“Brodie was a part of my mother’s dowry, Alice. It should have never been taken away from me.”
“Of course it should—you are illegitimate, and you could not inherit Brodie!”
Alana trembled. “You will never understand—you have everything, Alice. But Brodie is mine, now.”
“So you are pleased? So you wish for Bruce to triumph over our father?”
“I am in a terrible position,” Alana cried.
“So you do wish for Bruce’s victory—for Iain of Islay’s victory!” Alice accused.
“I fell in love with him!” Alana said, feeling her own cheeks warm.
“The way your mother fell in love with my father?” Alice snapped. “Is that why you swore your fealty to Bruce? Out of love for the enemy?”
“No! I did it for Brodie.”
They stared at one another. Alice’s gaze was hard, but searching.
“Finally, I have a dowry, Alice,” Alana said harshly.
Alice shook her head, her expression taut with disapproval. “So you will marry Iain MacDonald?”
Alana shook her head. If only Alice knew of Bruce’s plans for her and Iain! “He will be awarded an heiress, one greater than me. But Bruce promised to find me a husband.”
“Of course he did,” Alice said. She paused a moment, then, “I cannot trust you.” She turned abruptly and marched from the room.
Alana closed her eyes in dismay.
* * *
ITWASDUSKthe following day when the bell in the watchtower began ringing. Alana was in her chamber, braiding her hair, when she heard the alarm. She dropped her comb and ran into the corridor. As she did, Lady Joan appeared, her face white with fright, Alice and Margaret crowded behind her, everyone in their nightclothes.
Godfrey came racing up the stairs. “Iain has returned,” he said.
Blanching, Joan gave Alana an incredulous look, while Alice stared in accusation. And then Joan and her two daughters fled into their chamber, slamming the door closed.
Alana was in shock. Her heart thundering, she gasped, “Are you certain?”
“Very,” Godfrey said, his expression grim.
Alana ran past him, filled with disbelief—with excitement. Iain had returned! But as she ran barefoot downstairs, doubt began. She did not know how Iain felt about her now. Her first impulse was to believe he had come home to see her, but what if he had heard about Lady Joan and Alana’s sisters? Had he come to take them prisoner?
Her steps slowed as she reached the ground floor. She remained thrilled that he had returned, in spite of her promise to protect Joan and her sisters. The front door flew open and Iain strode in. His hair was longer now, and disheveled, tangling about his shoulders. His face was hard, his jaw covered with a growth of beard. Their gazes instantly locked.
Alana halted, filled with apprehension; his eyes blazed. Very aggressively, he strode to her.
He pulled her hard into his embrace, his mouth covering hers. Alana went still, shocked by his fierce passion and the explosion of desire within her. His tongue thrust deep as his mouth claimed hers.
Alana finally flung her arms around his shoulders and kissed him wildly back.
And when he broke the kiss, he said, “I have missed ye.”
Tears arose. Before she could respond, he lifted her into his arms and carried her upstairs. Alana clung to him and kissed his grizzled jaw. “I have missed you, too.”
“Good.” He strode into her room, kicked the door closed and laid her on the bed, coming down on top of her.
Alana reached for the hem of his leine. “Your swords,” she said.
