The Hunter (Highland Guard #7)(38)

“Don’t ‘now, Mary’ me! It’s just as dangerous for you to go to England as it is for me. Even more so with Felton recovered and looking for blood—your blood. Besides, a man and a woman traveling together will draw much less attention than you two.”

Sutherland’s jaw was clenched so tight, Ewen was surprised he could still talk. “If you think I’m going to allow you to travel with Hunter alone—”

Mary waved her hand dismissively. “Then come along if you must.”

Apparently the lass had more of her sister in her than Ewen had realized. She may have tricked her husband into conceding the point, but Ewen wasn’t falling for it. “I will travel much faster alone, my lady. If you come, you will only make my job more difficult.”

The blunt, matter-of-fact assessment (rather than worrying about her tender feelings) worked. Mary’s demeanor changed from bound and determined to chastised. “I did not think about that. I do not wish to be a burden.”

“Then let me do my job. You can trust me—I will not let anything happen to your sister.”

Mary nodded. Sutherland and Bruce eyed him as if he’d just accomplished some kind of miracle.

In the end, it was decided that Sutherland and MacKay would accompany Ewen and MacLean in the event they came across any English patrols. The war might have come to a standstill while Edward retreated to the comfort of Berwick for the winter, but the hunt for the “rebels”—Bruce’s phantoms in particular—had not diminished. If anything, their reputation had only grown after the past few months of fighting. The surprise attacks for which they’d become known had taken on a prescient edge. No matter what the English did, the Highland Guard “magically” knew where to find them.

Of course it wasn’t magic; it was exceptional intelligence. Whoever this new informant of Bruce’s was (the king had refused to say), he hadn’t been wrong yet. Some of the other Guardsmen were speculating that it must be someone high up in Edward’s command. The best guess was Ralph de Monthermer, who was married to a sister of both the king’s and Hawk’s wives. Ewen didn’t care who it was, as long as the information continued.

But for the next few months, while Edward rested and tried to bolster the spirits of his demoralized troops, the fighting would be reserved for the local skirmishes in the Borders. There were talks of peace—even now, Bruce was negotiating for a parley at Selkirk before Christmas—but the Borders had been and still were a war zone, and venturing into the English Marches near any of the English strongholds had grown increasingly perilous for the much hunted “phantoms.”

The Highland Guard might be the best, but they weren’t invincible—or invisible for that matter, though Ewen did his damnedest to make them so. This mission would not be without its risks, and Ewen would be glad for the extra sword arms in the event they drew any unwanted attention.

It was decided that they would leave at first light. Sutherland led his wife from the room, but not before exchanging a glance with Ewen. He nodded in acknowledgment of the silent communication. Ewen would fill him in on the rest later, when Mary wasn’t around to hear it. Like Ewen, Sutherland had sensed that there was something else going on.

“What aren’t you telling us?” Ewen asked as soon as the door closed behind them.

The king’s expression turned grim, sending a flicker of unease racing down Ewen’s spine. Hell, it wasn’t a flicker, it was more of a deluge. If Ewen didn’t know better, he’d think the anxious feeling twisting around in his chest was fear.

“One of our couriers—a friar—was found dead a few weeks ago.”

His chest squeezed like a fist. Bloody hell, it was fear.

“What connection did he have to Janet?” Ewen managed.

“Very little, but he was our main contact in Roxburgh when Janet’s, uh, work took her there.”

Ewen hoped his annoyance didn’t show. The king knew what he thought of Janet’s “work.” A lass had no part in any of this. “Why was she in Roxburgh?”

Bruce seemed to be debating how much to tell him. “Selling embroidery and exchanging messages with someone in the castle. The friar helped facilitate her place at the market.”

“Is there a chance she could have been discovered?”

“Possibly, but our person inside is safe.”

“Might he have betrayed her?”

Bruce gave him a strange look and shook his head. “No.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“I am; that’s all you need to know.”

“But the friar’s death bothers you.”

Bruce nodded. “It seems too much of a coincidence.”

Ewen agreed. But he wouldn’t let himself consider that something had happened to her. He had to keep his mind clear for the search that lay ahead.

“Find her,” Bruce said, “and bring her home.”

Ewen nodded. “I will.”

The king gave him a long, measured look. “I trust this mission won’t be a problem for you?”

He stiffened. “Why should it?”

“My former sisters by marriage have always been pretty little things, as I suspect you noticed. But I’ll remind you that while she might not be a nun, she is meant for another.”

Ewen’s mouth hardened. “I’m aware of that, Sire.” And he sure as hell didn’t need the reminder. But obviously, Bruce had sensed something from before and was letting him know in no uncertain terms to steer clear of her. Ewen didn’t need it spelled out.