‘Alec Carstairs is to marry my sister tomorrow in an alliance which will swell his power and wealth along with mine, and I will not let your lies turn me from that purpose.’
‘Ah, how greedy you are for that power and wealth - so greedy that you cannot see the treachery. Carstairs extends one hand in friendship while the other hides the blade behind his back.’
‘What reason would he have to murder me and my family?’
‘He is being pressed by the Warden to kill you. That bastard has his boot to Carstair’s throat. He wants me, you and Bannerman gone so that he can rule the Marches with an iron fist.’
‘How would you know of this so-called plot?’
‘Bannerman has his spies all over, as do you, Glendenning. The Warden must know of our coming together to fight him. He wishes to pick us off, one by one, and take control. This man is not like Sir Walder, who was content with his bribes and his whores. Sir Henry is stealing cattle and selling them south, or so Caolan says. We are in his way.’
‘So you and Bannerman are the best of friends now?’ snarled Jasper.
‘We get along. We have learned to compromise.’
‘But I have not. You want to stop this alliance with vague tales of menaces and murder. But you have come on a fool’s errand, for I will never trust a word any Bannerman says, and I trust you even less.’
Jasper walked away, cursing, and the other man put his hand on his shoulder, but he shook it off angrily.
‘Don’t be a fool and let your infatuation with Brenna Bannerman cloud your judgement,’ said Strachan. ‘There is no time for this.’
Jasper shoved him so hard that the man almost fell over. They both stood, chests heaving like two bulls about to charge. ‘I know it all,’ hissed the man. ‘I know you covet Seaton Bannerman’s wife and cannot abide him, but you can at least trust his brother. He has as much to lose as you.’
‘That is in the past. I covet her no longer. You can be assured of that, and my judgement is clear.’
Rowenna sucked in a breath as a wave of jealousy almost felled her. She tried to creep forward to hear what they were saying. Part of her wanted to know the depth of Jasper’s infatuation, and part of her wanted to run from the woods andnever know. Her skirt snagged on a bush, and as she tried to tug it free, she stood on a twig. The snap seemed deafening.
‘Come out, whoever you are,’ snarled Jasper.
There was nothing to do but emerge from the undergrowth. Rowenna pointed her bow at Strachan as she did so.
‘You were to stay with the others,’ snapped Jasper.
‘Who is this bonnie but clumsy lass?’ said Strachan. His gaze was intense and probing, and he didn’t seem perturbed by the arrow trained on his heart.
‘This is Rowenna, my wife, and she has yet to learn obedience.’
‘Ah, so this is the new Lady of Kransmuir. I have heard much of your virtues, Rowenna, and they were not exaggerated.’
‘I cannot think of anyone who would find any virtue in me,’ she said, looking to Jasper for guidance, but he just glared at Strachan.
‘Oh, you would be surprised. I know the most interesting people,’ the man replied.
‘You’ve no need of the bow. Go back to the horses, lass,’ said Jasper.
Rowenna lowered her weapon. ‘Not until you tell me what we are going to do. If we are in danger, then we should turn back.’
‘On this man’s word, I should scupper Maeve’s wedding?’ Jasper charged at Rowenna and dragged her away from Strachan, who watched them with a look of amusement on his face.
‘What do you have to lose if you turn around now, Jasper? Why risk it?’
‘If we do not arrive at Annancross, Carstairs will be offended beyond measure. His marriage to Maeve and the alliance may be in jeopardy.’
‘A little offence is nothing compared to murder. And wounding his pride is better than us all dying.’
‘I cannot believe he would be capable of this treachery.’
‘But the Warden is. I have met him, remember. That man is evil, and so is his mistress.’
