Rise of a Legend (Guardian of Scotland Book 1)

by Amy Jarecki

  Eva smoothed her hand over the horse’s shoulder. “Was your father a knight, Robbie?” Though she knew the answer to her question, she had a point to make.

  “Bloody oath he was. The most fearless knight in all of Ayrshire.”

  “Well then, you must make him proud—live to see his legacy endures through your progeny.”

  The lad regarded her with a serious, thin-lipped nod, then dug in his heels and rode away.

  Brother Bartholomew stepped behind Eva. “Not to worry. Willy will look after the lad. ’Tis why he’s taken him under his wing.”

  Eva sighed. “I thought no less.”

  The ram’s horn sounded from atop the hill. William stood towering atop the crag like a champion, his hair blowing sideways, triumphant as a flag. An imposing sight he made, dressed in a hauberk with a surcoat sporting the St. Andrew’s Cross on his chest. The warrior cradled his helm under his arm, the hilt of his sword peeking over his right shoulder. Eva’s gaze swept down to his quilted arming doublet hanging below the mail, with his muscular legs planted firmly.

  The hum of the crowd fell silent while the cool breeze swept through the clearing, giving her a welcomed chill.

  Eva placed a hand over her heart. She’d never seen a more magnificent sight.

  William moved a fist to his hip. “This will be a long day of marching, I willna argue that. But as ye travel, know that ye are on the path to meet our enemies. Together, we will drive Longshanks out of Scotland and demand our rightful king is restored to his throne.”

  Cheering, the men thrust their weapons in the air.

  “John Blair will lead us to Fail where we will meet up with the armies of the Douglas and the Stewart. Mark me, afore this year is ended, we will see a united Scotland!”

  A deafening roar spread through the clearing.

  Eva wished she could have taken out her smartphone and snapped a picture. It was far too risky—especially after meeting with John Blair’s threat.

  Her heart thrummed with the roar of the crowd. The men’s excitement made her giddy—ready for adventure, and she didn’t want to miss a single moment of it. Not now—not for the next several months. If only she could run atop the hill and tell them exactly how much things were about to change.

  But the men seemed to know. With John Blair’s whistle, the retinue began to move, the faces of the rebels determined, excited. Even Eva’s heart raced while she watched them pass.

  Straightening her satchel on her hip, she strode to the rear of the entourage. William intended to say goodbye at Fail? The thought only made her more determined to find a way to stay with the rebels.

  “Are ye planning to walk with the foot soldiers?” William’s deep voice resonated behind her.

  Glancing over her shoulder, she regarded Wallace in his glory, mounted atop his great horse. The helm low over his brow gave him the menacing look of a hardened warrior. “I’ve nothing but my feet to carry me.”

  He tapped his heels and walked his steed alongside her. “So ye want nothing to do with me now?”

  She shook her head. “I don’t recall having said that.” If only they hadn’t argued—she hadn’t pushed him, they would have had at least one more heavenly night in each other’s arms.

  “Come on then.” He reached his hand down. “I’ll pull ye up.”

  But he’d insulted her—was casting her aside because of her gender.

  Oh no, she wouldn’t give in that easily. Eva tucked her fingers under her armpits to keep them from his reach. “I’m perfectly capable of walking.”

  He bent down and peered at her. “I ken, but I want a word.”

  Eva’s insides squeezed. How this man could constantly look her in the eye and make butterflies swarm throughout her entire body, she couldn’t fathom. Jeez, she was twenty-seven. Regardless, she caved to his devilish look, reached up and he clamped his fingers around her wrist so she had no choice but to grasp his.

  “I’ll swing ye up now. Are ye ready?”

  “You’ll what?”

  Before she could say another word, William hefted her onto the horse, smack dab between his thighs.

  He wrapped his big arms around her and pressed his lips to her ear. “Ye all right?” His low growl softened her resolve a bit more.

  “I think so.” She gestured to her legs, sideways across the horse’s withers. “Do I need to straddle him?”

  “Nay, just hold on.”

