A Spinster at the Highland Court: The Highland Ladies Book One

by Barclay, Celeste

  “Perhaps we could offer them the gift of a freshly cleaned keep upon their return. It seems the least I can do for their gracious hospitality.”

  Maggie snorted at Elizabeth’s comment about gracious hospitality, but nodded nonetheless.

  “I think airing out the tapestries would be a nice touch. Knocking off the dust and soot would make them shine once more. Then we’ll keep them looking bright by cleaning out the hearths, so there isn’t soot to rise and cling to the weaving.” Elizabeth offered a conspiratorial grin as Maggie nodded her head.

  “Aye, my lady. It will be as you wish.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  The next month began as a whirlwind of tasks for both Elizabeth and Edward. Elizabeth oversaw the improvements around the keep while making suggestions for spring garden planting. She even assisted with keeping the account ledgers. The castle’s defenses impressed Edward. Even though he lost a few of the men he brought to Culcreuch, the warriors of Clan Galbraith proved capable of defending their home. The men from Robert’s livery left the day after they arrived, but promised the king would send them back once Robert summoned them to court.

  After the first fortnight, they had taken care of the initial tasks, so there were fewer projects for either of them to occupy their time. The weather was still too cold–even snowy–for them to visit the loch or picnic. They rode most afternoons when the sun was at its warmest, but they took a score of guards with them and never ventured far afield. Edward and Elizabeth were all too aware of the threat that remained. Neither spotted Mitchell when they left the castle walls, but they heard rumblings that the young man was trying to stir up trouble for the couple. He spread tales that Elizabeth was unchaste, coming from the royal court where the ladies gave away their favors to anyone. He insinuated that Edward was planning a siege of the castle, so he could wrestle the lairdship of the clan from their rightful leader. Most people took the rumors for what they were: bitter falsehoods. But enough of the younger adults of the clan listened to him to make Edward uncomfortable.

  When a messenger delivered Robert’s missive that the Sinclairs had arrived at court, it was impossible for him to be more relieved that he could plan their departure. He recognized Elizabeth’s restlessness here, feeling just as trapped as she did at court. At least in Stirling she’d have her cousin and friend at her side. They made the necessary arrangements to travel, and Robert sent two score warriors to accompany them.

  The large contingency of guards, along with Elizabeth and Edward, departed at daybreak. It saddened Elizabeth to leave Maggie and Bethea, and Edward had come to like and respect Iain. Elizabeth suspected they would return to Culcreuch again before they made their way north. She reassured the women this wasn’t goodbye forever. The ride back to Stirling was brief and uneventful, for which Elizabeth and Edward were grateful.

  “Beth!”

  Elizabeth spotted her cousin Deirdre standing on the steps of the keep. Deirdre was the only other person who called Elizabeth by the pet name. Everyone else used her full name or Liz; her half-brother and half-sisters called her Lizzie. She reined in Reubadair and tossed the reins to a groom, sliding from the saddle before all the horsemen cleared the gate. She dashed to the group awaiting them. Deirdre, Ceit, and Elizabeth collided in a tight embrace as Edward shook hands with Magnus and Tavish Sinclair. He was familiar with the behemoth brothers, having met them previously at court, even fighting in skirmishes with them. He respected the family from the father down to the four brothers. He’d only briefly met their sister Mairghread when she was presented at court; she was far too young to capture his attention.

  “Well met.” Magnus’s deep voice seemed a perfect match for this size.

  He was the largest of the four brothers, standing only a hairsbreadth taller but his mountainous frame was broader than any of the others. Magnus’s next oldest brother stood beside him. While Magnus towered over most people with arms and legs that resembled tree trunks, Tavish’s barrel chest displayed his imposing strength. Their wives looked like dolls compared to their hulking husbands, but Elizabeth told Edward both wives were equal matches for the brothers and kept them both on their toes. Edward was glad to have them all on their side if they were to investigate the carriage accident. After the incident on their first journey along with a month away from court, the accident seemed long in the past; however, Edward was aware Elizabeth still dreamed about it. She muttered in her sleep, telling him how cold she was and how she searched for him. He’d do anything to allay his wife’s fears, and God help whoever was responsible.

