A Spy at the Highland Court

by Barclay, Celeste

  Her stunned expression turned dark as Ric watched her anger begin to build. He rubbed her back until he felt some of the tension dissolve, and he was confident he could resume his story.

  “He decreed that I could only marry you if I were to agree to live near the border and spy for him. I agreed without hesitation but insisted that you were to accompany me. I couldn’t imagine leaving you behind, but the moment we rode out of Stirling, even before, I became terrified that you would die like my mother did. And I believed you would never love me if you knew I was supposed to spy for both sides.”

  Isa covered Ric’s lips with her finger.

  “Do you know why I love you? I love you for your kindness to me, and how you take my interests seriously. You’ve spent hours listening to me discuss things that probably are trivial to you, but you know they aren’t to me. I love you for putting me ahead of yourself. I knew you rode patrol for Robert and that was part of the betrothal agreement, but I had no idea that he expected you to spy for him. I love you for your bravery and strength. I love you for trying to do what’s right despite the obstacles. I love you for recognizing a wrong and trying to right it. I understand your need to keep me safe. How do you think I feel every time you leave? I just wish you trusted me enough share your burdens. If we were distant and married by arrangement, if you believed I was incapable of handling the truth, then I could understand why you wouldn’t share this with me. But you believed that my fate rests solely in your hands. You aren’t God. You can’t control everything. I can’t live like a prisoner in my home because you’re always gone, and I’m not even allowed to venture to our own village. I can’t live in ignorance when it is my life at risk. I deserve to know. And I want to be by your side, not always left behind.”

  Isa tugged on Ric’s surcoat until he leaned forward enough for her to kiss him. She hoped he understood all the unspoken emotions she felt. Ric swept his tongue against the seam of her mouth, and she opened for him immediately. Their need to reconcile created an urgency between them that turned into a blaze as their hands roamed over each other. But before Ric could let it go further, he had to finish his apology.

  “Isabella, I love you, and I thought I was doing what was best. I’m sorry for the pain I caused you. I’m sorry for shutting you out. I’m sorry for being so controlling, and I know I was unreasonable, but I couldn’t shake my fear. I’m sorry for not being the husband you deserve.”

  Isa sat up and pulled her skirts to her waist before straddling his lap. She wanted to look into his eyes as they hopefully put the difficulties in their marriage behind them.

  “You are the husband I deserve and the only one I want. I want to come home with you. I understand now the position you were placed in and what you did to try to make the best of it. Do you promise to include me when you have a decision to make that affects both of us, affects our people?”

  “Yes. You have no idea how many times I wished I could come to you for your opinion.”

  Isa nodded as she rested her hands over Ric’s heart.

  “What are you going to do about the kings?”

  Ric took a deep breath before blowing it out slowly and scrubbing his hand over his face.

  “If I truly had my choice, I would take you to live on Sinclair land. I would get us as far away from the border as I possibly could. You would be near your friends, and I could offer my services to their laird. I would leave this Godforsaken strip of land and never look back.”

  “How long did Robert say you have to serve?”

  “Indefinitely. He gave me Barsalloch Point to govern and protect as part of our marriage. I assume that means I am to be there until I am no longer able to fight. Then it would revert back to your father or perhaps be inherited by any sons we might have. I would hope it would remain your dower lands, so you have somewhere to live with any daughters we might have until the king arranges a new marriage.”

  Isa shook her head so hard wisps of hair flew about her ears.

  “I will not marry anyone else. You are the only husband I will ever have. And don’t speak as though you will leave me a widow. I don’t like it.”

  She knew she sounded petulant, but she was still angry and frustrated. Her feelings were directed at the two kings who manipulated her husband, but there were certain things that held her resolve.

  “Isa, you know that won’t be your choice.”

  Isa’s jaw set, and her emerald eyes hardened.

  “I no longer care what Robert thinks. He sentenced us both to an indefinite servitude with death as a daily possibility. You came to Scotland to escape the fighting, and he sent you back. If I lose you, I consider my life of service to the crown to be done. I will have given more than enough. I will retire in solitude if I must, but I will not remarry.”

