And of the Black Douglas.
They entered througha stone-framed gate into the inner yard of the stronghold. Tosia wasn’t sure what she expected, but the mildly domestic scene of women carrying baskets and washing laundry, chickens and small goats ambling among the patchy grass, and rough, bearded men in dull tunics assembling weapons was not it.
Were families here? Was Dumfriesnotthe center of a war? Not that Tosia was even certain of what war was supposed to look like. As her eyes jumped from one side of the yard to the other, she once again realized how sheltered she’d been for her entire life.
The horse approached the main doors of the castle, and a man in a black tunic and braies and subtle streaks of gray in his chestnut hair stood at the top of the steps. He leaned onto the low, stone balustrade, watching their entry. The men halted their horses, dismounted, and threw the reins to lanky lads who scrambled to house the horses to their stables.
The brawny man behind her dismounted, and before Tosia was able to gather her wits, his hands grasped her waist again and hauled her down. He held her aloft until her feet steadied under her, for which she was grateful. She didn’t want to fall into the dirt and make her first introduction to the king and her future husband in stained skirts. As soon as she was steady, he released her and stepped to the bottom of the step, his arms crossed over his chest.
Riding in front of the man had shaken Tosia to her bones and relief flooded her once she was released from that awkwardly intimate position. Yet her heart pounded in her chest. Where was Tavish? Why were they standing here in the yard? Was someone going to direct her where to go?
Then a warm hand pressed against hers, and Tavish stood next to her, his presence providing her a measure of encouragement in this unfamiliar place. The man at the top of the steps spoke, commanding Tosia’s attention.
“Tosia Fraser. Tavish Fraser.” The man bowed his head slightly, Tosia, uncertain of what to do, curtsied in return. “Welcome to Auchinleck. I hope your travels weren’t too arduous. I am Robert the Bruce.”
Tosia’s heart threatened to stop in her chest, and her mind swam in her head. Tavish pressed his arm against her to steady her, lest she faint away. This was the king? This casual man in humble clothing? What of robes? A crown?
And then a second, sinking sensation clenched her stomach. Did that mean she was to meet the Black Douglas now? Here in the yard? Without the chance to prepare?
The king nodded toward the giant man who’d ridden behind Tosia to the keep. Her eyes started at his feet, mud-covered leather boots, and rose slowly over his loose braies, the plaid draping from his hip to shoulder, and his stony green-gray eyes, sharp nose, and mass of black hair. This time, she thought shewouldfaint.
Nay . . . it couldn’t be. . .She had ridden with that man, that blackguard plague of the Highlands?
“And if ye haven’t formally met him yet, may I introduce your husband-to-be, Sir James Douglas.”
Then everything went black.
When she opened hereyes, Tavish’s concerned face hovered above her. His eyes, the only part she could see of him, really, wide and a hue of cinnamon and spice, searched her face.
“Tosia! Are ye well?”
She lifted her shoulders and rested on her elbows. Several other men surrounded her, including the earnest-looking king, and the beast of Scotland himself, Douglas. She rubbed her face with her hand, more embarrassed than injured.
“Aye, Tavish. Dinna fret. ‘Tis been a long series of days, methinks.”
The king squatted next to her, taking her hand in his. Indeed, her life had shifted in an inconceivable way. Was the King of Scotland truly offering her succor?
“Then we must get ye to your chambers. I’ll have a maid bring ye water. Your brother will escort ye, then find his place.”
Then he rose and helped Tosia to her feet. She teetered slightly, and the king put a reassuring arm across her back. The Black Douglas, fortunately stayed away. She wasn’t sure she could have kept her feet if he’d been the one to assist her.
Tavish took her arm and led her inside where a young woman who introduced herself as Brigid held a pitcher of water and led them to the stairs. Tosia focused on the maid to distract herself from the complicating largess of her present life. Brigid was a petite young woman, buxom, with dark blonde hair pulled back under a linen kerchief. A perpetual smile seemed embedded on the lass’s pretty face, and Tosia’s heart clenched at Brigid’s welcoming visage.
Would I ever smile again?
“’Tis no’ the end of the world, Tosia,” Tavish whispered to her. “Douglas is an important man, the king’s right-hand man. There are worse things.”
Tosia gripped her brother’s arm. “Really, Tavish? Ye say such things to me? I am to be shackled to a monster —”
Tavish stopped walking and flashed his gaze at the maid to make sure she hadn’t overheard, then turned his hard eyes on Tosia. She’d never seen so fierce an expression on her brother before, and she trembled under that fiery glare.
“I dinna see a monster, Tosia. The man was kind, considerate even, on our ride here. Aye, there are rumors about him, but will ye judge a man based on rumor? Or rather on what he shows ye in his actions to ye? The king has given ye a gift, Tosia, us a gift, one we most likely dinna deserve, and to spit on it is dangerous. He’s given us position and permitted us to stay together. Give his man a chance.”
Tavish tugged on her arm, yanking her up the stairs as he resumed walking. They caught up with Brigid who waited at the door at the end of the dim hallway.
Tosia’s chest was hollow, an empty pit, at her brother’s words. He spoke the truth, aye, but it didn’t lessen the dismay that threatened to bring Tosia to her knees.
Brigid gestured them into the narrow room with a smart flip of her hand. Tavish led Tosia to a straw-filled bed and sat her down gently.