  Elizabeth paused from chattering with Deirdre and Ceit when she noticed the king looming in the doorway. She hissed to Edward and tilted her head in Robert’s direction. Edward grinned when he saw his brother, but that sense of relief dampened knowing that something serious must have happened for Robert to greet them but not appear in public. Edward reached out his hand to Elizabeth and led the small group of friends inside. Robert nodded, but didn’t speak until they reached the antechamber that separated the Great Hall from the passageway to the Privy Council. Edward’s heart sank knowing Robert wanted to speak to them here rather than where he conducted meetings. The antechamber was where Robert and his wife retired to before the evening meal or if they wanted to speak privately to someone. A secret passageway ran behind the chamber, but it was the one part of the castle Elizabeth never visited, fearing what would happen if someone caught onto her movements and accused her of spying.

  “I have two pieces of news, and I suspect neither will be particularly welcomed.” Robert settled into his seat before the husbands ushered their wives into chairs around the table. Magnus, Tavish, and Edward slipped into seats beside the ladies. “Isabella Dunbar has reported overhearing part of two men’s conversation concerning Elizabeth’s accident. She stated she recognized the voices but hasn’t figured out who they belong to. We now have proof people here at court were involved, if not responsible. Isabella heard nothing that indicated why they targeted Elizabeth, only that they needed to be careful not to get caught.”

  Elizabeth’s hand turned cold as she squeezed Edward’s. He sensed the fear that her father was responsible still lurked in the back of her mind even though he’d been on his best behavior after their wedding. Edward also knew but never shared with anyone other than Robert, the queen, and Elizabeth that Sinead had spies at court. It was how she knew if he even looked at another woman, let alone what Robert planned for Ireland. He held Sinead on his short list of suspects.

  “My other piece of news is that a young knight from the MacLellan clan arrived here a few days ago. He was raised by and served Longshanks.” Robert paused for effect as six sets of eyebrows shot up and three manly scowls took root. “He claims he wants nothing more than to earn a plot of land here in Scotland and return to his roots. Sound rather like you, Edward,” Robert added. “His father had been an English knight who married into the MacLellan clan, but he and his wife were both murdered a year apart by English border raiders. He’s brought news that the English intend to cease harrying the Kerrs and our eastern border in favor of our western border clans, including the MacLellans and the Dunbars. It seems he has developed a fondness for Lady Isabella. I am sending him along with the three of you to scout the border and report back on where the English have made camp.”

  Three male heads shook as the scowls grew deeper. At least one man growled.

  “I’m nae leaving Ceit here at court. Nay. I came to help with an investigation here at court, nae to leave ma wife unprotected in this pit of vipers.” Tavish stood with his feet hip-width apart and arms crossed, his brother mirroring him in what everyone at court recognized as the Sinclair stance. If the king were not godfather to all five Sinclair siblings, Tavish wouldn’t have dared speak to Robert thus, but he was confident Robert wouldn’t punish him.

  “I willna either,” Magnus barked before softening his tone. “Ye ken I bare a deep affection for you and Queen Elizabeth, but after what has already happened t
o Deirdre at court, I willna leave her here without me. I already lost my wife once; I amnae risking it again.”

  Elizabeth’s heart seized remembering how her cousin had suffered for seven years. Deirdre’s parents kept her as a virtual prisoner at court and hidden from Magnus, the man she’d fallen in love with as a child and handfasted with when she became a woman. Deirdre had also faced an unwelcome betrothal that nearly cost her and Magnus their lives.

  Elizabeth also knew Tavish had a right to his own fear. Ceit had been a lady-in-waiting alongside Elizabeth and Deirdre, but her father used her as the means to make amends for the branch of the Comyns no longer opposing Robert’s reign. However, Robert returned the favor by making her a double agent to spy against her uncle. The man had still harbored intentions to capture the throne. They had caught Ceit between a king and power-hungry tyrant. Her uncle’s men beat Tavish to the point that he almost died trying to protect Ceit.

