A Sword Upon The Rose (20 page)

Bruce poured a cup of wine and stood. He held it up. “I do not think you are asking for too much. It is a small stronghold with little significance, except as an outpost for Elgin and Nairn, once they are rebuilt. And I have given Nairn to Iain. So aye, Mistress Alana, I will give you Brodie, for your courage and loyalty, because you are our true friend.” He saluted her with his cup and drank.

Alana began to shake uncontrollably. He would give her Brodie, just like that?

Brodie was going to be hers!

Iain still stood behind her, and he said, “We should take Brodie before we march on Elgin and Banf. It is undermanned, and if Godfrey thinks to resist, it would fall in hours.”

Alana jerked to glance up at him. Was it possible she would be in command of Brodie so soon? Well before this war ended?

“You are so eager to install your mistress there?” Bruce asked, but he was smiling, clearly amused. Then his smile faded. He looked at Alana. “You will have to swear your allegiance to us, mistress. You will have to make an oath of fealty.”

Alana stiffened. Hadn’t she already proven her loyalty? “I betrayed the Earl of Buchan, my uncle.”

“Aye, you did, but a man’s pledge is of even greater significance than a single act. Are you unable to swear your fealty to us?”

Alana had already chosen Iain over her own father, and the choice had been oddly easy to make. But acting out of fear for Iain’s life was one thing. She would betray her father and her uncle a dozen times over to keep Iain safe—she knew that. But to make an oath of fealty to King Robert was a pledge that screamed louder than any action ever could. It meant she was declaring her loyalty to Bruce, vowing it before God, for all the world to see. It meant she was walking away from her Comyn family, once and for all. There would be no turning back from such a pledge.

“Alana?” Iain said. He clasped her shoulder.

“I hate my uncle,” she said, her tone sounding choked to her own ears. “But I do not hate my father, and I do not even know my sisters.”

“So you will not swear fealty to me?” Bruce wasn’t smiling now.

Tears flooded her eyes. Alana knew she did not have any other options. She shook her head, stood and dropped to her knees, bowing her head. “I will take the oath now.”

“Good.” Bruce spoke from above her. She then felt his sword’s blade upon her right shoulder. “Uncover your head, mistress. Do you carry weapons?”

Alana removed her hood, so she was bareheaded, and shook her head, as she did not carry even the tiniest knife.

“Speak as I speak,” Bruce commanded.

Alana nodded, still bowing her head. Her tears fell freely onto her hands. She hoped no one could see.

“I, Mistress le Latimer, daughter of Elisabeth le Latimer, bastard of Sir Alexander Comyn, do swear before God, that I will be faithful to my lord, King Robert Bruce of Scotland, now and in the future, and that I will never do him harm, never cause deceit, and will faithfully obey in all things, all commands of King Robert Bruce of Scotland, may God strike me down otherwise.”

Alana inhaled. “I, Mistress le Latimer, daughter of Elisabeth le Latimer, bastard of Sir Alexander Comyn, do swear before God, that I will be faithful to my lord, King Robert Bruce of Scotland, now and in the future, and that I will never do him harm, never cause deceit, and will faithfully obey in all things, all commands of King Robert Bruce of Scotland, may God strike me down otherwise.” She felt his sword upon her other shoulder.

“You may rise,” Bruce said.

Alana began to get up, but Iain lifted her effortlessly to her feet. She blinked back her tears rapidly as their eyes met. He smiled encouragingly at her.

“Mistress le Latimer, of Brodie Castle,” Bruce said, raising his cup.

Gilbert Hay, Sir Robert Boyd and Iain all raised their mugs, smiling. Alana looked at the circle of men and felt faint. Was this truly happening?

“Will you not drink?” Bruce asked pleasantly.

Alana looked at him. Did she dare? “Your Grace? May I ask one more thing?”

Bruce started, surprised. “You wish for more than Brodie Castle?”

Alana felt Iain grasp her shoulder. She ignored him. “I wish for what all women wish for, my lord—a husband.”

She felt Iain’s hand tighten on her. Bruce relaxed, appearing thoughtful. Iain dropped his hand and walked around her to look at her, his stare hard and surprised.

But she refused to look at him. She stared at Bruce, instead.

