"Tonight, when they least expect it. The fog will aid us."

"And it will hide them as well." She led them into Rob's chambers.

Celia reappeared, bearing hot spiced ale and a bowl of barley stew.

"I apologize for the poor fare," Caroline said, "but we must ration our provisions until the siege is lifted."

Alex took the meal gratefully, sitting behind Rob's large oak desk. Other than the fire, a single fat candle illuminated the room. The priest sat nearby and Caroline tossed more peat on the fire. As Alex regarded her, he thought how unlike Fayth she was. He couldn't imagine such calm serenity ever befalling the younger sister. He wondered what had made them so different.

"Have the Johnstones made any demands?" Alex asked.

Caroline turned, brushing her hands off on her skirts. "Only that we quit Annancreag."

Alex snorted. Fools.

Caroline approached him, a pale eyebrow raised slightly, hands clasped at her waist. "I've received word you're holding my sister."

Alex set his spoon aside and wiped his mouth. "Aye." He normally would prepare himself for a tongue-lashing, but Caroline was not one to become shrewish, so he waited cautiously.

"And is she well?"

Alex hesitated, remembering how close she was to death at one point. "When I left her she was in good health."

Caroline didn't miss the significance of his words and her lips tightened. "I hope you don't expect her to be there when you return?"

Alex averted his gaze to his ale. Wisps of steam rose from it. He drank deeply, the strong liquid warming him. He was cold from his swim in the icy loch. He could smell the loch stench on himself. Celia returned from the adjoining room with clothes belonging to Alex's brother.

"Did you accomplish what you wished?" Father Jasper asked.

"What's that?" Alex asked, turning gratefully to the priest. A nervous sweat had broken out on his forehead and upper lip under Caroline's clear gaze.

Father Jasper slumped on a bench against the wall, his robes dirty and torn. "You had some purpose in kidnapping Fayth or was it simply vengeance?"

Father Jasper bore a disturbing resemblance to Caroline, Alex noticed. It was more than his height and eye color, for they were both exceptionally long and had unusual pale green eyes. But more than that, it was their manner. The priest now addressed him with the same placid persistence as Caroline had. Most disconcerting. Alex couldn't imagine how Rob managed with the two of them standing in constant judgment. Of course, Rob was thoroughly besotted with his bride and now viewed all the world with a rosy hue.

"She is unharmed." He wasn't about to discuss his plans for Fayth with her sister and a priest when he wasn't even certain what those plans were. All he knew was that she was his now and he would not let her go-he would work out the details later.

The priest frowned. "That's not what I asked."

Alex sighed, leaning back in his chair. "No, I did not achieve my purpose. I might have, if not for this war. But I suppose I'll never know, now."

"And what's to be her fate?" Caroline asked. She folded Rob's garments neatly on the desk, pushing them toward him.

"Well..." Alex held Caroline's gaze. Now was a good time to argue Fayth's innocence. "That's up to you."

Caroline straightened. "Me?"

"Aye... when it's safe, I thought to bring her here until the war is over, but she fears you will never forgive her."

Caroline lowered her gaze and turned partly away.

Alex stood, circling the desk to confront her. "She thought she was helping you." Alex grasped Caroline's elbow, turning her back to face him. She didn't pull away, though he felt the shift, the slight straining of her body to escape him. Alex was not going to let her block him out. "She thinks so highly of you. She thought you wanted to be a nun. She did it for you."

Caroline shook her head, still not looking at him, her brow furrowed slightly.

"I will not have that on my conscience," Caroline said, meeting his gaze finally. "I forgive her but I cannot accept that people died for me." She pulled her elbow firmly away and moved to the fireplace.

Alex felt the frustration rise. She was so like Rob. Rob could never understand why Alex pursued the blood feuds. Why Alex couldn't set it all aside, pretend as if it never happened. Rob had always been quick to forgive, slow to bear a grudge, ever willing to hear both sides of a story. Alex thought this the way of fools and dead men. He trusted no one until they earned it and was ever suspicious.

"You think what she did was thoughtless, cruel even, but she sacrificed everything to save you. She valued your happiness above all else-even her own. She was motivated by love."

Father Jasper had been listening, one arm crossed over his chest, the other rubbing his mouth. He spoke suddenly, "And what motivates you, lad, to defend her so fiercely. To beg forgiveness and understanding in her stead?"

Alex was appalled by the flush burning his neck. What answer could he give? That he'd debauched her? That he loved the impulsiveness she cursed, as it was what sent her into his arms? That he had become so attached to her he could not bear the thought of another man handling her? They both watched him expectantly.

"What do you mean?" Alex managed to say. He turned to the clothes on the desk and gathered them up.

"When you left here last," Caroline said, "you were out for blood. You vowed to make Wesley and Fayth pay. I believe you said of her... she is 'the sp.a.w.n even Satan won't claim.' Now you plead Fayth's case to me as if you were her barrister."

Alex grunted.

"And he is red," the priest said, pointing at Alex's ears. "Look, he's turned crimson to the tips of his ears!"

Alex was gifted with one of Caroline's genuine smiles as she crossed the room, intent on his ears.

Alex ground his teeth in annoyance. "Well? What say you? Will you accept her?"

Father Jasper and Caroline glanced at each other, exchanging an infuriatingly knowing look.

"What's the matter, lad?" the priest asked. "Will she not accept you?"

Alex sputtered a vigorous denial and headed for Rob's bedchamber.

Caroline intercepted him at the door. "Alexander, have you compromised my sister in your revenge?"

"What? I-What do you mean?" He'd never been so mortified in his life. He held Caroline in high regard and hadn't considered how he'd feel when she discovered what he'd done-Christ! If she told Rob...

"Did you rape Fayth?"

"No!" The word exploded out of him. "I would never hurt her."

"I see. So it was consensual."

Alex turned away abruptly. "I need to change and ready myself for the attack."

Father Jasper stepped forward as Alex opened the door. "It's not for hours-"

Alex slammed the door on the priest's words. This was a disaster. He would have to speak with Caroline of this sooner or later and then be confronted by Rob when she told him. b.l.o.o.d.y h.e.l.l! Rob would thrash him. There was nothing for it but to offer for Fayth. He'd wanted to ask her to marry him ever since they'd made love, but he'd feared she would laugh in his face, just like Diana. He was only a third son-and a Maxwell, at that. She might willingly lie with him, but she would never willingly wed the Maxwell that had ruined her life. He needed time to convince her otherwise, but it looked as if time had run out.