The matter apparently decided, Alex joined them as they strolled through the stalls of the market. She had to admit his presence was not without effect. People seemed to give them a wider berth with the imposing knight leading the way, and if any men in the crowd might have been inclined to look at and admire the three noblewomen, they quickly looked away. The women, however, weren’t so shy. Joan noticed plenty of young—and not so young—women staring at the uncommonly handsome mail-clad knight. It irritated her for no reason—or at least not for one she wanted to admit.

Joan kept to the rear of the group and pretended not to listen to the conversations that sprang up between Alex and her cousins. But one struck her cold.

“Seton . . .” Alice said. “Ah, now I remember. My husband has spoken of you. I believe you are taking care of a little problem for him.”

There was something about the way she said it that pricked Joan’s curiosity.

Alex seemed inclined not to respond with more than a mumbled acknowledgment, but Margaret asked, “What kind of problem?”

“The problem of the traitor who has been feeding information to the rebels,” Alice said angrily.

Joan was fortunate they’d stopped for a moment to take advantage of shade while they finished their refreshment or her step might have taken the same hitch as her heartbeat.

“Really?” Margaret asked, an odd note in her tone. “Who would do such a thing?”

“My husband has his suspicions, but that is what Sir Alex has agreed to find out.”

Joan’s stomach sank to her feet. Alex was searching for the spy? Good God, she was glad no one was looking at her because she feared that flush on her face had suddenly gone very pale.

“Have you any promising leads so far, my lord?” Margaret asked.

Alex appeared vaguely uncomfortable. “I’ve only just begun, my lady.”

In other words, no. Joan let out the breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding.

She felt his eyes on her and realized it might have sounded too much like a sigh of relief. Wanting to distract him, she said, “I’m surprised they chose a Scot for the job.” Then she added with what she hoped was the right amount of innocence, “Although maybe they think your recent experience in Bruce’s army will be helpful?”

Apparently not innocent enough. His gaze hardened. “Aye, something like that, my lady.”

Though she’d obviously made him angry, at least she’d succeeded in deflecting attention from herself.

For a moment at least.

“Joan,” Margaret said. “Isn’t this the shop you were talking about?”

To her horror, Joan looked over and realized they were standing beside the mercery. She’d mentioned it to her cousins, hoping to have the chance to make contact. But she hadn’t anticipated having Alex Seton with her again.