Chapter1
Dumbarton Castle, Dumbartonshire, Scotland, 1307
“Forgive me, my lord king,but I dinna want a bride!”
Conall Campbell had no more than entered the antechamber when his vehement protest burst from him, the same words that had echoed in his brain from the moment a messenger had arrived at Campbell Castle three days ago with a summons from King Robert.
A summons stating that the king might have found a bride for him and to ride straightaway to Dumbarton to discuss the matter, and Conall had reluctantly obeyed.
The entire journey a torment.Each passing league like a noose tightening around his neck.
Now he had voiced his pent-up objection, yet he felt no relief at the immediate darkening of King Robert’s expression, which did not bode well for their meeting.
Och, not at all.Drawing a deep breath, Conall planted his feet and stood at attention as the king approached him, though his heart still thundered in protest.
King Robert wasn’t as tall as Conall—aye, few men were taller, other than his older brother Cameron and their longtime friend and former commander, Gabriel MacLachlan—but he cut an imposing figure, nonetheless, with his muscular physique and air of authority.
An authority that Conall had challenged the moment he had entered the room leading into the great hall of Dumbarton Castle, God forgive him.
He might have helped to save Robert the Bruce’s life some weeks ago, but that did not give him the right to overstep his overlord and king.As King Robert’s light brown eyes bored into his own, Conall swallowed hard but did not allow his gaze to falter.
“What are you, Conall Campbell?A petulant youth tae greet me with such an outburst?Where is your sense of discipline?”
Conall had no answer, for he was convicted by his rashness.He could just hear Cameron’s rebuke if his brother had witnessed such a display, reminding him as he’d done since Conall’s boyhood to think before he spoke—or acted.Yet the fact remained, a tic working along the hard set of Conall’s jaw.He wanted no bride!
“You’re a wild one, Campbell…only your usually good-natured temperament sparing you a reputation as a seducer of the worst kind.Did you think for a moment that I’m not aware of your exploits with women?I can imagine a wife for you might seem a terrible prospect, aye, a burdensome yoke around your neck.A hindrance tae the wanton life you wish tae lead.Yet the time has come for me tae reward you for helping tae save my life, and your marriage is part of that plan.”
“I need no reward, my lord king,” Conall interjected, feeling somewhat unsettled by King Robert’s blunt—yet accurate—assessment of him.“Serving you is honor enough, my loyalty unwavering—”
“Good, so now you’ll have a chance tae prove your allegiance.I want revenge for the deaths earlier this year of my brothers Alexander and Thomas, and you’re the man tae help me accomplish it.”
Conall could only stare at him, wholly taken by surprise.
He knew of the sea invasion in February against King Edward’s forces that had gone terribly awry, with Alexander and Thomas Bruce’s men slaughtered and the brothers taken prisoner and executed in Carlisle.
A grisly death, the two of them hung, drawn, and beheaded.King Robert was no doubt thinking the same thing, for his scowl had deepened as he held Conall’s gaze.
“Your fame as a fearsome warrior is matched only by a few—your brother Cameron among them—though you’re also known for daring on the battlefield that borders on foolhardiness.You’re quick-witted and fleet of foot, and as strong as three men when caught in a fight.All qualities that will serve you well when you steal Euan MacCulloch’s intended bride right from under his nose.I holdhimmost responsible for my brothers’ capture and death—and for this offense, he will pay.”
“Steal his bride, King Robert?”Conall echoed.“Wouldna it be easier for me tae find the bastard and cut his throat?”
“Easier, aye, but too quick a punishment for his unforgiveable crime against my family.He’ll suffer in ways large and small until I drive him and all of his kinsmen from Scotland—starting with the abduction of his bride, Isabeau Charpentier.”
Conall could tell from the angry bitterness in the king’s voice that there would be no swaying him, which meant his fate was all but sealed.
A Frenchwoman no less, from the sound of her name, King Edward’s court filled with such arranged marriages between his long-time foes in France and his loyal supporters at home, English and Scots alike.How better to maintain a fragile peace?
Yet now Edward had died earlier in the month, his weakling son, another Edward, on the throne.The new king’s wife, Isabella, was a Frenchwoman as well—och, what did any of this matter?Conall wanted no bride of any ilk!
“You would force this woman upon me?”Conall asked with quiet bluntness.“This…Isabeau Charpentier?She will hate me.Make my life a misery—”
“Or you will charm her as you’ve done tae many before her,” King Robert cut him off, his tone as blunt.“It’s time for you tae think of the future, a wife and family.An estate a few hours’ ride from Campbell Castle will await you upon your return, with extensive lands and a castle by the sea, and your own forces tae command.The place has only recently been cleared of its MacDougall inhabitants, but that has been my charge tae your brother and Gabriel MacLachlan and you all along.While I fight tae subdue any resistance among Scots nobles tae my rule, you will remain in Argyll tae prevent Clan MacDougall from regaining power.A straightforward and worthy task, aye?”
Conall nodded, for he could do naught but agree.
King Robert had spoken.Conall had never yearned for a great estate, but one was being offered to him and he could not refuse.
Yet wife or no, he fully intended to go on as he had before, fornowoman would ever rule his heart.
