Seize The Dawn (49 page)

But his mouth downed upon hers then, and his kiss lingered long and hard, with the stroke of his touch, the thrust of his movement. He cradled her gently, yet made love with a fierce vigor. She saw his face, the passion, something else ...

Stars seemed to dance in the firelight. She rose to meet him, moved with him, clung to him. The sweetness of their climax seemed to wrap around them like a blanket of molten steel; she clung to him, lay down with him ...

It didn't budge. She was locked in. She stared at it in amazement for a moment, then rushed to the window that led to the balcony and parapets.

It was day.

And the balcony was not unguarded. Thomas de LonguevUle sat on a bench outside, reading. He looked up when he saw her. "By a Frenchman," he told her.

She burst through the draperies to the larger bedroom next to the lady's chamber, thinking perhaps they had not thought to bar her way out from there.

"Practice," Margot told her, and looked serenely back to her task. "And because he loves you," she added softly.

They waited at the juncture of the road from the southwest, their horses pawing the ground, too much time going by.

"Robert Bruce will not come," Eric said. "He has given us all the help he dares—while keeping his position with the king."

Brendan was about to agree; it had been futile to hope that Robert Bruce would come. He was in far too deep with King Edward at this time. Newly married, his personal papers of fealty and truce so newly signed.

But that was just why he
must
come. With him at their side, the pretext of their visit would work, and no man would be in danger.

"We're not going to war; just to pay a visit upon English lands not far from those that belong to my own family," Bruce said.

He had been called a traitor many times.

And many times, he could have turned the tide for the Scottish cause.

But today, he rode his horse in his colors, his banner borne by a squire, and his jaw was set. The same age as Wallace, he was a different leader. Born to be nobility.

Born to be a king? Brendan wondered.

"Aye, Bruce, that is the plan," Brendan explained.

"I've written to the king as you requested, telling of this plot, and to the queen as well, hoping she will intercede. She is very young, grave in her duty, and of course, sister to Philip of France, who holds you in great regard."

"A just enough cause," Bruce said. "And this charade you've planned ... I rather like it. Will you don my colors now? Or later, when we come closer to Clarin?"

They approached Clarin by early morning; the blast of a horn announcing the arrival of a rich and powerful man, the train of the troops stretching behind them.

Naturally, a guard rode out quickly from Clarin to greet them; the colors of Bruce, a great landholder in England as well as in Scotland, were well known—as was Edward's recent, necessary agreement with the possible claimant to the Scottish throne. The gates of Clarin opened even as they rode close.

The horses clattered through the gateway.

From the main entrance to the tower, Isobel appeared.

She was a stunning woman with her dark hair, regal bearing, and delicate features. She walked straight to Robert Bruce, dropping a low curtsy.

"My Lord Bruce—"

"You know me, madam?" he inquired.

"Of course. I am Isobel of Clarin, all who can greet you here, I fear. Still you are welcome. Do you travel to London? I beg of you, quench your thirst in our hall."

She indicated the open door, and followed behind him. Corbin, Brendan, and Eric, clad in mail and Bruce colors, and helms, followed.

Robert Bruce wasted no time. Even as Isobel called to servants for wine and food, he demanded.

"Where is the master of the castle?"

"The master, sir?" she said sorrowfully. "I am afraid we are in woeful trouble here. The lady by right, Eleanor, poisoned her poor dear husband. She was to be taken to London for trial, but the king's man, his sheriff, was seized by—" here she hesitated, then continued, "Scottish outlaws. She has fled to the north, with her lover, I'm afraid. But the sheriff has gone after her even now. And my husband ..." she pretended a soft, controlled sob, "was taken with ho-. Alfred, who manages here, was just in a terrible accident. His saddle... broke. While he was riding. He lies abed upstairs right now. Ah, the wine and food come."

Servants had come, with a quickly prepared feast Isobel had truly yearned to be lady here, Brendan mused. She had ordered the repast as soon as she had seen Bruce's colors on the riders, while they were still far away.

"The food will wait."

"Your pardon, Lord Bruce? You are truly welcome here. I know that you have made your peace with King Edward, Lord Bruce, and though I am so nearly mourning ... I believe that Corbin is dead now. He was surely slain by the outlaws. Sir Miles Fitzgerald has indeed given me hope, and yet Corbin is so honor bound to his kin. He will defend Eleanor, you see, even knowing that she must have been her husband's killer."

"Where is Alfred of Clarin now?" Bruce demanded.

"Upstairs, where I am tending to him. Come."

Their identities still well hidden beneath the Bruce helmet, Brendan, Eric, and Corbin followed Isobel up the stairs. She opened the door to a room.

Alfred was in bed, looking ashen. "His leg is broken, I'm afraid. It was a terrible accident when he was thrown. His horse never frightens, but that day ..."

"You've been treating him, of course," Brace demanded.

"I would allow no other one to tend my dearest brother-in- law. If my own poor husband is dead ..."

"But your own husband is not dead, Isobel," Corbin said, stepping forward and removing his helm.' 'And if you so much as touch my brother again, I'll skin you alive!"

Isobel stared at him in horror. By then, Brendan and Eric had removed their helms as well. Isobel's cheeks sucked in with the horrified O she made of her mouth.

Then she gathered herself together, backing away from Corbin. "What is this mockery of justice?" she demanded.

"No mockery, madam," Brace said. "I've come to escort you to London—along with Sir Miles, who has told us all about a very lengthy and lavish plan to rule these lands together."

"Aye, dear wife," Corbin said. "He has told us quite a bit—about the two of you."

Isobel stared at him, and must have realized in terror that she was truly caught.

She argued at first. "Whatever he has said to make you heathens spare his life is surely a lie. The king will never believe the word of a traitor who deserted her country for a Scottish outlaw, against the word of his own sheriff."

"He might just. There are five of his men who will swear to the fair treatment Fitzgerald received at our hands—and the merciless end he meant for Eleanor," Brendan told her.

Then Eric came and took her arm. ' 'We do want her to stand trial" he told Corbin. "I'll see that she is taken to the other prisoners, and made ready to ride."

Corbin nodded.' 'I have some talking to do with my brother,'' he said softly. He looked at Bruce. "If your physicians will attend him first... ?"

He hadn't dared let her come. If Robert Bruce hadn't come with them, there might have been trouble. There would have been no way to find the justice they needed.

The gates opened as they returned. He rode at the head of his men, an able man, a proud warrior, fierce, and ever courageous ...

"Alfred will survive, so the Brace's physicians assure me," he told her. "He was badly hurt, but in the few hours in which he was no longer under Isobel's tender care, he improved greatly."

"But he ..."

"Aye, he will live; he's strong. He spent a long time with Corbin before we left. She looked beyond him, and saw that Corbin had returned as well."

Brendan shrugged. "He has decided to be a Scotsman."

Epilogue