She had so much to tell him; she so needed his opinion!
In the south tower, William’s guard was eating a loaf of bread with some cheese. He nodded at her, lumbering to his feet.
“Good morning.” Margaret smiled. The guards changed frequently, but she knew them all. Still, it took her a moment to recall his name. “Duncan.”
“Lady.” He unlocked the door and opened it.
William was pacing, and he turned, clearly surprised to see her at dawn. He did not even greet her. “Bruce came last night—and they are leaving now?”
Aware of the guard in the doorway, who would listen to their every word, she smiled at him. “I was as surprised as you are. He rides on Dumbarton, William. There is a great deal of news.”
He stared for a moment. And then, suddenly, he seized his right side and cried out, collapsing. Margaret started to rush forward, but so did the guard. She let him catch William, and as he did, she turned and emptied the contents of a small vial into his mug of wine.
The action took an instant, and then she was running over to them. “What is it?”
“God, I don’t know!” William now sat down on the pallet, holding his side. “It was a terrible pain. But it is now gone.”
“Ye had better hope so.” Duncan returned to the door. He had dropped his bread, and now, he kicked it across the hall. Having lost the rest of his breakfast, he picked up the mug and drained the wine.
In five more minutes, he would be unconscious. Satisfied, Margaret turned to her brother. “Alexander is garrisoning Castle Fyne with a hundred good men.”
“So he thinks to defend the keep if Sir Guy or Buchan attacks? Damn! Castle Fyne is easily defended with such a garrison. What other news, Meg?” William was hard and intent.
“Bruce has come from Galloway. He has not been able to gain support there.”
William nodded, grim but briefly smiling. “The Gaels will never support him or anyone other than their own.”
Margaret glanced at Duncan and saw him yawn. “I received a letter from our uncle, too.”
William’s eyes widened. He glanced at Duncan. “What did he write?”
“He is preparing for war against Bruce. He is hoping to ransom us, but Alexander has said he will not do so now. He says I am too valuable—even Bruce said as much. William, we will be captives for a lengthy time.”
William gave her a smug look. She was certain he had a plan. “You will always have great value, for any man who weds with you will have a legitimate claim on Castle Fyne, as will his sons.” Then, “Did you meet Bruce?”
She nodded. “He is a very strong man. I did not believe it possible for any man to go up against England and win, but maybe Bruce can do so.”
“No. It will never happen. I won’t allow it—Buchan won’t allow it—King Edward won’t allow it!”
A crash sounded and they turned; Duncan lay on the floor, unconscious. William laughed. “That was well done, Meg!” On his feet, he raced to the door and dragged Duncan inside, then closed the door solidly behind him. He bolted it.
“William! Bruce marches on Scone—to be crowned there!” Margaret cried.
William cursed. “He has always coveted the throne! Just as his father did!”
Margaret seized his sleeve. “He might plan to abduct Isabella. Peg heard him and Alexander discussing it. Apparently the Earl of Fife must play a role in the coronation ceremony, and they cannot get young Ed to attend, obviously. So they are wondering if they might use Isabella, instead. And Bruce asked me about her! I am very worried now. I have not been thinking about escape lately, but we must warn Isabella.”
“I have a plan, and the timing is perfect!” William said.
“How could we possibly escape? I am no longer under guard, but someone is always close by—someone always has an eye upon me—except for now, when I made certain to use the chaos in the hall as an opportunity to see you. And you are under constant guard!”
William walked to the window and gestured. Margaret hurried over and looked out.
Perhaps a hundred knights were now riding out of the barbican and down the forest road, the sun just rising and shedding its bright light. The day was a clear one, with but a few fluffy white clouds in the sky, and Bruce was clearly visible at their forefront. Even from this distance, he made a proud, commanding figure, his huge yellow-and-red banner waving overhead in the midst of the cavalcade. The sight was at once powerful, sobering and frightening.
“The road is naught but a path, and it will take hours for his army to leave here,” William said. “How many men does he have?”
“I don’t know.”
