Page 55 of A Highlander's Vow

Chapter Twenty-Four

Gregory and hismen were barely past the guards at the gate to Edinburgh when he remembered why he hated the place. Give him country air anytime over the smells, smoke and crowds of a city.

The guards weren’t too happy to share the location of Holyroodhouse. Gregory shook his head as they rode off. He was certain there were plenty of guards at the king’s residence to protect him.

“First we need to put our names in to speak with the king. Then we must find an inn where we can obtain a bedchamber so we can all clean up. It won’t be necessary for ye to be dressed formally since ye won’t be standing before king, but guarding my back while I stand before him.”

They rode a short way before stopping at a clean-looking inn. “Run inside and see if they have a room or two,” Gregory said to Luke.

The man was out within minutes, a big smile on his face. “Aye, he has two rooms and the smells coming from the kitchen are making my stomach verra happy.”

The men rode their horses to the stable behind the inn. Once they left instructions to the stable lads, Gregory grabbed his satchel and headed inside. Luke was right, the smells were wonderful.

A young lass of no more than ten years, most likely a daughter of the innkeeper, showed them upstairs to their rooms. “Lass, can yearrange to send a message to the king’s residence?”

Her eyes grew wide. “The king?”

“Aye. If ye get it to Holyroodhouse fast, there will be a coin for ye.”

“I must ask my da.”

Gregory nodded. “Go ask him and also please request a bath be sent up while I write the note.”

She scurried away and Gregory looked around. “Based on what the woman at the inn told us, The Gunn and his group should have arrived only a few hours before us. I ken it is impossible to be granted an audience with His Majesty quickly, so I think we have time.”

“What sort of note will ye be sending?” John asked as he flopped down on the bed.

“Get off there with yer dirty clothes on,” Gregory said. “I am going to tell the king to expect to hear from The Gunn and The Sinclair and I wish to be granted an audience at the same time because what they will be discussing directly affects me.”

He started to remove his clothes when three men carried in a bathtub and buckets of water. Once they filled the tub about halfway, the young girl came back to the room.

“Aye sir, my da says I can take a note to the Holyroodhouse if ye give me another coin for him, too.” She smiled, which made Gregory smile back.

“Aye lass. Once ye return from the king’s residence I will give ye two coins. One for ye and one for yer da. Do ye have any parchment or other type of paper and a writing instrument I can use?”

She looked confused.

“Ask yer da. Or mam.”

She hurried away, the sound of her feet racing down the stairs.

“Ye can all take a break and sip on an ale downstairs while I enjoy my bath.” Gregory waved them off.

*

Megan paced thefloor in the bedchamber she’d been given. It had been two days since they’d arrived at Edinburgh. She’d been allowed out of the room twice a day with two of The Gunn’s men to take a walk outside.

As much as she’d loved getting out of the room, she was always anxious to get back because of the crowds. The place smelled atrocious and people pushed and shoved to get where they were going.

And so many times she had to duck or else be doused with a bucket of God-knew-what from a window.

All she wanted right now was Gregory’s arms wrapped around her and a trip back to Castle Leod. She had grown to love the place and the people she’d met there. Beth was very helpful and kind.

The clan healer, Emma, had helped her learn much more in healing than she’d already known. Her thoughts turned to the battle Emma had been having with the Gunn warrior who was trying to have her let him return to the battle, even though it appeared he had a broken leg, or two. She smiled thinking that the warrior had no idea how determined Emma was when it came to her healing skills. He might be a strong warrior, but Emma could certainly hold her own with the men.

Her thoughts drifted to The Gunn’s and Anthony’s drunken conversation she’d overheard when they stayed at the inn. She had always wondered why Robert had been slain in that minor skirmish. He’d been a strong and wonderful warrior who had fought numerous battles and rarely ever suffered an injury.

No matter how things turned out for her—and she prayed very hard every day that she would return to Castle Leod with Gregory—she fully intended to let the king know about Robert’s death.