Herbravado wilted.
Nay, she hadn’t married Bróccín MacRaith, Earl of Balfour. Her oath was naught but impious utterings against the sacrament of marriage. No marriage had taken place.
Gwendolyn concentrated on her immediate goal. Somehow, she would sneak past their defenses. More important, regardless the challenges ahead, she would find a way to reclaimLatharn Castle.
* * * *
Men’s murmurs from outside the tent mixed with the distant clash of blades of warriors training as Aiden, standing beside his Templar brothers, stared at the Bruce. The king’s words moments before left him stunned.
Though he’d considered a Templar connection to Latharn Castle, to find it true was incredible. Nor was that the only news of great import.
Aiden caught Cailin’s worried glance before shifting his gaze to the king. “Her father was loyal to you, Sire?” he asked, still working past the shock of the disclosure.”
“Aye,” theBruce replied.
“Your Grace,” Aiden said, damning the hurt the news would bring her, “Lady Gwendolyn isna aware of her father’sfealty to you.”
“Due to the Earl of Hadington’s role as a spy against Lord Comyn, her father believed ’twas best to keep his daughter ignorant of that fact. After I had united Scotland and once Latharn Castle was safe, he had planned to inform her. Except”—the king’s eyes darkened with anger—“he died.”
Confused, Aiden frowned. “’Tis not uncommon for men to die in battle, Your Grace.”
“If the Earl of Hadington had been killed during combat,” the Bruce said, his voice hard, “I would agree!”
Aiden stilled at the revelation, the ramifications immense. “Sire, Lady Gwendolyn was informed her father was killed during a skirmish.”
The king grunted. “A lie fed to her by Comyn. Her father died at Comyn’s castle. I suspect the Earl of Hadington’s loyalty to me was discovered and hewas murdered.”
God’s sword, the news of her liege lord’s betrayal would devastate Gwendolyn.
“With the Earl of Hadington’s death, after I had subdued Comyn, I had planned to seize Latharn Castle. Except—” The king poured a glass of wine, swirled the ruby liquid in the cup, and then lifted his gaze to Aiden. “I received news Comyn was sending the Earl of Balfour to wed Lady Gwendolyn. With the earl’s fierce reputation and strong alliance with Comyn, a union Icouldna allow.”
“The reason why you chose Cailin, Rónán, and me to assess the castle,” Aiden said.
“Aye.” The king took a sip of wine. “With the strategic stronghold shielding Templar secrets, I couldna risk anyone but those of the Brotherhood assessing the fortress. Like Avalon Castle, now overseen by Stephan MacQuistan, Earl of Dunsmore, Latharn Castle is one of the few fortresses in Scotland that are critical tothe Templars.”
Aiden remained silent.
The king took another sip, then set aside his goblet. “Before the Grand Master was arrested, he sent a secret runner with a holy relic to the Earl of Hadington to hide until I could reach the noble. Once I had defeated Comyn, I planned on having the artifact moved to Avalon Castle to be stored with the rest of the Templar valuables. God help us if the Earl of Balfour discovered the treasure belonging to the Brotherhood in the secret chamber.”
Curiosity teased Aiden as to exactly what was hidden, but he discarded the thought. The Templars guarded many important treasures. Now, as before, they must ensure whatever the Grand Master had concealed beneath the fortresswas kept safe.
“Which brings us back to Latharn Castle.” The Bruce nodded to Aiden. “You will lead the assaulting force. Once taken, find the Earl of Hadington’s secret ledger. ’Twill hold details of where the hidden tunnels and chambers are located. I will send the Earl of Broc to move the treasure with the other holy relics beneath Avalon.”
Aiden nodded. “Aye, Your Grace.”
The king leaned back in his chair. “Lady Gwendolyn may know of the ledger’s location, which would save you great frustration.”
“With her closeness to her father, and with the confidence with which she ran the stronghold,” Aiden said, “I suspect she does.”
“Information we must discover.” The Bruce frowned. “Though I doubt, with her learning of your deception, a fact she would be willing to share with you.”
“Though furious and stubborn,” Aiden said, refusing to give up hope she would talk to him. Forgiving him was another matter. “She is rational, Sire. I am confident we can come to an agreement in which she will reveal the hidden ledger’s location.”
King Robert rubbed his jaw. “You speak highly of a woman who at this moment would rather see your head on a pike.”
“I speak naught but the truth,” Aiden said, damning that, against his intent, she had become important to him. “Lady Gwendolyn is strong-willed and speaks her mind. The lass is passionate about those she cares for, braver than most, and…”
He stilled beneath the intrigued glitter in the king’s eyes. Blast it, well he knew of the ruler’s affinity for independent women, though his point wasna to express his own interest. His sovereign needed to understand the damage served to her virtuous way of life. “She is innocent of all but trying to defend her home. I ask that you offer her your protection.”