  Elizabeth could also tell that Edward seethed at the suggestion that he abandon both her and the investigation. Robert raised his hand to cease the objections before leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed. All six people sitting across from him realized that further disagreement was useless. The king’s mind was made up, and even his brother was still one of Robert’s subjects.

  “You will depart within the next day or so for the border. Don’t engage if you can avoid it. I merely want information about the English and this knight. I would learn whether he is on our side or is still a spy for Longshanks.”

  Edward couldn’t believe his ears. His brother intended him to leave Elizabeth behind after two attacks and someone breaking into their chamber, so he could babysit some English knight trying to ingratiate himself into the Scottish court.

  “No.”

  All eyes turned toward Edward, shocked that he’d continue to refuse the king. They were all family in the chamber, but even the others realized when to stop fighting.

  “I’m not leaving Elizabeth. I brought her back from Culcreuch under the impression that I’d begin the investigation and she’d remain under my protection. There is a reason I didn’t leave her alone at Culcreuch. Now you’re sending me away for God knows how long when someone is trying to kill her. No.”

  Edward noticed the tremors of anger beginning in his belly, and like a spider’s web, they spread into his limbs. He was furious with Robert for being so flippant about his now sister-by-marriage’s future, along with his duplicity to Edward.

  “This Englishman who claims to be a Scot introduced himself only a few days ago. His cousin, Laird Malcolm MacLellan, sent a sealed missive vouching for the man’s trustworthiness. It said the man even trained the MacLellan warriors on how to fight the English more effectively. The opportunity is too great to pass up, and I trust no one more than the three of you.”

  Robert pulled a sheaf of parchment toward him and began flipping through the pages dismissing any further conversation. Elizabeth and the others rose, making their bows and curtsies before walking to the door.

  “Go with Deirdre and Ceit. Don’t go to our chamber alone or walk the passageways alone. I will find you shortly.” Edward leaned close to Elizabeth’s ear.

  “Edward, no. Don’t make this worse. The king isn’t interested in any of us arguing with him. Please just come with me.”

  “That king is still my brother. I won’t argue with him. There’s no changing his mind, so I’ll have to leave you behind. However, I’m not finished discussing the terms under which I’ll leave you here. Go with the other ladies.”

  Elizabeth nodded reluctantly before following the others out. Edward spun on his heel and stalked back to the table. He refused to sit, forcing Robert to look up at him when the king acknowledged him. The dark look on Robert’s face should have been enough warning to Edward, but he continued anyway.

  “How could you? You know bluidy well what happens when we entrust others to protect our wives.”

  Robert jerked back at the reminder of how King Edward, the Hammer of the Scots, stole Robert’s own wife and kept her under house arrest for eight years.

  “That is uncalled for,” Robert’s voice rasped. “They didn’t steal her from under my nose while at court. And you remember we lost our brothers in the process. There are plenty of people to ensure your wife’s safety.”

  “‘Your wife.’ She’s your sister now, or have you not recognized that yet?”

  “I recognize the comfort of my family cannot come before the safety of an entire country.”

  “Bah. There are plenty of others you could send besides the Sinclairs and me. Plenty you have sent before. I didn’t return to Scotland or here to babysit some half-bred, wayward knight.”

  “I wouldn’t let him hear you describe him as such. He’s a similar build to you, and I’ve seen him in the lists. You couldn’t guarantee your own life.”

  “So, you choose him over me?”

  “Don’t be so petulant. You aren’t a child, and you recognize you have duties to the crown, not just me. Besides, do you expect to coddle your wife the entirety of your marriage? Will you refuse to ride out with your men if, or rather when, I give you a keep?”

  Edward was tempted to reach across the table and grab Robert’s tunic to shake him.

  “I’m not coddling her, you self-righteous prig. Someone has tried to kill her twice. You didn’t see her nearly frozen to death in that blizzard, so tiny on the horse as she fought to find her way home. You didn’t see her defend herself against three horsemen set to capture or kill her. You didn’t have to watch her curl into a ball on the ground, waiting for a horse to trample her. How dare you? If anything happens to her while I’m gone, I will never forgive you. Brother or not, we will be through.”

