A Spy at the Highland Court

by Barclay, Celeste

  “Then we are much in the same way.” Ric looked at her cheeks and chin and wanted to run the pad of his thumb over her skin where there was still a hint of pink from where his stubble had rubbed against her skin.

  “It still prickles,” she murmured.

  Ric’s arm tightened slightly and pulled her closer, but he was careful to remain within the bounds of propriety. He would not be accused his first night of mauling a lady-in-waiting, even if that was what he had been doing earlier that afternoon.

  “Ric? Are you—are you thinking about this afternoon?”

  “How could I not? Your chin may still prickle, but my fingers have itched to touch you ever since the moment we parted.”

  Isa had several more questions, but she kept them to herself. She had only met the man that afternoon, and she had allowed him to kiss her in ways she never knew existed, and the desire he lit within her still made her body ache with unspent lust. But there was something more about him that drew her. She was aware that there could never be anything more between them than that afternoon and perhaps a few more dances; after all, she was the daughter of a boarder laird who was a staunch supporter of the Scottish king. The man she danced with might have had a mother who was from a border clan too, but he had been the English king’s knight. There was no chance that her father would ever condone a match.

  “You seem to have gone somewhere far away, Isa?”

  “Hmm? I was enjoying the dance. I don’t want to think of anything else than just this.”

  Ric nodded, but he was certain he knew that she was thinking the same thing he was. This would be their only chance to be together. He might be fortunate enough to partner with her again, but he would have to be careful not to show she was a favorite.

  The couple continued to twirl about the floor, each lost in thoughts of what they could not have while trying to absorb every moment of what they did have.

  “That young knight seems quite taken with our Lady Isabella,” Queen Elizabeth spoke softly to her husband.

  “I’d noticed as much. He was quite subtle in how he arranged for them to partner, but I noticed nonetheless.”

  “And why is that?” The queen already knew the answer, but nudged her husband’s knee to answer.

  “I did the same with you more than once.” The king cast his gaze at his wife and slid his hand beneath the table. Their tumultuous relationship had seen Elizabeth captured and imprisoned for eight years by King Edward, a man to whom her father still swore loyalty. A fondness developed between the royal couple once Elizabeth returned to the Scottish court, and they had three children together along with Marjorie, the daughter from Robert’s first marriage. Robert squeezed his wife’s knee as she giggled softly.

  “It would seem Lady Isabella has eyes for the young knight, too. I wonder how they could have already met.” The queen continued to speak quietly to her husband.

  “I doubt they could have. He must have seen her during the meal and taken an interest. She’s a pretty young woman, and he’s a healthy young man.”

  “If that is what you think, then you cannot see what I do.”

  “And what is that, my queen?”

  “That there is a spark between them that did not start with the music. There is a familiarity between them, but it seems new. As though neither knows quite what to do with it.”

  “You see all of that?” The king’s skepticism was evident in his tone as well as the look he cast his wife before looking back at the young couple.

  “You spend your days with stuffy old men. I spend mine with young women who like to gossip and read poetry about love. Besides, I was young like Lady Isabella once.”

  “You are still young, my dear. And if Sir Dedric’s mind runs anything like mine did when I met you, then I would do well to drag him away now.”

  Elizabeth chuckled as she remembered the early days of their marriage. They were undoubtedly attracted to one another, but neither was sure whether they liked one another. Elizabeth knew her husband had loved his first wife, and his grief was a reason why he waited six years to remarry despite having a young daughter in need of a mother.

  “Do you believe he’s been sent to spy?”

  “Most certainly.”

  “Do you think he will change his mind as I did?” Elizabeth spoke of a part of their past that neither liked, but there was little that could change the fact that her father, in agreement with King Edward, arranged her marriage to Robert the Bruce in the hopes that she would spy for them. Instead, she chose to make the most of her marriage, and when King Edward held her under house arrest, she resolved to never aid the man who tore her family apart, sending her stepdaughter to a nunnery and placing her sister-by-marriage and Isabella Duff in cages that he ordered suspended outside the castles where the women were held hostage. She was her husband’s staunchest supporter and would have gladly cut King Edward’s heart out with her own dirk if given a chance.

  “I don’t know. I met with him this afternoon, and the bitterness he feels toward Edward is genuine. I remember the raid on the MacLellans that killed his mother. It was led by a man who had once been his father’s friend. The fiend raped Hage’s mother and then turned the boy over to Edward. It would have been the same time as when Edward had you.”

  “That is as good a reason as I can imagine.”

  “Perhaps I’m not the one who will change his mind, but I will benefit if he does. He spent his life in Edward’s court. Beyond battlefield strategy, there must be plenty he is privy to.”

  “Then I shall just make sure that Lady Isabella has an opportunity to become better acquainted with the lad. But Edward, I won’t do more than that. We have been embroiled in far too many mangled love affairs of late. Deirdre and Magnus and your brother and Elizabeth still haunt me.”

  “You and me both, my love. We shall give them the opportunity, but if they do not want it, then I shall not force a match.”

