Caitlyn leaned her shoulder against Alex’s, knowing he didn’t want to articulate why the Scotts overpowered him. She prayed King Robert had the decency not to ask. The monarch flashed Caitlyn a glance before he nodded. She sensed he recalled what he observed when he visited Alex. She remembered his expression while she stitched Alex’s wound. It made Caitlyn wonder if he understood ghosts haunted Alex’s mind and if they did the same to the king.
“If that’s the case, you are safe nowhere but on your land, and in your keep,” King Robert surmised. “They obviously found how to enter the castle, and you will be in danger while you travel. I will not stake my crown on it being the Scotts, but it certainly appears they are responsible. I’m sending you with a score of my men, if for no other reason than to protect Lady Caitlyn. I’m still on rocky terms with Laird Kennedy, despite Cairren’s marriage improving. I don’t need another one of his daughters in danger because I send her from court. Tavin won’t be any better if aught happens to you when he didn’t wish to send anyone to court.”
Alex’s brow furrowed, and his head tilted at the king’s last statement. King Robert grimaced when he realized what he let slip. He sighed and crossed his arms.
“Tavin didn’t trust any Armstrong being safe coming here. He warned that the Scotts wouldn’t hesitate to make trouble even under my nose. But I insisted that someone represent your clan because I didn’t wish to try to resolve the issue with missives going back and forth and every which way. I was certain he would send you, Alex, because you are the most diplomatic representative he has. I also suggested that you should visit Lady Caitlyn.”
Caitlyn wondered if the king and queen would ever cease playing matchmaker. The few couples they directly arranged marriages for had rocky starts, with death nearly befalling each of them. She thought about Cairren and how she endured prejudice because of their family’s heritage, but she also endured a spurned would-be fiancée and a conniving brother-by-marriage. Allyson Elliot bolted when she learned she was to marry Ewan, the older Gordon twin. She faced traveling alone along the border rather than marrying the now-reformed rogue. He’d almost forced Arabella Johnstone to marry a man other than her now-husband, Lachlan Sutherland. The proposed suitor likely would have killed her. The king had also caused a rift between Laird Brodie Campbell and himself when he thought to make a point in Brodie’s favor by offering a wager on Brodie’s wife, Laurel Ross, and her devotion to Brodie.
“Well, I’ve been, and I’ve seen. Now I will return home with my bride. I accept and appreciate your detachment of men. I will not risk Caitlyn’s safety on the road. We will leave in the morn.”
“No.” King Robert held up his hand and shook his head. “If it was only this morn that they pursued Lady Caitlyn, then they will expect you to leave tomorrow. You will wait another day, where you both have the protection of my men and being at court.”
Alex looked askance as he fought not to point out that the attacks happened in the very keep the king alleged would keep them safe. If he didn’t think traveling with the king’s guard was a prudent idea, he would have asked Caitlyn to lead them out through the tunnels. But he wouldn’t forsake a larger retinue because of the king’s ludicrous comment.
“Your Majesty.” Caitlyn waited for King Robert to turn his attention toward her. “It will appear questionable if my guards accompany me throughout the keep, but it will seem far more dubious if a royal guard traipses after me. However, Her Grace hasn’t released me from her service. I cannot take shelter in our chamber, but neither am I comfortable moving around the keep on my own. I request she discharges me.”
“So you might lock yourself away in a chamber with your husband.” King Robert frowned.
“We are newlyweds.” Alex wished yet again that he could cross his arms, but he was disinclined to release Caitlyn’s hand. “My wife is safest in our chamber until we depart. I don’t wish to confine Caitlyn, but I won’t risk her life. Either she’s accompanied by the Armstrong and Kennedy guards, or she remains sequestered.”
“And what of you?” King Robert’s lips flattened before pursing. Alex thought it looked tighter than a virgin’s arse.
“I will ensure my wife isn’t lonely.” Alex couldn’t keep the mirth from his voice as he gave Caitlyn’s hand a brief squeeze.
“I may as well consent on the queen’s behalf before you abscond with Lady Caitlyn. Again.” King Robert shook his head in resignation. He couldn’t blame either of them for fearing for their safety, nor could he begrudge them wanting time alone. He and Elizabeth had discussed the apparent rift between Alex and Caitlyn several times since Alex’s arrival. They’d feared the couple wouldn’t reconcile, and it saddened them. They’d silently rooted for them, not only because the alliance further secured the border, but they’d witnessed the budding relationship for years. It felt wholly unsatisfying if it hadn’t worked out. “You will remain in seclusion tomorrow. Then you may depart the morn after.”