  The warhorse broke into a canter. Eva leaned into William and looped her arms around his neck, squeezing her eyes shut. “Where are we going?”

  “I’m riding ahead a bit.”

  Jostling in the saddle against an iron shirt of mail wasn’t half as romantic as the books made it out to be. But still, his warmth drew her in, and as she grew accustomed to the horse’s gait, she relaxed and opened her eyes.

  Mm. At least William’s thighs certainly made for a comfortable seat.

  The trees passed by in a blur, the horse splashing through mud puddles until William reined the horse to a walk.

  Eva let out a long breath and leaned into him. She definitely preferred the horse’s stride when ambling. “Are we far enough ahead?”

  “Should be.”

  She craned her neck and met his blue-eyed gaze. So many emotions brewed behind his stare, but when he reached up and tucked an errant strand of hair beneath her veil, he smiled. A genuine, make-your-heart-melt type of grin. But it didn’t last. William scraped his teeth over his bottom lip. “Ye ken ye are fine to me.”

  Oh dear, she’d heard breakup words before. Swallowing, Eva nodded.

  “I have nothing to offer ye. No lands, no title, no wealth aside from a few groats in my purse.”

  “I—”

  He held up a palm to silence her. “Ye said now’s my time. Ye said I would lead an army of men and in my heart, I ken ye’re right.”

  “Yes.”

  “And I ken I cannot have a woman holding me back from what I must do. The only way to beat the English is to stay ahead of them—to attack when they least expect it—to outsmart and outmaneuver their armies.”

  She hated that he thought her a burden. Dammit, she could work harder to prove her worth. “Yes, but—”

  “I’ll not argue this with ye. My own feelings cannot take precedence over the needs of Scotland.”

  “I know.”

  “I cannot…” He regarded her. “Ye do?” The inflection in his voice rose as if she’d knocked him off guard.

  She nodded. “I definitely do not want a husband. All I ask is to follow and be your chronicler. Brother Bartholomew needs help with the food and healing. And the greater your numbers grow, the more assistance he will need.”

  Furrowing his brow, William blinked. “Ye are a quandary. What woman does not want to marry and bear children?”

  “It’s complicated.” But right now, she wanted to hold on. This couldn’t be the end.

  “What isna with ye? Ye’re nothing like any woman I’ve ever met.” He pulled the horse to a stop and kissed her forehead. “My mind’s made up, Eva. Ye will remain at the monastery. I couldna live with myself if anything happened to ye. I care for…” He shook his head and dug heels into the horse’s barrel, his lips disappearing into a line.

  He does care. He doesn’t want to leave me. Eva’s gut clenched into a knot. “If I stay at Fail, will you return for me?” she asked carefully.

  “I can make no promises.” He kept his eyes on the path.

  She swallowed against the thickening in her throat. “I know that, too.”

  “Then why did ye ask?”

  “Because I don’t want to lose you.” Not yet.

  William wrapped an arm around her shoulders. He inclined his head and studied her face, his eyebrows slanting outward as if he were in pain. “Mayhap one day when this is over.”

  But it will never be over—not for William.

  The horse slowed his gait.

  Reaching up, Eva drew his face down and plied his lips with a kiss. Cl
osing her eyes, she willed her emotion to pass through to him. Their physical connection spoke volumes about honor and respect and tenderness. She didn’t want to hear him say a word about the future. Blocking events to come from her mind, in this moment she wanted to savor him, fill her mind with William to ensure she would never forget. As his lips softened to her, she deepened the unhurried and languid strokes with her tongue, showing him the depth of her desire. William Wallace’s kisses were like a drug, his mouth greedy—in complete contradiction to his words.

  Completely breathless, Eva eased away. If only she could beg and plead for more.

  William nuzzled into her neck, his breath hot against her cool skin.

  Eva closed her eyes and inhaled his feral scent. “You may leave me at Fail, but I refuse to bid you goodbye.”

  ***

  Eventually John Blair and the retinue caught up to them about at the same time Eva spotted the stone walls of the monastery. It looked so new and enormous compared to the ruin. What had Walter said? The monastery was commissioned less than fifty years prior. Surrounded by a wooden fence, the sanctuary with its rose window loomed majestically above a long dormitory building—she’d seen no trace of it in the ruins.

