how?â
âUse your imagination, canât you, Rodney?â
âOf course.â Best to change the subject quickly before Edward used his. âAnd what of my desires, sire?â
âYou will be rewarded according to your success in getting me what I want.â He leaned forward. âI want Homelea and its river crossing.â
âAnd the woman?â
âWhy must you have the one woman in my kingdom who doesnât want you?â He leaned back again. âThere are others just as wealthy as Lady Kathryn who would willingly grace your arm, you know.â
âNo doubt. But âtis her I want.â She will bow to my will.
Edward speared him with a look. âIn all likelihood, Bruce will give the woman to one of his nobles. We probably cannot stop such a marriage, but time is running short for Bruce and his rabble army.â He made a quick decision. âYou will accompany me north to Stirling.â
Rodney felt ill at the suggestion. âIâm a swordsman, not a warrior.â
âYou can sit a horse while you wield your sword, canât you? If you want the countess, you will seek out Mackintosh and kill him.â
âBut what if sheâs already married?â
âWe will seek an annulment. Nothing is impossible when one has money and the ear of the pope.â
âYes, Your Majesty.â
âAs to Mackintosh, it shouldnât be hard to find him on the field of battle after we tear Bruceâs army into shreds. Indeed, Black Bryan is always in the ranks that protect his nefarious sire, and I want him dead, too.â
Edward stood and Rodney followed suit, replacing his goblet on the table. âMy liege, perhaps we can use Kathryn to lure Mackintosh, and even Bruce himself, into a trap and thus avoid a battle at Stirling altogether.â
Edward clapped his hands together. âYes, just the thing, Rodney. Your devious mind is always working. See how it can be done. One way or another, I will rid my kingdom of that trumped up king.â
KATHRYN SAW LITTLE OF HER GUARDIAN the next week. From Fergus she learned that the knightâs squire was named Thomas and his man at arms was named Adam. All three were recruiting men for the Scottish army. When she saw them enter the hall on Saturday evening, she quickly sent a servant to invite them to join her at the high table.
She awaited them by the fireplace, Fergus at her side. She wasnât surprised to see Maggie the hound at Sir Bryanâs heels.
âSo thatâs where the dog has been all day,â Fergus said.
âAye, sheâs taken to Sir Bryan, it seems.â
She feared her distrust of the knight must have shown in her tone of voice and Fergus defended him. âA man who inspires such canine loyalty canât be all bad, can he?â
Kathryn frowned. âDonât trust a dog to judge a manâs character, Fergus. Will you join us for the meal?â
âI will stay in the hall, aye. But not at table with you.â
Sir Bryan and the blond man walked to where Kathryn and Fergus stood. The men nodded curtly to one another before Fergus took his leave while the squire went to sit with Sir Bryanâs soldiers. She saw Fergus give orders to several of the castle guards before finding an empty spot at a table near the kitchen doorway.
Her attention was soon captured by Sir Bryanâs man at arms. His smiling face certainly contrasted with the dour knightâs. Bending over her proffered hand, he said, âWe have not been properly introduced, my lady. Adam Mackintosh, at your service. I have the misfortune to be this bruteâs foster brother as well as his master at arms.â
He straightened and clapped Sir Bryan on the back. The smile that accompanied such impertinence assured Kathryn the men were the best of friends, despite the difference in age. Adam looked to be at least five years older and was as fair as the other man was dark, their coloring