“Of course you wish for a husband,” he said. “All women do. And you are young and beautiful. How old are you, mistress?”

“Twenty.”

“And you have no children?”

“None, Your Grace.”

“Hmm. Brodie would have to be your dowry.... I will have to think on this, but I am not opposed to finding a husband for you.”

She inhaled. “Give me Iain of Islay,” she said.

Iain stiffened. Alana saw his reaction from the corner of her eye; he was taken by complete surprise.

As was Robert Bruce. “You wish to marry my best commander in the north?” he asked, incredulous.

“Yes, I do. I know he covets far greater lands, and a great heiress—one greater than myself. But you have given him Nairn and he will have Brodie. And I am certain he will conquer other estates in this war.” She did not dare look at Iain now. She was shaking.

Bruce started to laugh. “She has more courage than most men, combined!”

“Yes, she does,” Iain said tersely.

“Your mistress wishes to marry you!” Bruce kept laughing.

Alana flushed. Boyd and Hay were as entertained, their smiles wide. Now, she glanced at Iain. He gave her a dark, disbelieving look.

“Mistress Alana, Iain has fought very hard for us,” Bruce said. His smile faded. “No matter how much you please him, he would not be pleased with such a small dowry. I have promised him great lands and titles for his service to me.”

Her cheeks felt like they were on fire. Alana glanced at Iain. His gaze was unwavering upon her.

“However, I will give a great deal of thought to finding you a proper husband—a strong knight, perhaps, from the south, who is seeking a name here in the north. And you will have Brodie when we choose to take it from Duncan of Frendraught.”

Alana trembled with disappointment. She hadn’t planned to ask for Iain as a husband, and now she wished she had thought it through. Her cheeks still burned. “Thank you, Your Grace,” she said, low.

He waved dismissively at her and sat back down. Alana began to turn away when Iain took her arm, quite forcefully, and pulled her with him from the tent. Just before they stepped outside, Alana stole a glance at him. His profile was hard and tight.

She had been about to ask him if he was angry with her. She gulped down the words. She had to hurry to keep up with him as they hurried through the maze of tents, past several small cook fires. His grip did not ease.

Iain pulled open his tent door, guiding Alana in and stepping in behind her. Meg sat at the small table there on his stool. When they came in, she jumped up, spilling her wine as she did so.

Iain released Alana. “Leave us,” he said.

Meg picked up her plaid, flung it about her shoulders and scurried out.

Alana tensed, facing Iain.

He took her furs from her and flung them aside, seizing her shoulders. “So ye want Brodie—and ye want me,” he said harshly.

“Iain,” she began, intending to try to explain herself and defuse the situation.

But he did not allow her to speak. He pulled her into his arms, kissing her heatedly, tongue to tongue, and then he was pushing her down on the pallet.

* * *

A
LANA
BRAIDED
HER
hair, glancing into a small looking glass on the table when she was done.

She was amazed by her own appearance. Her skin glowed like pearls, her cheeks were tinged with a pretty flush and her eyes sparkled. For the first time in her life, as she regarded herself, she understood why she was considered a beautiful woman.

She glanced across Iain’s tent at his pallet, which was vacant. They had made love several times last night, and she had then fallen asleep in his arms. Exhausted, she had slept well past sunrise, and when she had awoken, Iain had been gone.

Alana walked over to the tent flap and opened it. She stood still and stared out at Bruce’s camp.

Because the army was not marching, his soldiers were seated around the various campfires, eating and drinking. A group of men were heading off into the woods on foot, with bows upon their shoulders. She hoped there would be venison that night.

She scanned the camp. Last night, they had not spoken, not even once, about what had happened in Bruce’s tent or about anything else.

She remained in some disbelief. King Robert had given her Brodie in exchange for her fealty...even if he had refused to give her Iain.

She had taken sides in this war now.

“So yer awake.”

Alana almost jumped out of her skin, not having heard Iain approach from the back side of the tent. She smiled, but nervously. Would they discuss what she had done? Would they speak of her having asked for him in marriage? Would they discuss his eventual marriage to someone else?

His gaze moved slowly over her. “Ye slept well,” he said. “After we finished lovemaking, ye did not move once the entire night.”

She blushed. “I do not think I have ever slept as deeply.” She hesitated. “Are you angry with me?”

