Chapter Fifteen
The Sutherlands rode out with an extra young man in their midst, or so the guards assumed. Ceit rode astride and kept the large cloak well tucked around her. She bent her head which was swallowed by the cowl and did not look around. She preferred a smaller version of a man’s boot when she rode, so anyone looking would presume she was an older lad rather than a young woman. She rode in the pack's middle until they cleared the gates of the city.
“We ride towards Carlisle. King Edward made ma uncle the Warden of the West Marches as ye ken. He will be there or thereabouts. If we push hard, we may overtake them. If nae, then we have a solid day and a half of riding before we reach the border.”
Ceit did not bother to look around to understand these Highlanders were not eager to cross into England. Scots were rarely welcomed in the best of times, and Highlanders were nearly never welcome. There was no way to avoid it, though, if they were to rescue Tavish. Ceit had never been to England before, but she traveled through this area during one of her early assignments from her uncle. She realized there was a slim possibility that the kidnappers would not take Tavish to Carlisle but instead to Hermitage Castle to the southeast or Closeburn Castle to the southwest. Either of them would be half the distance to Carlisle. She was not ready to share that information as no one was to be aware her uncle crossed the border into Scotland. Ceit said nothing, not to protect her uncle but to keep the men from asking how she learned such information. She allowed the Sutherland’s best tracker to find their path.
Elizabeth Fraser slipped through the crowd in the Great Hall and resumed her seat at the table with the other ladies-in-waiting.
“You were gone quite some time,” Lady Katherine Dunbar observed. She was just as nosey as her sister, Isabella, but far shrewder.
Elizabeth smiled conspiratorially to the other women. She pretended to look around to ensure no one would overhear her when that was exactly what she wished.
“You will never guess what I saw.” She whispered. “Or better yet who I saw.”
The other ladies leaned in catching the scent of new gossip.
“Apparently, it did not take Lady Cathryn long to get over whatever was between her and that Sinclair.”
“‘That Sinclair’ is the brother of your cousin’s husband. I was under the impression you were bosom buddies with that family now.” Lady Katherine watched her as she raised her wine chalice.
“I am as familiar with them as well as would be expected after everything that has transpired within the last moon. I’m aware Lord Tavish is very smitten with Lady Cathryn, but I cannot say the same for the lady.”
“Why’s that,” Isabella asked. She shook off her sister’s hand as she leaned forward.
“Lady Cathryn was with a man in the passageway, and he most certainly was not Lord Tavish.”
Elizabeth sat back smugly and tried to keep her focus on the surrounding women. She wanted to scan the crowd to ensure Lord Edward had not arrived in the Great Hall. He only returned to court the night before and had only been seen once or twice since.
“Was she off being pawed by another one of those Highland savages? It would be fitting,” Lady Allyson said, her derisiveness unhidden.
“Yes, the man in question is a Highlander, but you would never say so now. He has not lived there in some time. Not since his brother moved here.” Elizabeth raised an eyebrow and hoped they would understand her meaning.
The gasps that followed confirmed that the other women registered her meaning, and the ensuing giggles reassured Elizabeth that her story was believable.
“You cannot mean that Lady Cathryn is dallying with Lord Edward. He has that mistress in Ireland,” Lady Cairren pointed out.
“Men have mistresses, but that does not keep them from taking a lady as their wife. You are aware as well as I am that the king wants his brother to marry. There are only the two of them left, and he would secure the crown one way or another. Why not Lady Cathryn? She is a Highlander, she is beautiful, and she would bring an unruly faction to their knees if she became the king’s sister by marriage.”
Elizabeth’s mind ran through the maze she was creating, hoping to stay one step ahead of the other women. Fortunately, the musicians tuned their instruments, and servants cleared then moved the tables. Elizabeth moved from one partner to another while watching the ladies titter to one another and then to their various partners. She determined the rumor was spreading, but when she came face to face with the gentleman in question, she realized she may have done too fine a job. The man she danced with now was one of the most handsome she had ever seen. She would recognize him anywhere as he so resembled the king. She swallowed as he led her through several steps before speaking.
“You dance like a dove,” he smiled down to her, and she relaxed, “but I hear you speak like a pigeon.”
Elizabeth stumbled and would have fallen if the tight arms that surrounded her did not brace her. When she was steady again, she expected Lord Edward would release her, but instead he pulled her closer. She tried to keep a distance between them for the sake of propriety, but he did not seem to care. He bent to whisper in her ear.
“You seem to remember a great deal about someone you have never met.”
