“Nay,” Duncan agreed at last, setting his mug back on the table and peering at his father. “Ye think ’twas one of Greenweld’s men come fer her mother—to kill her before she can have their marriage annulled.”

Angus nodded slowly. “’Tis the only thing that makes sense. ’Twas common knowledge that Lady Wildwood has inhabited yer chamber since her arrival. ’Twas not common knowledge that she would not be there this eve. I did not even ken that.”

The very same thought had occurred to Duncan. So far as he knew, only he, Iliana, and her mother had been aware of the change in sleeping arrangements. The assassination attempt must have been meant for her mother. “Think ye then that one of Greenweld’s men managed to slip past the guard at the gate?”

“Aye. Hundreds of people enter and leave the bailey every day. The men would not be watching for a lone man on foot. ’Tis the only way he could have got in.”

“I shall have to double the guards on the gate. Check all coming and going. I’ll also arrange a search of the castle and bailey, then take a large party to search the woods, and the rest of Dunbar land as well. If he is still here, we shall catch him.”

“Hmm,” Angus murmured. “No doubt the cowardly bastard is gone by now, but better safe than sorry.”

They were both silent for a moment, then glanced up as Lady Wildwood entered the room.

“Gertie is finished now,” she announced. “Iliana is resting.”

Nodding, Duncan shifted under his mother-in-law’s gaze, then got uncomfortably to his feet. “I must speak with the men about what I wish done on the morrow,” he muttered, easing his way around her, so eager to leave that he did not notice when she leaned toward him slightly and gave a gentle sniff.

Angus noticed, however. He also noticed the frown upon the woman’s face. Curious, he raised his eyebrows at her as she stepped to the table and sank down next to him.

It was a moment before she acknowledged his questioning glance by murmuring, “Much to my distress, I have learned that all is not well with our children, my lord, and we must help them solve this trouble.”

An hour later, she was smiling again as she rose to her feet. “’Tis a sound plan, my lord. Mayhap we can yet salvage this muddled marriage.”

“Indeed,” Angus murmured, standing as well and taking her hand to kiss it with a gallantry that surprised her.

She was blushing brightly in reaction when footfalls announced Duncan’s return. Flushing a deeper rose at his raised eyebrows, she muttered her excuses and fled.

Angus watched her go with a gleam in his eye, then smiled and shouted for Elgin as his son joined him at the table.

“’Tis late. Elgin will have returned to his cottage.”