“Why would I be angry?” He touched her cheek and winked, lewdly. “Ye ken I am very pleased today.”

She blushed again. “You know that is not what I meant.”

“I am not angry, Alana.”

She did not know if she truly wished to raise the subject of their relationship—and future—now.

“And ye? Are ye pleased? When we take Brodie, ye will be her mistress again.”

“I am pleased,” she answered. “When will we take Brodie, Iain?”

“Ye lust for power as much as I do.”

She did not smile back. “No. I lust for my own power, and for what is mine, by birthright.”

“Yer father is a fool, to be led by the nose by his wife, to have abandoned ye. He could have three fine daughters. Instead, he has two.”

She started, hurt by his words, because they were the painful truth. “He is weak, Iain.”

“’Tis the same to me.” He shrugged. Then, “Bruce is moving his army to the west tomorrow. I am taking my men east.”

“To Brodie?”

“Aye, Alana, to Brodie.”

She found it hard to breathe. “I must come with you. Iain, Godfrey is in command, he is my friend.... Surely I can convince him to surrender to you.”

“He will hardly think to surrender, if he learns ye have betrayed his father and Buchan, and that in surrendering, Brodie will become yers.”

Alana was aghast. “Surely you are not planning on leaving me here, while you go back to Brodie!”

“War is no place for a woman, even one as bold as ye. I will send ye into the care of my brother, on Islay. Ye will go tomorrow. And I will march for Brodie at dawn. I hope to attack Brodie before anyone ever learns of yer treachery.”

Alana was shocked. “I am not going to your brother, and I am not going to Islay! I have to come with you. I cannot allow you to attack and destroy my home!”

“Brodie has no defenses. I can take the castle easily enough. And Alana—ye have no power to allow me anything.”

She flinched. “Of course I have no authority to tell you what to do, and what not to do. I can help, Iain. I can persuade Godfrey to surrender without a fight. Why destroy Brodie if you do not have to?”

“Alana. I need to know about Godfrey—and Lady Fitzhugh.”

Alana froze. Her grandmother was at Brodie—and she could be held hostage and used against them.

“Would yer friend, Godfrey, hurt yer grandmother?” Iain asked harshly. “He is Duncan’s son.”

Alana seized his arm to remain standing. “No. Godfrey would not hurt her.”

“Then why are ye as white as a corpse?”

“Duncan would use her against us—so would my uncle.” She began to shake. “Iain, you cannot attack Brodie while my grandmother is there.” Once Buchan learned of her treachery, he would strike at Alana in any way that he could—even if it meant using an old woman to hurt her.

“If Duncan remains in the north, defending Buchan lands, and Buchan is also in the north, we can take Brodie before either man thinks to order Godfrey to hold Lady Fitzhugh.”

Alana felt sick. She did not want her grandmother placed in any jeopardy, not now, not ever, even if it meant giving up her dream of recovering Brodie. “Maybe we should leave Brodie for now.”

“Is that what ye truly want?”

“I do not want Eleanor hurt!” Tears arose. “When my uncle learns of my betrayal, he will hurt her to hurt me. I have no doubt. He is ruthless and savage, but you know that—you saw what he did to me!”

He pulled her close. In his arms, Alana trembled wildly. “Ye love her greatly, as ye should.”

“I love her more than anyone in this entire world, and she is all that I have.”

His gaze moved slowly over her features. “Ye have me.”

She shook her head. “No. I do not.”

“Aye. Truly.” He pushed some hair out of her eyes. “If we move swiftly, there is every chance we can take Brodie before the word of yer homage to Bruce is out. And then ye’ll have Brodie and yer grandmother will be safe.”

“And what if we get to Brodie, and the news is already known to them?”

“Then, Alana, yer grandmother will be in great jeopardy.”

They had to take Brodie immediately. “Then your best chance to take Brodie is to have me speak with Godfrey. Please. Do not send me to Islay.” She touched his face. “Please, Iain.”

He was grim. “Ye have learned how to play me too well.”

She had won. Alana felt faint with relief.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Brodie Castle
—January, 1308

A
LANA
’
S
HEART
SURGED
as they crested the ridge, finally reaching its flat topmost plateau. Brodie Castle sat on the adjacent hill. It was such a welcome sight.

