As they rushed across the bailey, Godfrey asked, “So my father is here, defending Elgin?”
“Yes, and we have been expecting the earl at any time.”
Alana’s heart leaped with relief. Her uncle wasn’t at Elgin—not yet. She only had to fear discovery by Duncan. She tugged her hood up higher, until the brim fell across her forehead.
“My friend, let us take the ladies to Sir Alexander, and then I will seek out my father,” Godfrey said, but in a tone of command. Alana knew he meant to protect her from Duncan.
They soon entered the castle. Inside, torches lit the walls, and weeping could be heard. As they hurried to the stairs, they passed a pile of dead soldiers. Amongst them was a very young, freckled boy, and Alana looked away, trembling.
When would men realize that no good ever came of war?
They raced up the narrow stone stairs and onto the second floor. The torchlight in the corridor was duller now.
Alana’s heart turned over hard. Ahead, a door was open. Inside, the room was lit by candles and with firelight. And she knew exactly what she would next see....
Joan whimpered. Alice broke into a run, rushing inside ahead of them. She screamed.
Joan and Margaret followed, Alana staying behind them. They faltered upon the chamber’s threshold. Alana looked past them.
Sir Alexander lay upon the bed, his clothes soaked with his blood. His face was so white and still, he looked like a corpse. His weapons lay in a pile on the floor.
Alice held his hand, but she dropped it and whirled, fury in her eyes, her tone. “How dare you come with us!” she screamed at Alana. “Traitor! Whore! Be gone! Leave us alone! Go back to your Highland lover!”
Alana flinched, but otherwise did not move. Joan ran to her husband and sank onto the bed, taking his hands in hers. “Alexander,” she cried. “It is I, Joan. I love you! You cannot die!”
“Father!” Margaret dropped to her knees by his shoulder. “Please don’t die. Please don’t leave us.”
Alice glanced from her sister and father to Alana again. “Go away,” she said.
Alana hugged herself. “He is my father, too.”
Choking on tears, Alice knelt beside Margaret. “Father? Can you hear us? Please, wake up!”
Godfrey touched Alana from behind. “You should speak with him now, and I will get you back outside, before I seek out Duncan.”
“I can’t,” she whispered, stricken. “I have to say goodbye, too!”
Godfrey grimaced. “Then I will do my best to keep Duncan away from this room.” Suddenly he seized her arm and their gazes locked.
Alana froze, for an instant thinking he meant to kiss her. Instead, his gaze darkened and he turned and hurried away.
“Joan?”
Alana jerked as Sir Alexander whispered his wife’s name. She saw his lashes fluttering as he attempted to open his eyes.
Joan stroked his forehead. “We are here, darling. I am here with the girls.”
“Alice?” he gasped. “Margaret?”
“They are here,” Joan whispered.
Alana felt dismay stabbing through her.
“We are here, Father,” Margaret cried.
He turned his head slightly toward his daughters. He seemed to smile. “Alana?”
Alana started crying. She went forward. “I am here, also...Father.”
