“Sir Guy would never destroy Castle Fyne, not when we are to be married.”
“A razed castle can be rebuilt,” he said.
She shuddered. “Will Sir Guy attack?” She realized that, as much as she wished for him to do so, she was afraid. She had just been in a siege, and dear God, how she hoped to never have to endure another one.
“King Edward would wish for him to command this castle,” Alexander said. “Just as Bruce wishes for me to command it.”
She took comfort in the fact that Alexander expected Sir Guy to attack, sooner or later, while she now feared her home’s strategic importance in this war.
The watch from one of the towers shouted in warning. Margaret froze. Fear rose up.
Alexander touched her arm. “We are not being attacked, Margaret. A rider has come.”
She whirled to face him with sudden hope. Could the rider be from Buchan? Argyll? Sir Guy? Perhaps someone had come with a demand that she be released!
“It is my scout, returning with war news.”
* * *
ALEXANDER’S SCOUT WAS about her age, his hair long and blond, his nose freckled. The moment he rode into the courtyard on his blowing mount, he was warmly greeted by Alexander and Padraig. The two men instantly took the lad inside.
Margaret did not think twice, she quickly followed. And now, she wondered at the relationship of Alexander and Padraig. The auburn-haired Highlander was clearly highly trusted by him. This was not the first time she had seen them together, and she thought that Padraig might be second in command.
They had gathered about one of the trestle tables, as the maids within rushed to bring the boy food and wine, while stoking the fires in the hearth even higher. Margaret hesitated by the door, awaiting discovery—awaiting Alexander’s command to leave. But he only glanced briefly at her before clasping the young lad’s shoulder and guiding him aside. “How goes it, Seoc?”
Seoc grinned. “Well, my lord, and I have war news aplenty.”
Margaret could barely hear. She itched to move closer to them, but wasn’t certain she dared. The men huddled together, Seoc now speaking, the others listening closely. She could not make out their words, other than the mention of Rothesay and Inverskip.
“Do ye wish to join us?” Alexander asked, glancing at her.
Certain she was red of face, Margaret walked over to them. “Why would you allow me to join you?”
“Because yer the lady of Fyne and the country is at war,” he said simply, his gaze steady upon her.
She could not comprehend his motives. Did he mean that she should be apprised of the war? It seemed incredible.
Alexander turned back to the boy. “What else?”
“Bruce took Dalswinton easily,” Seoc said, “and Christopher Seton has taken Castle Tibbers.”
Margaret refrained from making a sound. But Dalswinton was a Comyn stronghold, one belonging to the deceased Red John.
Padraig smiled, handing Seoc a mug of wine, which he downed. “Boyd is a good man, as is Seton.” He looked at Alexander. “Dumfries, Ayr, Tibbers, Rothesay, Inverskip, and Dalswinton. A pleasing start.”
Alexander glanced at Margaret. “Ye’ve forgotten Castle Fyne.”
Padraig glanced at her, as well. “I was being polite.”
Margaret remained unmoving. Robert Bruce was on the march, she thought, with a sense of panic. Was he now unstoppable?
“There’s more,” the boy said, his mouth stuffed. “Red John’s wife, Joan, is now at Berwick. She is begging her brother for aid—she wishes fer an alliance with him—she wishes fer revenge.”
Margaret trembled, feeling for Joan de Valence, whom she knew somewhat. Red John had married Aymer’s older sister years ago, when Margaret was a small child. Such unions were commonplace. However, during the reign of King John Balliol, Joan had relinquished most of her ties to her brother, for this was when both the Comyn and MacDougall families had gained so much power in the north of Scotland, and had spent so much time warring against King Edward.
Now, she sought help from her English brother. Now, the Comyn and MacDougall families were united in their ambitions to avenge her husband, Red John, to stop Bruce from stealing the throne, and perhaps even to destroy him.
But what of Sir Guy? Did she dare ask Seoc herself?