Iain raised his hand, halting the dozen warriors who accompanied them. The rest of his army was hidden in the forest below them.

He glanced at her and she smiled at him, her heart racing. Once Godfrey surrendered, she would be mistress of Brodie. She would have her home back.

It remained incredible. But she had paid dearly for Brodie. She was now committed to Robert Bruce and his triumph, and not because of the act of homage she had had to perform. Bruce had to conquer Scotland. He had to defeat Buchan. Otherwise she would be taken from Brodie the moment Buchan could attack it and seize her.

She had arrived at Bruce’s camp on Slioch Mountain just ten fateful days ago. How her life had changed, as she had not even dreamed it would. And while she was Iain’s lover, and she shared his tent as well as his bed, they had never discussed the appeal she had made to Bruce, or his eventual marriage to another woman one day.

She would survive, because Brodie was hers now.

“The snow has melted,” Iain said, breaking the silence of the afternoon.

A January thaw was not uncommon. Patches of snow covered the tops of the ridge they rode upon, and the adjacent terrain, but the ground was mostly mud otherwise. Alana knew what he was thinking—she knew him so well now. It was far easier to attack one’s enemy in the snow than in the mud. “You will not have to attack. I will make certain of it.”

He smiled at her. “Ye have the determination of a queen.”

“That is high praise, indeed.”

“Ye have changed, Alana, since we first met. Ye were a young, untried girl then. I sometimes see that girl, but mostly, I see a proud, headstrong woman.”

“So much has happened. I hope the changes you have seen are pleasing to you.”

“Ye are pleasing to me.” He was final. “We have four hours till dusk. Let us go.”

Alana nodded, her nerves high. So much depended upon her efforts to persuade Godfrey now. Iain lifted his hand and they started down the steep western side of the ridge, traversing it upon a deer path. It was rocky, partly frozen and partly mud, and the going was slow and difficult.

It took an hour to reach the glen below, and another half an hour to begin the small ascent to Brodie’s front gates, which were barred and closed. The walls seemed empty, too. But when they were almost within calling distance of Brodie’s watchtower, her bells began to ring.

“Yer watch is poor,” Iain observed. The bells tolled loudly and shrilly now. “The watch should have remarked us well before this.”

Godfrey’s soldiers appeared on the castle walls. Iain continued on, Alana beside him, two dozen Highlanders behind them.

And then they were close enough for her to see Godfrey take up a place on the walls, amidst his men. His fair hair was unmistakable. Iain signaled his men to halt.

“I should ride forward, alone,” Alana said, removing her hood. She wanted Godfrey to recognize her.

“Ye will do no such thing,” Iain returned.

“His archers will try to strike you,” Alana said sharply with fear.

“Is he that much of a fool?” Iain asked. “I am approaching his gates with a handful of men. He does not know my army lies in wait in the forest. And I am bringing ye with me. He cannot be so stupid, Alana, as to fire the first shot without asking my business, first.”

Godfrey wasn’t a fool, and he was committed to Brodie. He would probably want to speak with Iain before taking any aggressive action that might have terrible consequences for him.

She glanced behind them. Iain’s banner was flying in the wind, but so was a white flag of truce. She was surprised. She hadn’t realized he would raise such a flag.

Iain spurred his stallion forward and Alana followed him on her red mare. She heard the strings of numerous bows being pulled taut against ready arrows, the sound sharp and high, like a violin striking the wrong note. She looked up at the archers on the walls. Every man there was aiming their arrows down at them.

And behind them, steel screamed as all of Iain’s men drew their swords.

“Do ye not see our white flag?” Iain demanded loudly, halting his horse. But he was angry, and the charger whirled nervously.

“Identify yourself!” Godfrey cried, leaning over the wall. His face was white.

“I am Iain of Islay, and yer father’s ward, Alana le Latimer, is with me. Have yer archers stand down!” Iain ordered. Lower, he said, “Stay behind me. He may be a fool after all.”

Alana ignored him. Godfrey was stunned and he seemed stricken, even indecisive, and she spurred her mare forward, past Iain. “Godfrey! We must speak!”

“Alana?” Godfrey cried, peering down at her, turning whiter.

