Page 58 of The Scottish Bride
“I had a letter recently and needed to see you—and God sent you here to me.” He smiled and shifted in his leather-slung chair draped with a woolen blanket.
“I am sorry I could not come sooner, Uncle,” Liam said.
“We knew you had been taken—Gilchrist brought the news, and later told us you had been liberated. It is good to see you, lad. And the Lord brought you to our gate with Lady Thomasina. Let me come back to her. First, I received a message.”
He reached toward the table with a trembling hand, and Liam picked up the letter he indicated. Its broken red sealshowed the tiny design of an equestrian knight encircled with castle and crown. Robert Bruce.
“In Robert’s own hand, and bears his signature,” his uncle explained, opening the creased page. “He mentions the English plan to evaluate castles ready for the plucking. He knows Gilchrist and Finley are tasked with that.” He looked up. “And he mentions the royal ladies captured last month.”
“Is there news of their release?” Gilchrist asked.
“Nothing yet. It may take years to negotiate their freedom.”
“Last I saw Bruce in September,” Liam said, “Edward refused to let the women go under any conditions. We all know that may not change until old Edward dies, stubborn as he is, and Prince Edward comes to the throne.”
“The son can be as stubborn and cruel toward Scotland as his father,” Finley said.
“But not as interested in pursuing the Scottish wars. That is his father’s obsession,” Liam said. “The old king is not well. I saw that for myself. The prince may abandon the assault on Scotland once he becomes king, especially if it proves difficult. And we are determined to make it so.”
“Bruce says here,” the abbot continued, “that Edward’s treatment of the royal captives means danger for all Scotswomen. ‘Those who may come under scrutiny or danger for their royal kinship or noble rank should be taken to places of safety,’ he writes here. He wants them protected.”
“Does he name certain women?” Liam asked.
“A few, including Lady Thomasina Keith, but he does not know she is safe here with us. He also mentions her sisters at Kincraig, and his daughter Elizabeth, called Lilias—one of his natural offspring. And he names Lady Kirsten Douglas at Thornhill too. Her uncle is one of Bruce’s closest allies, so she could attract Edward’s wrath. Bruce expresses concern for these women should the English attempt to take those castles.”
“Aye so,” Liam said. “I met Lady Kirsten at Lochmaben with Lady Tamsin, and I know her father. We should remove both from Thornhill in case the English arrive.”
“I will tell the king so in my reply, though it must wait upon a messenger who can reach him. Bruce also writes that he entrusted you, William, with another task, but must ask for this additional service as well. He trusts you. All of you,” the abbot told them.
Liam nodded. “Before Edward had hold of me, I was seeing to tenants and rent-rolls on Bruce’s properties, while also gathering support for him. Once we have seen Lady Tamsin and the others to safety, I mean to return to the work. We will bring Douglas of Thornhill out as well, though he may be loath to leave his castle.”
“Some say he is loyal to Edward,” Gilchrist said.
“No longer,” Liam said. “He has been of great assistance in the rent-rolls.”
“If he will come out of there, then you must help him as well.”
“Tomorrow we head to Thornhill, aye?” Liam looked at Gilchrist and Finley, who nodded agreement. He noticed that Gideon began to answer, yet stopped.
“As for Lady Thomasina,” the abbot said, “let her remain here until you return.”
“Both ladies could go to Lincluden for an extended stay,” Gilchrist suggested. “We could send word to Agatha to expect them.”
“True, but it could bring a risk to Agatha if Malise pursues Lady Tamsin there.”
“Malise,” Gideon said, “must never be allowed near Agatha again.”
“If we bring both ladies to the forest, they can disappear there,” Finley said.
“If you think best,” the abbot replied. “I have been giving the matter of your Lady Thomasina some thought, Liam.”
She was not his lady, Liam began to say, but let it go. In some ways he had begun to feel that she was. “She is adamant that she find her friend in Selkirk. If left on her own while we are gone, she could be a runaway colt.”
“Gideon will watch over her while you are gone.” The abbot rubbed the dog’s head for a moment. “I may have a solution for her unusual situation, but I want to talk with the girl first.” He looked up. “The hour of compline is near, when we go silent until dawn. But this cannot wait. Bring her to me, Gideon. Liam, remain here.”
Beckoning for Gilchrist and Finley to follow, Gideon left. Liam turned to his uncle. “Sir, what solution is that?”
“When Malise threatened the lass, you interfered by helping her. I am thinking you could interfere further.”
