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Katherine shook her head and coughed up what seemed to be another lungful of river water. She had no idea who the assassins were, but she was absolutely sure of what had happened.
She had not been in Scotland for so much as a day yet, and already Robbie’s people had attempted to murder her.
“I want to go home,” she rasped.
“Yes. You will ride with me. We need tae get ye back tae Roxburghe and out of these wet things.” Robbie, dripping wet himself, had clambered from the river and now crouched beside Flora. “Once ye’re safe and warm, I shall see tae the matter of whoever did this. An’ the rest o’ what must be done.”
Katherine did not much care what he did by way of retribution. By the grace of God, this attempt on her life had failed. But what about the next time? All she wanted was to return to her safe, familiar English haven, where deranged villagers did not fling passing women into rivers.
“I want to go home,” she repeated, and not referring to Roxburghe, before dissolving in another fit of uncontrollable coughing.
The next hour or so passed in a blur. Robbie lifted her onto his horse, then swung into the saddle behind her. Stephen, who had been the one on the other end of the rope, dragging her from the water, remounted his stallion, and Flora perched before him. They set off at a canter.
Once back at Roxburghe, Robbie carried her up to his chamber, yelling for Aggie as he went. He deposited her on his bed and instructed the startled maid who had dashed in behind them to help get her sodden clothes off.
“Oh, dear Lord, what has happened?” Aggie rushed to assist. “The poor wee thing looks like a drowned rat.”
“She fell in the river,” came the terse reply. “Flora, can ye get one o’ the men tae bring up a tub and plenty o’ hot water.”
“At once.” Katherine was dimly aware of the light footsteps as Flora hurried away.
“I did not…” She needed them to know that she did not fall. This was no accident.
“It be all right, my lady. We shall soon have ye nice an’ dry, tucked up like…”
Aggie chattered without ceasing, but she was deft and efficient. For her part, Katherine was just glad to be rid of her soaked, clammy garments. As soon as she was naked, and heedless of Robbie’s continued presence in the chamber, she allowed herself to be led to the bathtub once it was filled with steaming water. She sank down into the welcoming warmth with a relieved sigh.
“Thank you, Aggie. I shall see to Lady Katherine now.” Robbie stationed himself at the foot of the tub, his arms folded. A decidedly stern expression settled upon his usually affable features.
“My lord? Are ye quite certain? I could—”
“Thank you, Aggie,” he repeated. “You may attend to Lady Katherine’s clothes. See what might be salvaged.”
“O’ course, my lord. I shall ask Elspeth…” The maid gathered up the filthy, wet garments and scuttled from the chamber, leaving Katherine to face the laird.
“They threw me in,” she declared, still barely able to credit such a vile, unwarranted attack. “Three men, with a cart.”
“So I understand.” He pulled up a low stool and set it beside the tub. “You can tell me all about them while I wash your hair.”
“Aggie could have done that.”
“I will do it. An’ it will give us a chance to speak alone. I want tae know all that ye can tell me about these men.”
“I had never seen them before.”
“Describe them tae me. What were they carrying on their cart?” He picked up a slab of soap and placed it close to hand, then began to pour water over her hair from a small, copper jug.
“They were dressed in the usual peasant garb,” she began.
“Kilts?” he pressed her.
“No. Trousers, tunics. And they all wore hoods.” There was nothing remarkable whatsoever in their appearance, as far as she could recall. “They just looked like villagers bringing firewood to the castle. I was not alarmed at all, until…”
“Until what?”
“I wished them a good morning and moved aside to let them pass. They must have realised that I am English, from my speech.”
“What did they say?”