Iain rode up to her and seized her reins, giving her a furious look. Then, to Godfrey, “Come down and parley with us. Bring three of yer knights if ye must.”

Godfrey was incredulous. Alana knew he had not heard of her treachery—and he could not comprehend why she was with Iain. He could not imagine what they wanted, either. In that moment, she felt sorry for him, and ashamed of what she must do.

“I am not leaving Brodie,” Godfrey finally said. He turned to his soldiers and archers. “No one is to fire, unless I give the command.”

The bows groaned as the tension in each weapon was released. The archers replaced their arrows in their quivers. Alana took a deep breath, hoping to never look up at so many archers ready to shoot at her again.

Iain signaled his men, and steel rang again as they sheathed their weapons.

“Alana,” Godfrey cried. “Are you all right?”

This time, she glanced at Iain for permission. He nodded, and she moved a few strides closer to the wall. “I am fine, Godfrey, considering the circumstance I find myself in.”

Godfrey stared down at her, his face taut. “You vanished from Brodie! We feared you were abducted! And then we realized you had taken a horse and ridden away with one of Seamus’s sons. Why, Alana?” His blue gaze veered wildly to Iain. “Seamus claims he does not know your affairs! He is so loyal to you!”

She trembled. “You will find out soon enough. I am with Iain now, Godfrey.”

He stared blankly at her, clearly not understanding.

“I love him,” she said. “And I am sorry.”

He cried out, shocked. “What are you speaking about? You cannot love him! You do not even know him! He freed you from the tower at Nairn—you could not have spoken with him more than a time or two. He was there but a day, not even!”

Alana did not glance at Iain. Oddly, as much as she loved Iain, she felt ashamed now. She had violated her family’s trust. “Does it matter? Godfrey, I am here to help. Robert Bruce gave Iain Nairn.”

Godfrey was shaking. “Nairn? Nairn is in ashes! And yes, it matters, Alana!”

She was holding her reins so tightly now that her mare tossed its head in protest. She relaxed her grasp. “Godfrey! King Robert has decided to take Brodie after all. I begged Iain to let me come and speak with you! I do not want to see you or the men here hurt. Please, Godfrey, he will attack and take Brodie by force, unless you surrender.”

Godfrey gaped at her.

He was shocked, more so than she had predicted. She looked at Iain. “I need to speak with him privately.”

His eyes widened. “Ye will not go in there by yerself! He will never let ye leave, and then I will not be able to attack!”

“He will not hurt me, Iain.” She faced Godfrey. “Godfrey? Can I come inside to speak with you—as your friend? I do not want anyone to die today!”

Godfrey’s face was a mask of shock, anguish and anger. He nodded.

Iain seized her shoulder. “No. Godfrey!” he shouted. “I command Nairn, and I will command Brodie, too. I will not allow Alana to go inside. Surrender Brodie and avoid great bloodshed today. Otherwise, I will attack.”

Alana did not know what to do. She felt certain if she could speak privately with Godfrey, as difficult as it would be, she could convince him to surrender.

Godfrey was shaking. “You are with
him
now? Is it true?”

Alana wet her lips and nodded. “We are lovers,” she said.

Godfrey turned red. “God! So did you ride off into the night to be with him? Is that what happened, Alana? You chose your lover over me? Over Brodie? Over your
family?
”

“I still care about Brodie the way that you do,” she began.

“Liar!” Godfrey shouted. “You rode off to be with him after, what? One night at Nairn?” He was furious.

Alana was not going to discuss her relationship with Iain. “You know how I feel about Brodie,” she cried.

“Do I? I thought I did! I thought I knew you! The woman I knew would never hand Brodie over to the enemy!”

Iain wasn’t her enemy, yet she did not dare say so. Nor did she dare tell him the truth—that the moment he surrendered, Brodie would be hers.

“Godfrey!” Iain shouted. “I am losing my patience, and my men will attack at dawn if ye do not surrender.”

Godfrey looked wildly at Iain, with panic and fear.

“Godfrey!” Alana said. “I am begging you! Iain will attack and he will destroy Brodie if he has to. You know that is his way. He will have Brodie, even in ashes, just as he now has Nairn. So please. Surrender to him.”

Godfrey looked at his archers and suddenly every bow was drawn again, the dozens of arrows pointing at her. Alana froze as she heard Iain’s men unsheath their swords.