  As they approached, a pair of riders galloped toward them. To the west of the monastery, an army of men gathered. Just as Lord Stewart had promised in his missive, the soldiers had arrived. Though Blind Harry gave William credit for Ayr, Eva wondered. Will things play out as the poet described?

  “What? Did ye find a wood nymph along the way?” A man with broad shoulders, dressed in mail from head to toe, eyed Eva with a lecherous glint. An ornate brooch at his throat clasped a red mantle closed.

  “She’ll be staying with the Trinitarians.” William reined the horse to a stop. “Sir Douglas, I take it?”

  “In the flesh.” Douglas stared at Eva. “Though with such a tasty morsel, ’tis a wonder ye made it this far, Wallace.”

  “The maid is none of your concern.” William helped Eva slide down before he dismounted. “I’ve business inside, then I’ll tend ye directly.”

  A rueful laugh rolled from Sir Douglas’ lips. “Ye best make it quick, else ye’ll have all my lads wanting their turn.”

  Eva had enough. “Pardon me, but you are a pig. How dare you insult—”

  William’s firm fingers gripped her shoulder. “I’ll be but a moment,” he growled, pulling her toward the gate.

  Once out of earshot, she wrenched her shoulder from William’s grasp. “Did you see how he looked at me?”

  “Aye, and I’m surprised I didna have to fight half the camp to keep my men away from ye as well.”

  She’d known that was why Robbie had told the rebels she was Willy’s woman in the first place, but she didn’t expect such an indecent appraisal from a member of the gentry. “Where is his sense of respect?”

  “For himself or for a woman dressed in a crofter’s gown?”

  “I am not a slave.”

  “No, but as far as Sir Douglas is concerned, if ye are not married, ye are fruit for the plucking.”

  “That is preposterous. He’s married to Eleanor of Lovain.”

  “Aye and his first wife was James Stewart’s sister. He’s a noble with connections with lofty lords. We dunna want to cross him.”

  Eva bit her bottom lip. “Because he’s bred of nobility, he has the right to act like an ass?” Her own father was knighted—Sir David MacKay, the UK Ambassador to the US. If anything, the nobles of her time went out of their way to be more congenial.

  William opened the door leading into the courtyard and shrugged. “Ye ken as well as I, ye must be respectful when it comes to your betters.”

  “Betters?” Eva dug in her heels. “But you are no one’s man. I would expect you to stand up to the likes of Douglas.”

  He grasped her elbow and started forward. “Had he placed a hand on ye, I wouldna have stood for it.”

  “Right, but it is just fine for him to insult me.”

  “Enough.” William clamped his lips together and led her across the courtyard to a monk working in the garden. “Is the abbot in?”

  The man pointed. “In his chamber I believe, though we’ll be heading for the devotions of sext soon.”

  “I willna be long,” William said, still leading her by the arm. He gave her a sideways glance. “Ye should be familiar with the abbot.”

  Her heart squeezed. Must he continue to fixate on the exchange from their first meeting? “You know I am not.”

  “I ken ye’ve lied to me.” He glowered as if convincing himself he needed to be rid of her.

  Eva yanked her arm away “Which I did when I thought you were an outlaw about to murder me. And must I keep reminding you I will never stretch the truth again?”

  Without another word, William knocked and stepped inside the abbot’s rooms. Tallow candles burned with black smoke in the center of an oblong table. The threadbare rug curled at the corners. Walter had been right when he mentioned this was not a wealthy order.

  The withered man looked up from his seat at the table and stood. “Willy, ’tis good to see ye, lad.”

  William greeted the man with an embrace. “Father Semple, I’ve come to ask ye a favor.”

  The abbot looked at Eva for the first time and knit his eyebrows. “What is it?”

  Pulling Eva forward, Wallace gestured with one hand. “I need ye to take this lassie in and help her find a husband.”

  “I don’t want to get married.” Eva yanked her arm away and clutched it tight to her body.

