Outlaw King

by Julie Johnstone

  They were like two storms colliding, fighting for who would rage the greatest, and eventually combining to bring devastation. But what they destroyed was themselves as two separate people. What was left in the aftermath of their joining hours later was one couple by the heat of the fire, of like mind, full of love, and determined to defy all the odds against them. They lay in the orange glow on the cover Robert had spread on the floor, facing each other.

  “Have ye thought upon what the future holds for us?” Robert asked after a long time of silence.

  “I have thought mostly that my future holds you, and that is all I need.”

  He reached out and closed the distance between them, his fingers brushing her lips, her chin, her neck, then sliding to splay against her belly. He nodded, as if she had said the words he had been seeking, and then his eyes closed. Sleep claimed her husband with such swiftness that she knew he must have been exhausted, yet he had not shown it, not in the slightest. She stared at him in fear and awe, wondering just how much of himself he kept hidden from her so that she would always feel she could draw from his strength.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Robert grinned as he held up his wedding gift to Elizabeth, which he had been eagerly waiting the fortnight since their wedding to give her. The merlin falcon spread her wings as much as she could in her cage. Elizabeth gasped, and a delighted smile lit her beautiful face. She clapped her hands.

  “Why have you waited to give her to me?” Elizabeth asked, glancing around the outbuilding where Robert had been keeping the bird. The happiness in her voice made Robert’s grin widen. He grinned a great deal lately. In fact, his cheeks often ached at the end of a day spent with Elizabeth. It was a state of bliss that could last forever if the world were not pressing in on them with its demands. But it was. The king had departed Robert’s home, much to Robert’s relief, yet Elizabeth’s father remained. Robert knew well that the king had left de Burgh here in order to collect information they assumed Elizabeth would provide.

  “Robert?” Elizabeth prodded.

  He drew his focus once more to her. “I had to wait for her to be old enough for the villager who used to breed my falcons to bring her to me. I can be verra discreet when I wish it,” he teased his achingly beautiful wife.

  “I know it well, you fiend. You have convinced me to do things in our bedchamber that I am certain must be sins. Yet, I am equally certain that with you, I am an unabashed sinner.”

  He tugged her close for a brief kiss. Her lips tasted sweet, as always. “I’m heartily grateful for that, lass. Now,” he said, focusing on the falcon, “have ye ever seen a lass train one?”

  She frowned. “Well, no. Women are not allowed to do so, as far as I know.”

  “Aye,” he replied, “but ye are my woman, and I wish ye to have freedoms that have been denied to ye. Ye will stand by my side always; therefore, ye will do many things that men do. Ye can nae ride to war with me, but ye can train falcons with me. Do ye wish to do this together?”

  Elizabeth flung herself into his arms and pressed kisses all over his face. “I love you, Robert! Of course, I wish to train the falcon with you!”

  His new wife’s ability to reach an invisible hand inside his chest and squeeze his heart amazed him. It was particularly incredible since he was certain she did not fully realize her power over him, nor say things with the intention of striking him with awe.

  Elizabeth clapped her hands together again. “What do I do? How do we start?”

  “First, ye name her,” Robert said, setting down the cage.

  She leaned close to the falcon’s cage and peered at her. “Onair.” She whispered the Gaelic word that meant honor to the falcon, who flapped her wings in response. “Now what?”

  “I have had her in here for several days, so today we let her out of her cage and allow her to fly around in the quiet of the outbuilding. Over the next week, she will come to know that we are the ones who give her freedom and food. She’ll return to this cage to eat and to rest. When she is ready, we will hood her and take her out at night so she is accustomed to the outside world, as well. Once she learns to come to ye, ye will fit her with jesses. Do ye know what jesses are?”

  She nodded. “Leather strips that tie around her legs. I don’t like that we should contain her when all she wants to do is fly free,” Elizabeth said.

  He brushed a hand through Elizabeth’s silken hair. “Then work with her and teach her to stay by yer side without the jesses or a leash.”

