish freedom.
To an outsider, it made no sense, of course. By all appearances, Elaine led the comfortable, easy life of an English lord’s daughter. Yet living her whole life on the border, Elaine had seen more than most young women the true cost of warfare—and what a blessed gift peace was. She had the Bruce to thank for that.
But even more than calm and safety, what truly moved her in the core of her heart and the marrow of her bones was the Scottish fight for freedom—for freedom was what she longed for most of all.
Finn called for a servant to bring ale, bread, and cheese. But before the refreshments arrived, her father turned on her, his frown disapproving.
“Let us have it out, daughter. What have you gotten up to this time?”
“She dashed off on Gertie without waiting for an escort, milord,” Brett, who’d followed them into the keep, offered.
Henry’s frown deepened. “Lainey,” he chided, his voice low.
To her surprise, Finn spared her only a brief scowl before turning his glower on Brett. “And why did ye let her do that?”
Finn was a hard man and had taken Trellham’s guards to task when he’d arrived four years ago. Originally, the purpose of hammering the guards into shape had been for Rosamond’s safety, but now that they were all family, Finn had extended that adamant overprotection to all at Trellham.
Brett faltered, shifting on his feet. “She was in the village, and we didn’t see her head out from the stables.”
“And?”
“And when we caught up to her, Munro here had come upon her.”
Finn pinned Brett with a long look. “Ye are dismissed. Take up Samuel’s rotation on the east tower. I’ll address this matter with ye and the others later.”
Elaine winced, knowing that Finn would likely put her guards through a grueling training session for letting her give them the slip.
“It wasn’t Brett’s fault,” she said, the words slipping out before she could think. Under Finn’s stare, she hurried on. “I should have waited for them, but I merely wanted…”
Her throat tightened and the telltale burn started behind her eyes. Nay. She did not want to cry—not now, not in front of Jerome, and not over her own foolishness.
She swallowed hard, digging her fingernails into her palms. “I merely wanted a moment of freedom,” she choked out.
Through the tears blurring her vision, she saw her father’s eyes soften, but Finn remained unmoved.
“I ken that, Lainey, but all ye’ve proven by dashing off is that ye havenae earned that right.”
Frustration heated her face. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Jerome cross his arms over his chest. “No harm came of the lass’s flight,” he offered, his voice deep and soft.
Finn shifted sharp eyes to Jerome. “Aye, no’ this time. She was lucky ye werenae a foe or a less…honorable man.”
Jerome’s shoulders stiffened, but he remained silent—wisely, for this was a family matter. Still, warmth spread through Elaine at the fact that he’d spoken up for her.
Finn pinned her once more with a hard look, but she was saved from another lecture by her sister.
“You didn’t tell me a guest had arrived, my love.” Rosamond emerged from the stairs leading to the east tower, her golden hair and warm smile as radiant as the sun.
She was as round as the sun, too, for she was only a month or so away from delivering their second child.
When Finn’s gaze landed on Rosamond, his whole demeanor softened, as it always did in her presence. Elaine let a breath go, silently giving thanks for her sister’s timing.
Finn moved swiftly to Rosamond’s side, extending his arm to her. “This is Jerome Munro, sweeting. He’s the man the Bruce sent regarding the Declaration of Arbroath.”
Rosamond’s already convivial smile brightened even more. “Ah. You are most welcome, Jerome.”
Jerome bowed stiffly.
“I hope I’m not interrupting,” Rosamond continued. “Rand just went down for a nap—that’s our three year old, whom Finn calls the wee hellion,” she said in an aside to Jerome. “I thought I’d come have a bite while I could.”
Just then, the servant returned with a platter of bread, cheese, and a pitcher of ale.
“Ah, excellent timing.” Rosamond moved to sit at the table the family normally dined at, but their father cleared his throat.
“My dear, we are in the middle of something.”
Though she was always the perfect gentlewoman, Rosamond’s sweetness masked a sharp, discerning mind. “Oh?” Her violet eyes fell on Elaine. “Something involving Lainey?”
Elaine shot her a pleading look. Rosamond seemed to instantly understand.
“Surely that can wait,” Rosamond said smoothly. “Our guest would no doubt like to rest, and I’m sure there is much to discuss regarding the declaration. Mayhap we should arrange a celebration this eve?”
Elaine hurried to sit down across from Rosamond, wordlessly thanking her with her eyes. Still, as the men lowered themselves onto the table’s benches, Elaine couldn’t help the hot stone of shame that sank in her stomach. Leave it to her to make a mess—and leave it to her older sister to clean it up.
“Is this to be yer last stop, Munro?” Finn asked, settling beside Rosamond. His hand absently made a circle on Rosamond’s back.
“Aye,” Jerome replied. “The Lairds and noblemen nearest Arbroath have already affixed their seals, and a few close to Scone will do the same when I return to the Bruce’s court.”
