Highland Lover: Book 3 Scottish Knights Trilogy (30 page)

He briefly explained how the four of them had reached the Blue Boar and the arrangements he had made before then to reunite with the
Sea Wolf
. Alyson noted that he did not mention her mimicry at the tavern but did say that Lizzie had accompanied her on their journey to meet the ship.

Wardlaw nodded and turned to Alyson, saying, “ ’Twas a most discomfiting experience for you, my daughter.”

“It was an adventure, sir,” she said. “I saw things I had never seen before and met people I was delighted to meet. The ship’s sinking was horrid, and I thank God that Sir Jacob and the
Sea Wolf
were at hand to aid Will and me.”

“Art sure your husband is dead?”

“Everything says he must be, sir. People in Flamborough were sure. And I did see Mungo ride by… That is, I saw Orkney’s secretary, Sir Kentigern Lyle, who was
with us on the ship. Niall had been with him but no longer was.”

“I do not know Sir Kentigern,” Wardlaw said. “How is it that you saw him without inquiring about your husband?”

Jake said, “I kept her from showing herself, sir. Lyle is Orkney’s chief secretary and was thus her husband’s superior. He appeared to be acting as a courier. But as I said, Orkney would not require one to arrange for ransom from here. Moreover, the taverner told us that Lyle traveled under a royal safe-conduct, which can only have come from English Harry. Lyle also had an armed English escort. Thus, I believe that Lyle is Albany’s man and that Albany is behind this. See you, sir, Will said the captain of that lead ship recognized James straightaway, as if he were expecting to find him aboard the
Maryenknyght
.”

“Our Will saw all this?”

“Aye, my lord, he did,” Jake said.

“Then I must talk to him. And I’ll want to talk more with you later, Jake. We will keep our supper conversation to everyday topics. I can read Father Antonio’s thoughts on this, and I do not disagree with them. However—”

“I pray you, sir,” Alyson said, unable to restrain herself. She knew that he was talking about her future again. “I would, with respect—”

She broke off when Jake touched her arm.

“Someone comes,” he murmured. Then, in his usual tone, he added, “So you see, my lord, our return was slow, due to the wind being against us until we reached Berwick-on-Tweed. Then, as if it knew we were home again and took no more interest in us, it shifted eastward and eased our way.”

Halfway through his last sentence, Alyson heard the door behind her open quietly. Wardlaw smiled and said, “Welcome back, Father Antonio. And here is our supper coming right behind you—in good time, I think you will agree.”

Jake knew that Alyson must be burning to ask some pointed questions. She was too astute not to have realized that Father Antonio was distressed about her “situation,” as the slender Spaniard had called it. Hearing footsteps approaching the chamber had given Jake a chance to interject a warning.

He had faith in Wardlaw and doubted that the bishop would take offense at aught she might say. However, when they did discuss her, he knew that Wardlaw would prefer to do it without her. Jake hoped he would likewise arrange for the legate’s absence from that discussion, but he had less faith that that would happen.

Two Blackfriars carried in a round table. Others covered it with a white cloth and set places for the four of them, drawing two stools from near the wall. They also moved to the table the armchairs that the bishop and the legate had occupied.

The meal was pleasant. Jake thought it might have been more so had he not known that Alyson’s thoughts were flying hither and yon over what her fate would be. Briefly, after asking Wardlaw how long arranging ransoms might take, she had seemed distant. Her eyes had lost focus, and he was sure that she had trembled. The moment was so brief that he wondered now if he’d imagined it.

Nevertheless, Jake now felt as if his thoughts had
nearly merged with hers. An absurd thought, to be sure. He gave himself a mental shake and attended to the others’ conversation.

He soon realized that Father Antonio must have asked Alyson to tell him about her family. She replied politely but briefly that she lived in St. John’s Town of Perth with her mother, her father, her younger brother, and (on a note of humor) a host of frequently-visiting kinsmen.

“And your husband?”

“Since our marriage, your eminence, Niall has been away more than he has been home. But when he was in Perth, he stayed with my family.”

The legate seemed genuinely interested. He asked if she visited the royal court when its members were resident in Perth.

“Aye, sir, sometimes.”

“I understand that your lords of Parliament will meet there soon, to decide a matter of great importance.”

“Aye, your eminence, to decide if the Duke of Albany will govern again.”

The conversation continued politely. But Jake could see that her heart was not in it, and he did not blame her.

The meal was nearly over when Father Porter thrust open the door after his usual rap and ushered in a thin woman of indeterminate years dressed in a bright yellow gown with colorfully embroidered bands at neck, sleeves, and hem.

“My lord, your eminence, Mistress Hyde has arrived.”

Wardlaw rose to greet her with his cheerful smile, and everyone else stood when he did. “It is my pleasure to welcome you, mistress,” the bishop said. “As Father Porter explained, Lady Alyson MacGillivray of Perth has
come to us unexpectedly and bereft of her attire woman. She will stay the night and depart for her home in the morning.”

“ ’Twill be a pleasure tae bear her ladyship company, m’lord,” Mistress Hyde said. Curtsying to Alyson, she added, “It be an honor tae meet ye, m’lady. I ken MacGillivray House in St. John’s Town. Be that your home?”

