Cassian (The Immortal Highland Centurions #2) - Jayne Castel Page 0,40
not, I have a plan.”
XVII
A SHOW OF LOYALTY
CASSIAN TOOK A seat upon the dais, his gaze flicking to David De Keith.
A morning out hunting usually put De Keith in a fine mood, but not so today. The laird’s face was pinched, his gaze narrowed.
Seated beside him, the English king’s expression was also guarded.
Cassian tensed. He grows suspicious.
Leaning in, Cassian drew his laird’s attention. “De Keith,” he said softly, aware that the king was distracted. He was sharing a few words with John Comyn. “Remember what we agreed?” He deliberately spoke in Gaelic, for he didn’t want to risk being overheard by the king. However, he still had to keep his voice low—lest Comyn catch his words. ‘The Red’ kept his counsel close. He’d said very little since their arrival, almost as if he was taking David De Keith’s measure.
Like Edward, John Comyn was no fool.
De Keith frowned. “Aye … and I don’t need reminding.”
“The king watches you,” Cassian warned. “I suggest you stop stalling and bend the knee. Your hesitation is putting all of us at risk.”
They were bold words, but Cassian needed to say them. The laird risked putting his wife and sister-by-marriage’s lives in danger if he delayed further.
De Keith’s mouth pursed. “Stop nagging me, Gaius,” he growled. “I’ll do it when I’m ready.” The laird’s jaw clenched then, and Cassian once again wondered how the hunt had gone. He hadn’t joined them, for Edward, Comyn, and De Keith had ridden out with just a handful of the king’s men as escort. Cassian had taken advantage of the time alone to visit Stirling’s library.
There was a riddle that had to be solved.
He’d spent a few hours poring over a large volume that chronicled recent political events, but had turned up nothing of value. However, as soon as he was able, Cassian would return to the library and continue his search. Reference to the White Hawk and the Dragon had to be written down somewhere. Perhaps it referred to clan motifs? He needed to do further research.
“Your Highness.” A female voice filtered across the table in French. Cassian glanced up from their conversation to see that Lady Elizabeth had now fixed Edward with a steady gaze. “I wish to ask you about my husband, Robert De Keith.”
Edward of England smiled coolly back at her. “What do you wish to know, My Lady? I’m afraid I can’t reveal his location.”
Elizabeth swallowed, her blue eyes shadowing. “Is he well?”
“He is.”
“Do you keep him in a dungeon?”
“Yes … but his cell is a comfortable one. Robert doesn’t suffer.”
Silence fell then. Cassian was aware that De Keith had gone still. Despite his warning the night before, Lady Elizabeth was still attempting to talk to Edward about her husband. The woman hadn’t heeded him at all.
Cassian suspected that David didn’t wish to see his brother return to Dunnottar. It would suit him if Robert rotted in an English dungeon for the rest of his life—better yet if Edward decided to hang him, then David’s rule at Dunnottar would be assured.
The brothers had never been close, and David had a ruthless streak that Cassian had long been wary of.
We’ll never get him to bend the knee at this rate.
“I have a message for my husband,” Elizabeth said finally, her voice strained now. “Would you see that he receives it?”
Edward observed her for a long moment before he slowly nodded. He then gestured to the big man standing behind him—a formidable-looking warrior in a glittering hauberk and coif. “Give it to Hugh, and he will personally deliver the letter.”
Elizabeth stared back at him. She was usually a woman with healthy coloring, but today her face was pale and strained. Cassian knew the couple were close. She’d worn charcoal and dark-grey kirtles ever since her husband’s capture, as if she already mourned Robert.
“When will ye release—?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Elizabeth, cease this,” De Keith’s voice cut through the hush inside the hall. “Don’t pester the man.”
Lady Elizabeth scowled. Unlike Gavina, she wasn’t intimidated by the laird. He wasn’t her husband and didn’t wield the same authority over her. “It’s a fair question, David.”
“That it is,” Edward drawled. He picked up his goblet and took a sip, his gaze never straying from Elizabeth’s pale face. “But one I’m afraid I can’t answer.” He paused there, deliberately letting his words settle before he continued. The king then glanced over at De Keith. “It all depends on how cooperative your laird is … I’m still waiting