Protecting the people in the Borders was what had driven Alex to the English, but he’d been unable to keep his own people safe from English raids. They were on the same side, damn it. Was this the kind of overlordship and protection King Edward intended for his Scottish subjects?

The last thing Alex needed on leaving the stables after seeing to his mount was to nearly run into Sir Hugh Despenser—a visibly sotted Sir Hugh Despenser—and a few of his toadies.

“Back already, Seton?” he said with a snide grin. “I see you learned from my mistake. But from what I saw earlier, I fear you may be too late. The lass works quickly, I’ll give her that.”

A few of the men with him chuckled. Alex stiffened, but in no other way reacted to the bastard’s taunts. He didn’t need to ask what Despenser meant; it was obvious he was trying to goad Alex into a fight by slighting Joan.

But Alex didn’t for one minute put any store into what he’d alluded to. Joan cared for him. She’d accepted his proposal. Reluctantly maybe at first, but she’d come around. She wouldn’t turn her sights on anyone else.

If thoughts of the past intruded for a moment, he pushed them away. He wasn’t going to let Despenser get to him.

Ignoring the other men, Alex started to walk away. He was headed toward Pembroke’s rooms, but Despenser mistook his direction.

“You won’t find her in de Beaumont’s rooms,” he taunted with a laugh. “The last time I saw her she was with my father. But I doubt she’s there now. She’s probably renewing old acquaintances with one of his men. They were supposed to be quite in love a few years back, as I recall. They made quite a scene cavorting at the midday meal today, didn’t they, lads?”

The other men snickered and hooted like puppets on a string. Alex wanted nothing more than to put his fist through Despenser’s malicious grin, but he wouldn’t give the lies credence. He was sure there was an explanation.

But what the hell did he mean by “in love”?

Alex walked away; they didn’t try to stop him again. Instead of heading to Pembroke’s room as he should, he headed for Joan’s. He knew he wouldn’t be able to concentrate on a damned thing until he saw her. He was sure she would clear up whatever misapprehension Despenser was operating under in a few minutes.

But “in love”? Christ, the very idea made him twist with uncertainty and left his chest feeling as if it had been opened up and acid poured inside.

A few minutes later, he stood outside her cousin’s door. This is silly, he told himself. Still, he knocked.