Free The Fire in the Flint by Candace Robb Page B

sincere. ‘You are a brave and honourable woman, and I am sure that only the demands of his lord have kept your husband away so long.’
    Margaret did not wish to discuss her marital situation with James. ‘I’ll find a way to help our king regain the throne, no matter where I am. He is the rightful king, no matter what Robert Bruce thinks.’
    James turned slightly towards her with a puzzled expression. ‘I am glad of that, though I did not mean to suggest you would not be true. I amconcerned about your being near the king’s troops in the company of the Bruce’s men. I assume that Aylmer shares your husband’s loyalties.’
    ‘I know nothing of him. I’m glad I’ll have Celia to attend me.’
    ‘Have you spoken to Roger of your allegiance to the king?’
    ‘No. Nor do I plan to.’
    James cocked his head. ‘So that is how it is to be.’
    ‘Yes.’ She peered upwards, fearing the return of the terror to warn her against even this rift in her marriage, but the nave appeared as usual.
    ‘Then I am glad Celia will be with you,’ James was saying. ‘It is good to have someone you trust watching your back. God keep you.’ He rose, genuflected, and withdrew.
    With his departure, Margaret felt small and alone in the cavernous nave, though the feeling was nothing like her earlier terror. Footsteps behind her made her turn in their direction with dread, but she was relieved to see a tall, gaunt, black-gowned figure emerge from the shadow of a pillar.
    ‘Benedicite , Margaret,’ Father Francis said, making the sign of the cross in the air before her. ‘Our supplicants are fewer with each new horror. I rejoice to see you seeking grace to fortify your soul against the darkness.’
    Rising to meet him, she greeted him a little breathlessly.
    ‘I expected you last evening for your reading lesson,’ Francis said.
    She had forgotten. ‘Forgive me. My husband – Roger returned last night.’
    Francis pressed his hands to his heart. ‘What good news! Oh, my child, I rejoice for you.’
    ‘Yes, yes of course it is good news.’
    The priest tilted his head to one side. ‘What is wrong?’
    She needed practice in hiding her emotions. ‘It is difficult to believe that Roger is back. I had given up hope.’ Not wishing to explain more, she hurried on with the news of the sheriff’s order closing the tavern.
    ‘It seems to me Sir Walter Huntercombe is making much of an old man’s death,’ said Francis. ‘What is one violent death among so many? I would not have expected him to notice.’ He studied the floor for a moment. ‘It is said that when Sir Walter was told that Mary Brewster had found the old man, he ordered her brought to the castle for a long questioning.’
    ‘Poor Mary.’
    ‘It did not happen. Her screams and foul language dissuaded the soldiers from following orders. An instance of a vile trait protecting the wicked from greater evil.’
    ‘I am glad she saved herself. Why do you call her wicked?’
    ‘I cannot say. Forgive me,’ said Francis. ‘I didnot mean to trouble you, not when you have such glad tidings. How goes your husband?’
    She must put aside her doubts. ‘He says he is well, though he has lost much flesh. He speaks of returning to Perth.’
    Francis sighed. ‘Soon only the English and the clergy will remain in Edinburgh. You will be missed, Margaret. But Perth may be a safer place for you.’
    She wondered whether that was true, and whether Roger would stay there with her. He might merely wish her away from Edinburgh. Perhaps he knew of some trouble from which he wished to remove her. Or despite her efforts to conceal her loyalty, guessed it and meant to interfere.
    ‘Margaret?’
    She pulled herself from her thoughts.
    Father Francis looked concerned. ‘How stands it between you and your husband?’
    She could not find it in herself to lie to her confessor. ‘Awkward. I pray that will pass.’
    ‘Of course it must be difficult.’
    Difficult? That was the best she could