The younger man had just shaken his head when Iliana’s mother glanced over and announced that their guest was awake. Iliana followed her husband and father-in-law back to the table, where the man was attempting to sit up, struggling against Gertie’s equally determined efforts to keep him down.

“Let ’em up, wench, I would talk to him,” Angus ordered, pausing beside the table.

Muttering that he would rip the stitches she had just put in his body, Lady Wildwood’s maid stepped out of the way.

The man sat up at once and eyed them all rather warily, relaxing only when Allistair approached to stand beside Angus.

There was a tense silence for a moment; then Angus shifted impatiently. “My nephew tells me you saved his life.”

The man’s gaze skittered to Allistair then away and he nodded. “Aye.”

“What happened?”

His gaze slid to Allistair and back again. “I was heading for the keep when I heard a shout. When I came upon your nephew he was unconscious on the ground and a man was standing over him about to cut off his head.”

“A man?”

“An Englishman.”

“Ye fought him?”

“Aye.”

“He died slow,” the older man commented, and the Englishman nodded solemnly.

“Slow enough to tell me he was from Greenweld, sent to kill Lady Wildwood.”

Iliana glanced instinctively toward her mother, noting the way she paled as Angus asked, “Did he say if Greenweld had other men in the area?”

“He said not. He said Greenweld had expected to catch her fleeing to the king’s court; however he’d overheard a rumor that she’d escaped to Scotland. He’d been dispatched to learn if it was true. If he found her, he was to kill her.”

“Hmm.” Angus eyed him narrowly. “And you are?”

“Hugh. Lord Rolfe sent me to bring a message to you.”

“What is the message?”

He appeared confused for a moment. “I gave it to your man. Did he not—”

“I would have it from you,” Angus interrupted. “Surely you know the contents?”

He nodded slowly. “Aye. We traveled to St. Simmian’s, but Lady Seonaid was not there. She and her companion had not arrived. They have been taken by your enemies, the Colquhouns. Sherwell and Lord Rolfe were going to follow, and asked that you send men to assist them in gaining her freedom. It seems old Colquhoun is intent on shaming her by making her bear him a child so that he may kill it before her.”

Iliana gasped in horror, then glanced worriedly toward Duncan as he whirled suddenly toward the doors, shouting instructions and orders as he went. His face was a mask of stone.

“Wait fer me!” Allistair hurried after him, only to have the other man turn on him.

“Nay. Ye’ll stay here.”

“The hell I will!”

“Yer injured; ye would be useless to me. Ye stay,” he announced firmly.