  The music trailed off, and the musicians rose to take a break after the long set. Ric and Isa had managed to remain partnered for the entire set since none of the songs after the first one required partner changes. They had danced three in a row, including the first one. They knew they were pushing the limits before they sparked gossip, but neither was eager to let go. The Great Hall was stifling, so Ric led them to a space near a window and summoned a serving woman who carried a tray with mugs of ale. He lifted two off the tray and handed one to Isa. She sipped, but he could tell she wanted to take an unladylike swallow.

  “Go ahead. It’s hot, and we’re both thirsty. I won’t tell.” Ric chuckled as Isa paused before grinning over the rim of her mug. She finished her drink in three long swallows and suppressed the hiccup that wanted to escape. Ric finished his just as quickly and waved another servant over to replace the drinks they consumed. They each sipped these.

  “What were you doing in the scriptorium? You never did say.” Ric asked.

  “I was there to gather the last few luminations that I finished. They had been drying, and I wanted to be sure that I secured them before they sprouted feet and walked off.”

  “They’re quite valuable, and you were right. You could sell them for far more if you had your own stall.”

  Isa shrugged as she looked around before returning her gaze to Ric’s.

  “I could, and I would like to, but it’s impossible. Besides, I use the luminations to give to the poor and to pay for the project that really interests me.”

  “Not the art? From what I caught a glance of, you’re very talented.”

  “Well trained, not talented. A monk spent several years at the abbey near my home. My father and mother wanted me educated, and I fell in love with the process of creating the images. The monk taught me how along with the other things I needed, such as reading and sums.”

  “If that isn’t what you want to be doing, then what is?”

  Isa pulled her lips in and looked around once more, noticing that more than one of the other ladies was watching them.
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  “I like history. My clan are descendants of the Picts. I am working on a history of my clan all the way back to its formation. I use a few pieces of parchment each month to create the luminations, but I save most for my real passion.”

  Isa caught the flicker in Ric’s eyes as she mentioned her passion, and she found herself swaying closer to him. Neither said anything, but their eyes spoke volumes.

  “Will you show me your work someday?” Ric murmured.

  “Yes. I’d like that. I—” Isa was interrupted when the gathering shifted, and the ladies-in-waiting moved toward the dais. The queen had risen, signaling it was time for the young women to retire. “I must go.”

  “I know. I recognize the signal. I will look for you tomorrow.”

  “Goodnight, Ric.”

  “Sleep well, Isa.”

  Ric watched as Isa followed the queen from the Great Hall and was ready to retire now that the only company he sought had left.

  “She’s very pretty but a bit naïve for a man of your tastes.” Bella spoke from behind Ric’s shoulder. “Do you think she can gain you the information you need? You should be looking to one of the more worldly women, who understands how the court game is played.”

  Ric did not turn to speak to Bella, but kept his eye on Isa until she finally disappeared. He then shifted his gaze to the king who watched him with a calculated gleam. Ric stepped away from Bella and pretended as though he had not heard her behind him. He returned to the table where he had eaten; a few men remained. They had not been openly hostile, but they had made Ric feel unwanted. He welcomed their approach, as it kept him away from Bella. The fact that she suggested he bed older, more experienced women confirmed that her only interest in him was for a quick tumble and the information Edward expected him to find. He was relieved that she did not seem to be holding a grudge after the incident at the MacLellan keep. He kept Bella in the corner of his eye and watched as she left with a man he did not know, but who looked quite important.

  “Looks like the Earl of Atholl has a new mistress,” one of the men mused as he lifted his mug in the direction of Bella and her escort.

  “She is a beautiful woman, but something about her tells me she isn’t worth the tupping for all the trouble she will bring.” Another man spoke as he shook his head, and Ric wished he could speak up and confirm the man’s guess.

  The other courtiers continued to discuss Bella before moving on to other women they wished they could bed.

  “Lady Isabella looked particularly fetching tonight.”

  Ric ground his molars and gripped his mug, but he refused to show how the discussion’s unexpected turn toward the woman he wanted bothered him.

  “English, you danced with her. Does she feel as good as she looks? Are her tits as big as they look or is it the lacing lying to us men?”

  Ric looked at the man who spoke, and he longed to drive his fist into the other man’s face.

  “Perhaps it is the English knight in me or the Scottish honor my mother taught me, but I don’t discuss innocents as though they’re little more than tavern whores. You’re talking about one of the queen’s ladies. Show some respect.”

  Ric rose from his seat and slammed his mug onto the table before turning toward the entrance. He weaved through the crowd, but did not make it to the door before the one voice that could force him to stop reached his ears.

  “What did they say about her?”

  Ric turned around and bowed to King Robert, but he did not respond, pretending to not understand.

  “Don’t feign ignorance. I’m too tired, and it’s too late in the night for games. What did they say?”

  “It doesn’t bear repeating, Your Majesty.”

  “It was enough to upset you and make you leave.”

  “I intended to leave anyway. As you said, it is very late.”

  “You seemed in no hurry to leave when you wanted to avoid that other woman.”

  “She did not interest me.”

