Alana smiled through tears of relief. “I am fine.”
Eleanor took a good look at her. Clearly, her grandmother could see that she was pleased and well.
Iain had paused before Godfrey, who did not stand up. “Ye have done the right thing, Godfrey.” He flung his fur cloak aside, one hand on the hilt of his sword, his posture commanding and aggressive.
Godfrey made a derisive sound. “So you will not take me prisoner?” He was mocking and angry. Now he finally looked past Iain at Alana.
“When yer ransom is paid, ye will be released.” Iain also turned to look at her.
Alana’s cheeks were hot. There was no avoiding what must happen next. She slowly approached Godfrey. “Iain? I must speak with Godfrey. Alone.”
Iain’s gaze narrowed. “Ye may speak with him as much as ye like. But he is very angry now, and he will be under guard until his ransom is paid.”
“You will not let me speak with him alone?” Alana was incredulous.
Godfrey spat, “So that is the lover you have chosen?”
Alana trembled as Iain gave him a warning look. “Ye can hold yer tongue and speak pleasantly and remain here, with yer guard, or ye can be put in the dungeons with the rest of yer men.”
Alana was not going to allow Godfrey to be put in the dungeons! They had not even discussed his capture. And what of all of Brodie’s men? She was expecting them to pledge their allegiance to her—not to become prisoners of war or worse.
“Who is yer sergeant of arms?” Iain demanded.
Godfrey folded his arms. “Roger de Foret.”
Iain turned and ordered his soldiers to bring him de Foret. “I am going to inspect our defenses,” he said. “Angus, guard Godfrey. If he gives ye trouble of any kind, send him below.”
Angus was a middle-aged Highlander who was taller than Iain, his face rudely scarred, his gray beard so long that it reached his chest. He looked as if he had been at war his entire life. “Is that necessary, Iain?” Alana asked.
“He is the enemy, Alana.” He signaled a handful of the men in the room to join him, and he left.
“Are you pleased with yourself? Does betrayal suit you?” Godfrey asked.
Alana jerked. “I do not expect you to understand.”
“You have stabbed me in the back. You have stabbed your father and Buchan in the back. My God, Buchan will kill you for this.”
Alana trembled as Eleanor put her arm around her. Her grandmother did not speak, and she knew Eleanor agreed with Godfrey on his last point. But then, so did Alana.
“Why, Alana? Why? And do not tell me that you love that Highlander! No one forsakes their entire family for love!” Godfrey cried.
Alana sank down on the bench not far from him. “I do love him. I have never loved a man before.” She had forsaken her family for love, she thought, Godfrey’s word having a chilling effect. Yet Iain would one day be with another woman.
Godfrey began shaking his head. “I thought you were amenable to marriage to me. God, I am a fool!”
Alana shivered, rubbing her arms, wondering suddenly if she was the fool. “We are friends now. It is not the same.”
“Not the same as lovers?” He stood abruptly, causing her to leap up, as well. Angus drew his sword.
Godfrey raised his hands high, indicating he meant no harm. “And will you marry him, Alana? Is that it? You will marry him and become mistress here?”
Tears arose. “I will not marry him, that much has been made clear...but I am mistress here.”
Godfrey dropped his hands. “What?”
“I am sorry,” she whispered.
“What?” he roared.