“Who have I never met, my lord?” Elizabeth turned doe eyes on him, and for a moment Edward faltered before his supple lips broke into a broad smile.
“Why me?”
“I recall we have met before, my lord, so it must not be yourself who you refer to.”
She wanted to kick herself for sounding so tongue tied.
“I do not believe we have, for I would remember such a lovely face.”
Elizabeth turned away and tried to stifle her laugh, but it came out as a soft snort. She looked back at the king’s brother, a prince of sorts, and was mortified.
“Is there something funny about what I said? Do you not consider yourself lovely?”
“It matters not what I presume about my own face. I do, however, presume you see lovely faces everywhere, and mine is no more memorable than the next.”
“Mayhap I would have said that before sharing this dance, but now that I see you up close,” he trailed off as his blue eyes speared hers.
The music drew to an end, but Edward did not release Elizabeth. She looked around and saw several people watching. She tried to release him, but his hold on her hand and waist kept her anchored before him. The music began again, and Edward led her through the steps while charming her with his smile.
“My lord, I would assert you are the one who will set tongues wagging if you do not let me move on to another partner.”
“And if I do not want to? Who will stop me?”
Elizabeth went rigid in his hold and panicked. A thumb whirled circles on her waist as he soothed her.
“I do not mean I would force you. I do not treat women like that. I meant that no one will stop me from enjoying my dances with you. I do not mean to frighten you.”
Elizabeth released the breath she held and nodded her head. She was very warm and regretting her part in Ceit’s charade. She wanted to retreat and observe the other dancers from a safe distance. She wanted to retreat from the man who kept watching her.
“You do not look so well now, Lady Elizabeth. You look quite peaky actually.”
She whipped her head around at her name.
“You know who I am? You said you were sure we never met before.”
“Just because I do not recall having the pleasure of your company before does not mean I do not know who you are.”
Edward deftly steered them towards the open doors that led to a courtyard outside the Great Hall. He kept them visible to the dancing masses but created privacy for them too. He stood next to her as she let the cool air wash over her and cleared her mind. She wanted to go back inside, accepted that she should go back inside, but something kept her in the courtyard well after she was herself again.
“Lady Beth, you are more familiar with my interests than I am.”
It surprised Elizabeth that a virtual stranger would use the pet name.
“Oh? You seem to be familiar with my name.” She raised an eyebrow to make sure he understood her point.
He grinned and nodded.
“Quite. It has come to my attention that you saw me with Lady Cathryn Comyn earlier. I am confused how that might be since I do not believe I have ever deigned to cast my eyes on the chit.”
“The passageway was dark, so perhaps whomever saw Lady Cathryn, or perhaps it was you, was mistaken as to the partner.”
Elizabeth hedged her bets and struggled to keep from biting the inside of her cheek.
“Since Lady Cathryn appears to be as besotted with the Sinclair lord as he is with her, we both are aware it was not Lady Cathryn trysting with some other man. And since I came from the Great Hall’s antechamber after speaking with my brother, it’s not possible for me to have been in the passageway either.”
“Hmm. It would seem someone was confused.” Elizabeth looked back over her shoulder to determine whether anyone was watching them. She was unprepared for the hand that wrapped around her arm and guided her further into the darkness.
“I would learn what game you are playing, my lady.”
“There is no game, I assure you.”
“Then why are you prevaricating? Lying even?”
Elizabeth refused to speak first. She learned long ago that she was an infinitely more patient person than nearly anyone else at court. She would wait him out. She would allow him to lead the conversation, so she would not put her foot in it. However, she was not prepared to meet a man as patient as her. They stood staring at one another. Elizabeth’s mouth went dry as her gaze dipped to his lips then his chiseled jaw before darting back to his eyes. She saw the humor there and licked her lips. The desire flared between them, and she stepped back.
Edward did not follow her, allowing her some space.
“I do not make a habit of dallying with maidens.”
“I ken,” Elizabeth whispered and then cleared her throat. “We all ken you have an arrangement that seems to suit you well both here and in Ireland.”
“Arrangement?”
Elizabeth tilted her chin up.
“Yes, an arrangement with your mistress. You keep one in Ireland and bed servants and wenches when at court. It’s a rather practical one, I suppose.”
“You seem to know, once again, quite a lot about me when I know little about you.”
“Discretion is the better part of valor.”
“And just what have you been up to that requires discretion?”
Elizabeth laughed, and Edward frowned. It was not the reaction he expected.
