Highland Warlord - Amy Jarecki Page 0,3
sat forward when the steward stepped through the door and headed across the floor without even giving her a glance. She immediately sprang to her feet. “I beg your pardon, m’lord, but I have waited this entire day for an audience with His Grace.”
The man stopped, a deep frown furrowing his brow. “And you are?”
“Lady Ailish Maxwell.” She gestured to the scroll in his fist. “I signed my name to the roll just like everyone else. It is of grave import that I see His Grace at once.”
“You must not refer to His Lordship as His Grace until after the crowning this eve.” Huffing, the steward unrolled the vellum. “Must I warn you that women have no place within these walls?”
“Is there a problem?” asked a man, his voice resounding from the doorway. He was tall, broad shouldered, and the look in his eyes was as sharp as a well-honed dirk. If Ailish had ever set eyes upon any king before, this would be he.
Bless the saints!
She hastened forward, stopped before the man, and dipped into a deep curtsey, bowing her head. “I am Lady Ailish, daughter of Johann Maxwell, Earl of Caerlaverock and I have come to pledge fealty in my brother’s stead.” She pulled her ruby pendant out from under her bodice. “This was my mother’s. It is all I have to prove I am Johann Maxwell’s daughter.”
“You simply must hear her, m’lord,” said Coira bustling to Ailish’s side. “M’lady took a great risk to be meet with you.”
Ailish gave the maid a purse-lipped leer. As the eldest Maxwell, she could stand up for herself.
Robert the Bruce examined the necklace. “It is a fine piece, indeed.” He stepped back, pushed open the door, and gestured inside. “Is that so?”
“It is.” Ailish held up her palm, telling Coira to stay put, then stepped into the chamber. “I’ve come to support you as king and lay claim to Maxwell lands.”
He skirted behind a table and sat in an enormous chair, steepling his fingers against his lips. “You said your brother is still alive?”
Ailish clasped her hands tightly to allay their trembling. “Harris—he is only nine years of age, but Earl of Caerlaverock and chieftain of Clan Maxwell all the same. I would have brought him with me, had it been safe to do so. But I do not trust my uncle. If he learns Harris still lives, I ken in my bones, he’ll try to kill the lad.”
“Ah, yes, it is all coming back to me now. Edward sacked Caerlaverock in the year of our Lord thirteen hundred. I recall at the time, Herbert’s rise to the earldom was cause for unease.”
“The man is vile. He dishonors the Maxwell Clan as well as the title of earl. He joined with Edward in the attack on my home. After days of pummeling the castle with siege engines, captured my father and hung him from the bailey walls.”
His Lordship closed his eyes, a pinch forming between his brows. “Did Longshanks not have the castle surrounded? How were you and your brother saved?”
“Before Edward’s army breached our walls, Da commanded our cleric to spirit me as well as my brother and sister out the Firth of Solway in a skiff. Harris was but three years of age at the time and Florrie just five. My father’s last words to me were to protect the lad with my life. And I am happy to report Harris, the true Earl of Caerlaverock, is securely hidden behind the walls of Lincluden Priory.”
The Bruce sat back. “The nunnery?”
She stood a bit taller and squared her shoulders. “I believe it the best place to hide him from my uncle. Please, Herbert mustn’t ken the lad still lives.”
“Understood, m’lady. Rest assured your secret is safe with me. And in time, I will make certain this matter is resolved. There is nothing more important than the preservation of Scotland’s own.”
Ailish released a sigh as if she’d been holding her breath for ages. “Bless you, Your Gr—uh…Your Lordship. When I received news of your coronation, I kent you would be the answer to my prayers”
“I commend your courage.” The Bruce ran his fingers over his ring’s enormous ruby. “When the time is right, all of Scotland will be liberated. With the news that Caerlaverock’s heir has survived, the charter lands will be restored in your brother’s name.”
“Oh, I cannot tell you how much your words have made my heart soar.”
“I must caution you.” Lord Bruce’s eyebrow quipped as he held up