“Duncan would use her against us—so would my uncle.” She began to shake. “Iain, you cannot attack Brodie while my grandmother is there.” Once Buchan learned of her treachery, he would strike at Alana in any way that he could—even if it meant using an old woman to hurt her.
“If Duncan remains in the north, defending Buchan lands, and Buchan is also in the north, we can take Brodie before either man thinks to order Godfrey to hold Lady Fitzhugh.”
Alana felt sick. She did not want her grandmother placed in any jeopardy, not now, not ever, even if it meant giving up her dream of recovering Brodie. “Maybe we should leave Brodie for now.”
“Is that what ye truly want?”
“I do not want Eleanor hurt!” Tears arose. “When my uncle learns of my betrayal, he will hurt her to hurt me. I have no doubt. He is ruthless and savage, but you know that—you saw what he did to me!”
He pulled her close. In his arms, Alana trembled wildly. “Ye love her greatly, as ye should.”
“I love her more than anyone in this entire world, and she is all that I have.”
His gaze moved slowly over her features. “Ye have me.”
She shook her head. “No. I do not.”
“Aye. Truly.” He pushed some hair out of her eyes. “If we move swiftly, there is every chance we can take Brodie before the word of yer homage to Bruce is out. And then ye’ll have Brodie and yer grandmother will be safe.”
“And what if we get to Brodie, and the news is already known to them?”
“Then, Alana, yer grandmother will be in great jeopardy.”
They had to take Brodie immediately. “Then your best chance to take Brodie is to have me speak with Godfrey. Please. Do not send me to Islay.” She touched his face. “Please, Iain.”
He was grim. “Ye have learned how to play me too well.”
She had won. Alana felt faint with relief.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Brodie Castle—January, 1308
ALANA’SHEARTSURGEDas they crested the ridge, finally reaching its flat topmost plateau. Brodie Castle sat on the adjacent hill. It was such a welcome sight.
Iain raised his hand, halting the dozen warriors who accompanied them. The rest of his army was hidden in the forest below them.
He glanced at her and she smiled at him, her heart racing. Once Godfrey surrendered, she would be mistress of Brodie. She would have her home back.
It remained incredible. But she had paid dearly for Brodie. She was now committed to Robert Bruce and his triumph, and not because of the act of homage she had had to perform. Bruce had to conquer Scotland. He had to defeat Buchan. Otherwise she would be taken from Brodie the moment Buchan could attack it and seize her.
She had arrived at Bruce’s camp on Slioch Mountain just ten fateful days ago. How her life had changed, as she had not even dreamed it would. And while she was Iain’s lover, and she shared his tent as well as his bed, they had never discussed the appeal she had made to Bruce, or his eventual marriage to another woman one day.
She would survive, because Brodie was hers now.
“The snow has melted,” Iain said, breaking the silence of the afternoon.
A January thaw was not uncommon. Patches of snow covered the tops of the ridge they rode upon, and the adjacent terrain, but the ground was mostly mud otherwise. Alana knew what he was thinking—she knew him so well now. It was far easier to attack one’s enemy in the snow than in the mud. “You will not have to attack. I will make certain of it.”
He smiled at her. “Ye have the determination of a queen.”
“That is high praise, indeed.”
“Ye have changed, Alana, since we first met. Ye were a young, untried girl then. I sometimes see that girl, but mostly, I see a proud, headstrong woman.”
“So much has happened. I hope the changes you have seen are pleasing to you.”
“Ye are pleasing to me.” He was final. “We have four hours till dusk. Let us go.”
