As if he was pleased with the situation? “King Robert has requested your presence. I willaccompany you.”
“I dinna need you there.”
Aiden released a slow breath, damned the words he must share. “He asked to see us both. With his seeking my presence as well, I am thinking the reasoncanna be good.”
Chapter 13
Eyes narrowed with fury, Gwendolyn swept past Aiden. Sunlight shimmered on her hair as she stormed across the encampment, the tumble of soft, golden waves at odds with the hard set of her face. He caught up to her, kept pace, ached to slip his hand around her elbow and pullher to a stop.
Need churned in his gut as he remembered his fingers sliding through the silky length, of the heat in her eyes as she’d turned to him, and of how, if only for a short while, she’d wanted him.
With each step she took, the burn of his deception ate through him, their passion-driven intimacy and her gasps of pleasure clear in his mind. God’s teeth! He couldn’t forgive himself for having allowed such; why should heexpect her to?
“King Robert is a fair man,” he said, hoping toease her worry.
“He is my enemy, or have you forgotten?” she ground out, her pace lengthening.
Aiden widened his stride to keep at her side. “He is the rightful king to Scotland, and one who seeks to unite our country. Unlike Lord Comyn, who consorted with the English.”
A gust rich with the scent of earth and a hint of pine tangled in her hair; she remained silent, her look fierce. Blast it! He halted before his sovereign’s tent. “Inform King Robert that Sir Aiden and Lady Gwendolyn are here.”
The sentry ducked inside. A moment later, he emerged and stepped to the side. “The king bidsyou to enter.”
On edge, Aiden nodded. Had the Bruce selected a lord high within his ranks to wed her? He grimaced, too aware she would never comply with such a command, one he’d intended to prepare her for. Or at least try.
If given the opportunity, he’d offer for Gwendolyn’s hand himself. A foolish thought. Aside from the fact that he was untitled, after his deception, she’d rather drive a dagger in his heart than agree to marry him. ’Twas best to pray that whatever fate the Bruce chose for the spirited lass was one thatkept her safe.
* * * *
Smoke from the fires and a mixture of meats and vegetables lingered in the air as Gwendolyn stepped inside the king’s tent.
The flicker of torchlight illuminated numerous chests stacked against one side. A portion of the other was shielded by a ruby drape of velvet, behind which she suspected lay a bed. A rug of deep gold embroidered with a lion rampant in red on each corner lay before the sturdy, unadorned wooden throne. Poised upon the seat, as handsome as he was powerful, Scotland’s ruler watched her, his eyes sharp with intelligence.
She fought for calm as she halted before the king.
Power radiated from the monarch, a man confident in his command and determined to achieve his goal, regardless the cost.
Aiden stepped up to her side,bowed. “Sire.”
The hint of nervousness in Aiden’s voice had her glancing over. Taut lines marred his face, and his eyes, dark with worry, rested on the king. Had something occurred since he’d spoken with her?
On a shaky breath, she focused on the king, curtsied. “Your Grace.”
“Lady Gwendolyn, ’tis with regret that we meet under such circumstances,” the Bruce said, his voice grim. “Given the situation, ’twas unavoidable.”
Unavoidable? Fury trampled the nerves in her mind, and she scowled. “Sending warriors to spy on my home in preparation for an attack is hardly unavoidable.”
A fierce brow raised, then the ruler glanced toward Aiden. “Lady Gwendolyn isna a weak-willed lass.”
“Nay, Your Grace,” Aiden replied, his words tight. “As I mentioned, she speaks her mind.”
A whisper of a smile touched the Bruce’s mouth. “An admirable trait, is it not?”
“’Tis, Sire,”Aiden replied.
“I am standing right here, Your Grace,” she said, insulted that they talked about her as if shewas not there.
The king’s gaze narrowed on her, and the lightness of a moment before faded. “You are indeed.” He stood, strode over.
