Kat sighed, stirring at her pottage. “William will give them one in keeping with our standing nonetheless.”
One of the talbots whined, looking at Isabella appealingly, its tail wagging.
On impulse she tossed a bit of meat to the dog. The hound caught it, and almost instantly swallowed, wagging its tail in hopes of more. Its companion trotted over and Isabella tossed each a morsel.
Kat tsked. “Don’t, poppet. You will spoil the beasts. Sir William,” Kat called, brightening upon seeing him enter the room. “Join us, please.”
He had washed, his hair neatly combed, but exhaustion showed in his face. “I shall, and verily I do thank you.”
He nodded to the innkeeper’s wife when she served him, but Isabella saw he, too, flinched upon his first taste of ale.
“We are like to come to Perth on the morrow.” William sighed, shifting on the bench. “I will be glad of it. I am too many years in the saddle, I think.”
“We should stay another night then,” Isabella said. “I would not have you exhaust yourself.”
William met her eyes squarely. “I am well enough to ride tomorrow, my lady. I will rest when I have brought you to Her Majesty’s keeping.”
The sound of an unsteady footfall and a guard’s muttered curse caused Isabella to look to the doorway. Held between two guards, Colyne stumbled into the hall. His shoulders hunched, his hands tightly bound, his inward gaze stayed fixed on the floor front of him.
Isabella dug her fingernails into her palm to keep from crying out.
They pushed him to a place at the end of the other trestle table. Beatrice placed food and drink before him then scurried away.
His eyes were of a man caught in a nightmare from which he could not wake.
Kat put her hand on Isabella’s arm. It was only then she realized she had stood to go to him.
“I think I will to our room,” Isabella said faintly and waved her cousin down. “No, Kat, stay and finish. I can find my way alone.”
She looked at him sidelong as she passed.
Look at me, Colyne! You—you of all—will read my heart in my eyes and know I will not forsake you!
His gaze looked dully ahead as if his mind had broken with his spirit.
Behind her, the sounds of the hall returned to normal, those present eating, talking, and taking their ease.
She stopped out of the light. She touched her hand to the wall, edging around the corner to look back at him.
The food and drink sat before him untouched.
“He’s a handsome one, that.”
Isabella started. She had not heard the innkeeper’s wife come up behind her.
“But ye can tell he’s a devil of a man,” Beatrice murmured. “Just by lookin’ at him.”
“I am surprised to hear you say so, when you have put him up just down the hall from you, in the room next to ours.”
The innkeeper’s wife blinked. “But to be sure he’s not! Why he’s housed right in that first room to the courtyard! I put him there myself!”
Isabella pretended to frown. “The last one? In the right wing? Well then, who is in the room closest ours?”
“Well, my lady, none are,” Beatrice returned, a frown marring her chubby, pink face. “All the rest are round the courtyard. So as not to disturb you, the gentleman said.”
“How thoughtful,” Isabella murmured.
“Are you to your bed then, lady?”
“Yes, but I am always awakened of a hunger at Matins.” Isabella offered the woman her sweetest smile. “Have you anything I might put by to eat?”
Kat blew out the candle, settling into the bed beside her. Their room was tiny as a nun’s cell, and to Isabella’s relief, they did not have to share the room—or bed—with any others. Isabella struggled not to give in to the warmth, the dark and quiet. The narrow bed, topped with a straw mattress wrapped in linen and piled with blankets, was a comfortable one after all…
Isabella started awake, her heart pounding in fear.
Morning? God’s blood, have I slept the night through?
Kat snored softly. Isabella let her breath out. Kat was ever one to rise first.
Night still then, but she had no way to know how long before dawn.
Isabella eased out of the bed. Kat moaned and stirred. Isabella froze and held her breath until the familiar snore started again.
The room was black as pitch. She had marked where her low boots and cloak were placed but as Isabella felt her way along the floor, she had trouble finding them. She was ready to go without them when her hand happened upon leather. When Kat hadn’t been looking she slipped her little knife into her left boot. Feeling around inside, she found it was still there.
She was perspiring despite the cold by the time she had hold of her things.
It did not take long for her to realize she could not move the latch and open the door unless her hands were empty. Fumbling at the latch to get it free, she winced at the creak the door made as she opened it.
She slid her things into the hall with her foot and eased the door closed behind her.
There was a pittance of light here, barely enough to see the shape of the hallway.
Away from the fire and warmth of the bed, Isabella, dressed only in her shift, was shivering as she pulled her boots on. She wrapped the cloak around her shoulders and hoped the sound of her chattering teeth would not carry.
The fire still burned low in the hall. The guard was asleep, but the dogs’ heads came up instantly and they sniffed at the air. Isabella reached behind the washing urn in the hall for what she had hidden there. She made a soft kissing sound and the hounds hurried to her, their tails wagging. She fed them bits of meat, patting their heads. The dogs’ nails clicked against the floor as they followed Isabella past the guard and through the hall.
She hesitated, looking back at the guard’s sword, but did not dare risk waking the man. If she got Colyne safely away, he would have no need to fight.
