Read Online Highland Hawk: Highland Brides #7 by Lois Greiman - Free Book Online Page B

and motioned for silence.
    "No ale?" he asked, his lips crinkled in an impish grin. "But 'tis an excellent brew."
    "If... if you recommend it," she said, and sat transfixed by the sight of the crowned king of Scotland in soiled britches and a droopy bonnet.
    He leaned close to pour. His cap dangled lower, threatening to be doused in her unrequested ale. "You promised me a ride," he whispered.
    "Aye," she agreed simply, tearing her gaze from his face.
    "Princess Cat," crooned de la Faire from near her elbow. "I missed you on the hunt yesterday."
    She turned toward the speaker, wondering with stunned awe if none other had recognized the lad. "I was quite fatigued," she explained simply, and skimmed the faces that surrounded her. None was staring at the king in shocked dismay. "I fear I spent the afternoon in bed."
    "An image to ponder," someone murmured.
    There were chuckles.
    "In the stable," James said softly. "Directly."
    She nodded. He slipped away.
    "Excuse me, gentlemen," she said, rising. "I must see to my grandmother."
    "I hoped you might ride with me this day," someone said, but she made her excuses and hurried away.
    Once outside the great hall, she turned left, trying to avoid anyone who might delay her. But just as she was about to escape, a priest in a black robe turned toward her.
    "Catriona of the Bairds," he said. His hair was red, his voice soft, his hands hidden in the sleeves of his opposite arms. "I had hoped to meet you."
    "Oh, Father, I..." She glanced down the hall she had planned to be escaping down even now. "I fear I have no time to delay. I received a message that my grandmother is feeling unwell."
    He drew an expression of concern. "Mayhap I should accompany you."
    "Nay!" Cat said quickly and searched frantically for an excuse. "Nay, Father," she said. "If I brought a priest into Grandmother's room she might imagine 'twas her last rites you'd come to give, and not your good wishes."
    He smiled, a warm expression on his kindly face. "Very well, but please, lass, be not ashamed to come to me if you should have a need of any sort."
    "My thanks," she said, and trying not to seem too impatient, hurried away.
    She took a circuitous course to the stables, glancing quickly over her shoulder now and again. Her heart thundered like a running horse. It was not time! There would be no purpose in riding yet.
    "You shall bring him to us. Alone and unarmed."
    Not now. Not yet. That was to be her last resort, her final act if all else failed. If she could not determine Blackheart's true identity. If she could not stop him. 'Twas too early, and yet, it was not her place to refuse the king. She needed his friendship, required his trust, or all would be lost.
    The stable door creaked open under her hand. From a heavily beamed box stall to her right, a groom glanced her way then stood staring until she hurried past.
    "Hello," she called softly.
    No answer.
    "Your Majesty," she whispered.
    "Here." The voice came from up above.
    She glanced up, just as James scurried down the leather-bound rungs of a slanting ladder. A smattering of straw rained down with his descent.
    "We must hurry," he whispered, then glanced over his shoulder toward the stall that held the distant groom. "Most of the horsemen are breaking their fast. We've not much time."
    "Time for what?" she asked, her heart still hammering in her too-tight chest.
    "Our escape."
    "Escape!"
    "Shh. We've little enough time before someone realizes I am not in my chambers."
    "You plan to ride out alone?"
    "Not alone. With you."
    "With me?" Her stomach cranked into a hard knot. 'Truly, Your Majesty, I do not think this is a good idea. What if—"
    "Shh," he warned again, and grabbing her hand, pulled her toward the nearest stall.
    She stepped inside. He glanced nervously past her as he pulled the heavy door shut.
    "I've already saddled Courtier. Sir Hawk taught me how to—"
    " 'Twas a mistake."
    James gasped and spun toward the voice. Catriona's heart twisted tight as