Page 7 of The Forest Bride
“You do not want to marry me.” Her brow puckered, her lip wobbled.
“Not true,” he said hastily. The others were nearer, calling out. “I must fulfill my knight service and cannot take a wife yet. Listen, please—”
“Stop!” Tears pooled in her eyes. “Stop! I hate King Edward. I hate you! I want to be your wife but you do not want me!” She stepped back. “Take care of our bird—” On a sob, she threw his things to the ground and spun away.
She ran, limping and stumbling, curls fanning out like flames. Her father reached her first, taking her in his arms as she cried. Then he scooped her up to carry her to the castle.
Duncan stood, gyrfalcon on his fist. Intent on knighthood, he had meant to give Margaret her freedom. Instead, he had hurt her, and felt stabbed through the heart as well.
His father ran toward him. “God’s bones, Donnchadh, why is the lass so upset? Where is your shirt? And what the devil are you doing with a white gyrfalcon?Ach, now we are in for it!”
Chapter One
Scotland, Stirlingshire
April, 1307
“It is notfar now, I hope, Lady Margaret,” the young girl said, riding beside Margaret as their small escort traveled north on a road leading into the Highlands. They had ridden for hours since leaving Kincraig Castle that morning.
“Not far now, dear,” she told the girl. “Sir Hugh says we will reach the Firth of Clyde soon to meet the boat your father is sending for you.”
“Ireland is lovely, I hear. Will we reach there tonight?”
Margaret smiled. “Lady Lilias, you are in a hurry! It was arranged for us to sail to a Hebridean isle to spend a few days there until another boat arrives takes us over to Ireland. Your father is not free to meet us, though.”
“I know Papa will not be there, but one of my uncles lives in Ireland. We will see him soon. I do like to hurry,” Lilias added, giggling. “I talk too fast and move fast too, but Papa says those are traits of a someone with a quick wit. I promised him to try harder to be patient. But I am anxious to see my uncle and cousins in Ireland. My half-brother Rob Bruce is there too,” she went on. “Will you stay with us for a while before returning home? Everyone at Kincraig has been so kind to me while I have been there. I appreciate it. I know my father does too.”
“I feel as if you are like one of my sisters now, and not just Bruce’s daughter sheltered at Kincraig. We have been happy to help you and help King Robert, too. Scotland needs him now.”
“I am glad you are with me on this journey,” Lilias said. “I am a bit nervous, I confess, with so many troubles now. Papa fears some harm may come to me, but I am just his daughter outside of marriage. Not very important. But he is concerned about me and my half-siblings now that his queen and his daughter Marjorie, and a few of my aunts and cousins were captured by English and are so cruelly treated in England.”
“It truly is distressing. He wants to ensure your safety because he loves you very much,” Margaret said. “And we are safe in the company of Sir Hugh, Sir Quentin, the men from Kincraig, and those sent by Bruce.” She glanced around at the escort party of eight men; she would not tell Lilias that no more men could be spared to accompany them due to the war effort. She smiled. “And soon we will sail away on an adventure.”
“You like adventure, Meg,” Lilias said. “You are so strong and brave. I wish I were more like you and your sisters.”
She laughed. “You are all that and more, I think. You have not had the chance to find out. When I was your age, I was dreamy and impulsive. But I learned quickly that life is not always good to dreamers. I had to learn to be bolder.”
“Then I will learn too. Can we continue to practice archery in Ireland? I have enjoyed lessons with you so much.”
“I am sure we can find time for it there.” Margaret reached back to pat the yew bow strapped across her saddle, then smoothed a hand over the leather quiver hooked over the pommel. Having a weapon to hand made her feel a little more secure. Truth be told, she was not entirely certain of their safety that day.
Before they left Kincraig, she had overheard her brother, Sir Henry Keith, discussing the journey with their brother-in-law,Sir William Seton. Both had seemed concerned, wanting more men for the escort and regretting that they were not free to go along, having assignments elsewhere. Henry was a deputy sheriff in Selkirk, and Liam, Tamsin’s husband, had a task to take care of for Robert Bruce. She sensed their concern, for the English were a perpetual threat in Scotland—and Lady Lilias was precious goods.
“I would prefer to travel with you,” Henry had told Margaret. “But I must obey King Edward in gesture if not in spirit.”
“I will see to her wellbeing,” Margaret said.
“You are so protective of her—and you have a good hand with a bow, come to that.” He said it lightly, but Margaret took his praise to heart.
With Henry often away, and their sister Tamsin married and living at Dalrinnie Castle, and their sister Rowena away too, lending a hand in local infirmaries, Margaret had taken on the role of chatelaine at Kincraig. She had learned to take charge of the castle household, and the castle’s garrison filled with Scots knights loyal to the Keiths as well as Bruce.
She hoped that young Lilias did not fully know the threats that might affect her. As the oldest daughter of Bruce’s so-called bastard children—whom he loved equally—Elisabeth Bruce deserved protection. As her friend and foster sister of a sort, Margaret felt a sincere responsibility toward her.
Ten years ago at Lilias’s age, Margaret had been happy, whimsical, and trusting, dreaming of her future—until her heart was broken by an annulled betrothal. Tragedy and illness had followed. Yet trouble had forged a strength in her that she might not have acquired otherwise.
She had abandoned dreams of a happy marriage, accepting that she might never marry. Her father had made other attempts to find her a match, but he had died sooner than anyone expected. Instead of marrying, she became resolute, stubborn,and more determined than ever to watch over her home and family. That included Lilias Bruce.
Lady Elisabeth de Bruce was just thirteen, but her father might soon look for an advantageous marriage for her. He had been secretly crowned King of Scots a year ago, and even with much on his mind, the safety of his family was paramount to him.
