In fairness, however much she loathed this turn of events, King Robert was a man who had fought many adversaries and had proven himself more than only a warrior to trust but a noble intent on uniting Scotland. Gwendolyn nodded.“I will, Sire.”
At her side, Aiden’s body relaxed.
The powerful king stood. “Kneel before me.”
Legs trembling, a swath of blond hair slid over her face as she knelt, a curtain to shield her tears.
The slide of steel against leather filled the silence as he withdrew his sword.
Her breath eased inshallow gasps.
He stepped forward, lay the end of his blade upon her shoulder.
The cold steel weighed heavilyupon her soul.
“Do you, Lady Gwendolyn, swear fealty to me, forsaking your allegianceto Lord Comyn?”
Gwendolyn damned Aiden as the faces of her tenants swam before her as she prepared to give a vow she thought she would never make. “I do, Sire.” He touched the sword upon her other shoulder before removing the pressure of the forged steel, but not the weightof her regret.
He sheathed his weapon. “Stand.”
Heart pounding, she pushed to her feet, met his gaze. “And the second condition?”
The king’s eyes darkened, yet she could swear she saw the hint of a smile. “Sir Aiden gives you high praise, approval that has swayed my decision to allow you to returnto your home.”
Confusion rippled through her. Even after she had treated Aiden with such disdain, he’d commended her to his sovereign? She looked over, but the knight kept his gaze straight ahead. What had he told the king? The hunger she’d witnessed in Aiden’s eyes that night beneath the falls stormed her mind, capturing her breath.
Smothering the unwanted thought, she shifted her gaze to the king. “How so, Your Grace?”
“Among other things, he explained how once your word is given, ’tis one I can trust.”
She stiffened. Aiden had claimed he’d never meant to hurt her. Did his intervention with the royal provehis sincerity?
Regardless of his motive, his words had swayed King Robert. For that she would be thankful. “Aye, Sire. I am a woman of my word.”
“In addition, Sir Aiden’s insistence that Latharn Castle needs a formidable warrior who will keep the stronghold safe is a belief I share. Doyou not agree?”
“I do, Sire.”
A smile curved Robert Bruce’s mouth. He nodded to Aiden. “For your loyalty, you will be charged with the duty of protecting the stronghold.”
Eyes widening, Aiden’s gaze fell on her before shifting to his king. “I am greatly honored, Sire, but mayhap Lady Gwendolyn’s home would bestbe served by—”
“Someone with your expertise,” the king finished. “We are at war. I need my best warriors well placed.”
Aiden gave a low bow, straightened. “I swear to you that I will keep Latharn Castle safe.”
Pain sliced through her chest. Loyalty to the damnable king was one thing. But this… Her outrage grew. No, ’twas asking too much!
“Your Grace,” she forced out as she struggled for a way to sway the king, “Sir Aiden is but a knight. Given Latharn Castle’s strategic location, the stronghold doesna need a castellan but a noble, a formidable leader with a large contingent to ensure the fortressis kept safe.”
“Lady Gwendolyn,” the king said with soft warning, “I admire your passion and your forthright manner, but I willna tolerate your advising me in my royal decisions.”
Indeed, instead of allowing her to return to her home, he could have locked her in the dungeon or worse. “Forgive me, Sire.”
“Sir Aiden is a man I deeply respect, one who has earned my complete trust,” the Bruce said, his voice cool. “Latharn Castle is fortunate to have a warrior of such caliberto protect it.”
“Forgive me, Your Grace, ’tis that I am confused,” she said, fighting to keep her mounting frustration at bay. “Moments before, you said you would entertain my request to be the mistress of Latharn Castle. If given a large contingent to keep the fortress safe, I would have no need of him.”