Despite Elaine’s embarrassment from a moment before, a flutter of pure exhilaration stole over her. This was one of the most important moments in the Bruce’s cause to secure freedom for Scotland—and in a small way, she was part of it.
She’d first heard about the Declaration of Arbroath from Finn and her father. Because Finn was one of the Bruce’s most trusted warriors, he’d learned of the King’s plan to take a bold stroke toward freedom now that he’d secured a short-term truce with England’s King Edward II.
Lord Beaumore was still technically the keeper of Trellham in the Bruce’s name, though Finn had taken over much of the responsibilities as her father’s health had continued to flag. Out of respect for Lord Beaumore’s position, however, Finn kept him abreast of all Trellham’s goings-on, as well as the Bruce’s larger plans.
And knowing how interested Elaine was in the Bruce’s cause, Finn and her father had indulged her by letting her sit in on their talks from time to time.
That was how, a few months past, she’d first heard of the Bruce’s plan to draft a document declaring Scotland’s sovereignty from England, to be delivered to the Pope himself. The Pope, who’d long refused to acknowledge Scotland’s freedom, or the Bruce as its King, was apparently the Bruce’s next target in the long struggle for independence.
They’d gotten word not long ago that the document had been completed at Arbroath Abbey. The King was calling on all his allies to provide their seals to be affixed to the declaration to show their support. But because Scotland’s Lairds and nobles were spread far and wide across the country, the King had selected a warrior to travel to each holding, collecting the seals to be attached to the declaration.
Now that warrior, Jerome Munro, sat across from her in Trellham Keep’s humble great hall.
“Ye must be relieved to be at the end of such a mission,” Finn commented, filling a mug with ale and passing it to Jerome.
“It was a great honor to be chosen for it,” Jerome replied seriously. “It has been a long three sennights since I departed Scone with the declaration, aye. But I dinnae take the Bruce’s trust lightly.”
“I understand Colin MacKay and his cousin Graeme were the ones to suggest that ye join the Bodyguard Corps,” Finn said. “They seemed to think that yer loyalty to yer Munro Laird could be harnessed in service of the Bruce.”
Elaine didn’t miss the skeptical, sharp edge to Finn’s gaze. From the tightening of Jerome’s jaw, neither did he.
Of course, Finn was suspicious and slow to trust everyone—he’d even suspected Elaine’s brother Niall of being a danger to Rosamond when he’d first arrived at Trellham. Yet there seemed to be more than simple wariness in the silent look that passed between Finn and Jerome.
“I have pledged my loyalty—my life—to both my Laird and my King,” Jerome said levelly. “I am only glad the Bruce thought me worthy of the honor of his trust.”
Rosamond, too, must have sensed the tension in the air, for she cleared her throat and smiled. “It must have been a privilege to see so much of Scotland’s beauty on your travels,” she said lightly.
His gaze flicked to Elaine, and her stomach tightened. “Aye,” he said. “And some of England’s as well.”
“And what is the mood of the people?” Lord Beaumore asked. “How has your procession been received?”
“Verra well,” Jerome answered. “The King has instructed that I publicly read the declaration in its entirety so that no’ only the nobles but the people can say aye or nay to their sovereign’s aims. Thus far, the country is united behind him.”
“As am I,” Lord Beaumore said resolutely. “The Bruce needn’t ever ask for my support, but I’m honored that in sending you, Munro, he has. I’ll gladly give my seal in support of his cause.”
Elaine’s eyes pricked with emotion. Four years past, her father had made an alliance of necessity with the Bruce. Their lands and people had been much battered in the struggle between the English and the Scots for control of the Borderlands. Yet since siding with the Bruce, peace and prosperity once again reigned at Trellham. Her father, like the rest of her family, had fully embraced the Bruce’s cause, much to Elaine’s pride.
“We should indeed have a celebration this eve, then,” Rosamond said, smiling. “It will give the villagers a chance to hear the King’s message, and serve to honor Trellham’s commitment to the cause for freedom.” She rose slowly, carefully balancing her round belly. “Lainey, I’m sure you’ll be eager to help me with the preparations.”
Though she spoke sweetly, Elaine didn’t miss the pointed firmness in her sister’s gaze. Elaine rose and followed Rosamond toward the kitchens. As they walked, Rosamond looped their arms and leaned close.
“I hope I was right in diverting Finn and Father back there,” she said, glancing up at Elaine. Though she was nine years Elaine’s senior, Rosamond’s petite frame put her a hand shorter than Elaine.
“I’ll explain,” Elaine replied, worrying her lower lip with her teeth.
“Good,” Rosamond whispered back. “And I hope you can also explain the look in Jerome Munro’s eyes whenever he stole a glance at you, or the blush on your face every time he spoke, for I am most curious about that as well.”
“Rosamond!” Elaine hissed, a betraying heat rising once again to her cheeks. Gracious. She cursed her easily-read features, but knew she couldn’t hold aught back from her sister.
Letting a breath go, she began at the start.