Margaret turned. Alexander was striding toward her.
She froze. She no longer saw the queen and her women, who were having a sharp discussion with the three men. She was no longer aware of Isabella. As he approached, it felt as if her entire future was hanging from a thread.
Alexander paused before her. “Lady Margaret,” he said politely.
Dismay warred with hope. “Alexander,” she whispered.
His gaze slipped over her. “I was pleased when I learned that ye had fled Castle Fyne.”
She somehow nodded, when she wanted to blurt out so much, all at once. “You are well,” she managed to respond.
“I am as well as a man can be in these times,” he said.
“I am so sorry. The news has been so terrible,” she whispered, referring to the massacre of Methven.
His eyes flickered. “Many good men died. Other good men were captured. But the king lives.”
“And you are alive,” she said.
“Did ye doubt it?”
“When we received the news, no one knew if you had survived, escaped, been captured.” Moisture began to arise in her eyes.
“I am not so easy to capture or kill.”
She blinked furiously, suddenly recalling the vow he had made to her—that if she was waiting for him, he would always return from war. She wondered if he recalled it.
“I was also pleased to learn that William survived,” he said.
He was being so careful now—so polite—as if they had never been lovers. “William was badly hurt—had I not tended him, he probably would have died.”
He nodded, studying her. “Then I am glad ye went to him.” He hesitated, glancing briefly at the queen and her circle. “I am glad ye are well, Margaret.”
Her heart skidded as their gazes met and locked.
“We have matters to discuss, but now is not the time. We leave immediately, as soon as the sun comes up.”
Alarm began. “Where are we going? What has happened?”
“Yer no longer safe here at Kildrummy, not since King Edward declared the women outlaws. Bruce wants the queen and her women with him.”
“But he hides in the forest!”
“He is now at Aberdeen, and I am to take ye there.”
Would they be better off—and safer—if with Bruce? His small army was surely greater than the handful of knights now guarding them at Kildrummy. She looked up fearfully and found Alexander staring far too closely.
“No woman should have to run and hide like an outlaw.” Anger darkened his eyes. “Gather up yer belongings. Dawn comes swiftly.” He turned to go.
She seized his arm, surprising them both. Touching him brought back so many memories, which should, perhaps, be illicit now. “Did you receive my letter, Alexander?” The moment she had spoken, she wished she had not.
“Aye.” His gaze seemed wary now. “I meant to respond, but these three months have been difficult.”
She released him. He had not found the time to write a line or two in reply? She did not believe it. And hadn’t she already known that his lack of a reply was the reply?
He nodded at her, turned and strode back to the queen and her closest advisors. Margaret stared after him.
Everything had changed. They were no longer lovers—it felt instead as if they had become strangers. She blinked back more tears.
