Page 70 of The Guardian's Bride
Rowena glanced past him. “Sir Michael just came in looking for you, I think.”
“Michael!” He walked toward him. “What is it?”
“Riders, sir. Patrick Wemyss just arrived with several men.”
“Ah, good! I was hoping to see him while I was here.” Aedan left the room with his cousin and hurried down a short flight of stone steps to the oaken door of the keep to go outside and down wooden steps to the yard.
More than several men waited in the yard. As the Fife sheriff dismounted and turned, wearing chainmail and a dark tunic draped with a plaid in red and black, he waved and crossed toward Aedan. A chainmail hood covered most of his gray hair, framing his long face with its neatly clipped silvery beard and pale blue eyes crinkled and keen. As Aedan went to meet him, he counted the men on horseback. Twenty at least, he saw, feeling sudden hope that they were here to assist.
“Sir Patrick,” he said, extending a hand. “Welcome. Good to see you.”
“And you,” Patrick Wemyss said, “especially good, considering what we heard lately. Yester Tower, was it?” He shook his head disparagingly.
“Aye, just a storage tower. Not the best for my reputation as a dangerous rogue.”
“Better than a pit in Edinburgh or Berwick.”
“My thought as well, so I walked out.”
“They are looking for you. I had word of it. And as sheriff in lower Fife, I am instructed by the English crown to arrest you if I see you.”
“Ah.” Aedan glanced at the phalanx of mounted men. “And have you seen me?”
“I believe not. The Aedan MacDuff I remember has a great bushy beard,” Patrick said, as Aedan snorted in laughter. “I saw Brian Lauder in Dunfermline. He told me of your dilemma and said you might need extra men and swords here. Just in case.”
“Just in case,” Aedan echoed.
“I understand King Edward sent Sir Malise Comyn to lay claim to this place.”
“So it seems. I hear he intends to round up my wee son as well.”
“Jesu!” Patrick shook his head.
“It will never happen,” Aedan said firmly. “The boy and my kinswomen will go with Sir Brian to the Bass Rock.”
“Good.” Patrick nodded, his eyes tracking to the keep. “They are still here?”
“Aye. Come up to the hall and visit. Your men can go up to the garrison quarters, and the grooms can lead the horses to the stables. We have plenty of room. This castle was built a hundred years ago to house a large garrison, but we are not many now.”
“These men will be under your charge for the nonce, so direct them however you need. Most of them are Fife men and all are glad to help MacDuff.”
“I appreciate that. Sir Michael will be in charge. I will be leaving for Lanarkshire, as another matter needs my attention. Will you stay the night?”
“If I may. Then I can escort your group tomorrow to meet Lauder. I expect you will want to visit the abbot in Dunfermline as well. He has a guest you will want to see. I came here to bring you that news as well.”
“What news—what guest?” Aedan cocked a brow.
“Bishop Lamberton arrived at the abbot’s house days ago. I knew you would want that news.”
“Excellent. Dear God, I worried for him.” He felt as if a weight had come off his shoulders at the news that William Lamberton, Bishop of Saint Andrews and Fife, was safe. Captured months ago by the English, he was an outspoken rebel who widely shared his views regardless of the risks, and had even taken up a sword in defense of Bruce and Scotland. Furious, King Edward had outlawed the bishop and demandedhis arrest, and so Lamberton had been sought, found, and shut in an English dungeon.
Yet to Aedan, William Lamberton was far more than a rebellious Scottish bishop. He had taken Aedan and his brother, the young Earl of Fife, as his wards after their father was killed, and had become teacher, mentor, and a fatherly influence.
“So Edward released him. I had not heard.”
“I did not know either until he arrived at the abbot’s house in secret. He will stay there until his next move is clear. Word has been sent to Bruce, and Lamberton wants to see you.”
“I will go there as soon as I can. Good that Edward backed down,” he mused. “But he knew he could not imprison a bishop for long without offending the Pope, who is none too pleased with the English or the Scots as it is.”
