The Gilded Crown (43 page)

Catherine rested her cheek against her husband's shoulder. ‘I will miss her.'

‘She has family in Edinburgh. Best leave her be,' Simon added.

It was not the tearful departure Catherine had feared. English Mary appeared happy to be spending time in Edinburgh prior to returning to her position with Walter and Beatrix. Catherine felt genuine relief, smiling at the waving maid as she headed back towards the city. ‘Perhaps we should have offered to assist her.' Catherine giggled as they watched English Mary place her heavy bundle on the ground.

‘I assumed Lord Loccard's page was sufficient protection and assistance, but would have provided them with horses had I known you were going to give away half our possessions,' Simon joked.

‘My old cloak and a few plaids! They are nothing to us but will greatly improve Mary's comfort.'

‘Your generosity extended much deeper than “a few plaids”,' Simon snorted. ‘She can hardly lift that sack!'

‘Oh dear! I think you are right.'

‘She will be fine,' said Roderick as he tossed his chest onto the back of the carriage. ‘I believe her husband's kin are no more than six furlongs from here and I gave her a few coins should she need to seek assistance.'

‘You did?' Simon's eyes widened. ‘Was that before or after I did the same?'

Catherine beamed as both men chortled.

‘Tricky old wench. Good luck to her,' Roderick slapped his brother's back. ‘No wonder she was humming as she slipped through the gate.'

‘As will I, as soon as we are on our way.' Simon winked as he assisted Catherine into the back of their transport.

The cart was well-proportioned and offered sufficient space for Catherine to stretch out her legs. There were numerous pillows scattered across the seats and floor. The travelling chests, containing the clothing they had procured whilst at Edinburgh Castle, had been secured to the front of the carriage, covered with tartan rugs provided by Symon Locard.

The elderly knight also seemed happy to see them leave, the deep-set lines that criss-crossed his forehead disappearing as he bid them farewell.

The day had been uneventful. They broke their journey to enjoy a picnic lunch on the bank of the River Almond and though Roderick and Simon kept a watchful eye on the road, not a single horse or carriage passed by.

Catherine laid Gabby on a plaid beneath the shade of a large alder. The little boy was growing ever stronger and could roll from his back to his front and had even begun to crawl, hoisting himself up on hands and knees and rocking. He was also demanding more of her attention, blowing bubbles and grasping at her hair.

‘When will he start to speak?' she asked Simon as he sat down beside them.

‘He certainly is a bright, young lad. I wouldn't be surprised if he was calling you Mama by Yuletide.'

‘Really? Oh, Simon, really?' She gasped as a sudden rush of emotion washed over her and she began to sob. ‘Sorry, I am not sure why I am crying.' She laughed.

‘You are with child!' Simon answered sympathetically.

‘Oh.' She giggled, before launching into a second round of tears. ‘I can't stop! Oh dear. I think I must appear quite mad. Look away.'

‘I have never seen you more beautiful.' He frowned as her weeping increased.

‘The paying of compliments is not helping,' she added as she collapsed into his embrace, Gabby caught in the crush between them.

‘I think we should seek out an inn. A nice hot meal and a warm, comfortable bed will do you no harm at all.'

‘I agree.' Catherine chuckled as Simon helped her to stand.

Unfortunately the village of Harthill did not offer the type of respite Simon had envisaged and in the end, they were lucky to be settled in a farmer's barn. Simon lifted a fetlock of the lead mare and scraped the mud from her hoof. A small rock had imbedded itself within her frog and he picked it out with the tip of his dagger.

‘How are they holding up?' Roderick questioned as he approached the tethering post.

‘Reasonably well, considering their age. This old sumpter suffers only a stone bruise,' Simon explained as he secured her with the remaining team ‘When I first saw her limp I thought it to be much worse. I think it wise to keep to our sedate pace.'

‘As do I, brother, for more than one reason.'