  “A life of solitude is what I wanted in the beginning. Then I met you, and all I want now is to build a family and grow old with you. If I lose you, then there will be nothing but solitude. I never wanted to marry until I realized I couldn’t live without marrying you. There will never be another, Isa.”

  Isa lifted the hem of Ric’s surcoat and tugged until he leaned forward enough for her to lift it over his head. She sat back as she frowned at the hauberk.

  “I haven’t a clue what to do with that.” Isa’s puzzled expression made Ric laugh. He set her beside him on the bed before standing. He pointed out how he could tighten it at the sides but preferred to wear it loose so his arms could move more freely. He showed her where to grasp, so it could be lifted over his head without tearing into fingers.

  When he was free of the chain mail, Isa kneeled on the edge of the bed and lifted his tunic as he bent to let her pull it off. He lifted her chin for another searing kiss as he drew his dirk through the laces of her gown. Isa felt the tug then the material slipping off her shoulder.

  “You didn’t ask if I like this gown.”

  “I’ll buy you another set of laces.” Ric resumed their kiss as he pushed the gown down her arms, then tugged at the ribbons on her shoulders that held her chemise in place. His hand kneaded her breast as his mouth descended to the other. She grasped his shoulder and ran her hand through his hair as she leaned back. Ric looked up and watched Isa with her head thrown back in pleasure.

  When his ministrations paused, Isa looked down at him. Ric felt his cock throb at the arousal in Isa’s gaze. He lifted her from the bed, pushing the gown from her hips. She kicked off her slippers as she yanked at the laces of his leggings. He pulled his boots off before stripping off his leggings. Isa rolled down her stockings, and they stood gazing at one another’s naked form, appreciating the beauty before them. Ric lifted Isa so her legs could wrap around his waist as he slid into her.

  Ric followed her over the cliff as his release sprung from him. He rolled to his side, bringing Isa with him as their bodies remained fused together. Their kisses were soft as they basked in the afterglow of their frenetic coupling.

  “Making love to you is unlike anything else I’ve ever done. I never made love before being with you.” Ric knew he risked a dicey topic after what they had just shared. “I want you to know I don’t use that term loosely.”

  “I admit I’ve wondered more than once.”

  Ric kissed her forehead, and they lay embracing in silence until their clammy skin chilled. Ric pulled the covers over them as they nestled together.

  “I haven’t slept well since I left. I never sleep well when you’re gone. It’s never as comfortable,” Isa yawned. “Do you mind if I nap?”

  “I’ve barely closed my eyes since I thought I lost you. I’m rather tired, too.”

  Isa stroked his chest as Ric rolled onto his back, and Isa settled her head on his shoulder.

  “I’m sorry I ran away. I was scared and angry. I’ve pulled you away from where you should have been patrolling, and I know I made you worry.” Isa sat up on her elbow. “I know we will argue in the future. I don’t want you to fear that this is how I will react every time we disagree.”


  Ric pressed her back against him as he worked his finger through her braid then stroked her hair.

  “I didn’t think you would. I understand why it drove you away, Isa. It was reasonable to want to escape when you believe you’re married to a traitor. I can’t deny that I am a traitor.”

  Isa’s hand paused. Suddenly not as sleepy as she had been a moment ago, Isa sat up once more and looked at Ric.

  “You are not. You served your time for Edward after being conscripted. He may have sent you to spy, but you are not English. Your father chose a Scottish wife and made a home in Scotland. He made that choice for you. You told me that you gave Bella information that wasn’t true. Your loyalty to Robert came by choice, not by force. You have served Robert loyally, for there has been no news of attacks along the western border. Even if you hadn’t told me, I would have heard from the servants or on market day. You are not a traitor. Don’t say that.”

  Isa laid down again once more and resumed her lazy circles over Ric’s chest as he stroked her hair.

