His fingers so strong and warm, which made her face burn hotter.
Ah, God, was this happening? One moment they had been awaiting King Robert’s decision as to their plan, and now Cameron had spoken of his intent to ask for her hand in marriage?
She seemed to hear naught else but her pounding heartbeat, and still she could not bring herself to look at him.
Meanwhile, King Robert heaved a sigh, glancing at Cameron and back to her again. “Well, Lady De Burgh, what say you tae this revelation? If you’re in agreement and will have Laird Campbell as your husband—of course, which canna be decided until we know the fate of your father and brother, then I wouldna refuse you accompanying him—”
“I agree, my lord king!” The words sprung from her mouth, Aislinn did glance now at Cameron to find him appearing as astonished as she had felt a moment ago. Yet his look of surprise vanished as he met her eyes and squeezed her hand, which made Aislinn feel suddenly as if she could not draw breath.
Cameron wanted her for his bride—saints above, was this truly happening? They had hardly spoken again during the ride to Dumbarton, as if his mind had been upon countless other matters. Then upon their arrival at the castle, they had been ushered at once into the antechamber to await the king.
She had been nervous, aye, but hopeful, too, Cameron telling her in a low aside to allow him to speak to King Robert, which had made her bristle. Yet the man had cut so imposing a figure when he’d entered the room that she had remained silent while Cameron explained how Aislinn had come to be with him, why he had left the fortress, and what he had heard from the English soldier about Irish prisoners at the MacGodfrey stronghold.
All the while King Robert had looked from one to the other, listening intently, his expression sometimes inscrutable and then darkening and then impassive again until here they were now—Aislinn’s head spinning.
Cameron wanted her for his bride! Still she had not torn her gaze from his, until King Robert cleared his throat and gave a wry chuckle.
“First Gabriel MacLachlan with his lunatic bride… and now my baron with his hoped-for bride posing as a youth. Both clever and courageous young women—but these are dangerous times, Laird Campbell.”
“Aye, my lord king.”
“You’ll answer tae me—and mayhap her father—if any ill befalls her. I dinna doubt your resolve tae protect her, but Lady De Burgh would be safer remaining here while you attempt a rescue. Bear in mind that Clive MacGodfrey’s prisoners might already have been taken tae Carlisle—”
“Clive is the laird there?” Aislinn blurted as Cameron’s hand tightened around hers. “Forgive me, my lord. He’s the one who encouraged my father to come fight for you—and who betrayed him. A Scots cousin on my mother’s side.”
“Aye, his stronghold’s out of the way and lacking in importance tae our fight against Edward—so now isna the time tae lay siege. Hold tae your plan, Campbell, and position your men alongside the road tae Carlisle. I’ll wager these prisoners will be well guarded, so I’ll send twenty more soldiers with you. If Lord De Burgh and his son are among them, attack swiftly and then retreat tae Dumbarton. Clive would be a fool tae try and follow after—och, but I’ve battled such fools before.”
Cameron nodded and Aislinn swallowed hard as once again, King Robert settled his piercing gaze upon her.
“Dinna do anything foolish, lass, do you understand me? Stay close tae Laird Campbell and do exactly as he says. Mayhap you dinna know that he’s one of the most formidable warriors in the land—and I thank God that he, Gabriel, and Conall saved my life only days ago. Has he told you what Earl Seoras had planned for me as part of the night’s entertainment?”
“No, lord, not yet.”
“Och, it seems he has quite a bit tae share with you—but no matter. If Seoras ordered you and your kinsmen dumped into a stinking pit, may God rest them, then you can well imagine my end was so close I could taste it. I would have felt the executioner’s blade right there in the great hall of what is now Campbell Castle if not for Gabriel’s wife recognizing me—”
“Magdalene, aye, I’ve heard about her!” Aislinn interjected, King Robert clearly not minding at all as he chuckled again.
“Mad Maggie, they called her—though I could have told Gabriel she was no lunatic after I rescued her and the nuns a year past, when English soldiers attacked their convent. She would have fought tae the death tae protect those women—och, I’m going on when there’s a fine luncheon awaiting us in the hall. Will you eat before you set out, Laird Campbell?”
Aislinn hoped so, her stomach rumbling, but Cameron shook his head, his voice grim.
“We need tae be on our way. MacGodfrey’s prisoners mayhap will be bound for Carlisle by morning if more soldiers have been sent tae alert him tae Edward’s edict.”
“Damn him and his greed! Forever lining his coffers with ill-gotten gain, and even then, he’ll order those wretched men hanged, drawn, and quartered—”
“Ah, God.” Sickened by the thought of such a terrible fate for her father and brother, Aislinn swallowed against the bile that had tempered her hunger, while the king looked at her with great sternness.
“Stay close tae Laird Campbell, lass.”
“Aye, I will. I promise.”
“Good. You will need your own sword if you’re as skilled with weapons as he says you are”—the king glanced at Cameron—“so see that she has one before you leave.”
“Aye, my lord king.”
“One more thing, Campbell. I’m giving you a week, and then you’ll return tae the fortress whether or not her father and brother have been found. I need you there, not here, though it’s an admirable quest… if only tae win her favor. Mayhap your clan willna be pleased if you take an Irish lass tae wife and not one of our own, but I’ll stand by your choice if you have need of me.”
As Cameron bowed his head again to the king, uttering his thanks, Aislinn felt her face burning even hotter than before.