Isabella unbolted the outer door. One dog whined, wagging his tail at her as she slipped outside. She fed him another scrap. As he was chewing she put her hand on the warm fur of his head to push him back and closed the door behind her.
The cold made her breath catch. The moon was on the wane but there was enough light to see by. The courtyard was empty and quiet. All, save her and the dogs, were soundly sleeping.
She deliberated if it were better for her to get a horse first.
No, it was better to set Colyne free, she thought. If need be, he can make his way to the castle on foot.
The mud of the courtyard had frozen into treacherous furrows. She picked her way across, mindful of her footing.
There would be a guard with him and the door was latched from the inside. She had no hope of breaking the door or entering through the small window with only her little eating knife.
There was no help for it. She would simply have to get the guard to open the door for her. Quietly.
But I have no idea how.
No matter. She would think of something. Once inside…well, Colyne would be there. Together they would overcome the guard.
“Isabella!”
She started badly, her hands going to her heart as she spun around.
“Kat!” she whispered. “God’s bones but you gave me a fright!”
“What do you here?” Kat demanded. Her cousin was wrapped in her own cloak, shivering as well.
Isabella shushed Kat, her gaze darting around the courtyard. Kat had closed the inn’s door behind her and the dogs were quiet.
“What do you here?” Kat repeated. Isabella could see her scowl even in this faint light.
“Be quiet!” She gripped her cousin’s arm, listening. She heard the wind in the bare trees but the rest was icy silence.
“You know very well what,” Isabella whispered. “Colyne must escape tonight. There may not be another chance. I must free him now.”
“You will do no such thing! Return to our room immediately, Isabella.�
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Isabella stared. Where was her loving, loyal Kat? Colyne lay bound in that room. In an hour’s time he could be safe with Clan Campbell—if she acted now.
“I think you forget who is in service to whom,” Isabella returned coldly. “If you do not wish to help me, return to our room now and leave me about my business.”
Kat was silent for a moment. “Very well, have it your own way, my lady.”
Kat turned on her heel and left Isabella alone in the courtyard.
Isabella held her breath, but Kat was quiet as she eased the door open and slipped inside.
Thankfully, the dogs did not bark.
No doubt Kat would be in a foul mood when Isabella returned but she would bear it. Kat’s worst would all be worth it.
Isabella waited, listening, but all was silent again.
She had only to draw the guard off or distract him somehow. Could she bribe the man? William had returned the jewels she had pressed upon him; she had them to offer once Colyne was gone. Surely the guard would know she was wealthy.
Pity Alisoun was not here, Isabella thought with a grim smile. She would get the guard distracted quickly enough.
She wore only her chemise under the cloak. Could she distract the man as Alisoun might? She felt a fool to try. She had not Alisoun’s beauty or easy confidence in her own charms.
Isabella licked her lips. It was as good a plan as she had.
And if the man would not be lured by lust, or bribed, well, she would think of something—
Kat’s shriek fair rattled the windows of the inn and nearly dropped Isabella in her tracks.
Her cousin screamed again, loud enough to rouse every soul within from even the deepest sleep. The dogs set to panicked barking.
Isabella knew her cousin well. She heard Kat scream in real terror those months ago on the Perthshire road and her cries now rang false to Isabella’s ear.
There was the sound of consternation and alarm as the inhabitants tried to navigate the dark rooms and hallways. She could hear bumps and curses as the men tried to get their bearings.
Inside the inn Kat called out frantically for help.
Isabella hurried to stand under the gallery. Colyne’s room was but a few doors away.
What in the name of hellfire is Kat doing?
The door to Colyne’s room banged open, and the guard who had been within stumbled out.
Isabella pressed herself back as the guard made for the door of the inn, passing her in the darkness unnoticed.
Kat’s cries could be heard plainly even from the courtyard. “Sir William! Guards!”
The guard disappeared through the inn door. The door to Colyne’s room hung open on its hinges.
Disbelief and joy held Isabella stunned still for a moment.
Oh, Kat! Oh, thank you!
She raced toward the open door, her little knife in hand. She would have get inside and cut his bonds quickly. Of course with the ruckus Kat was making, she need not even be very quiet about it either. If only women were permitted on the stage! Truly Kat had missed her calling.
There was no time to get him a mount now. He would have to make for the castle on foot. Colyne knew the Highlands. He had fought in France. He would make it to the castle.
I could go with him.
Her thoughts fell, tumbled over themselves then raced ahead.
We could away, raise our child together. We must have a horse! If I hurry, there would be enough time—
“My lady is missing! Quickly! Search everywhere!”
Isabella’s breath caught. The shock of it held her frozen.
“Find Lady Isabella!” William’s shout carried through the darkness. “You, and you, secure the prisoner!”
No! Oh, Kat, no! Dear God, how could you?
William’s men were alert now. They spilled out from rooms around the courtyard, arming themselves, others taking up the cry to find her.
No. No. Her throat closed. A well of tears threatened to rise from her chest.
This is my only moment, my only chance, to save him.
Torchlight burned at the corner of her vision.
“My lady?” the innkeeper asked.
