Isabella’s stare was steady. “Because you did not tell them everything that you know. You did not tell them that there is a date for the coronation, or that they wish for me to stand beside Bruce when he puts on the crown.”
“I am against Bruce!” she cried. But she felt a nagging doubt—her actions thus far said otherwise.
She could not be entirely against Bruce as long as Alexander rode with him, she realized. She simply could not.
“But if you had spoken up,” Isabella said, “Buchan would keep me under guard, and there would be no possibility of my ever being at Scone. If you had spoken up, they would ride for Scone shortly, and lay a trap there for Bruce.”
Margaret’s heart thudded. She did not know what to say.
Isabella stood up, their gazes locked. “Is it Bruce?” she asked, low. “You met him. Did he persuade you that his cause is the just one?”
She wet her lips. “No.”
Isabella began to shake her head. “He has an eye for the ladies. You are so beautiful. He must have flirted with you—perhaps tried to take you to bed? And he is a handsome man. He has convinced you, Margaret, to betray the family, hasn’t he?”
“He has not!” she cried, in real horror. “He flirted a bit, but most men do. And he did try to impress upon me that it would be advantageous if I changed my loyalties—but I refused. I am loyal to Buchan. I am a Comyn!”
Isabella studied her intently. “I believe you. But from your actions, you are not as loyal to my husband as you think.” She walked to the door, then swiftly returned and kissed Margaret’s cheek. “Good night, Margaret. And thank you for keeping my secret.”
* * *
THE WIND WHIPPED the trees that lined the road they traveled upon, the skies above gray and threatening rain. Margaret rode beside Isabella, huddled in a fur, their horses restlessly tossing their heads. Buchan and Sir Ranald rode ahead of them, the rest of the escort behind. It was midafternoon and they were but a few miles from home.
“I am frozen to the bone,” Isabella said, her teeth chattering.
Margaret was as cold, but before she could speak, Sir Ranald called out, holding up his hand, and every horse in the cavalcade halted. Ahead, a rider was streaking down the road toward them, at a full gallop.
Buchan nodded and Sir Ranald galloped toward the oncoming rider, the two meeting some ways down the road, neither man very visible from this distance. A moment passed as they spoke to one another, and then Margaret watched as Sir Ranald and the rider turned as one, riding back to their group.
When they were close enough to be identified, Margaret recognized the rider as one of Buchan’s soldiers. Sir Ranald said, “The Wolf of Lochaber is camped upon the River Spey, not far from Balvenie.”
Margaret almost cried out. Instead, she clamped down on the cry, and stared, disbelieving. Why would Alexander be at Balvenie?
Sir Ranald rode up to Buchan and held out a rolled-up parchment. “He has sent this to you, my lord.”
Feeling dazed, Margaret watched her uncle leap from his stallion and take the parchment. Sir Ranald also dismounted, and Buchan handed his horse’s reins to him. He immediately untied the parchment, unrolled it and began reading.
Margaret realized she was holding her breath. What did the Wolf want? If he sent but a letter, she would assume it was news of Will—or a request for a ransom. But he was camped just down the road on the banks of the river.
It was incredible.
And then she saw an expression of disbelief cross Buchan’s face. He whirled and looked up at her.
A terrible tension struck her. “What is it? What passes?” she managed to ask.
“He wishes to trade Will for you—for you as his bride.”
For one moment, Margaret did not understand him.
Buchan tore up the parchment then, furiously.
“He has asked for my hand?” she gasped, as comprehension began.
Buchan faced her, red-faced. “The bastard! He wishes to strengthen his control of Castle Fyne! If he marries you, no one will question his command!”
Margaret was reeling. She felt Isabella reach out and touch her arm. She could not look at her—she stared at her uncle, instead.
Alexander had proposed a marriage between them.