“Don’t fight,” Alana cried. “You are my friend! I do not want you to die!”

A terrible silence fell. The only sound to be heard was the horses blowing, their bits jangling, their saddles creaking.

Iain broke it. “My army is in the woods. I am three hundred strong. Ye have thirty-five men.”

Godfrey gave Alana a disbelieving look. She winced. He straightened and stepped back from the crenellations. He did not look at Alana now. His voice rough, he said, “Open the gates.”

* * *

A
LANA
RUSHED
INSIDE
Brodie’s great hall behind Iain and forty or fifty of his men. It was several hours later. Iain’s army now surrounded the castle, while his men were occupying the walls.

Godfrey was sitting at the table there, his hands clasped upon it, staring in a strange, almost horrified manner at the hall’s threshold. A handful of serving maids stood behind him, each one ashen and afraid. As Alana entered, she finally saw Eleanor, who came rushing toward her from the shadows.

Alana hugged her grandmother hard. “I have been so worried about you,” Eleanor said.

Alana smiled through tears of relief. “I am fine.”

Eleanor took a good look at her. Clearly, her grandmother could see that she was pleased and well.

Iain had paused before Godfrey, who did not stand up. “Ye have done the right thing, Godfrey.” He flung his fur cloak aside, one hand on the hilt of his sword, his posture commanding and aggressive.

Godfrey made a derisive sound. “So you will not take me prisoner?” He was mocking and angry. Now he finally looked past Iain at Alana.

“When yer ransom is paid, ye will be released.” Iain also turned to look at her.

Alana’s cheeks were hot. There was no avoiding what must happen next. She slowly approached Godfrey. “Iain? I must speak with Godfrey. Alone.”

Iain’s gaze narrowed. “Ye may speak with him as much as ye like. But he is very angry now, and he will be under guard until his ransom is paid.”

“You will not let me speak with him alone?” Alana was incredulous.

Godfrey spat, “So that is the lover you have chosen?”

Alana trembled as Iain gave him a warning look. “Ye can hold yer tongue and speak pleasantly and remain here, with yer guard, or ye can be put in the dungeons with the rest of yer men.”

Alana was not going to allow Godfrey to be put in the dungeons! They had not even discussed his capture. And what of all of Brodie’s men? She was expecting them to pledge their allegiance to her—not to become prisoners of war or worse.

“Who is yer sergeant of arms?” Iain demanded.

Godfrey folded his arms. “Roger de Foret.”

Iain turned and ordered his soldiers to bring him de Foret. “I am going to inspect our defenses,” he said. “Angus, guard Godfrey. If he gives ye trouble of any kind, send him below.”

Angus was a middle-aged Highlander who was taller than Iain, his face rudely scarred, his gray beard so long that it reached his chest. He looked as if he had been at war his entire life. “Is that necessary, Iain?” Alana asked.

“He is the enemy, Alana.” He signaled a handful of the men in the room to join him, and he left.

“Are you pleased with yourself? Does betrayal suit you?” Godfrey asked.

Alana jerked. “I do not expect you to understand.”

“You have stabbed me in the back. You have stabbed your father and Buchan in the back. My God, Buchan will kill you for this.”

Alana trembled as Eleanor put her arm around her. Her grandmother did not speak, and she knew Eleanor agreed with Godfrey on his last point. But then, so did Alana.

“Why, Alana? Why? And do not tell me that you love that Highlander! No one forsakes their entire family for love!” Godfrey cried.

Alana sank down on the bench not far from him. “I do love him. I have never loved a man before.” She had forsaken her family for love, she thought, Godfrey’s word having a chilling effect. Yet Iain would one day be with another woman.

Godfrey began shaking his head. “I thought you were amenable to marriage to me. God, I am a fool!”

Alana shivered, rubbing her arms, wondering suddenly if she was the fool. “We are friends now. It is not the same.”

“Not the same as lovers?” He stood abruptly, causing her to leap up, as well. Angus drew his sword.

Godfrey raised his hands high, indicating he meant no harm. “And will you marry him, Alana? Is that it? You will marry him and become mistress here?”

Tears arose. “I will not marry him, that much has been made clear...but I am mistress here.”