Page 32 of War King's Treasure

“Apparently, he knew my mother,” Rory said, tears brimming in her eyes and spilling over. “Told me how beloved she was.”

“He said Anne was a woman of beauty and grace, and that Rory favored her in both,” Jo continued, grabbing Rory’s free hand and squeezing.

“He knew my mother also,” Nori told them, leaning closer to Rory. “But I still don’t understand how a commander in the army wouldn’t know what had been done to your mother.”

“He wasn’t as high ranking at the time,” Lord Kingsley said. “Rowan York was merely a foot soldier, but even then, he had a presence about him. I met him a few times in those early days and have seen him a few since. He might never have been knighted, but he’s an honorable man. Had he known what happened, he would have died trying to save the woman he loved.”

“But wouldn’t he have heard something? It was news when Lord Montrose and his daughter were both taken. I remember Baron Buckingham speaking of it,” Nori told them.

“Montrose’s daughter,” Marcus said. “From what I’ve been able to find out since Rory and Jamie married, no one knew who Rory’s mother was at the time. Only that she was wed to Montrose with the king’s approval.”

“He would have kept it quiet, just as he hid who you were,” Lord Kingsley stated. “I saw Montrose several times and never suspected Rory wasn’t his daughter. I’m sure Phillip believed he was protecting both of you.”

No one said anything, but Nori saw the judgment on the faces around her. She didn’t blame them. Her grandfather had made numerous mistakes, especially when it came to her and Rory’s mother. He should have kept them with him. Should have protected them by loving them and keeping them close. There was no changing the past for any of them, and she refused to let it harden her. She’d find a way to forgive him. Even if no one else could.

Chapter Fourteen

The bailey was filled with people when the large group rode in. Gavin stood with Marcus and Theo, arms crossed over his chest as he studied the riders in search of Jamie, Geoffrey, and John Armstrong. Nori was with her grandfather. He wasn’t sure where the other wives were but knew they were inside. If Rory got word that Jamie was here, though, she’d be flying out of the keep toward her husband and throwing herself into his arms. As much as he’d wanted to kill Jamie in the beginning, Gavin admitted he was happy Rory had met the other War King. His sister was the happiest and safest she’d ever been.

He watched the three men he’d been looking for dismount and stride toward them.

“I assume he’s among them?” Marcus asked.

Jamie nodded. “He is.”

“And?” Gavin asked. “What do you make of him?”

Jamie shrugged. “He’s a hard man but just. Didn’t blink an eye when we met him and his soldiers, as if it was nothing new to run into War Kings and their warriors.”

“Do you think he knows?” Theo asked.

“No,” Geoffrey answered. “He knows only that his king sent for him. He asked if we were the cause.”

“I told him Phillip had been attacked by one of his own, a baron’s son. That he was healing at Lord Kingsley’s keep,” Jamie continued. “Armstrong introduced Geoffrey as his granddaughter’s husband. Shared that four of the five War Kings were married to women from Phillip’s kingdom. Armstrong, Kingsley, Buckingham, Montrose. He recognized the names but…” Jamie cut off with a sigh. “I believe Phillip. Rowan York had no idea where Rory’s mother was sent or that he has a daughter.”

“How do you think he’ll react when he finds out?” Theo asked.

Jamie shrugged, and Gavin knew he only thought of his wife. Jamie wouldn’t care what York thought. His sole concern would be for his wife and how everything about to unfold would affect her.

“How is Phillip?” Geoffrey asked.

“Healing,” Gavin replied. “His personal physician arrived, and he’s been watching over him. Phillip reopened his stitches, and there was a brief fear of fever, but he’s healing.”

“Good,” Geoffrey said before turning to the courtyard, now filled with soldiers and warriors. “York!”

A tall man strode forward, the bulge of muscle apparent even through the thin armor he wore. A large sword hung from his belt, resting along one thigh. A dagger was sheathed along the other. At his back were a group of men Gavin knew had to be his handpicked and trained soldiers. They moved in a way Gavin recognized, a way warriors moved. He wasn’t sure exactly what battles were encountered in the east, but he knew the men before him had waged war and won.

“Where is King Phillip?” Rowan York asked as he faced them, no fear in his eyes as he stared down all five War Kings. The male earned Gavin’s respect in that moment, and he suspected York earned that from the others, as well.

“He’s resting inside,” Gavin offered. “My wife is watching over him.”

York’s eyes narrowed.

“She’s his granddaughter,” Gavin said.

York never blinked. Gavin watched as he processed the information. He opened his mouth to reply only to snap his jaws shut, gaze going wide as the door behind them opened. Gavin didn’t need to look to know who was there. Jamie moved for his wife, hauling her into his side. Rory had eyes for no one but her husband.

“You’re back!” she cried, wrapping around him, and Jamie lifted her as he lowered his head, meeting her lips and kissing her as if they weren’t all watching. “I missed you,” she murmured as she nuzzled into her husband.

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