completely surrounded by his enemies and believed the end was near. But by the grace of God, his sword did not fail him.
Still, only through the efforts of his knights was King Robert able to escape. Plucked from certain death by Sir James Douglas and spirited to Dunaverty Castle, they fled further south than where Ailish hid on the Isle of Arran and leagues away from the queen at Kildrummy.
Without an army, the Scottish forces reduced to a handful of loyal knights, James followed as the king’s men stealthily moved northward through the Highlands, skirting about the craggy peaks to avoid Lorne and his savagery.
When at last they reached Kildrummy Castle, they found naught but a burned-out shell and a few bedraggled servants. The king’s brother had been executed and hung from the castle walls. The queen and Marjorie were taken by Pembroke and, under Edward’s orders, they were now being held as prisoners somewhere deep in England, far from the border.
No matter how devastating the news, there was no time for mourning. Now little more than fugitives on the run, James procured a birlinn. They sailed to Rathin Castle where they wintered on a small Irish isle in the North Channel.
Sitting in front of the hearth in the great hall, James sharpened his dirk on a leather strap while Harris sat beside him, polishing every link in James’ mail.
Gazing longingly at the blade, Harris harrumphed. “When can I start training with a real blade?”
James stilled his hand. “Mayhap after you’ve mastered the art of wielding a waster.”
“Against the likes of you?” Harris snorted. “That will never happen.”
“Never? Och, do ye reckon you will be thirteen hands for the rest of your days?
“Nay, but you are the strongest knight in the entire realm.”
“Perhaps, but men grow old and with age comes weakness. ’Tis why we must have sons to follow in our footsteps.”
“And I already must take up my father’s mantle. I need to be able to ride into battle as you do. How else will I defend my lands?”
“Do not be overanxious. In time, you will have all for which you wish. And then you shall reflect upon your youth with longing.”
“But first we must drive the English out of Scotland.”
James sighed, thanking the stars the lad had forgotten his time with Sir Henry and was once again a loyal Scottish subject. “Aye.”
“And then can I take Ailish and Florrie back to Caerlaverock?”
The mention of Her Ladyship’s name made the emptiness in James’ chest swell like a fathomless cavern. By God, he missed the lass. Aye, they’d had their differences, but there was something the king said ages ago when they were on the Isle of Arran that James had thought about every day since.
Noble women are bred to challenge their husbands at every turn.
And as the Bruce had pointed out, James’ mother was the only woman able to talk sense into his da.
Aye, during their time together, Lady Ailish had challenged him plenty. But rather than listen, he’d treated her like one of the men, he’d expected her to be a good soldier and obey his every word without question. And at every turn, the lass had proved she had a mind of her own.
She never should have been put in danger. James’ first mistake had been allowing her to ride on their quest to rescue Harris.
But, then again, her fate would have been sealed had she gone to stay with Hew’s wife.
“Sir?” asked Harris. “When will I be able to take Ailish and Florrie to Caerlaverock?”
James resumed sharpening his blade. “That is a question I cannot answer. But you will. Mark me, one day you will.”
“Do you think she’s bonny?”
“Who?”
“My sister. You seemed fond of her when we traveled to Arran.”
“And you ask me this now? After you’ve been my squire for six months?”
“I’ve been wondering is all.”
The hollowness he’d been feeling in his chest tripled in size. “Aye, she is very bonny.”
“Have you kissed her?”
“What sort of question is that? If I’d kissed Her Ladyship, ’tis unlikely I’d tell her wee brother, is it not?”
“Because…” The lad pursed his lips and rubbed the links on the mail.
“If you are to be an earl, ye must learn early on ’tis important to speak your mind.” He eyed the lad. “Now tell me what you truly wish to say.”
“I think you ought to marry her.”
The dirk slipped from James’ grasp and clattered to the floor.
Harris looked up, his expression completely earnest. “Ye ken, she’s of marriageable age.”
Why the