“Thank you.” Alex and Caitlyn spoke at the same time as he bowed, and she dipped into a graceful curtsy. Caitlyn prayed King Robert would soon dismiss them. Lingering only boded more trouble between Alex and him. She struggled to say only what she already had, her nerves frazzled from the long day. She wished for nothing more than a hot bath and retiring with Alex.
“Tend to Lady Caitlyn. She looks ready to drop.” King Robert turned away from the couple, so Alex and Caitlyn hurried from the antechamber. They found both sets of guards waiting for them, eager to learn the outcome.
“The king will send a contingent of guards with us for the journey to Mangerton. But he insists we remain for another day. He argues it will give us time to put distance between the gallowglasses and us. I think it merely gives them more time to lie in wait.”
“Gallowglasses, Alex?” David asked in disbelief. “Do you really think the Scotts can afford them?”
“I think they are desperate to accomplish what they didn’t on the battlefield. They want me dead, and I’m certain they will come after Brice, if they haven’t already. All the more reason I wish to return home.” Alex nodded at Caitlyn’s guards. “Now that Lady Caitlyn and I married, you would return to Dunure, but I’m asking that you travel with us. The more men we have, the better I will feel aboot Lady Caitlyn’s safety. Once we’re certain the road is safe for you to travel back to Kennedy land, you can return.”
“We feel better aboot that too,” Grant spoke up. The Kennedy guards appeared decidedly uncomfortable when Alex began speaking, but they noticeably relaxed when he suggested they continue to serve Caitlyn, at least until they arrived at Mangerton. Their loyalty and steadfastness moved Caitlyn.
“Thank you. I’m certain my parents will appreciate your dedication, and I’m grateful.” Caitlyn smiled at the men she’d known her entire life. They weren’t the only retinue she’d had while at court, but they were her favorite group. They were all experienced warriors, but they were also friends. She trusted them implicitly, just as her father did.
“Let us retire for the night.” Alex wrapped his arm around Caitlyn’s waist as the group moved through the passageways. The Armstrong and Kennedy guards formed a circle around the couple until they locked the door behind them.
Eighteen
“Caity, it’s going to be a longer route home than usual. We have to give the Scotts a wide berth because I’m certain they or these mercenaries are waiting for us. It also means coming closer to the border than I prefer to circle around to our home.”
“‘Our home.’ I like that thought.” Caitlyn wrapped her arms around Alex’s waist and rested her head against his chest. Despite the turmoil they faced, nowhere felt better than in Alex’s arms. She supposed it was both his massive frame and his iron will, but it was also the gentleness with which he held her. “Would that we could stay exactly like this.”
“I wish the same, Caity. I’ll do everything a mon can to keep you safe, but I feel best when I can shelter you in my embrace.” Alex’s arm pressed Caitlyn against him, neither wanting any space between them. He still held grave reservations that he could protect Caitlyn with only one arm to fight. He resolved to use his mind to do what his body couldn’t. He’d been considering their route when David knocked. He’d considered many places someone might attack them. He plotted how they could alter their course if they suspected a threat. He was aware he had a canny sense for danger, and he intended to err on the side of extreme caution.
“I know you will, Alex. I’ve never doubted that, even when we were most at odds.” Caitlyn leaned away as she offered him a soft smile. “While I always thought you and Cairren made a wonderful couple, I confess I was jealous. I envied how we all thought she’d found someone who’d love and protect her no matter what. I used to wish it were me you planned to cherish and guard.”
“We thought ourselves in love.” Alex brushed the back of his fingers against Caitlyn’s cheek. “But I could never ignore how you drew me. I felt guilty because it split my feelings, but it was always different with you. It embarrassed me that I wanted to spend all my time with you when you still seemed so young. Cairren will always be a close friend, but I knew I couldn’t marry her when I couldn’t stop thinking of you when I…”
“When you what?” Caitlyn tilted her head as Alex’s face flushed. He licked his lips before pressing them together. “When you what, Alex?”
“When I fantasized aboot being with a woman.”
