“Blessings on you, Sirs,” the monk called as he clomped down the stairs.
The amiable porter was nearly as tall as I, with ears and teeth that stuck out.
“And you, brother. Lord Douglas is within, is he not?”
He lifted the heavy bar on the gate with a thud.
Before the monk could reply, an English man-at-arms barred my way, his pike raised. “What business have you?”
“Och, he is a cousin of Lord Douglas. They been in and out many a time. I am sure he is expected.”
“What about the other?”
“He is in his lordship’s following and expected as well.” I gave a casual shrug. “You ken no Scottish lord moves without his men behind him.”
The man glowered. “Aye. That be the truth. Go on. But there be guards with Lord David, so do not think you can sneak him away.”
“They went toward the abbot’s house,” the monk said.
I nodded, winked at him, and Will and I strolled through the courtyard. There was no need to be shown the way, although generally, Douglas stayed in the guesthouse. The trees were in full leaf, and borders of lavender and roses edged the gravel walks. The tall tower of the abbey’s church was golden brown in the bright sunshine, and we had just walked past them when I saw Sir William. I tried not to grin like a fool, but it spread across my face as I bowed. His mouth twisted into a wry smile. His hair had gone more gray than black, and he was thinner than before, but his eyes had the same gleam. He was the same man who had raised me from a pup, as close to a father as I had ever known.
Will bumped my shoulder with his and said, “Join me later.” He gave a curt nod to Sir William and kept walking.
Sir William grabbed my shoulders and gave me a hard shake. “By God’s toenails, you are a braw sight, Archie.”
Suddenly, a laugh burst from my belly. “I cannae believe you are here!”
He raised his dark eyebrows. “Truth be told, lad, neither can I.” He shook his head. “Nae doubt there are worse cells than we were thrown in. If my treatment was harsh, I survived.”
“But you are back to stay? Everyone tells a different tale.”
He tilted his head toward a nearby marble bench beneath a spreading beech. When we sat, he leaned his elbows on his thighs and clasped his hands. “This is between us, lad. I am released to try to help the king bring parliament to an agreement.” He barked a laugh. “Edward does nae ken that the parliament dislikes me, so I am nae use there. But it gives me the chance to attend my own business here. Before I left, he promised that he would agree to my release on terms we had discussed if this trip fails.”
I hit my fist on my thigh, unable to contain my excitement. “Then you will be home soon. For good!”
“Aye! I think King Edward means to agree to if this ransom comes to naught.”
That gave me pause. “You dinnae think parliament will agree?”
“I think the king deceives himself that they will.” A faraway look spread over his face. “I am nae a young man anymore, Archie. I want to come home.” He snorted. “I even want some peace. Mayhap I will spend a few years watching grandbairns grow.”
“What?” I laughed. “You have grandbairns?”
He chuckled. “Nae yet, but someday.” He stood. “So go greet the king because he is nae staying. And it may be a long time before he returns. But dinnae tell him I said that.” He turned toward the guesthouse at a distance across the broad courtyard. I decided there was no point in trying to decipher his hints and plots. When he was ready to tell me, he would do so.
At the end of the path was the handsome stone-built house of the abbot. One of the guards eyed me suspiciously as I knocked on the door and was admitted by a servant.
King David was seated in a high-backed chair beside an unlit fireplace with a wine goblet in his hand. I made a deep obeisance to him, Robert Stewart, bitter lines around his mouth, and a bishop judging by his garb.
“Yon he is,” Will said, beaming.
David leapt to his feet. “Archie! Archie Douglas as ever was!”
He extended his hand, and I rushed to drop to one knee and took it in mine. “Your Grace!” I could not hold back my grin. “Forgive us, sire. We intrude but…to see you. At last…”
“Up.” He jerked on my arm. “Up and let me look at you.” He shook his head in pretended amazement. “Have you grown even taller whilst I was gone?”
I shook my head though I was unsure if it was in denial or amazement. “But you look well, my liege. I have—” I shook my head again. “Nae, we all have worried for you.”
He brushed his fingers over the scar on his cheek. “Edward sent me his best physician to attend my wound. And they treat me well enough. Since I bide out of London, I am even permitted an occasional hunt.” He gave a bitter chuckle. “And even address me as a monarch.”
He turned to the bishop, a man in his forties with the poise to be expected of one risen so high in the church. “Bishop Leuchars, this is a very old friend from our youth in France, Sir Archibald Douglas.”
I bowed to the churchman. “My honor, your reverence.”
“Of course, you are known to my uncle.” David nodded to Stewart.
“My lord.”
Stewart cast me a disinterested look. I could neither threaten nor add to his power, which meant I was nothing to him.
“Forgive us, my lords, but greeting his grace was too great a temptation.” I gave a deep bow to all three magnates, backing towards the door. The servant opened it for us, and I closed it behind us. I bumped Will with my shoulder. “He is back!”
Will threw back his head and laughed.