“I have no need for discretion as I do not do aught that would need hiding. I do not engage in intimacies with married partners. I do not engage in intimacies at all, for that matter. I certainly do not pay for anyone’s attention. We are both aware to whom I refer.”
Edward pulled her against him and watched as her nostrils flared. Her breasts pressed against his chest, and he was sure she was aware of him too.
“You play a dangerous game, my lady. Perhaps you are the one who wishes to be found with me. Perhaps you created a rumor to catch my eye, and now you realize that you are playing with fire.”
“And I easily put a fire out with water. I am not interested.” Elizabeth pushed at his chest, and he released her.
“I think you are. I think you would very much like to know which other rumors about me are true.” His gaze skimmed over her as he perused her breasts. “I think you would enjoy your tutelage under my instruction. Come with me now, and I will make you come many times over tonight.”
Elizabeth gasped at his blatant proposition. Her hand lashed out and struck him before she thought better. A small voice told Elizabeth to run while she was able, but another part of her, the one fed up of people underestimating her, stood her ground.
“How dare you be such a cad? King’s brother or not. You know just as well as I do I have no intention of going anywhere with you. You said that to be lewd and to humiliate me. Your mistress, and every whore and wench between here and Galway for that matter, are welcome to you. I do not want someone else’s cast offs.”
Elizabeth spun on her heels but not before an arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her against a solid wall of muscle.
“You are a testy one. I underestimated you, and that was my mistake. But it is one I will not make again. You might just be the one to change a man’s ways.” He released her as quickly as he had held her. She looked over her shoulder once before moving gracefully towards the Great Hall. Edward watched her hold her head high and set her shoulders back before gliding into the crowd. He was unable to resist smiling and wanting to adjust himself in his blasted breeks.
Ceit was anxious as the horses ate up the miles. They had been riding for two hours in the dark, and none of the Sutherland men picked up a trail they were certain was her uncle’s men. There were plenty of hoofprints and wagon wheel ruts, but nothing that led from the castle in Stirling to where they were now. They stopped frequently as Hamish’s trackers held their torches aloft and examined the road. His scouts who rode ahead had not returned with any news. She was desperate and sensed the men were questioning her, albeit silently. She had one possible resource, and if this did not pan out, then they were in for a much longer journey than she hoped. They would have to stop for the night either way since the horses needed a rest, and they were more likely to miss important details riding through the dark than waiting until the sun rose. Ceit rode in the middle beside Hamish, and when she looked over for at least the hundredth time, she was sure the man was considering the same thing she was.
“Laird Sutherland, there is an inn nae far from here. We should stop there. The horses can rest and drink while yer men can catch a couple of hours sleep. There is naught more to be done until the sun is up.”
Laird Sutherland looked at her and nodded. She waited until the party rode into the courtyard with a clatter of hooves and jangle of harnesses before she whispered to Hamish
“Laird, there may be someone here in residence who might help. I dinna ken for certain, but I pray I am right.”
Ceit dismounted and handed her reins to a stable boy before moving into the inn. She nodded to the innkeeper who she recognized from previous stops. This was a coaching inn she visited a handful of times in the weeks since she began her services to the king. She had never seen it in the daylight and wondered what it would reveal in the morning. In the meantime, she slipped above stairs and went to the last door on the right. She knocked twice, paused, and then knocked thrice more. She watched over her shoulder as the Sutherlands entered the main room. They were still several hours from the border but stuck out from the Lowlanders. Everyone was wary of one another, and Ceit breathed a prayer that a fight would not break out. She watched as Hamish cast a steely glance around at everyone, his men and all the others gathered. His message was clear, and hands moved away from swords and dirks. She turned back to the door when someone lifted the bar on the other side.
“Ceit?”
“Aye, Isla. It’s me. Let me in.”
The door opened and a young woman the same age as Ceit let her through. Ceit looked her over and moaned as her hand traced over the other woman’s cheek.
“He did this.” It was not a question but a flat statement.
“I wasna ready when he returned the other day. I hadnae expected him until the following eve. He wasna pleased to be kept waiting.”
“But ye are here now?”
“I slipped away. I overheard his plan to take yer mon and kenned it wouldnae be long before ye were coming here for news. Yer uncle is on his way to meet his men.”
“How did ye get here so fast? We only just returned to court earlier today.”
“Ceit, he’s been planning this since before whatever happened with yer mon’s brother and his bride. All I ken is that he was in a right huff when he discovered ye’d left court with Lord Tavish. He was furious that ye would leave without his consent.” She unconsciously touched her wrist. “He sent men to take Lord Tavish days ago.”
