The Renegade(25)

They fished from the boat for the remainder of the day, and before they knew it their midday meal was a long-forgotten thing and they were hungry again and still five miles at least from home.

Murdo the factor saw them as they reached the main gates and called them over to him. He asked them where they had been and then sent them back to haul the boat up beyond the tide line and to empty it and secure it properly. When he was satisfied that they had left everything in order, he dispatched them indoors by a side entrance to report to his wife. Rob went obediently, Angus Og tailing along behind him in silence, and Allie examined them both for cuts and dirt stains, then sent them off to the kitchens to be fed, warning them to behave themselves and to stay well away from the busy cooks and from the main body of the house, where the earl and countess were entertaining their royal guests.

Rob had noticed that his friend had very little to say around grown men and women, even when they were as warm and friendly as Murdo and Allie and the other members of the countess’s household, and though he had been tempted to say something about it, he had wisely decided to keep silent. He sensed somehow that Angus Og’s upbringing among his forbidding father’s Islesmen had taught the boy to be wary of all adults. Rob had only ever felt that way himself on his infrequent visits to his paternal grandfather, Lord Robert Bruce of Annandale, but while he was there he felt that way all the time. The old man frightened Rob, even though he knew there was no reason for his fear, so he was prepared to accord the same tacit understanding to his quiet friend Angus.

Freed again from the constraints of having to behave acceptably, the boys charged around the corner of the main house and raced directly for the kitchens, Rob in front and Angus Og hard on his heels. They were approaching the outer doors to the main house when they looked up and almost skidded to a halt, their eyes growing wide as they saw that they had almost hurtled full tilt into Someone Important.

There were in fact two men before them. One of them, an armoured knight with a frowning face, had thrown out an arm as if to fend them off, and he snarled at them now, ordering them to get back. The other man, though, who looked older and was a full head taller than his companion, laid a restraining hand on his arm.

“Let it be, my lord of Norfolk,” he said. “Wait for me inside.”

The other looked at him askance, then shrugged and stepped through the open doorway, leaving the two boys gaping openly at the magnificence of the rich, white, heavily embroidered tunic that the man now facing them was wearing. Rob was squinting at the coat of arms on the broad chest, deciphering the elements of the red, gold, and blue escutcheon and racking his brains for what he had been told by his tutor about the premier coats of arms.

“That’s the royal coat of arms,” Rob said in English to the tall man. “Are you the King of England?

“I am,” Edward Plantagenet said evenly. “And who are you?”

Rob felt himself flush, but he returned the monarch’s gaze steadily and spoke with confidence. “I am Robert Bruce, my lord,” he said. “Seventh of that name. This is my mother’s castle and they call me Rob.” He turned slightly, indicating his companion with a wave. “And this is my friend Angus, from Islay. His father is Angus Mohr.”

“Ah, the new-named Lord of the Isles.” Edward nodded at the frowning boy. “I have met your father. Do you understand the honour accorded him today by King Alexander?”

The young Gael gazed back at him, but there was not the slightest hint of awe in his look, and Edward pursed his lips in the beginnings of disapproval, but before he could say anything Rob spoke again.

“Angus does not speak English, sir King.” He flicked a glance at his friend and added, “That’s why he looks so … unfriendly. He doesn’t know who you are and didn’t understand a word you said to him.”

“But he does know about the honour extended to his father today, does he not?”

“Aye, sir, he does. Murdo the factor told us about it just now.”

“And is he proud of it?”

The response came after a very slight hesitation. “I cannot answer that, my lord King. He and his father are … not close.”

“I see.”

Rob’s gaze did not flicker as he watched the English King meet Angus Og’s eye squarely, then nod graciously to the lad and turn directly back to Rob. “He does look … unfriendly. But now I understand why. How old are you, Robert Bruce?”

Rob blinked. “I’m ten. I was ten yesterday. Halfway to being a man, my uncle Nicol says.”

“More than halfway,” the English King replied. “Much more, I think, from the look of you.” He glanced again at Angus Og, who was still gazing stolidly at him. “A pity that your friend does not speak English. He should learn it someday.”