Isa ducked her head, embarrassed that she had spoken of something so private before the king. She wished she had let Ric carry on this part of the conversation, but she did not care to hear anyone accuse him, whether out loud or insinuated.
“Is your wife always so protective of you, Sir Dedric?”
“Yes,” Isa and Ric responded as one.
Isa snapped her mouth shut and looked down again, shutting her eyes as she bit her tongue.
“The final thaw in the Highlands should be through. I would say you shall have your wish to see spring in the heart and soul of Scotland.” Robert nodded and then gestured for a scribe to step forward. Robert took a piece of vellum from the young man and held it up. “This needs only my signature and my ring.”
Isa and Ric watched the king sign the missive and then press his signet ring into the warm wax that sealed it.
“We shall have our answer from the Sinclairs within a month. In the meantime, perhaps you would keep in mind the impressionable ladies within my wife’s court. Some seem to be receiving lessons meant to be saved for their wedding night.”
Isa felt her face catch fire as she looked at the king, then Ric, then the king again. She dipped into a curtsy and prayed they would be dismissed soon.
“You may go, but let it be to the privacy of your chamber. The monks will not appreciate having to tidy up.”
This time even Ric blushed at the king’s rebuke. Neither of them knew how the king had already learned of their tryst in the scriptorium, but they were glad to escape the Privy Chamber and make their way to their own.
Once inside, Ric wrapped his arms around Isa’s waist, resting his hands on her belly as her back pressed against his chest, and they looked at themselves in the mirror.
“I never imagined that arriving at Robert’s court would so drastically change the course of my life. I thought I might fight for him a few times and then retire to the country. Little did I know that agreeing to be a spy at his Highland court would grant me the opportunity to meet the only woman I have ever loved.”
Isa covered Ric’s hands with hers and twisted to kiss his cheek.
“The only thing you need to continue spying on is me in my bath.”
Isa turned in Ric’s arms and the couple kissed, just as they had the night they met and many times since.
Epilogue
“Do you think Laird Sinclair will like us?” Isa asked as she and Bridei trotted alongside Ric and MacLellan.
“I’m not worried about whether he will like you. Everyone likes you. I’m more concerned about him welcoming me into his guard. I read his response to the king. At best, it was tepid.”
“I suppose we shall see soon enough.” Isa pointed to movement in the distance. “We’re about to be welcomed one way or another.”
Ric and Isa continued to make their way toward the Sinclair keep as a welcoming party rode toward them. It was not long before they recognized Magnus and Tavish, who were accompanied by two other men who were so similar that they looked like the same face four times.
“It’s about time ye arrived,” Tavish snapped. “Ceit has been chewing ma ear for days.”
“Hello, Tavish.” Ric chuckled, but his friend scowled.
“Deirdre hasnae been much more patient either.” Magnus elbowed his older brother. “But she still likes me, so I canna complain.”
“Since neither of ma younger brothers have any manners, I’ll make the introductions.” It was clear that the man speaking was the oldest by the air of authority he carried, but it was the man between him and Magnus who seemed to be the most astute as he watched Isa and Ric. “I am Callum Sinclair, heir and tánaiste. This is ma brother, Alex, who is ma second. Ye ken the other two, unfortunately. Dinna judge us by our worst examples.”
The man who introduced himself as Callum rocked forward in his saddle to look past Alex and smirk.
“Och aye, well from what I hear, ye and Ric have something in common. Dinna lose track of your wives,” Magnus winked.
At Isa’s confusion, Alex finally spoke up.
“Both ma wife and Callum’s took turns running away,” Alex grimaced.
“But they returned?” Isa asked softly.
“Aye,” Callum and Alex answered together, wide grins hinting at happy marriages.
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to get Isa inside. It’s been a long journey.”
“Where’s that squire of—” Tavish trailed off as she saw Isa’s eyes widen, and she shook her head beneath her hood.
Ric placed his hand over Isa’s and squeezed.
“It’s all right, my sweet.” Ric turned to look at his friends and their brothers. “Since I am most certainly not in King Edward’s employ and have decided to move to the far north, Robbie had no choice but to return home. I managed to arrange for him to squire for the man who trained me. He is in good hands.”
It had been a risky journey smuggling Robbie back across the border and to Geoffrey Wingate, but it pleased Ric to know Robbie was safe and in good care.
The six riders cantered to the gate of a castle that perched on a cliff overlooking the North Sea. Isa smiled as she heard the waves crash against the rocks, and she was sure she heard a seal barking. When they came to a stop in the bailey, Isa and Ric saw four women and an older man waiting on the steps. It took no effort to see where the Sinclair brothers got their good looks. Laird Sinclair looked more like a much older brother to the men than their father. He was still fit, and it was clear he joined his sons in the lists regularly. Isa recognized Deirdre and Ceit, but she did not know the other two women.
When Ric lifted her from her saddle and placed her on feet on the ground, her cloak gaped, and four happy gasps came from the steps. Deirdre and Ceit ran to meet her while the other two women picked their way more carefully down the steps, both clearly pregnant.
“Ye’re having a bairn, too?” A woman with fiery hair asked quietly.
“I am,” Isa blushed.
“These are our sisters by marriage. This is Siúsan,” Ceit gestured to the woman who just spoke. “And this is Brighde. Siúsan married Callum, and Bridghe married Alex.”
“Welcome to our home,” Bridghe smiled warmly.
“It’s still rather brisk out here. I dinna want to have to worry aboot ma sons’ poor constitutions,” Laird Liam Sinclair boomed. “It was most inconvenient when all four suddenly fell ill and were in need of their wives’ constant nursing.”
The four brothers grinned as each greeted their wife as though they had been gone fifteen years rather than fifteen minutes.
“I think we shall fit in well here,” Isa whispered as Ric wrapped his arm around her waist.
“I couldnae agree more, lassie.” Ric offered her a crooked grin as he practiced his Highland brogue. “I ken we’ve found our home.”
A Spy at the Highland Court Page 26
