“Nothing,” she said quickly. “But how did my mother even know of your leaving?” she asked Jamie.
“By chance, your mother intercepted us in the corridor on our way here,” he explained. “She brought up the masque—”
“You will be gone for the masque?” Meg sounded so crestfallen, Alex felt a strange urge to sweep her into his arms and soothe her obvious distress.
“I’m afraid there is no avoiding it,” Jamie answered apologetically. “I’ll not make it back from Argyllshire by the end of the week.”
Her shoulders sagged. “Are you sure you have to leave right now?”
Alex could hear the strain in her voice. The burden of her decision was clearly a weight she wanted lifted. The urge to offer her comfort intensified. At that moment, she seemed fragile and very young.
“Unfortunately, it cannot be avoided, Meg. You know my cousin. Argyll will not be put off.”
“Well, it appears that it has all been decided,” she said truculently. “I will see you upon your return.”
“But I thought you wished to speak to me?” Jamie said. “We are just about done here.”
“Apparently, it will have to wait.” She was angry, though at whom, Alex didn’t know. Shoulders rigid, she turned on her heel and flounced out of the room.
The easy sounds of conversation that had died down when Meg had entered the room returned upon her swift departure. They finished the game, but Alex didn’t like the way Jamie was watching him.
Alex stood up to leave. He’d get no information here, and he had another possible source to explore. But Jamie stopped him.
“What did you hear?” Jamie asked, his voice steely.
Alex considered his former friend with calculated interest. Jamie had guessed that there was more to the story than Alex had let on. Campbell was unusually cunning for his age, though with Argyll for a mentor, he shouldn’t be surprised.
He decided to tell him the truth. “Nothing specific.” He recounted the conversation he’d overheard at the tavern.
“You’re right. It’s not much to go on.” Jamie paused thoughtfully. “You’re sure they were Highlanders?”
“Yes.”
“There was no mention of women?”
Alex shook his head. He’d asked himself these same questions all night. “Most likely it’s a coincidence.”
“Undoubtedly,” Jamie agreed. “Lawlessness is endemic in the Highlands. I’m sure Meg and her party were not the only travelers to be attacked recently.”
Both men were silent, mulling the situation, neither one completely convinced. Alex would wager Jamie was thinking the same thing he was:What if they were wrong?
“I’ll stay,” Jamie said. “My cousin’s errand can wait.”
Alex gave a snort of laughter. He knew Argyll. “And what will you tell him? That you are refusing to do his bidding because of a conversation overheard in a tavern?”
Jamie clenched his jaw, saying nothing.
Alex realized that Jamie Campbell was going to be a problem for him. Thus far he’d taken Alex at his word, but he didn’t know how much longer Jamie would continue to do so. He’d begun to suspect that Jamie was just as interested in keeping Alex close as the other way around. Jamie was already suspicious. It would be disastrous if Jamie found out Alex’s true purpose at court and thought it his duty to warn his cousin. If the Island chiefs were to have any success in defeating another attempt to colonize Lewis by the Fife Adventurers, Alex could not let that happen. Since it was becoming clear that Alex would get no information from Jamie, it would be best for his mission if Jamie left court.
“Go. I’ll guard her with my life,” Alex said, realizing that he meant it.
Jamie’s gaze sharpened. “What interest do you have in Meg Mackinnon?”
Alex wiped all expression from his face. “None.”
“You want her.”
He didn’t bother to deny it. “Who wouldn’t?”
