Page 86 of The Scottish Bride
“It can, but it will take some doing.” Henry leaned to kiss his sister’s cheek. “May I take this news to Bruce?”
“If the lady agrees,” Liam said. She nodded. He turned back to Henry. “Where is the king now?”
The young lord knew which one he meant. “Heading west. I know where to rendezvous, but if I miss him, James Douglas of Morton, his watchdog, will find me. But I must hurry before they sail for the Isles. I hear that is their plan.”
“Do you go alone? It might draw less notice but is the greater risk.”
“I have just a few days to ride out and back before De Valence returns from Berwick. Siward rode to Dalrinnie to meet with Comyn.” Henry looked toward Finley and Iain, standing nearby. “But should you order your men to guarantee my honesty on the journey, I would not object.”
“They are not my men. Confer with them and let them answer.”
“I shall. You have brought excellent news, and I am pleased and honored. But we should go our own ways. We have been here a while and could attract notice.”
“Aye.” Liam and his cousin went to the horses to remove the leather sacks intended for Bruce, and left them with Henry on the stone step. Reaching into one bag, Liam withdrew a leather packet. “This list is as important as the rest, perhaps more so.”
“I will guard all of it with my life.” Henry tucked the packet inside his surcoat. “Where will you go now?” he asked Tamsin.
“To Selkirk. I left Grandda’s pages to be bound into a book—for the family.”
Henry nodded. Watching, Liam frowned. More and more, he felt that this book, whatever it was, belonged with the Keiths. “And then?” Henry asked.
“I thought to go to Kincraig to be with Meg and Rowena,” she said. “But I do not know what my—husband plans.” She glanced at Liam, her cloud-gray gaze hesitant.
“We should stay in the forest for a while,” he said, “until we see what Sir Malise does next. Then, sir, I will take Lady Tamsin to Kincraig to see to the safety of your sisters.”
“Have you heard if Kincraig is under threat?” Henry asked.
“Not yet that we know, but Bruce wants Scottish noblewomen under additional protection. I will send someone there directly soon, and we will go up there ourselves as soon as we can.”
“Send word if you have news.”
“We will,” Tamsin said. “I am so glad to see you, Henry, and know you are well.”
“Where can I find you, Sir William, when this mission is done?” Henry indicated the bags at his feet.
“Send word to James Lindsay or to Holyoak. Either will know where I am.”
“If King Robert has a message for you, I will bring word back.”
“I would be obliged.”
“Henry.” Tamsin hugged her brother. “Can we find you at Selkirk Castle?”
“Or patrolling the forest, so long as I retain this position. Give me a moment for a word with your friends before you go.” Henry extended a hand to Liam. “Sir, I am honored to call you kinsman now. Take care of her.”
“I will.” Liam clapped his shoulder. “Be safe, brother.”
As they rodepast a stone-walled kirk and graveyard, Tamsin shivered, crossing herself. Riding beside her, Liam slowed near the small, simple church.
“This path leads past the kirk into the town,” he said, pointing ahead. “We follow it to the Water Row and the Back Row—streets bordering the market. You can just see it from here.” As he spoke, he looked up at the kirk’s bell tower.
“You know this place.” Tamsin watched him, understood immediately the connection he seemed to feel. “The town—and this church.”
“Kirk o’ the Forest, they call it.”
“A pretty name for a pretty church on the edge of the forest.”
“More than that. An important meeting place, this. A few years ago, Wallace was declared a Guardian of Scotland here. I stood inside that door to witness him swear to defend Scotland.”
