Page 82 of The Forest Bride
“Though he denied knowing anything, he traveled to Loch Roskie quickly afterwards, even in pain,” Liam said. “He must have gone as soon as we left.”
“Something made him nervous,” Duncan said.
“After that, we hired a birlinn to take us up the loch, since Menteith mentioned you, sir.” Henry looked at Duncan. “He told us Campbell of Brechlinn was justiciar in the north and had custody of a criminal who needed punishing. I admit I was astonished to learn you were back in Scotland.”
“I am,” Duncan said quietly.
“I confess, I thought you were gone, but Iain said his brother was the justiciar at Brechlinn. He explained that there was a rumor for years that you had died.”
Duncan nodded. “It seems that word spread past my family. I am sorry.”
“I am glad it was a false rumor,” Henry said.
With a sigh of relief, Margaret glanced from her brother to Duncan. She had been uncertain how Henry might react to seeing Duncan, but her brother was a gracious sort, quick to understand. Duncan caught her glance and pressed his lips together. She saw the relief there, saw his shoulders shift in a long exhale.
“Sir John is intent on pursuing charges for this archer and said you had him in custody,” Liam said. “He wants to know more. Bruce’s orders directed us to Brechlinn too, on the strength of Lennox’s message about the missing escort.”
“Finding my sister and Andrew safe here was a great relief. I hope you will make the rest clear soon,” Henry said, glancing at Margaret. She nodded her promise. “For now, it seems we have this important task in common, on orders from Bruce.”
Margaret sat forward, listening intently. Her brother’s calm reassured her, but she could not read him entirely. He would harbor his own opinion and not readily share it. Blond and blue-eyed, tall and strong as an oak, Henry had learned during years of knight service to show careful courtesy and school his thoughts behind a neutral mask.
“So,” Henry continued, “Menteith wants me to bring word of what the justiciar intends for this archer assailant. What are you going to tell him?”
“That I saw no reason to detain him. It was an accident,” Duncan said.
Henry shook his head.
“I had to get close to Menteith,” Margaret insisted. “Andrew and I suspected he had something to do with the attack on our escort. But it all went wrong, and I was caught. Sir Duncan brought me here to avoid Menteith.”
“Sir John was a bit upset,” Duncan explained with a shrug.
“No doubt. Thank you for keeping her safe,” Henry said.
“So now,” Duncan said, “we must determine how to get Lilias away from Menteith. With luck, he has her with him at Roskie Castle. Henry, if you and Liam can go there with news about this…archer lad, you can get inside and find out more.”
“We could get inside, but he will be displeased with the news the lad is no longer, uh, in the area. We would be thrown out and none the wiser about Lady Lilias.”
“Wait.” Margaret sat up, heart pounding. “I can get inside.”
“You cannot think to reveal you were his assailant,” Henry said.
“Not that. I will go there to see De Soulis. He is also at Roskie Castle.”
“De Soulis!” Henry exclaimed.
“We saw him recently. I have a message for him, my reply to a question he posed to me. He will want to see me. I can get inside.”
“You need not do this, my lady,” Duncan said sternly. She could not look at him for fear of faltering. She had a strong urge—this was a way she could move this forward, perhaps find Lilias.
“What does De Soulis want from you? He needed to approach me first.” Henry turned to the others. “My sister was betrothed to him two years ago, but he broke it off. She should have nothing to do with him now. Does he want your permission to keep the land he took from us?”
“He did not mention that. He wants to renew the betrothal,” she said.
“What!” Henry scowled. “He wants something else, but what?”
“That is what I am wondering,” Duncan growled, catching Henry’s glance.
“He told me he made a mistake, and wants another chance.” She felt her cheeks fill with heat. “I promised to give him my answer. So I would be admitted to Castle Roskie, and perhaps, I could see Lilias. De Soulis might even tell me.”
