Chapter 1
Balvenie Castle, Scotland
The dowager’s gray eyes opened and slowly focused on the half armor before moving upward to the anxious face of the tall, red-haired man standing by her bed.
“Has Catherine Percy arrived?”
“Nay, Mother. Not yet.”
“You will look after that young woman, John. You will honor our promise to protect her.”
“Of course. You know the messenger brought word that she’s safe and en route. There’s nothing more that needs to be done.”
The old woman coughed weakly and, lifting a frail hand, waved off the attentions of the young woman gliding around the bed. The invalid’s eyes never left the warrior’s face, and the attendant, her niece Susan, stepped back and picked up a piece of needlework, settling once again onto the stool beside the great curtained bed.
“You