Alyson nodded and smiled as she assured her that it was, giving Jake hope that she and Mistress Hyde would get on well together.

Wardlaw said, “If you have finished your meal, my daughter, you may go with Mistress Hyde and Father Porter now. Sir Jacob’s man took your bundle up for you. And Mistress Hyde has doubtless brought what she will need. Sleep well, and we’ll see you on your way again in the morning.”

Visibly dismayed, Alyson turned to Jake.

“All will be well,” he said.

Wardlaw, looking from Alyson to Jake, said, “I must discuss this matter with Father Antonio before he retires, Jake. He is wont to do so much earlier than I. Perhaps you will escort her ladyship and Mistress Hyde upstairs to see that they have all they require. You will doubtless recall your way to the sea tower.”

“I do, indeed, sir,” Jake said.

“I’ll see you when you return,” Wardlaw said. “Bring Will with you.”

Mistress Hyde prattled as they went upstairs from the hall landing, but Alyson listened with only half an ear. She was more aware of Jake ascending the stairs behind them. Mistress Hyde had lived her whole life in St. Andrews
and exclaimed enthusiastically over the many improvements that the late Bishop Traill had made to the castle while restoring it.

“The curtain wall were off-putting tae them wha’ live nearby, as ye might imagine,” she said as she rounded the first curve. “But that wall, along wi’ this great tower and the new kitchen one, do much tae block wind off the sea. Our gardens be more welcoming in the spring now. D’ye like tae plant things, m’lady?”

“We get wind off the sea in Perth, too, so we plant flowers where hedges will protect them,” Alyson said. Glancing back at Jake, whose eyes were twinkling, she tried to imagine how they might talk privately.

“Here we be,” Mistress Hyde said, opening a door at the next landing. “There be me own things and likely yours, as well.”

“If you don’t mind, Mistress Hyde, I would like a word with Sir Jacob. I won’t be a moment, and I’ll leave the door ajar.”

“Sakes, m’lady, I’ve nae objection. I ken fine that I be here tae mak’ all look well. Also, I expect, because our bishop kens fine that I dinna ha’ a tongue hinged in the middle, as ye might say. Even did I hear ye, I’d say nowt of it.”

“Thank you,” Alyson said, drawing the door to a crack between them. Then, turning to Jake, she found him grinning. “Mercy,” she murmured. “She makes me feel guilty when I’ve done naught to make me feel so.”

“She has the gift,” Jake murmured back. “Many women have it. I vow, Giff MacLennan’s mam has only to look at a chap to make him recall every bit of mischief he has committed in his life.”

“Are there so many?”

He chuckled. “What would you say to me, lass? We’d best be quick.”

For a moment, she was at a loss. She had wanted to tell him about the odd thing that happened when the air had seemed to quiver and give her a peek at things to come. But she could not talk about that, lest Mistress Hyde be more curious than she had admitted.

So, Alyson said, “I don’t know Bishop Wardlaw, sir. And I do not know Father Antonio. I’d liefer that neither one make decisions on my behalf.”

“I know, lass, and I’ll do all I can to head them off. They are primarily concerned about your reputation, about word somehow getting around to all and sundry that you came home on my ship without a female companion. If I can persuade them that young Will can attest to your innocence with similar integrity and that none of my lads will say aught of you to anyone, it may ease their minds. But now I must go or that blasted legate will send a priest to fetch me.”

“Aye, sure,” she said. But she felt as if he were abandoning her.

“Behear the lass,” Jake muttered. “I tell ye, this be nobbut trittle-trattle and nowt tae curdle your innards. Bide your time, Allie. Things’ll sort theirselves out.”

She smiled then and relaxed a little. “I just wish I could be there.”

“Nay, ye don’t. Nor will our Will when I tell him he’s wanted. But between us, lass, we’ll see you home again. And one way or t’other, all
will
be well.”

She nodded, but for once, she did not quite believe him. She could hear Mistress Hyde humming, though, and knew she should linger no longer.

Jake waited until Alyson was inside the room. As he turned to go downstairs, he heard Mistress Hyde say, “I must say, one could wish for a good solid bolt on that door instead o’ that slippy latch.”

“In a castle full of priests?” Alyson replied. “I think we are safe.”

Although he smiled, his thoughts were busy. He’d sensed her reluctance to trust him and knew she had reason. He just hoped he could prove her wrong.

Finding Will in the refectory, facing Mace across a chessboard, Jake was amused to see that the lad was trying to teach Mace the rudiments of dames.

“An ye get tae this piece o’ mine, ye jump right over and tak’ him, so,” Will said as Mace looked up and saw Jake approaching.

“I hope ye’ve come tae rescue me, Cap’n,” the burly oarsman said. “The lad here must think I’ve got nowt but straw betwixt me ears.”

“I think nowt o’ the sort,” Will said. “If ye’d attend tae me—”

“Never mind that now,” Jake said. “The bishop wants to talk with you, Will. I’m to take you to him straightaway.”

Paling, Will said, “Nay, then! I tellt ye, I’m no a-going tae be a priest.”

“Forbye, you’ll come along with me now, because Bishop Wardlaw commanded it. So now do I.”