Page 51 of The Scottish Bride
Allan crunched, swallowed. “Aye, he was a knight, one of the Setons of Dalrinnie.”
Wrapping the oatcakes, she paused. “Setons of Dalrinnie?”
“Surely you heard of them, being lady there. And the Setons are your friends.”
“I knew that Setons held Dalrinnie, but there are many of that name in the area.” And William—Liam—had dismissed her questioning earlier. Was his connection to Dalrinnie closer than he would admit?
“True, there are many Setons in Selkirkshire. Abbot Murdoch is a Seton as well. But forgive me, my lady, I should not speak of matters that do not concern me. I would not want to have to confess that to our abbot.” He took up the tray. “Do you need aught else? Blankets? Candles? We keep good beeswax candles here for guests, on the shelf there. Tallow smokes so.”
“Thank you. Oh, one request. Could I visit the library and perhaps use a desk in the scriptorium? I have done so before.”
“I am sure it is fine, but I will ask Brother Gideon.” He gave an awkward bow and closed the door.
The Setons of Dalrinnie! She spread a hand over her chest and took a breath. Were Sir William Seton and his brothers the Setons of Dalrinnie? If so, he wanted more than the Rhymer’s book—he wanted the castle too. Nor had he mentioned this to her. Was that dishonest, or deeply reserved? She shook her head, confused.
Then her temper, often quick, rose like steam. If he wanted book and castle both, he could just return to Edward empty-handed. He could fight Malise Comyn for them and leave her out of it. She did not care. She would not comply with any of this.
But she did care, far too much already. Sinking to the bed, she put her head in her hands. He had kissed her—she hadkissedhim. And he had seen a vision come over her when she was not even sure what she had said. Would he report that to Edward too?
The reminder of the Setons of Dalrinnie turned her dilemma on its axis. Not knowing what William Seton wanted, she dared not trust him now.
Perhaps the Dalrinnie widow seemed ripe for the picking, between Edward’s demand of the book and the temptation of Dalrinnie Castle. She had been lonely and vulnerable, wanting to believe in William Seton as the strong, kind, beautiful knight from her dream. She had made a fool of herself.
But she was certain his kindness was genuine, and those kisses were not false. Not at all. She felt it in the very core of her being. Yet he had not shared the truth with her when he could have. If he was a Seton of Dalrinnie, he could claim all from her.
Pressing a trembling hand to her head, she knew she must reach Selkirk soon and retrieve Thomas’s writings. Only her kin should have them.
As for William the harper-knight, she must be cautious. He might be more of a threat than she realized.
Chapter Fourteen
“She left Dalrinniein secret? Well done!” Gideon sat with Liam and Gilchrist in the refectory as they lingered over the meal Brother Richard had prepared. “For so quiet and scholarly a lass, Lady Tamsin can be stubborn.”
“So I am learning.” Liam took a mouthful of the hearty soup. A glance toward the window showed the rain continuing. “Finley has been gone for a while.”
“He will take time on patrol to be sure we were not followed,” Gilchrist said. “I will take the next turn round.”
“Then I will follow after dark,” Liam said. “We mean to keep watch, Gideon, in case they ride near the abbey.”
“I can come out with you as well,” Gideon offered. “Our reverend uncle will allow that in this situation, I think. Lady Tamsin was right to leave Dalrinnie,” he went on. “And what a blessing it was to see you lads at the gate with her. We had word of troops heading to Dalrinnie. And I am so thankful that Edward saw fit to liberate you, Liam.”
“Just for this odd mission.” Liam had explained the king’s orders, though he held back some of what he knew.
“I had hoped that someday Edward might restore the castle and appoint you commander.”
“I have not behaved well enough,” Liam drawled. “He dangled that plum and I had to sign fealty again, but we all know how far his promises go.”
“Your authority there would serve us well for other reasons,” Gideon said. “I do not admire Comyn, and will say no more on that matter.”
“Still working toward forgiveness?” his twin asked.
“Toward peace, at least. This place has a humbling effect on a man. Even me.” Gideon shrugged a shoulder. “Working with sacred texts and in the hospital helps remind me life should hold more than revenge.”
Liam understood Gideon’s deep hatred of Comyn. They all shared it, not just because Sir Malise had captured Liam with Sir Christopher Seton—but because years earlier, he had treated their sister Agatha cruelly. “You have done well at Holyoak, brother. Some would nurse grievance to flame and then burn all in the name of revenge.”
“You have been doing that for all of us,” Gideon returned.
“I did try to master the temptation,” Liam said with chagrin. “But I may incur the king’s wrath again over that damnable book, or in stealing a commander’s bride—we could all be accused of that. Gideon may have found peace in a penance of prayer, but such does not suit me,” he told his brothers.
