in battle. Perhaps if she weren’t so damned stubborn.
Like me.
“Douglas, I sense you are a hundred miles away.”
“Forgive me.” James bowed. “I suppose after all this time it will be difficult to say goodbye to the Lady Ailish. Even though…”
“Hmm?”
“Even though she challenges me at every turn.”
“Is that not what willful noblewomen are bred to do?”
“I beg your pardon?”
The king sat back and cradled his cup between his hands. “Was your mother not of her own mind?”
James thought back on the tales his father had proudly told about his ma. Indeed, Elizabeth Stewart was a force to be reckoned with. “She was, Your Grace. I recall a servant once saying she was the only woman with backbone enough to stand up to my da.”
The king took another drink and wiped his mouth. “Thought as much.”
James tugged at his collar and looked outside. Ailish and Harris were approaching. “I’d best take Her Ladyship to Lochranza as you asked.”
***
Ailish walked beside James in silence. She ought to be overjoyed for Harris and not woeful that he was leaving her. Moreover, she ought to be swimming with pride because they were able to deliver such important news to the king. Lord knew she’d prayed time and time again for the queen’s safety.
But no matter how she ought to feel, the world seemed to be splintering into shards around her. And those very shards felt as if they were spearing her lungs, taking her breath away.
James glanced over his shoulder, then led her behind an outcropping. “I wanted a word with you before we arrive at the castle.”
She stared at her folded hands, refusing to meet his gaze. “I suppose there’s nothing left to say. You ken how much Harris means to me. I expect you to guard him with your life.”
“I will. I give you my solemn vow to protect him as I have you, m’lady.”
In truth, Ailish could imagine no one better to foster her brother, though losing him—seeing the wee lad ride into peril made her hollow inside. She pursed her lips and gave a stiff nod.
“I wanted you to know…”
She dared glance up. His eyes were so intense, as if he were tortured by some deep emotion. “What is wrong?”
His Adam’s apple bobbed. “It isn’t easy to put into words what I am feeling.”
She cupped his cheek, his beard far softer than it looked. “I knew when I gave myself to you that our time was fleeting at best. We are both children of this war and we’ve naught but to cling to each other and share God’s gifts when we are able.”
“I want—”
“Sh.” She pressed her finger to his lips. “I have no regrets.”
He nodded.
“Though I do have one request.”
“Which is?”
“Please tell the king I am in no hurry for him to arrange my marriage.”
James pursed his lips so hard, they turned white. “Are you not worried that I’ve taken your maidenhead? Especially after the king spoke so openly about arranging your marriage?”
Ailish sighed and smiled as she gazed into his eyes. “As I recall, I begged you to take it. That worry is mine to bear. Not yours.”
“No, it is mine as well. If I live—”
“Wheesht. We will not speak of the future.”
His gaze dipped to her lips. “May I kiss you?”
“I was hoping that was why you led me off the path, sir.”
As his warm lips caressed hers, Ailish melted into him, sliding her hands around his sturdy waist. Gladly, she opened her mouth and savored the languid swirls of his tongue, drinking him in, memorizing this moment and how it felt to swoon in her lover’s arms. To know the beauty of love. For in her heart, she knew she would never again feel this way about a man.
Chapter Thirty
It didn’t take long for the Bruce to send out word to assemble the Scottish army but marching northward proved devastating to their numbers. In Perth they were outnumbered and taken by surprise by the Earl of Pembroke’s forces. Though James and the men fought valiantly, the king nearly fell under Pembroke’s blade. Beaten, they fled for the Highlands, losing three-quarters of their numbers. The defeat left the Scots weakened and vulnerable, the remnants of the kingdom all but destroyed.
And their luck only grew worse. As they reached Strathfillan in the mountains of Argyll, an army one-thousand-man strong led by the Lord of Lorne forced the Bruce’s bedraggled warriors into battle. The king fought like a lion, putting himself in mortal harm. At one time, Robert was