"You're daydreaming, my love."
Isabelle jumped and gasped.
William Wallace smiled as he swung the rest of his body through the window and brushed her lips gently with a kiss.
Isabelle would have none of that. She grabbed his head and crushed herself against him, drinking him in. She kissed him deeply and clung to him.
William brushed a kiss across her nose. "How's Skye?"
"She's accepted the hand of Robert the Bruce."
William frowned as he sat down and tugged Isabelle into his lap. "What?"
"Longshanks is ill and he shan't live long. She intends to have Henry assinated. Her marriage to Robert the Bruce will allow her to have a say over Scotland. And…" Isabelle took William's hand and pressed it over her stomach. "And then she will consort rule over England until our son is old to rule it himself."
William shook his head and kissed Isabelle again. "What a fine daughter you have given me!"
Skye looked up as Nicolette, her mother's lady in waiting and most trusted friend, opened her door. "Yes, Nicolette?"
Nicolette smiled mischievously. "Sir William is here."
Skye jumped up. "How long has he been here?"
"For several hours now." Nicolette giggled. "The Princess keeps it no secret!"
Isabelle gasped as she heard the knock. Quickly she pulled the coverlet up to her chin. "Oh my God!"
William laughed. "It's Skye." He rolled out of bed and tossed Isabelle her dress and quickly pulled his own shirt on and retied his plaid on. He laced up the back of Isabelle's dress and pressed a kiss to the back of her neck. "Come in!"
Skye opened the door. "Good God, Mama, the whole castle knew Papa was here."
William enfolded his daughter into his arms and kissed her cheek. "Skye, ye are getting too beautiful."
"Yes. But I am to be married."
"So I here. I myself am going to meet with Robert the Bruce on the morrow."
Skye frowned slightly. "Says who?"
William winked at her. "Says I. But tell me, when does this blessed event take place?"
A cold feeling crept over Skye that she couldn't explain. "Why are you going to meet with Robert the Bruce?" She was struggling to keep her voice from rising hysterically.
"To discuss his allegiance."
Suddenly, Skye clung to her Father with strong hands. "Don't go. Don't go!" she hissed fiercely. "It's nothing but a trap!"
"What makes you so sure, lass?"
"Longshanks is dying. I know he won't die without a fight. I heard him myself say he wouldn't give Scotland up without a price. The price that is to be paid to him is you!"
William looked deep into his daughter's blue eyes for a long moment. He knew with every fiber of his being that she was right. He was walking right into a trap. But the trap was not being set by Robert. It was being set by the rest o the Scottish nobles…and Longshanks. But it was something that must be done. He had fought a good fight. Now…it was almost over. William forced himself to smile. "How's that Queen of a husband yer Mama's married to?"