“That is a very good suggestion,” Sir Alexander said.
Alana breathed hard. In that moment, she saw the future, but it was not a vision. She would be Godfrey’s wife, and Iain would be lord of Nairn and liege lord of Brodie—and married to one of her sisters.
“Alana? Surely you are pleased,” Sir Alexander said.
Alana knew she was red. She turned to her uncle. “Thank you, my lord,” she said.
But she had not even finished speaking when a bell sounded, shrilly, in warning. Every man at the table leaped up, reaching for their swords.
Alana leaped up, too. She seized Eleanor, wondering if they were under attack. Two soldiers in mail burst inside. A Highlander was in shackles between them.
They dragged him forward. “My lord, we found him in the woods, speaking with a boy, your messenger dead at their feet. The boy escaped.”
Alana inhaled. The Highlander was familiar—she recognized him from Iain’s tented camp at Concarn. He had been beaten and his nose was broken, blood spilling from it. His gray eyes met hers. Clearly he recognized her. But he looked away and did not speak.
Alana also looked away, horrified. Iain had sent this Highlander to meet with Ranald. But he had been caught while Ranald had escaped....
“He killed my messenger?” Buchan shouted.
One of the soldiers handed him a rolled parchment. “Your seal, my lord. We found it on this dog.”
“Take him outside and when you come back make certain you can tell me exactly where Iain of Islay is, and where Bruce is.”
Alana began to shake. They were going to beat the information out of the Highlander. And then, she suspected they would kill him. What about Ranald? Was he hiding in the woods? “I thought Bruce was at Concarn,” she managed to say.
Everyone turned to look at her as if she were mad—which she was, for daring to speak.
“There is more, my lord,” the soldier said. “The boy was from the stables here.”
Buchan’s eyes widened. “A boy was placed here to spy?”
Alana cringed.
“Find that damned boy, as well. And hurry,” Buchan spat.
The soldiers left, dragging the Highlander with them.
Alana’s mind raced. How could she stop the soldiers from killing that Highlander? She prayed Ranald had fled far into the woods, and that he would not attempt to return to Brodie! Not only would he be in danger if he returned, but her deceit might be revealed, as well.
“Come with me, Alex,” Buchan ordered. The two men walked swiftly out.
Alana sat back down, shaking. At least Buchan’s message to Iain, asking for a secret meeting, had been intercepted. But that seemed like her smallest worry now. For if he meant to marry an heiress, he would.
Godfrey was at the door, about to leave, but he turned and looked at her. “What is wrong with you, Alana?” He started back toward her. “You look ill.”
She hated having to lie to him. “Did we have a spy here, in our midst?”
“I don’t know. But I am going to speak to Seamus and find out where that boy came from.” About to go, he suddenly paused. “This damned war could end, sooner than later, if we can turn Iain.”
She wet her lips. “I do not know if he will betray Bruce.”
“Because you met him once? Because he freed you from the tower?”
“He burned Nairn to the ground, Godfrey.... He is ruthless.”
“If he is ruthless, he might very well accept Margaret and her lands, and betray Bruce.” His stare was searching. “I know you well. There is more you are not telling me. But I cannot decide why you truly do not want your sister wed, especially if Buchan will allow you to wed, too.”
She trembled. “You heard him,” she whispered.