  “Have you seen such a thing done before?”

  “Aye,” he said with a wink. “I’ve done it with my own bird, Perequine.”

  “Naturally, you would have, Robert! You, who detest another trying to take away freedom! I want to let her out,” she said excitedly.

  Robert nodded and motioned to the cage. “Then by all means, do so.”

  Within a breath, they were watching Onair fly around the outbuilding as Elizabeth let out squeals of delight. “One day,” she said, turning to him, eyes shining, “you will free your people from Edward’s rule, just as we will free Onair.”

  “We will free Scotland,” he corrected her, wanting her to fully understand that he thought of her as his partner in whatever lay ahead.

  “We will,” she echoed, laying her head on his shoulder.

  As the weeks slid by, Robert’s happiness with Elizabeth was dampened by his worry for his brothers, his men, friends, and comrades in the rebellion. He still had not received word of Angus and the others, and he did not trust anyone in the village enough to send them out scouting for Angus and his men and risk that the man would discover their location and inform the king.

  Elizabeth’s father’s lingering presence didn’t help matters, either. At first, de Burgh had approached Elizabeth almost daily with demands, but he finally quit asking her for information. But Robert was not fooled; de Burgh hadn’t given up his quest. For his part, Robert could play this game forever, stringing de Burgh along. The man did not scare him with his threats regarding Elizabeth, but Robert saw the shadows under Elizabeth’s eyes. He knew she fretted about what her father might do to make Robert believe she had betrayed him. He did all he could to soothe her, but despite the smile she pasted on, he sensed her worry dwelling under the surface even when she laughed as she trained Onair or cried out in the throes of passion. Robert needed and wanted her father to depart. He needed the freedom to be able to ride out himself and discover what had become of his men, and he could not do that with her father watching his every move.

  After much thought, he decided that the best way to get false information to her father—information that he might act upon, no less—was for Robert and Elizabeth to have a conversation when they knew de Burgh was near and would eavesdrop. Robert had no way of knowing where Wallace actually was, but his hope was to make de Burgh think that he believed Wallace to be in Dunfermline. Hopefully, de Burgh would then ride out to the king’s court, gather men, and head to Scotland, specifically to Fife where Dunfermline was, to try to defeat Wallace. This long journey away from Ettrick would give Robert enough time to leave Writtle and discover what had become of Angus and Robert’s men. Robert could only pray that Wallace was not actually in Dunfermline. Adding to his mounting worries was the fact that Fraser had not reappeared as he’d thought he would. And, though he had left his brothers safe in Scotland when he had come to Edward’s court, he did not like how long it had been since he had been in contact with them to be assured they were still safe. The king’s and de Burgh’s smugness unsettled Robert, and his brothers would be perfect pawns to use against him if they decided they needed leverage to force him to comply with their wishes.

  Elizabeth and Robert had the conversation about Wallace the next day when they knew her father lingered near, but her father did not depart. Instead, he sent one of his men out in the dead of night, which Robert only happened to witness because he could not sleep. Robert had little doubt that de Burgh was sending word to the king of what he had overheard
, so the king could gather a force to capture Wallace. Robert was still trapped, forced to wait, and fearful that he could well have unintentionally led the king to Wallace.

  A few weeks later, when Robert was waiting in the solar for Elizabeth’s return from the village with her father—who’d insisted she accompany him to spread good cheer in the king’s name—a commotion in the courtyard caught his attention. He went to the window to see Gloucester, dressed for battle, dismounting his destrier. Robert glanced up the road that led to his manor, tense with the expectation of seeing a legion of the king’s knights who were undoubtedly going with Gloucester to find Wallace at Dunfermline, but he saw nothing.

  Within moments, Gloucester entered the solar and shut the door behind him, strain upon every line of the man’s road-dusted face. “Where are de Burgh and your wife?” he asked by way of greeting.

  Robert noted the man’s lip curl in distaste when he spoke. Whether that was for de Burgh or Elizabeth, who Gloucester had made clear he did not trust, Robert did not know, but a surge of anger coursed through him for Elizabeth. “They went to the village. Where are the king’s men?”

