“I would be foolish not to consider such a possibility.”
“I came to you because I was afraid you might go to war—never to return. I did not know we would make love. I came only to tell you that I had become fond of you, against my better judgment, in defiance of my loyalties.”
“When I heard ye’d escaped—that very morning—the news was like an ax striking my chest.”
“I am sorry!” she cried.
He tilted up her chin. “I believe yer sorry—I also believe ye’d escape again, if ye could.”
“From here? No. I can’t leave Isabella yet.”
He studied her. “Isabella was expecting us—ye warned her. But ye dinna warn Buchan. If ye had, I would never have been able to get inside Balvenie. Why?”
She flushed. “I could not betray Isabella, not once I realized how eager she was to aid Bruce.”
“So ye put her before yer uncle.”
She hesitated. “She isn’t my blood, but she is my friend.”
“Blood always comes before friendship.”
He was right. She had put Isabella first. “I was protecting her.”
“The way ye think to protect me?”
She started. Before she could ask him what he meant—afraid of what he meant—he said, “Ye ken Bruce will be crowned the twenty-fifth,” Alexander said, staring. “When did ye learn that?”
She flushed. “Eilidh thought she heard such a date, Alexander.”
“Did ye warn Buchan about that?” His gaze was searing.
“No. I could not bring myself to tell him of the date—which Eilidh was uncertain of, anyway.”
“Why not? The great Comyn family hates Bruce. Yer a Comyn. Why not, Margaret?” he demanded. “Or have yer loyalties finally changed?”
She slipped to her feet. “My loyalties haven’t changed! I wasn’t sure the date was correct!”
“Tell me the truth. Tell me the real reason ye did not tell Buchan when we will crown Bruce.”
She inhaled. “If I told him, he would ambush Scone on that date—and you would be there with Bruce. I am afraid for you!”
He reached out and clasped her shoulder, pulling her closer. “So yer loyalties have changed.”
“Don’t do this, Alexander. I do not want to be enemies, but that is what we must remain.” Yet how could they truly be enemies when she wanted to be in his arms?
“We ceased being enemies when we shared the same bed.”
He was so resolute. And she knew that when resolute, Alexander was impossible to move. “I’m your prisoner—again! And that makes us enemies.”
“Yer a prisoner here only if ye want to be one.” He clasped her other shoulder and pulled her entirely into his embrace. “I think yer loyalties have already changed, but as stubborn as ye can be, ye refuse to recognize it.”
If he was right, she had to warn him of all she’d learned. “Alexander, there is more. Buchan and his allies hope to divide your army from Bruce’s. They hope to isolate you and then destroy you.”
His eyes gleamed. She knew he was thinking that he was right after all—that her loyalties had changed. “Are ye certain?”
She nodded. “But I have no other details.”
He tilted up her chin. “See, Margaret? Ye think to warn me now.”