  “I’d like to move north to the Sinclairs as soon as we can leave.”

  “I thought you were excited to live among your clan again.”

  “I was,” Isa yawned. “But I’m more excited about you living.”

  “I will grant your wish, if I can.”

  The couple fell asleep and remained that way well into the evening. Andrew sent up a tray with enough for at least three meals, and they took advantage of it, remaining sequestered away the entire next day and night.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Isa and Ric set off for Barsalloch Point the third morning after Ric’s arrival, having spent a day alone and a day with Andrew. Isa and Ric felt reconciled and stronger than they ever had. The journey back to their home was uneventful, for which they both breathed a sigh of relief. Robbie and Alasdair were in the bailey as they rode under the portcullis. Their faces were grim even when they saw Ric lift Isa from the saddle and kiss her before placing her feet on the ground. They walked hand in hand to Alasdair after Robbie took the reins and shot Ric a glance that had the hair standing up on Ric’s neck.

  “What’s happened?” He asked Alasdair before anyone could greet one another.

  “There was an attack along the border between us and the MacLellans. Apparently, the English tracked a group of scouts that had gotten too close to their camps. They attacked the MacLellan patrols and burned our crofters’ homes and fields.”

  Isa turned wide eyes toward Ric and backed away as she shook her head. She covered her mouth with her hands as she looked between the two men.

  “This was my fault,” she whispered. “You tracked me east. You must have feared I’d been taken and scouted the English camps to check. They wouldn’t have been after you, and they wouldn’t have killed those people if you hadn’t been searching for me.”

  Ric pulled her into his arms and glared at Alasdair over her head.

  “Don’t blame him,” Isa mumbled against Ric’s chest. “You would have told me now anyway.”

  Ric did not know how she could tell he was glaring at her cousin, but she could read him better than he could read himself some days.

  “It’s not your fault, Isa. I was able to get that close to their camp because they’ve been planning that attack for weeks. It was bound to happen sooner rather than later.”

  “And you could have been there to stop it, but instead, you were chasing me.”

  “I am not the only border lord King Robert has. He could have sent more forces there to fight, but he didn’t.”

  “You have to go! They need you there.”

  “But I don’t want to leave you behind.”

  “I’ll have Alasdair here with me. You have to go.”

  Ric scrubbed his hands over his face before running them through his hair. He looked back at the stables and the men who had just arrived with him. He looked forward and found Alasdair standing there waiting for his directions.

  “Round up the other men. We’ll ride out within the hour.”

  Ric took Isa by the hand and led her into the Great Hall and into the solar they shared.

  “I don’t want to leave you now that you’re home, but I know that you are right, and I have little choice. I will return to you as soon as I can, Isa. I love you.”

  “I love you, Ric.”

  Isa and Ric left the solar and returned to the bailey where Isa watched Ric mount his horse and the men followed him through the gate. He turned back twice just as he always did, and Isa waved.

  Ric rode hard for three days as he and his men raced to the border with the MacLellans. As they came within miles of where the skirmish was supposed to have happened, Ric looked around. He saw no evidence of a recent battle and began to grow suspicious. They passed through villages where people said that they had not seen any sight of the English in months. When they arrived at the border with the MacLellans, he recognized some of the men who were on patrol as ones he met while staying with his cousin.

  “We were told that there was a battle here. We were told that some of your patrols died and that the English burned out many of my people’s fields and crofts, but we haven’t seen any evidence of that.”

  The MacLellan patrol looked amongst themselves and shook their heads. The leader spoke up as he looked to the south.

  “We know the English are just beyond the line and not far from here, but they haven’t crossed the border recently. We’ve been expecting an attack, but nothing has come.”

  Ric looked around and tried to deduce why they were given inaccurate information. He felt like he was on the receiving end of one of his own distractions, but Robbie had confirmed that they were told about the attacks from people who arrived on market day. Ric had wondered momentarily if Alasdair had set him up as a way to get back at him for Isa running away, but he knew that Isa’s cousin would never hurt her by risking Ric’s life, so he knew that Alasdair had spoken what he believed was the truth.