  “Willy, what is this?” The abbot gave her a once over. “We dunna take in subjects who are not in need of our assistance.”

  “Och, Miss Eva needs help for certain.” William spread his palms to his sides. “She just doesna ken how much.”

  Eva rolled her eyes to the exposed beams in the ceiling.

  “Please.” Wallace placed his hand on Father Semple’s shoulder. “I’d like to see her cared for, and a rebel’s band is no place for a woman.”

  The abbot frowned. “I suppose she can stay in Brother Murdach’s cell. He passed away a fortnight ago.”

  William crossed himself. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

  “Not to worry, lad. He is walking with the Lord now.” Father Semple drummed his fingers on his chin. “Are ye another victim of this mindless war with the English, lass?”

  Shifting her gaze to William, she nodded. “Aye.”

  His eyebrows shot up. “Can ye take her in—at least until the fighting has ended?”

  She could only shake her head. Lord, you have no idea.

  “I suppose I’d be no abbot if I refused.” Father Semple moved toward the door, beckoning with his fingers. “I must away to sext. Come with me, Miss Eva. We live simple lives, and whilst ye’re here, I’ll expect ye to be respectful of our order.”

  She glared at William and pursed her lips. “Of course.”

  By the holy man’s glum frown, he didn’t seem any happier about taking her in as she did about staying. It didn’t matter one way or the other. She had no intention of remaining behind. Besides, how difficult would it be to track an army?

  William gave her a squeeze and kissed the top of her head. “I’ll never forget ye.” He blinked in succession, then with long strides he hurried out the door.

  Eva just stared. Nights of passion reduced to a hasty goodbye? Her entire body went numb while tightness gripped her heart all the way up through her throat. How could he just turn his back and abandon me?

  He’d said by leaving her, he was doing the right thing.

  How could he be so wrong?

  She followed the abbot through the cloisters while her heart ached.

  Left.

  Rejected.

  Why did every good thing in Eva’s life crumble to nothingness? God, she wanted to scream.

  The abbot stopped at a narrow door and pushed it open. The cell was no more than a closet with barely enough room to stand beside a narrow cot. “We
live modest lives with few luxuries.” He gestured for her to step inside. “If ye’ll excuse me, I’ve a mass to chant.”

  Lips dry, Eva couldn’t manage to make a sound, so she nodded instead. Tears rimmed her eyes as she shuffled inside.

  When he closed the door behind him, Eva’s heart skipped a beat. A brown habit and hood hung on a nail.

  Chapter Nineteen

  The vise clamping around William’s heart was exactly what he needed to focus on the battle ahead. At least that’s what he told himself. Heaven help him, he’d been daft to become involved with Eva. And she always twisted every argument to her favor. How could a woman continually sound so bloody right? Well, he needed to end it now, and the battle to come would only serve to release his pent up agony. He never should have let things go so far.

  And why did the lass have to look so forlorn when I left?

  Blast it, she said she didna want to marry me.

  And by God, I canna allow myself to think about marrying her.

  Sir Douglas rode beside him. “My spies report a thousand troops marched into Ayr this morn.”

  William blinked, snapping from his thoughts. “What is their purpose?”

  “Public hangings or irons for all who haven’t sworn fealty to King Edward. Same as always.”

  “Ye have proof of this?”

  “Who needs proof?” Sir Douglas spurred his mount faster. “They all follow Longshanks and I’ll wager half of them pillaged Lochmaben—same place your da was murdered.”

  William’s gut churned. He’d not forgotten the massacre of that day, nor would he ever.

  John Blair and the Douglas man-at-arms who had ridden reconnaissance from Fail, galloped through the open lea straight toward them. By the determination on Blair’s face, they’d struck gold.

  “What did ye find?” William asked as the riders neared and slowed their mounts.

  “’Tis true. There’s an entire army.” Blair looked at Douglas. “But I estimate only a thousand troops, all bedding down in the sheep barns of Ayr.” The priest took in a deep breath. “This could be a grand win for us.”

  William caught Sir Douglas’ eye and grinned. “Timing is everything.”