The Hawk (Highland Guard #2)(110)

She concentrated on Robert, ignoring the fury emanating from the man leaning against the wall with his arms crossed forbiddingly before his broad, leather-clad chest. She wasn’t here for him anyway.

Well, not completely. Although she wasn’t sure her sympathy for her brother-in-law’s cause alone would have compelled her to such extremes.

She hadn’t snuck out of her chamber since she was a child. And stealing away in the night with a couple of unfamiliar English soldiers who thought she was a serving-maid to inform the most hunted man in Christendom of a trap awaiting him …

If her father ever found out he’d be horrified—and infuriated—by her betrayal. But after what Edward had done to her sister, Ellie would not feel guilt.

She took a deep breath and relayed the conversation she’d overheard between her father, Ralph, and Sir Aymer.

It wasn’t what they’d expected to hear, and she sensed an immediate shift in the occupants of the cave as the gravity of the information hit.

Robert swore. “They know where we are? Are you certain about this, sister? You could not have been mistaken?”

She shook her head. “I’m not mistaken. The English know where you are camped and plan to attack at dawn. They intended to have my sister’s maidservant come here to find out information—I convinced her to allow me to come in her stead.”

Leaving out Matty’s role in covering up for her, Ellie explained how she was led by a few of Sir Aymer’s men to the edge of the valley. They were awaiting her return to escort her back to the castle. She intended to tell them that she was refused entry to the camp, so she needed to return as soon as possible.

Edward Bruce was much less subtle than his brother. “How do we know you are telling us the truth? This could be a trap.”

Ellie gave him a withering stare. “It is a trap, though not one set by me. If you don’t believe me, send one of your men to the woods at the head of Loch Troon. You’ll find nearly fifteen hundred Englishmen to prove that what I’m telling you is the truth. But make sure to do it before dawn.” She turned to Robert. “You must ready your men and leave immediately.”

Bruce rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “I don’t think so.”

Ellie froze with disbelief. “But I swear, I’m telling you the truth.”

Robert smiled. “I believe you.” He looked to the impressive warrior she’d noticed before. “This is what we’ve been waiting for.”

She saw a glint in the other man’s eye. “Aye. A place of our choosing to meet the enemy.” He knelt down, picked up a stick, and scratched a few lines in the dirt. “If we position the men on the south hillside here”—he indicated a point on the left—”we’ll be ready for them as they leave the shelter of the woods. We’ll gather boulders to take out the horses, and Arrow and his archers can take care of the rest.”

“It will be a trap,” Robert said delightedly. “Just not one for us.”

The men talked among themselves for a few more minutes and made their plans. When they’d come to an agreement on how to proceed, the king again addressed the warrior dressed like Erik. “Chief, gather the men. We must make our preparations. Any who are too drunk, throw them in the loch.” Robert turned to Erik. “I’m afraid we’ll have to celebrate your saint’s day another time.”

Erik shrugged indifferently, still glaring at Ellie. “I don’t seem to feel much like celebrating right now anyway.”

Robert came toward Ellie, leaned over, and kissed her cheek. “I don’t know how to thank you, sister. I owe you a debt of gratitude I cannot hope to repay—at least not at the moment. But when I win my kingdom back you may have anything that is in my power to give you.”

“I don’t want anything,” Ellie said. “Other than my sister’s safe return.”

She could see the flash of pain in Robert’s eye, and he nodded. “I want that, too.”

He turned to dismiss his men. Erik started to walk away with them, but Robert stopped him. “No, you stay,” he said, in a hard voice. “This concerns you.”

Ellie fiddled with her cloak, guessing that what Robert had to say wasn’t about the information she’d brought him.

He looked back and forth between Ellie and Erik. “As much as I appreciate your warning, sister, I suspect your coming here was not solely for my benefit.”

Ellie felt her cheeks grow hot under her brother-in-law’s knowing gaze.

“Hawk told me what happened,” Robert said. “I’m sorry for what you were forced to endure. His taking you was unavoidable under the circumstances”—he shot an angry glare to Erik—”but his conduct beyond that was inexcusable and dishonorable.”

She glanced at Erik, surprised to see his mouth pressed in a hard line. Obviously, he had no intention of speaking up for himself.

“Nay, Robert,” she said, putting a hand on his arm insistently. “You are wrong. I was treated with every consideration. I could have—should have—told him who I was, but I chose not to.” She smiled wryly. “I think I was enjoying my freedom a bit too much. I’m as much responsible for what happened as Hawk is.”

Erik didn’t appear pleased by her plea on his behalf. “I don’t need you to defend me, Lady Elyne. The king has every cause for his anger.”