He started to walk away, and Alex felt the anger rise up inside him. “You were right, is that what you want to hear? I judged you for things that I shouldn’t have. I tried to straddle both sides of the line, but just like you said, I had to choose. So I did. This is where I belong.”

Boyd paused and looked at him as if he were an idiot. “It took you two years to figure that out?”

“Aye, well I was busy trying to do some good. And I guess you aren’t the only one who is hardheaded and can hold a grudge.”

Boyd’s mouth might have actually quirked. “You always were too much of a damned idealist.”

“Someone needed to be.”

Alex said it mostly to himself, so he was surprised when Boyd responded.

“Aye, you’re right.” He looked like he was about to walk away again, but then he hesitated. “You weren’t the only one who was wrong. I owe you an apology.” Alex was stunned. Surely hell had frozen over? “I never gave you a fair chance—even after you deserved one. And you were right to do what you did for Rosalin. Defending her honor and trying to stop me from burning down her home.” He made a pained face. “I was blinded by rage, and if you hadn’t helped me see . . . she never would have forgiven me.”

Alex felt his face heat. “Aye, well maybe not as right about defending her honor as I thought.”

It took Boyd a minute to figure out what he meant, but he’d obviously been told of Alex’s relationship with Joan—at least some of it. “Bloody hell.” He shook his head. “I’d be tempted to gloat, but I almost feel sorry for you. You better hope MacRuairi never finds out.”

Alex grimaced. “I intend to make it right as soon as possible.” If she’ll have me back. He looked around. “Where is MacRuairi?”

“He, MacSorley, Campbell, and MacGregor went with Douglas.” He frowned. “Someone else was looking for him. Young Ross was around here a while ago with bad news—at least that’s how he looked. I wonder what it was about?”

They found out soon enough. Bruce and his captains had returned to their camp in the New Park, and Alex, after seeing to his men and his wound—which was deeper than he thought—followed. Now that the war had been won, he was anxious to find Joan. Had she left Berwick? He hoped Bruce would know where she’d gone.

The moment he entered the tent he knew something was wrong. Bruce didn’t look like a man who’d just achieved one of the greatest military victories in history. He looked upset and worried. Alex’s instincts flared when he noticed the pitying looks being sent in his direction by Sutherland, MacKay, and even Boyd.

Joan.