  “Not far behind,” Gloucester said with a sigh. “The king, too,” he finished, his gaze pinning Robert.

  “Edward?” Robert asked, surprised the king himself was joining his men.

  “Yes,” Gloucester replied, going to sit but standing immediately once again. His agitation was obvious. “I rode hard to be the first here. It’s lucky that de Burgh and your wife are absent, as I bring tidings.”

  “What news?”

  “Wallace was just engaged in a scrimmage with the king’s men well away from Dunfermline. Edward believes you to be in contact with Wallace, as de Burgh overheard you speaking with your wife.”

  “I see,” Robert said, striving to remain calm, even as icy fear for Elizabeth twisted around his heart. At least the king did not seem to suspect that the two of them had plotted to deceive him. Maybe Robert should send her away. But where to? Was anywhere safe? And how would he get her away from her father and his men?

  “I see your worry, and knowing you, it’s for your wife. You should not waste your concern on such a deceptive creature.”

  “Careful,” Robert said, setting his fingers on the hilt of his dagger. “I will nae stand ye speaking so disparagingly of my wife.”

  “I would not do so now that you are married, if it weren’t for the rest of what I need to tell you.”

  Robert frowned, and wariness danced along his spine. “What is it?”

  “Fraser has returned from Ettrick Forest, and I was able to speak with him in private. Robert…” The word sounded pained, and when Gloucester set his hand on Robert’s shoulder, Robert could not draw a single breath.

  “My men?” he asked, his voice hoarse, his blood rushing in his ears.

  “More than half of them have been captured. Fraser said that Angus led the king’s men straight to them.”

  “Angus?” Disbelief made Robert’s ears ring. “He’d nae. He—”

  “It was not Angus’s fault,” Gloucester rushed out, his hands slashing through the air with urgency. “It seems it was Elizabeth’s idea to tell you the king knew your men were in the forest.”

  Robert felt suddenly numb. Fraser was loyal to him and the cause. He always had been. The man had sacrificed everything, as Robert had, for Scotland’s freedom. If he made these claims, he had good reason. But he couldn’t believe Elizabeth would do such a thing. “How did he come to believe this of Elizabeth?”

  “Gwendolyn overheard your wife speaking with her father, suggesting that she tell you that the king knew where your men were and had sent knights to attack them. That way, you would send Angus, or go yourself, and then Fraser and the king’s knights could simply follow Angus to your men, which is exactly what happened.”

  “Nay.” The word lashed out of him.

  Gloucester gaped. “She is loyal to the king and her father. I tell you, it is so, Bruce.”

  “Goddamn ye, nay!” Robert growled, even as the room seemed to grow smaller and the roaring din in his ears louder.

  “Christ, man, I speak the truth. Gwendolyn sent a note to Fraser to warn him of your wife’s deception before he departed, so he would lead the knights away from Angus, but he could not do much. Angus and your men did prove canny once they realized they were being followed and managed to escape the first few attempts at capture, but Edward’s men eventually hunted them down.”

  Robert gripped his dagger so hard, the blood pulsed in each of his fingers. “If this is true, then why did Gwendolyn not tell me? Why did she not warn me about Elizabeth?”

  “She did,” Gloucester said, his voice confident. “She gave Grace a note to slip to you.”

  “I did nae receive—” His words stuttered to a halt, and his gut hollowed. He had received a note, but it had been smeared with wine. And then de Burgh had inquired if Robert had received his note.

  Christ’s teeth!

  “Either de Burgh intercepted the note and smeared it or Grace smeared it intentionally. I’m certain of it. I did nae know any of this.”

  “Or Elizabeth was conspiring with Grace,” Gloucester said pointedly. “Your wife has deceived you. Her loyalty is not with you.”

  Robert felt gutted. Doubt battered him. Had Elizabeth truly deceived him and conspired against him, or had she been conspired against? God help him, he did not know. He was not certain he could trust her, and he hated himself for it.