  Robert paused before responding. Both he and Edward had short tempers that they both had learned to contain. Robert had never seen his brother this worked up before; it was unlike him to call names. After having his wife taken from him early in their marriage, Robert recognized the fear in Edward’s eyes. He admitted he hadn’t had to contend with such close calls to his wife’s life before her capture. He wanted to sympathize with his brother, but he also was convinced Edward was the only man besides the Sinclairs that he trusted with such a mission. If he misjudged the newcomer, he could send his men into a trap that would weaken the entire border. Robert was unused to having to explain himself these days, but he accepted he owed it to his brother. He stood up and walked around the table, pulling out the chair beside Edward and gestured for him to sit down.

  “As your brother,” Robert began, “I want nothing more than to see you and your bride settled far from anything to do with this war. I want to wish you well and visit your bairns as they grow. I want to promise that I can always keep you as safe as you wish to keep your wife. But as king, I cannot do that. You and our brothers have paid dearly for my ambition, and rather than resent me, you’ve all stood beside me through every skirmish, every battle, everything. I wish I could repay you by granting your wish, but as king I need the very best men I have on this mission. If I’ve erred in believing this man, then I’ll be sending our troops into a trap. I need you and Magnus and Tavish there to ensure that doesn’t happen. I can’t lose the security of the entire border, not when the purpose of you going is to ensure the English cannot gain any more of our land from our countrymen.”

  “I know, Robert,” Edward closed his eyes as he shook his head, wishing to shut out the world and in particular the pleading he saw in Robert’s eyes. “What can you do to ensure she’s safe? I can’t lose her.”

  “I would have her keep company with Deirdre and Ceit whenever she can. I’m guessing it would please Elizabeth to share a chamber with her cousin, and Ceit is now Deirdre’s sister-by-marriage, so I’m certain she’d be welcome, too. I can ensure a guard posted outside their door every night along with a guard below their window if you like. My Elizabeth is already aware of the situation and has arranged for members of her own personal guard to escort the ladies w
herever they wish to go. It wouldn’t surprise me if Lady Isabella doesn’t also join this group. She will be fearful for this young man, Sir Dedric as they call him, as I predict he will ask for her hand soon. I will do everything in my power to keep her safe and happy.”

  “I will hold you to that, brother. I wasn’t jesting when I said that we will be through if anything happens to her.” Edward rose and embraced Robert as his older brother pulled him into his arms.

  “Fear not, little brother. Just keep yourself alive to come home. I’ve lost enough of this family that I don’t know that I could bear losing you, too.” Edward heard the catch in Robert’s throat and remorse choked him for not considering that these decisions might be difficult for his brother, nor considering that Robert worried about him.

  “I will serve you well,” Edward pounded Robert’s back before pulling away. Robert clapped him on the shoulder, giving as good as he got.

  Edward left feeling marginally better than when the others departed. He tracked down Elizabeth, and they retired for the evening, unwilling to share one another with anyone else. A missive came late into the evening stating that arrangements were complete for the men to ride out in the morning.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Dawn came all too soon for both Elizabeth and Edward. They dressed and made their way to the bailey. While Deirdre stood with Magnus and Ceit stood with Tavish, both couples locked in tight embraces sharing searing kisses, Elizabeth clung to Edward. He was unwilling to break their contact despite the large crowd milling about. While as the king’s relatives they were slightly more circumspect, Edward pressed Elizabeth’s body against his, memorizing the sensation. His kiss was deep, possessive, and promising. Elizabeth met his passion with her own. They only broke apart when gasps and whispers drew their attention. Elizabeth turned to see Lady Isabella Dunbar locked in her own kiss with a man dressed like an English knight, but without the full armor. She couldn’t help but grin. She hadn’t been close with Isabella, even disliking her at times for following along with some meaner ladies-in-waiting, but Elizabeth noticed the young woman struggled just as much as she did to keep her composure through both being caught kissing a man who wasn’t her husband–or even betrothed–as well as the anguish of saying goodbye to this man.