‘Are you concerned for Catherine? I can tell you, she is well,' Simon reassured as the two men made their way towards the rear of the small stable.

‘Yes, I do worry for you both but, in this instance, my thoughts were more of Agnes. I find her sudden need to travel to Glasgow to be extremely suspicious.'

‘Why?' asked Simon as he prodded the camp fire with a long stick. ‘If her niece is determined to cause mischief, then it's best Agnes does not return to Dunbar.'

‘I agree, but I could not help but notice her interest in the weapon you carry about your person.' Roderick sat down upon an overturned stump and looked up at his brother. ‘Her eyes seek it, even when it is concealed within its cover.'

‘Do you think she knows what it is?'

‘I believe she suspects.'

‘Perhaps she is determined to see us return it to Dumbarton,' said Simon.

‘But then she would have to know it was missing,' Roderick pondered.

‘Precisely.' Simon grinned. ‘And how would she know that?'

Roderick rubbed his chin thoughtfully. ‘There is certainly more to this and we first assumed and with additional time spent in close quarters, we just may find out the truth!'

‘We may do but, in the end, our priority is simply to put the sword back and return to the safety of Cambridge and I have no intention of letting anything, or anyone, stand in our way.'

‘What a glorious vista!' Lady Agnes Dunbar stood atop the grassy knoll and looked down over the glistening waters of the River Clyde. ‘'Tis a pity that Glasgow is such a ramshackle, little town.'

‘And full of Scottish soldiers it would seem.' Simon pointed to a timber fortified building where a large garrison of kilted men could be seen around the walls.

‘I don't know about you, brother, but I am happy to take the long way around,' said Roderick. ‘No point taking any risks.'

‘I agree. Let's backtrack and head for Rutherglen.'

‘I believe there is a keep, Farme Castle, near the village. We could seek refuge, if needed,' Agnes offered.

‘I am not sure that is required.' Simon looked over at Catherine and waited for her response.

‘I am well. I say we make for Govan.'

The journey was pleasant and the traffic extremely light. Agnes and Tiphanie elected to ride the two palfreys purchased from the farmer in Harthill, whilst Girda sat at the rear of the carriage, mending a pile of damaged clothing. Catherine was seated at the front beside Simon, Gabby balanced on her knee.

‘Look.' Catherine pointed. ‘See the men? They are fishing. One day I will take you on a big boat to see your Aunt Céci and we will ride up and down, over the waves.'

Gabby giggled as Catherine lifted him up and down, mimicking the rocking motion of the vessel.

‘I am told that Govan has several good inns.' Roderick reappeared beside them, his speckled rouncy keeping pace with the cart. ‘Who knows, perhaps a game of dice may be at hand?'

‘I hope you have a large purse,' Simon scoffed.

Roderick frowned. ‘I do not intend to lose, brother.'

‘Yes, but you and I need to make friends with the locals whilst Catherine entertains Lady Agnes.'

‘What exactly do you mean by
entertain
?' Catherine asked.

‘Perhaps a few glasses of the landlord's best wine might help loosen the old lady's tongue!' Roderick laughed loudly.

‘Roderick! Are you suggesting that Lady Agnes is keeping secrets from me?'

‘Do you not think that yourself?' Simon asked.

Catherine observed Agnes as she chatted amiably to Tiphanie. It was true. She had begun to doubt Lady Dunbar's honesty. ‘She does provide information about herself and her past, but I am often left confused.'

‘Because it does not ring true?' Simon proposed.

‘Yes, that's it! It does not ring true.' Catherine leant into her husband and smiled as Gabby attempted to pull the reins from Simon's grasp.

‘Hang on there, lad.' Simon lifted the baby from Catherine's arms and sat him in his lap, letting him take hold of a loop. ‘Never too young to learn now, are you?'

Catherine placed her hand over her expanding belly and sighed. She wished they could ride on forever whilst she savoured this moment but, as a dark cloud slipped across the face of the sun, her happiness was replaced with premonition of impending doom.