The door to her chamber slowly opened, and Peg peeked inside.
Margaret felt a rush of anger, then. “Are you afraid to come into my chamber? Oh, wait, it is the crack of dawn and you are afraid, for you have betrayed me.”
Peg stepped inside, eyes wide. “Lady!”
“No, do not ‘lady’ me!” Margaret admonished. She seized a rush and lit it and held it up, close to Peg, but then wished she hadn’t.
Peg was beautiful—radiant. She was flushed, her eyes bright, her hair loose and wild—she looked like she had been well pleased.
“How dare you sleep with him and then come back to me!”
Tears filled Peg’s eyes. “I had no choice, my lady!”
“There is always a choice, and we both know he did not rape you!”
“He didn’t rape me, but there was no choice, I vow it!”
“I heard how pleased you were to be with him,” Margaret choked. “You are my maid! He has stolen my castle! We are his prisoners! What is wrong with you?”
She was crying now. “When ye were ill, he sent for me. I dinna wish to be with him, I swear it, but Margaret, he knows how to please a woman!”
She felt fire exploding in her cheeks. She struck Peg hard across the face, and the sound rang out in the stillness of the night. “He is my enemy!”
“I ken,” she wept. “And I’m sorry!”
Margaret trembled in rage. But now, as Peg collapsed on the bed, crying, she could not believe that she had hit her. She clenched her fists. “If you truly loved me, you would not have even considered sleeping with him. Honor would forbid it. If you loved me, you would have been furious when he asked for you.”
“I’m only twenty, Margaret. I canna help but notice how handsome some men are! Have ye not noticed just how handsome the Wolf is? He’s the mighty Wolf of Lochaber! Every woman wishes for his attention!”
“He’s a MacDonald, Peg, or have you forgotten?”
Peg hesitated, but her cheeks were red. “I won’t lie to ye. I hated him at first. But this doesn’t change anything—I am yer maid.”
“It changes everything,” Margaret said, incapable of drawing an even breath. “When did this affair begin?”
Redder now, Peg said, “The night ye collapsed.”
Margaret was in disbelief, but then she found her voice. “If he summons you again, you will refuse him. If you ever wish to return to Bain with me.”
Peg cried out.
“You cannot be loyal to us both,” Margaret said.
“I am loyal to ye, Lady Margaret, always, and how could ye doubt that? Sharing his bed cannot change that!”
“You did not hear me well. If you share his bed again, you will no longer serve me—and you may stay here, in his service.” She was sick now.
Peg did not move. She stared so wide that in the dark room her eyes seemed entirely white.
Margaret heard his door open and close. She clenched her fists.
Peg wet her lips and said, “He willna take no for an answer. He willna let me refuse.”
“Then you will stay here, in his service, or go with him to the isles.” She was final.
Margaret now turned and entered the hall. A part of her wanted to cry for the loss of her friend and maid, another part of her refused to do so. Alan must have heard them, for he was on his feet. Margaret ignored him, hurrying downstairs after Alexander, her shoulders now squared.
The great hall was entirely lit. Burning torches had been placed on the wall sconces, and fires roared in both hearths. Three dozen knights slept in the hall, and they were already up and seated at the tables. Castle Fyne’s maids were busily bringing them their breakfast.
