She couldn’t let that happen. Last night had been so perfect. Well, after the jealousy part, but perhaps that had been understandable. Sir Hugh was certainly trying to get his revenge. But she would not curse him for it, not when it had brought Alex to her room and led to a night she would remember for the rest of her life. She’d never felt warmth and closeness like that before. She’d never felt so relaxed and . . . happy. Without realizing it she looked down at the ring on her finger and smiled.

“What’s that?” Alice said, reaching for her hand.

Joan resisted the urge to snatch it back. “I was just showing Margaret,” Joan said. “Alex gave it to me. It’s a betrothal ring.”

Alice’s mouth hardened. She dropped her hand. There was something on her face . . .

“It’s very pretty,” Alice said.

“I’m glad you approve, Lady Alice,” a deep voice said with wry amusement. “I intend to see that Joan gets everything she deserves.”

Joan turned, surprised to see that Alex had come up behind them. He was so blasted quiet! Maybe she should call him Ghost.

She gave him a sharp look—not for sneaking up on her, but for what he’d said to Alice. It could be an innocent comment, but despite her plea to him last night, Joan didn’t think it was. She hoped Alice hadn’t taken anything by it. Joan could not afford to have any kind of wedge between her and her cousin—not if she wanted to be kept within the circle of information. A circle that had definitely been tightening.

For once Joan couldn’t tell her cousin’s thoughts from her expression.

“What a pretty sentiment,” Alice said. “My cousin is fortunate to have found you.”

Ever the stalwart knight, Alex had come up by her side. He took her hand, put it in the crook of his arm, looked deep into her eyes, and said in a voice that no one could doubt, “Nay, it is I who am fortunate.”

She felt her heart swell and her cheeks grow warm as she basked under the glow of his love for her.

The warmth and contentment lasted throughout the day, although unfortunately Alex was called away by Pembroke after breaking his fast, presumably to report on his journey to East Lothian.

He sent a message later that he had to ride out to Wark, and she was disappointed when he had yet to return by the evening meal.

Their handful of days had been whittled down by one. But what did she expect? There was a war coming.