  The sound of horses’ hooves filled the air along with angry shouting. The king was here, and Robert’s reckoning was at hand. He moved to the window, feeling as if ice were sliding through his veins. Below, in the courtyard, the king embraced Elizabeth as if she were his favored daughter, as if she were working with him. Elizabeth smiled and returned the king’s embrace. A war of emotions raged within Robert—confusion, betrayal, fear.

  “Be careful, Bruce,” Gloucester said from behind him. “Enemies surround you.”

  Robert turned to Gloucester, who was moving toward the door. Ironically, that was the one thing he knew to be unwaveringly true. Enemies were everywhere—his wife perhaps among them. He had let her into his heart. He had allowed her to steal his focus. She was his greatest weakness, as he had known she would be. He curled his hands into fists and released a bellow of rage before punching the wall. He withdrew his bloody fist and wiped his throbbing hand across his thigh. Even if she was not against him, he could not allow her to distract him the way she had thus far. He had erred gravely, and it had cost many men their freedom.

  Chapter Seventeen

  The king embraced Elizabeth with her father by her side. “I’m pleased with you, but you must be cleverer,” he whispered in her ear. “And get me more information.” He pulled back and gave her an expectant look. Fear knotted inside her as she forced a nod. The king sighed. “I am not pleased with Bruce. I cannot say I’m surprised he speaks still with Wallace, but I’m not pleased. I wish to have him truly in my fold.” The king’s voice was contemplative. Then he bellowed, “Come!” and turned from his horse he had dismounted and his knights whom were still mounted, except for the king’s personal guard. Elizabeth had no choice but to fall behind her father, two of the king’s guards, and the king.

  She swallowed past the lump in her throat as she walked, and her mind spun, seeking answers. The king knew Robert was in contact with Wallace because Robert had allowed it, but Robert’s plan had failed. Her father had remained here with his guards, and Robert had not been able to make any moves. What would Edward do to Robert? She feared the answer.

  As they entered the keep, Robert came down the stairs with Gloucester close on his heels, weapon drawn as if he guarded Robert. Her husband’s gaze met hers for one brief moment, but what she saw there made her want to cry out with fright. His dark eyes showed the tortured dullness of disbelief as he stared at her, and then his gaze passed over her to the king and her father.

  “Your Majesty,” Robert said, stopp
ing in front of Edward to bow. As he righted himself, she saw that his eyes, his face, now revealed nothing. Whatever he was feeling, whatever he knew, was hidden behind a mask.

  Edward stared at Robert with the look of a parent angered by his child. Elizabeth clutched her skirts, fear battering her so hard she trembled. What would the king do now that he believed Robert was in contact with Wallace? The king waved a hand and said in a cold voice, “Guard him.”

  The guards filed past Elizabeth and her father and grasped either side of Robert’s arms. He didn’t fight them, and his only response was a quirk of his eyebrows and a single question. “How have I offended ye?”

  The king chuckled and appeared suddenly almost jovial. Elizabeth tensed. She had seen Edward go from anger to glee and return to anger in a breath, and it was not pleasant. And now he bared his teeth, as a predator to its prey, signaling just how volatile his mood was.

  “You have been false and wicked,” Edward said, and pressed his lips into a hard line. “I know you are in contact with Wallace, but he is not in Dunfermline as you believe. I just fought Wallace well away from there. Damn the devil, for he escaped—this time. I’m ahead of you, Robert, always. When will you learn this?”

  Elizabeth’s breath caught at the news. Robert’s gaze came to her, full of loathing. This is feigned, she told herself. He was trying to make it appear as if he believed she had somehow betrayed him, in an effort to protect her.

  Robert’s eyes narrowed upon the king. “Ye planted Elizabeth in my bed to try to gain information from me,” he said, his voice controlled but hard.

  “No,” the king lied. “I gave you my goddaughter because I esteem you, and I want peace between the two of us. You are lucky that I did. She loves you now.”