To have been so close and to know him lost now to the king’s bloodlust by Kat’s hand! The hurt of it, the horror of it, burned through her chest.
“No,” she whispered, shaking her head. “No.”
William’s men were at Colyne’s room now and Isabella shut her eyes.
Kat, oh, Kat! Why?
William set a steady pace and they reached the city walls of Perth at early afternoon. When the carriage behind them broke away, the landscape shattered.
Her wedding clothes were resplendent, her gown fit for a queen. Isabella stood swaying in exhaustion.
The court, Douglas too, all waited for her at the church door.
And somewhere, nearby, Colyne’s light grew dimmer as Kat pinned the last jewel to her hair—
Isabella, blinking, came back to herself as the vision faded. She pressed her hand against her chest, gasping as if a part of her heart were torn away. She looked back, twisting in her saddle, and Cobweb slowed, sensing her tension.
Blackfriars, where the king abided, lay on the other side of Perth. The abbey was beyond the city walls but the carriage, and the horsemen guarding it, had altered direction, now moving directly toward the city…
Where are they taking him?
Sir William rode on toward her. His eyes stayed determinedly forward as the carriage and its guards changed direction behind him.
The carriage was almost to the city gates now.
“Where are you taking the MacKimzie?” she demanded as soon as he drew within earshot.
“My lord will be held in the king’s prison to await His Majesty’s judgment.”
Isabella watched as the carriage disappeared through the gates.
“Who will speak for him? He must have a friend at court to petition for his release!”
William glanced around uneasily but Isabella no longer cared who overheard her.
“There must be someone to remind others of the MacKimzie’s service to his king in France! There must be one who has the stomach to stand by him!”
William exchanged a glance with Kat.
“For his sake, I hope so, my lady.”
Isabella waited but he said nothing more, steadily regarding her.
Her lip curled. “A wise courtier fastens on the rising stars, not those trampled beneath.”
“No courtier survives long if he offends the king,” William retorted hotly. “Only a fool would take up for a rebel the king will be determined to destroy!”
“We will see,” Isabella retorted and abruptly turned Cobweb, using the sharp kick of her heels to urge the horse toward the court with all speed.
“I believe the Tay may yet freeze during our sojourn here,” Kat remarked, cheerful as the fire. She brushed at a gown of deep blue velvet, turning it this way and that in the faint winter light, examining it for any flaws before Isabella would don it to be presented. “And you will again be a snow maiden.”
From where she sat at the fire, Isabella looked through the cold glass of their small room’s single window. She cared not for the thick embroidered bed curtains or the fine feather mattress. It did not matter how near their cell was to the royal apartments or how fine was the spread of meats and preserved fruits set before her. All she saw was the forbidding Scottish winter. Where was he now? He would have no warm fire or fine food, no word of comfort or hope. “I am no kind of maiden anymore.”
Swiftly Kat closed the door.
“Have a care, Isabella!” she whispered fearfully. “Have you forgotten what we are about here?”
“Oh, by the rood I have not,” Isabella said, and stood to face her cousin. “We are to see me married before Alexander suspects the babe not his.”
“I am at wits’ end with you, Isabella! You tempt the hand of fate, at every turn ready to destroy the lot of us with these childish tantr
ums!”
“As you destroyed my chance at the inn!”
“I did that for your own sake!”
“How could you, Kat?” She shook her head. “Have you any mind of what you have wrought? What you have set in motion? By my life and blood, I shall never forgive you this!”
Kat paled. “I will bear the cost of what I have done and think it well worth it.”
Isabella’s eyes stung. “You have destroyed him. You have destroyed us, he and I both. All because you care for nothing but William!”
Kat blanched. “How can you—you of all!—say so to me? You know ’tis not true!”
“Then show it false! Help me! Help him!”
“And what, pray, would you have us do—myself and William? Align ourselves publicly with an enemy of the king? Bribe His Majesty’s seneschal a thousand pounds to have a word in the king’s ear?”
“Kat, do you think I care the cost now? He must be freed! I must save him!”
Kat pointed to the finery she had chosen. “Then put on your gown and make yourself pleasing to your bridegroom, Isabella! Like as not, he has the influence—and enough of the king’s goodwill—to win the MacKimzie leniency. Tell Douglas you wish it as an act of mercy! Say that ’twill be an ill start to your marriage to have the man hang!”
Isabella put her hand on her belly, already shaking her head.
“Marry Douglas? You know I cannot.”
“Cannot?” Kat’s color was high. “What do you mean?”
“I am betrothed to Colyne.”
“You are betrothed to Douglas!”
“I am married in my heart to Colyne. Nothing will change that.”
Kat took Isabella’s hands in her own. Kat’s grip was tight, her voice low and urgent.
“Poppet, as one who loves you truly, I say this unto you—if you would have the MacKimzie’s life spared, go and make curtsy to your legal bridegroom. Use all your charm and win Douglas to your cause with the sweet words of a gentle born lady.”
Isabella stared at Kat. “You would have me go through with this? You would see me married to Alexander Douglas? Have me break a vow made in love to Colyne?”
“What other course is open to you? You must marry Douglas!”
Another Man's Bride Page 26
