Draco A Medieval Scottish Roma - Jayne Castel Page 0,28
his eye. “Do ye believe that’s the case?”
His mouth lifted at the corners. “He’s making a lot of effort just to teach you a lesson … don’t you think?”
“Look,” Wallace interrupted them. “He’s sending out a rider.”
Gavina shifted her attention back to the scene unfolding below. However, she was aware that Draco still gripped her arm. Initially, his touch had felt like a brand, but now it caused an odd tingling sensation to run up and down her arm. Her quickening breathing wasn’t just because of the gathered force beneath these walls.
The man at her side had a disturbing effect upon her.
But at present, she had to focus. As Wallace had said, a lone rider had left the ranks and was making his way up the narrow, winding path to the gates.
“My Lady?” Cassian’s voice rang out from farther along the wall. Gavina twisted to see that her captain stood atop the guard tower that flanked the far side of the gates. “Do you want us to fire upon him?”
Gavina saw then that a row of archers had readied themselves along the wall, bows raised.
“No,” Gavina called out without hesitation. “He’ll have word from Edward.” She paused then, her spine stiffening. “Let us hear what he has to say.”
A small party gathered before the gates in the lower ward. The Wallace and his men kept out of sight, while Donnan, Cassian, and ten of his men formed a semi-circle around Lady Gavina. All gazes now focused upon the lone rider that clip-clopped inside through the gap that had been opened for him.
The newcomer was a huge knight upon a bay destrier. And when he pushed up the helm of his helmet, Gavina felt a flicker of recognition. The man was Hugh De Burgh, Edward’s right-hand. She’d seen him in Stirling’s Great Hall when they’d banqueted with the English king.
“Good day, Lady Gavina,” the knight greeted her in French. “The king wishes for a parley. Will you come down to the base of the fortress and speak openly with him?”
“There won’t be a meeting,” Cassian answered. His voice held a threatening note. “You tell us what Longshanks wants, and the lady can give her reply now.”
Hugh scowled, although his attention remained upon Gavina’s face. “He will only speak to Lady Gavina,” he replied, his voice roughening. “No one else.”
“I can go in Lady Gavina’s stead.” Donnan spoke up then. He too was scowling. “I am Donnan De Keith, steward of Dunnottar.”
Hugh shook his head. “I repeat … Edward wishes to speak to the lady herself. There will be no substitute.”
“I will go,” Gavina replied in French, forestalling Donnan as he opened his mouth to argue. “Edward has met me at least … and it was my husband who brought him to our gates. If I can convince Longshanks that David acted alone, perhaps he will leave us in peace.” She turned to the guard standing behind her. “Ready my horse, please.”
“My Lady,” Cassian growled. “You can’t go down to him. This could be a trap.”
Gavina shook her head. She knew her captain and steward were only trying to protect her, but Edward had made his terms clear.
Both men seemed to forget who was in charge here.
Meeting Cassian’s eye, Gavina favored him with an arch look. “Ready yer horse too, Captain. Ye shall escort me.”
“This isn’t wise, My Lady.” Tension rippled off Cassian’s big frame. “You shall be in danger.”
“Edward knows the rules of a parley, I’m sure,” Gavina answered, squaring her shoulders. “And ye shall ensure I’m kept safe.”
“My Lady … King Edward said only you can—” Hugh began.
“Either I bring my captain with me, or we don’t speak at all,” Gavina cut him off, her tone turning steely. “You decide.”
XII
THE PARLEY
“SHE’S A BRAVE lass, our Lady of Dunnottar,” Wallace murmured, his gaze riveted on the steep path the three riders now picked their way down. “Her husband wouldn’t have gone down to speak to Longshanks with only one guard as protection.”
“Brave or foolhardy,” Draco muttered. His attention fixed upon the slight figure, cloaked in black atop a mincing palfrey. As the day lengthened, the sky had grown overcast. And yet Gavina’s pale hair stood out. Even at this distance, he knew it was her. “I wouldn’t trust the bastard.”
“Neither would I,” Wallace replied. “But the fact she’s a woman might make him go easier on her. It might work to her favor.”
Draco frowned. He wasn’t so sure. Watching Cassian and Gavina follow the English emissary down to the front ranks