  “But Lady Isabella does.” It was a statement, not a question. Ric knew there was no way to get around it.

  “She is intelligent and beautiful as well as kind hearted. I saw her in the market today giving some coins to a family of orphaned children. She wiped the youngest’s nose with her own handkerchief. I can’t think of many ladies who would do that.”

  “That is true. She is as you describe her, and she seems to have taken an interest in you.”

  “She overheard me when I approached the children after she moved on. I ordered my squire to take them to the inn where I spent the previous night. I had him see if the children could be hired on. She was equally surprised at my interest in them. Your Majesty, I could very well have been like those orphans. Had I been turned out of King Edward’s service while in England, I would have had no choice but to beg like those children. I realize that while my life has had its share of misfortune, there are some things that I can’t be ungrateful for.”

  “That is true. Edward is not known for being magnanimous often, but he can be quite generous. He did retain you all the way through your tenure.”

  Ric remained silent once again, knowing the king had not said anything that necessitated his response. Ric understood this was not a conversation so much as another opportunity for Robert to form an opinion and pass judgement.

  “My wife and I stroll through the gardens midmorning each day that the sun is out. She has her attendants with her in case I am summoned away. She enjoys the company.” Robert watched as Ric did not react. “It would not do you any harm to happen to be there as well.”

  Ric nodded before bowing to the king and retreating to his chamber.

  Chapter Seven

  Ric and Robbie were already within the chapel when Robert and Elizabeth along with the ladies-in-waiting arrived. The royal couple took their places at their prie dieu and the women slid into the pews. Ric bowed his head and kneeled as the service dictated, but the liturgy he had heard his entire life faded into the background once he was able to spot Isa. She sensed his stare and tilted her head to look back at him as unobtrusively as she could. She smiled shyly once, then turned her attention back to the priest. She did not look at Ric again, but she could sense his attention throughout the service. When everyone filed out of the chapel, Isa found herself penned in by the other ladies-in-waiting all the way to the Great Hall. She broke her fast seated in her usual position, but Ric was shown to a table that put them in each other’s line of sight. She suspected the queen had a role in that. Isa had been sent back to change her gown that morning; Elizabeth said that the color she chose made her look pale.

  Neither Ric nor Isa wanted to draw attention to themselves, so they kept their eyes everywhere but on each other, or at least they attempted not to look at each other. When the women left to gather their cloaks, Ric awaited his summons from the king. They walked to the gardens together, and Robert the Bruce took the opportunity to press Ric for more information about his intentions.

  “You have arrived in Scotland with no plans to return to England, but neither do you have plans for what you will do here.”

  “I had hoped to earn a plot of land, perhaps with a home already built, but if not, I will build my own.”

  “You intend to build your own keep?”

  Ric glanced at the king and saw that he was not jesting.

  “I had not thought to have something so large.”

  “You will have been a royal knight for two kings. Do you not think you will have earned a manor home at the least?”

  “I don’t know that there are too many Scots who would like to be employed by an English man.”

  “Half, as you noted.”

  “It always seems like the less-useful half is the only one people remember.”

  “So you planned to live as a hermit? What about when your squire is ready to move on? Will you live all alone on your humble plot?”

  “If that is what the land offers, then I shall be happy to know I have a home.”

&nb
sp; “That seems rather unassuming for someone raised in Edward’s court, one of his most trusted knights.”

  Ric felt the hairs on his neck stand up as he measured his words before he spoke.

  “I was raised in Edward’s court, but by tutors and knights who cared little about an orphan who could not bring them a suitable placement after their service to the king was done. I don’t know that he trusted me very much after the last battle against the Kerrs. He was decidedly unimpressed with my answer when asked why we lost.”

  “And what did you say?”

  “That there were more of you than there were of us.”

  The Bruce waited for Ric to go on, and when he realized that what Ric said now was all the knight had told Longshanks, he roared with laughter.

  “I can see why he did not appreciate you pointing out the obvious. He would have rather someone taken the blame for the botched attack than admit he was outwitted by the heathenous Scots once again. The tale I heard was the lot of you scarpered off before the Kerrs and Elliots could chase you back across the border.”

  “That retreat was not my decision, but it was one I agreed with. The day was lost, and there was no need to lose more lives simply for someone’s pride.”

  “I don’t suppose you told Edward that, too.”

  “No, Your Majesty. I chose to keep that to myself and keep my head along with it.”

  “For the best, I’m sure.”

  The men came to stand near a topiary in the shape of a stag. The wind was cold, but the last of the snow had made its appearance in the Lowlands several weeks earlier. Ric imagined what the garden would look like in spring, with the blossoms hiding the trunk and roots of the pruned bush. He knew he would not be there long enough to see the new growth and signs of new life.

  Before either man could speak again, the sound of women’s laughter and voices floated to them. Queen Elizabeth and her entourage came into view, and Robert led Ric to be introduced to the queen.

  “I believe we have both been guests of King Edward at the same time, but the duration of my stay was much shorter than yours.” The queen’s tone when she described them as guests was a firm reminder that neither of them had been given a choice when Edward decided they should be taken from their homes.