Ceit reached out and lifted Isla’s arm. The swollen wrist had an angry bruise in the shape of fingerprints.
“Och, Isla. Ye canna stay with him. He will kill ye one of these days.”
“And he will have ma family killed the day I leave. I havenae any more choice than ye do.”
“But ye ken I can protect ye if ye will just come to the king with me.”
“Nay!” Isla pulled her arm loose and stepped away. “Ye do what ye must, and so do I. Ye arenae the only one with sisters to protect. If it isnae me, then he might choose one of the younger lasses. I can manage.”
“Isla, he beats ye and rapes ye. How can ye call that managing?”
“I’m here, amnae I? I can tell ye what ye need to ken. I didna come for yer lectures again. I came to help ye. If ye dinna want it, then I will go. I risk more than a beating and a bedding if he discovers I’m here.”
“Isla, it’s nae a bedding when he forces ye!”
Ceit forced herself to take a deep breath. This was not the purpose of her visit. She was not here to fight with her closest childhood friend, but it was a mixture of fury and heartbreak whenever she saw Isla Comyn. They had known each other since they were weans and were inseparable for most of their lives. That was until her uncle claimed Isla as his mistress and threatened the woman’s family if she attempted to refuse him.
“Ceit, I will be fine. Most days, he treats me well and can even be gentle and kind. On the days when he’s nae,” she shrugged, “I have learned to keep ma distance.”
Ceit’s eyes darted from Isla’s wrist to her cheek before settling on her eyes. Ceit shook her head.
“This isnae over, Isla, but I must ken what has become of Tavish. Where is he being taken?”
“Yer uncle is having him taken to Closeburn. He intends to drop him in the oubliette. He kens ye will search for him, but he assumes ye will go to Carlisle.”
A heavy knock echoed through the room, and Ceit pushed Isla behind her as she pulled her sword free. She edged towards the door and pulled a dirk free from her pocket.
“Who?”
“It’s Laird Sutherland, Lady Ceit.”
Ceit lowered her dirk but kept her sword poised.
“Enter, ma laird.”
Hamish Sutherland stepped through the doorway and took in the scene before him. He looked at Ceit with her weapons drawn and then the other young woman who stood near the window.
“Isla Comyn?”
Isla and Ceit gawked at Hamish who stepped further into the chamber.
“Isla Comyn? Is that ye, lass?”
“Aye.”
Hamish walked over to her and raised his hands, so the skittish young woman saw them.
“Isla, I’m Hamish Sutherland. Yer father fostered with ma family. Yer grandfather was the old laird’s second. Yer father showed great promise as a warrior, so even though it was unusual, they sent him to foster with us. Och, lass, I’m sorry for yer loss. I heard aboot yer father.”
Both Ceit and Isla froze. No one ever talked about the harrying of their clan or the losses that ensued. Isla was the first to recover.
“Thank ye, ma laird. I remember the stories he would tell of his time with the Sutherlands. They were mostly happy memories.”
“Ye’re kind, lass. Ma father was a miserable bastard who made anyone nearby miserable. He took pleasure in it.” Hamish grimaced before looking between Isla and Ceit. “What are ye doing here?”
Isla and Ceit exchanged a look and Ceit stepped forward, but Hamish’s look told her, she was not the one he wanted to listen to.
“I was hoping Lady Ceit would stop here. We have kenned each other our entire lives.”
“And why might ye wish that?” Hamish squinted and set his jaw when he saw Isla’s bruised face.
“I imagined our path’s might cross.”
“Lass, I have learned patience over the years as laird and father to a passel of lasses, but ye are pushing it. Speak. I am in nay mood to solve yer riddles.”
Isla looked to Ceit who nodded.
“I live in Carlisle. With Buchan.” Isla waited for Hamish’s reaction, but when he showed none, she continued. “He learned of Ceit’s betrothal and attachment to Lord Tavish and arranged for someone to attack him. When that didna work, he already had the back-up plan to have him abducted.”
“That confirms what we already ken. It doesnae explain why ye are here,” he turned to look at Ceit, “or why ye ken of this inn, for that matter.”
“I have stopped at this inn before. I have had cause to visit this area for both the king and ma uncle.” Ceit refused to say more, and Hamish wisely asked nothing else. He turned his attention back to Isla.
“I kenned Ceit would travel south, and I kenned she’s been here before. I took the chance of finding her here to tell her where Buchan is taking Lord Tavish. It isnae Carlisle. It’s Closeburn.”
