Five
The sun had descended and risen fourteen times since Lachlan had spoken to Bridgette about the kiss they had shared and vowed to keep his distance from her. He’d have thought by now, having not said a single word to her in all the days since then, his yearning for her would have dulled somewhat. Yet, each day it grew stronger, as did his desire to be done with the farce he was embroiled in with Helena. Helena claimed an aching head almost every night directly after she ate, and then she would leave the great hall, so he had taken to following her. She was searching for something, but he didn’t know what.
He’d mentioned to Iain that he wondered if the situation with Helena might somehow be connected to Bridgette, but Iain, like himself, could not see how. Iain agreed that he should keep watch over Bridgette just to be safe, since Graham could not yet be told of the king’s suspicions until David allowed them to do so.
Finally, in the midafternoon on the fourteenth day, Iain received a note from King David. As Lachlan made his way to the great hall for a hastily called council meeting, he prayed that it contained information that would soon release him from his pledge to Helena and his need to watch Bridgette.
Lachlan made his way to the dais with the rest of the council members, which included Rory Mac, Angus, Angus’s cousin Neil, Ewan and Atholl—the oldest of the council members who had served on Lachlan’s father’s council before he died—Graham, and Cameron. They all sat, no one speaking, waiting on Iain, who strode in but paused just inside the room as Marion and Bridgette entered the room side by side.
Lachlan’s breath lodged in his chest, and his body tightened in awareness of Bridgette. She wore her flaming hair unbound, and it tumbled over her shoulders, making him want to run his fingers through it. The deep-blue gown she wore hugged her tiny waist and had slipped off her shoulder on one side. It was there—to her bare shoulder—that his attention was drawn and he feasted hungrily on her pale skin. He imagined her skin was that delicate shade everywhere—her breasts, the insides of her thighs, the gentle curve of her back.
Frustration at his inability to control his thoughts ripped through him, and he yanked his gaze to her face where her eyes met his. Her lips parted, and ever so slowly, she pulled the material of her dress over her exposed shoulder and gathered her plaid up over her shoulders. He felt as if his treacherous thoughts had been exposed for all to see, especially her, but she glanced away without any indication that she suspected anything, and when he looked around, no one was paying him any heed.
Iain carefully closed the door, indicating the meeting was private but not so private that Marion and Bridgette could not remain. Lachlan’s hope that David might have learned something regarding his suspicions against the Campbells and David’s nephew, Robert, dwindled.
Iain climbed onto the dais after Bridgette and Marion were seated and stopped in front of Lachlan. “Where is Helena this afternoon?” he asked.
Lachlan assumed Iain was asking to ensure that Helena would not be in a position to interrupt, eavesdrop, or continue to search out whatever it was for which she might be looking. “She’s helping Alanna in the kitchens. I told Alanna to keep Helena company until I returned so that Helena would nae become lonely.”
Iain nodded his approval. “Verra considerate of ye, brother.”
Lachlan was on the verge of making a derisive noise when he realized what he was doing. At the same time, he caught Bridgette looking at him. He swallowed his derision and inhaled slowly, knowing it was imperative to continue the charade. “I try,” he said simply, refusing to lie more than that.
“Why have ye called this meeting?” Graham asked.
Iain’s gaze swept over them all. “I received a note from King David that we must address.”
There was a collective nod from the group, and Iain continued. “The king is traveling here with the steward—”
“Why does he bring his nephew to us here? I dunnae trust that man!” Angus exclaimed.
“Nor do I,” Cameron added. “He set his own interests above the task of freeing our king for too long. How can the king nae see this?”
Lachlan could see Iain’s nostrils flare at Cameron’s and Angus’s outbursts. Likely Iain wanted to tell them that the kingdidsee, but Iain could not. Not yet.
“The king is wise,” Iain said simply. “And cunning. Dunnae think him anything less than a keen, strong ruler.”
There was a murmur of agreement from everyone.
“He travels here with a small party, including himself, Katherine Mortimer—”
Marion and Bridgette both groaned, which garnered a quelling look from Iain. “Ye both will treat Lady Mortimer—”
Bridgette snorted at that, and Lachlan was unable to stop his grin. He suspected Marion and Bridgette took exception to Katherine because she was the king’s mistress and both ladies disliked that the king dishonored his wife so. Lachlan happened to agree, but he knew to keep that opinion to himself. Bridgette, apparently, knew but didn’t care. The lass’s boldness made him admire her even more.
Iain glowered at her. “Ye will keep yer opinions silent.”
“I did nae say a thing,” she responded innocently. Marion chuckled.
“Do I need to send ye both out of here?” Iain asked in that quiet yet threatening way he had that indicated one had provoked him too much. Both ladies sobered instantly, their faces becoming carefully blank, except Lachlan could see Bridgette’s jaw set and her shoulders stiffen. It was probably vexing her greatly to stay silent. He clenched his teeth to fend off laughter.
“The steward will also accompany him, along with Archibald Douglas, Robert Erskine, and John Danielson.”
“The king dunnae travel with many nobles,” Cameron said. Their youngest brother had always been astute politically, and Lachlan had to wonder if Cameron was starting to suspect that the king did not trust many nobles. Cameron cocked his head as if in thought. “I dunnae imagine the steward likes that. I hear that the king is taking castles and land from many lords that he believes were nae faithful to him while he was imprisoned and giving the lands to men who are nae of noble birth but whom he feels remained true to him and did nae pledge themselves to Edward Balliol, or even the steward himself?”
Balliol was the King of England’s protégé who wrongfully tried to take David’s throne, and Robert, whose speech spoke of undying faithfulness to David but whose actions showed the man liked his temporary spot on the throne, was not much more respectable.
“Is this true?” Cameron finished.
