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When Wallace introduced him finally, the man could not have given a name more surprising than if he declared himself the king of England. Before Galien could understand what William was saying, the baron of Anbarth rushed to tell his tale. The same one he tried to explain now to his daughter.

“I could not openly support the Scottish cause without seeing Anbarth taken from me. Or more importantly, from you. My heir. I was on my way home when Wallace found me with word of the prisoner’s escape, and your disappearance. He knew who had been captured and, of course, where to find you.”

Reina’s expression matched his sister’s. Neither could comprehend what was happening. Galien knew the feeling well. He’d had much the same reaction. Knowing what he did now, Galien actually pitied the man, who took a deep breath and said, “You are the babe of Dennochbrook, Reina.”

Tears sprang to her eyes, and despite the dictates of decorum, Galien reached down to hold her hand. The baron noticed but did not flinch. He seemed, in fact, grateful for it.

“How could you, Father? I defended you. I told Galien ’twas not possible. That never would you be a part of such a despicable act.”

“Nor was I, my sweet daughter. My men did not attack Dennochbrook. Lord Blackburn of Anglewood razed the village at the behest of Edward. He’d have done anything to garner the favor of his king. Harrying his northern neighbors, even in such a cruel manner, was not the most despicable of his actions.”

Galien knew the family well. “Nor of his sons,” he added.

Reina’s father gave him a look of agreement and continued. For her part, Reina gripped his hand so tight he would not consider letting go. Even if Oriana’s eyes seemed as if they’d pop out of her head at the sight of his open display of affection for an unmarried woman to which he had no claim.

“If it was Blackburn,” she said, her voice tinged with mistrust, “how did I come to be at Anbarth?”

The baron laughed bitterly. “The answer to that depends on who you ask. God, according to your mother. Fate, some would say. Either way, your life was spared courtesy of a man named John to whom I will be forever grateful. Not as ruthless as his fellow knights, unmarked as they were, knowing the razing was under board, he scooped you up from the fray and carried you in hand from Dennochbrook. Passing village after village, no wet nurse could be found. And then he reached Anbarth. By then he’d strayed from all of his companions, who thought the man mad for risking Blackburn’s ire to save you. When he reached our walls, I was returning from a hunt, thinking it odd to see a lone man carrying a babe. He refused to tell me the circumstances surrounding such an occurrence but asked whether we had a wet nurse at Anbarth. Which we did.

“Your mother and I tried for many years for a child and knew it was not to be. I took you home, and immediately we decided to call you our own. Within a sennight, however, the news of what had happened at Dennochbrook reached our walls. I travelled there to learn more of what had occurred but, as you know, there were no witnesses. He’d done much to keep the identity of his men secret, attacking the village unmarked, coward that he is. Because of it, though, he’d gained a new title and lands. An appointment at the king’s court. This war, between our countries, has always been fought as much at court as on the battlefield. And will continue to be so. Eventually, I was able to learn his identity.”

He stopped, not telling Reina the most important part of his story. Galien could see he was waiting for her to consider his words. Consider all that had transpired. The look of anger, one he was not accustomed to from her, took Galien aback.

He wanted to make it go away so he spoke up. “Your father vowed to you, Reina, he would see such a senseless act avenged. His oath of loyalty pledged to the king from that day forward was nothing but a facade. I spoke to someone who has confirmed your father has been actually fighting for our cause, for the Scots, for the memory of your parents, for many, many years. If he appeared extra harsh to my people, your people, there was a reason for it. A ruse he played.”

Reina looked from him to her father.

“Is this true?” She shook her head, answering before either of them could. “Nay. It cannot be. You’ve gone to battle for him.”

“To Bristol, when it was unavoidable. I took so few men that I incurred Edward’s wrath still but avoided his taking of Anbarth—something he had begun to threaten.”

Galien could sense Reina’s father wanted to come toward them. He wanted to comfort her, but instead, he allowed a stranger to do it. Galien’s respect for the man increased, if it were possible after he’d told them his story, when Wallace confirmed it. Yet he had much to recompense to Reina for keeping the truth from her.

“Only your mother and I know the truth,” he said. The baron’s eyes were tortured. “We vowed to tell no one. My men know I am hesitant to join the fray, but do not know the true reason.”

Reina pulled her hand from his. Surprise gave way to anger. “I asked you, and Mother, many times. Suspected there was more to your story. And you lied to me. Looked me in the eyes and told me over and over again about the woman who had come through our village.”

Now Galien knew where Reina got the stubborn raise of her chin. Anbarth stood firm. “I would not have you bear the burden your mother and I had for so many years, to keep a secret that could risk the lives of people you love. I did what I thought best and. . .” His eyes closed briefly, and re-opened. “I would do it again. If you were safe and well cared for, Reina, naught else mattered.”

Unfortunately, Reina’s shock would not end with her conversation here.

“Perhaps we should bring her into the small hall to meet our guest? He can tell you more of the story,” Galien said, knowing there was very little way to prepare her for meeting Wallace.

But Reina did not budge.

“I do not need anyone to verify it,” she said, looking at her father. “I believe you. In fact, so much makes sense to me now. But still, that you never told me. . .”

Galien could not endure the pain in her voice. He wished to soothe her. To make it all better. But there was only one man who could do that now, and it was not him. Reaching for his sister, Galien pulled Oriana toward him. Together they quietly stepped back, allowing Reina and her father to speak privately.

“It is almost too unbelievable to be true,” Oriana whispered.

“And yet, it is. Wallace is within and will tell Reina how her father has been quietly supporting his cause.”

Now it was his sister’s turn to be surprised. “Are you telling me William Wallace is inside the small hall?”

If Galien had not spent a night in Anbarth’s dungeons, he would consider this one of the oddest days of his life. From Wallace’s appearance to the revelation of his most unexpected companion, Galien had not quite reconciled himself what was, indeed, happening.

“As he told Reina, Anbarth learned of my capture and subsequent release, and his daughter’s role in it, on his return home. Still in England, Wallace learned of the same and intercepted him.”