Hamish absorbed the information spoken aloud while digesting what was not said. He stepped towards the window embrasure and crossed his arms. He looked out the window as he spoke.
“Lady Ceit, I imagine that Tavish already kens ye spy for the king and yer uncle. I gather from yer presence here that ye dinna care for yer work for yer uncle. Though I doubt ye’re thrilled to be used by the king either. Isla, ye are Buchan’s mistress, and from the looks of it, nae by choice. Ye both tread a mighty dangerous line.” He continued to stare out of the window as he spoke. “But then again, I wouldnae say ye have much room to stray. Isla, ye dinna have to return to Carlisle. I have men who can escort ye to court where ma wife will see to ye. Ye are as much ma niece as Mairghread is. Ye can be a Sutherland before the sun rises.”
“That is a most kind offer, but I canna accept. The moment Buchan realizes that I have left, he will go after ma family.”
“Lass, ye da is already gone. Ye need proper protection for yerself and yer sisters. Yer mama is a Sutherland. That is where yer parents met. Ye da was closer than ma own brothers by blood. I can offer ye the life yer parents wanted for ye and yer sisters. Yer mama can come home.”
Isla was aware her mother was a Sutherland. But after everything that transpired with the Comyns, she assumed the Sutherlands would never consider offering her aid. Tears filled her eyes.
“I ken why ye never asked. Ye had nay way of kenning we would have helped ye, and I failed yer father by nae intervening. I didna ken until now that any of ye survived, but if ye are Buchan’s mistress, then ye are only so to save yer family.”
Hamish stepped to Isla and pulled her into a warm fatherly embrace. Isla collapsed into tears, and Ceit’s protective nature wanted to pull her friend into her own arms. However, Hamish offered her friend a comfort that Ceit could not.
“Isla, take his offer. Please.” Ceit whispered.
Isla wiped her tears and nodded her head.
“Only if someone can be sent for ma family immediately. They must be away before Buchan can even find out.”
“Consider it done. Ye can leave now with two of ma men. I dinna like ye traveling so late in the night, but ye will be back to court before the sun rises. Ma wife will have ye tucked away in two shakes of a lamb’s tale. She will ken what to do. She kenned yer parents.”
Hamish released Isla, and Ceit stepped forward. She pulled the sticky oilcloth from her pocket and handed it to Isla. The women smiled at one another as Isla pulled an oilcloth from her own pocket and handed it to Ceit. Hamish watched confused by the odd exchange.
“We have always had a sweet tooth. I prefer honeycomb, and Isla likes candied apricots, but we always shared whenever we had a treat.”
Ceit pulled Isla into a tight hug and whispered in her ear. “When I marry Tavish, we will be family twice over. I trust Laird Sutherland, and ye should too. I will ask Tavish to let us stop at Sutherland on our way to Dunbeath. Be careful.”
Isla nodded, whispering, “Ye too.”
Hamish walked to the door and spoke to someone just beyond the door frame. When he turned back, he waved Isla forward. She put her cloak on and left without another word.
Once the sound of footsteps faded to nothing, Hamish looked at Ceit. She sighed and sat on the only chair in the chamber.
“Tavish kens what they have forced me to do. Ma father sent me to court as a peace offering. Ma uncle threatened all of us and had ma brother kidnapped then beaten to make me agree to spy for him. When I arrived at court, the king asked the same of me. He didna have anyone beaten, but then why would he need to. He’s the king. I have been to this inn before as I fed ma uncle harmless and mundane news from the court. I’ve been here five times since I arrived at court several sennights ago.”
“And what have ye been able to tell the king?”
“Naught more than ma uncle is now the Warden of the West Marches. But he already kenned. Ma uncle crosses the border, but I have never kenned when until after the fact. I have told the king which men in his court are spies for ma uncle, but beyond that, I havenae been much use. I only ken what ma uncle does because of Isla. I relay ma information to one of ma uncle’s men, but she has slipped here a few times too.”
“Ye are both brave, if nae foolhardy, women to travel to such a place, but I ken why.”
The two looked at each other for a long time before Hamish went to the door.
“I will have a guard posted outside yer door. I am next door. Keep yerself locked and barred in here. We will ride at first light.” Hamish reached for the door handle. “Lady Ceit, the king was right aboot one thing. Ye are the vera best match for Tav.”
Ceit beamed, “Just as he is for me.”
“Good night, lass,” and with that Hamish pulled the door shut behind him.