It began to snow more heavily.
When they were finally gone, the castle gates outside the entry tower were shut and barred. Alana sank down on the bottommost step.
Godfrey walked down to stand beside her. “Why do you care if Margaret marries Iain?” he demanded. “You should be pleased if we can buy off that barbarian! You want this war to end as much as I do!”
She finally looked up. “I do want this war to end.”
“What do you know that I do not?”
“Nothing.”
“No, Alana, you are hiding something, and you are upset—extremely so. I know you are jealous of your sisters, but I also know that is not the reason for your distress.” He grimaced. “We aren’t enemies now. We have come to terms, or so I thought.... I am your friend, if you wish to confide in me.”
Alana hugged her knees. She hated lying to Godfrey. She wished she could confide in him, but obviously, she could not.
He turned grimly and walked across the courtyard, then climbed the stairs to the watchtower.
Alana watched him until he had disappeared inside. She stood and met Eleanor’s disapproving gaze. “You are going to warn them, aren’t you?”
“I have to.”
“Alana! If Buchan ever finds out that you are betraying him, he will not care that you are his niece, he will take your head.”
Alana could not speak. She hurried past her grandmother, knowing she was speaking literally and that she was right.
* * *
ALANASATUPin her bed, then slid from it. The small bedchamber was cast in darkness, except for the remains of a fire, which burned in the grate. Eleanor also sat up and lit a taper.
Alana was grim, stepping into her boots. She picked up her fur cloak, not looking at her grandmother.
“Alana, don’t do this,” Eleanor said. “You cannot possibly get to Slioch Mountain! You cannot possibly traverse the northwest of this land in the winter, in the snow, even with Seamus’s son to help you!”
“I do not have time to argue,” Alana said.
Eleanor stepped from the bed and seized her wrist. “You put yourself in terrible jeopardy, if you are caught, whether leaving this castle, or while on the road, or afterward!”
Alana finally faced her. “Gran, I cannot stand by and let Iain be ambushed. He could die!”
“If the attack is not a surprise, your father could die,” Eleanor shot back.
Alana had already thought of that. “I am in a terrible position. But if I have to choose, I choose Iain.” She put on her fur cloak and started from the room.
“He doesn’t want you,” Eleanor said.
Alana faltered, then pushed open the door. “I will be back as soon as I can. I love you, Gran.” She stepped outside and closed the door, her heart slamming.
It was silent in the corridor, the entire castle asleep. Alana crept down the hall, now worried that Godfrey might awaken and find her stealing out.
It was a windy night, and boughs scraped the castle walls, making her start, while shutters shook. A rat even raced across the stairwell, almost causing her to cry out. Eventually she reached the hall below. It was empty, as she had expected. If they had more soldiers, it would not be.
Alana hurried through it, feeling some guilt. She paused before the front door, glancing back, almost expecting to see Godfrey standing there, his look one of accusation and hurt.
There was no avoiding it. He would learn she was gone in the morning, and she would have to invent an excuse for her absence yet again before she returned to Brodie.
It was still snowing when she crossed the courtyard. Seamus met her in the stables, holding her horse for her. A satchel was tied to the saddle. Another horse was also saddled, and one of his sons held the reins. “I wish ye’d behave like other ladies,” he said.
She touched his cheek. “I am not like other ladies, but you already know that. I will be back soon. And, Seamus? Thank you.”