  Ric chose to scout along the border with England for another day then turned back toward his home. As they rode back on the second day, Ric found his senses warned him of an impending ambush. He kept his head on a swivel, scanning his surroundings, but there was no sign of anyone lying in wait for them. But he could not ease the intuition that screamed that he must remain vigilant. As dusk arrived on that second day of their return home, Ric’s suspicions were proven true. They had just made camp when they heard a rustling in the bushes. He had already warned his men that he suspected an imminent attack just before they stopped for the evening. Ric expected Hargate’s or Graystone’s knights and soldiers, but he did not expect Bella to appear along with Lord Hargate himself, followed by twenty of his warriors and knights.

  The battle was short, with the Scots coming out the clear victors. Only a few of Ric’s men bore injuries, while most of the English were dead or mortally wounded. Hargate targeted Ric, but the latter was used to Hargate’s maneuvers as they were the choreographed moves every knight learned. Ric had the smug satisfaction of being able to run Hargate through himself. The man’s arrogance led him not to wear armor for the ambush.

  After Ric wiped his sword clean on Hargate’s surcoat, he turned to look for the woman he was certain was at the heart of the attack. Bella was held captive by two of his men until Ric was available to question her.

  “You are easily duped,” Bella said before Ric had an opportunity to begin his questioning. “There was never any reason for you to leave your pretty little bride behind except for the fact that you are at the usurper’s beck and call. Perhaps you should have stayed home and kept an eye on your wife rather than running to aid your new king. Perhaps then she would have lived.”

  Ric listened to everything Bella spewed, but it was her last words that registered with him. He reached out and wrapped his hand around her throat and lifted her off the ground before shaking her.

  “What the hell did you just say?”

  When Ric dropped her back to the ground, Bella rubb
ed her throat where Ric could see angry red marks from where his fingers had pressed against her.

  “I said your wife is dead by now. Your game of distraction and diversion has been turned on you. Did you really believe I hadn’t figured out you turned? I’ve known for ages, but it didn’t suit Edward’s cause until now. You should have paid more attention to your own fears. She might have lived.”

  Ric saw stars as the world felt as though it was closing in to a few pinpricks of light before his eyes. There was a ringing in his ears as he tried to clear the fog from his mind and understand everything Bella told him. His blade was against her throat before he realized what he was doing.

  “It was one thing when I was the only one you targeted, but you’ve made a grave error if you think I will let you live when my wife doesn’t. You have played me for a fool twice now, but you never will again.”

  Bella’s eyes widened as she realized Ric intended to end her life. She tried to twist away, but his hand clamped around her upper arm in a vice so tight it hurt to move. Then she attempted to talk her way out.

  “Edward will not forgive you if you kill me. He already planned to wipe out your clan and your dimwitted little bride’s. Now he will pursue you to the ends of the earth before he lets you live in peace.”

  “That may be so, but that doesn’t change the fact that your life is forfeit.”

  Before Bella could try anything else, Ric thrust the blade into her belly and twisted. He watched the shock sweep over Bella’s face with grim satisfaction. Watching Bella know the life was seeping from her was why he had not slit her throat. He would not give her an easy death when she had been the reason he would return to Barsalloch Point without his wife waiting for him.

  Isa awoke to the sound of the warning bells sounding the alarm. She jumped from bed and ran to the window, where she could see smoke rising in the distance and horses racing toward the keep. She grabbed her robe and pulled it over the thick chemise she wore to sleep in when Ric was away. She knew there was no time to dress before she ran down to the Great Hall in her bare feet. Isa looked around as villagers poured in, running for the safety of the keep when they heard an attack was under way. She guided the women and children to storerooms that had false floors and to the cellars below the kitchens where they kept root vegetables throughout the winter. As she ran to the bailey for her third time, looking for anyone who needed a refuge, she watched the gates vibrate from the attackers attempting to break through.