“Greenweld could not have known that Seonaid had gone to St. Simmian’s. I did not even know that until after Lord Rolfe returned with Sherwell. As far as I know, he probably did not even know that my husband had a sister. Nor could he know that the Colquhouns were enemies of the Dunbar and might seek revenge such a way.”

“Everyone in Scotland kens the Dunbars and Colquhouns are at war,” Allistair argued with amusement. “As for St. Simmian’s, the real message Lord Rolfe sent spoke of it. It said that Lord Rolfe and Sherwell had collected Seonaid from St. Simmian’s, but that she had escaped. Several times.” The words brought an affectionate smile to his face. “They’ve been chasing her all over Scotland. Lord Rolfe was writing so that Angus didn’t fret.” He shook his head again. “Nay, the fact that they kenned about Seonaid wouldn’t give me away.”

“Mayhap not,” Iliana murmured, then peered at him silently for a moment before asking, “Why did you leave the keep the morning of the siege?”

“I couldn’t be present once the siege began.”

Iliana’s eyebrows rose. “Why?”

“Well, how could I do that? I would have been forced to tend to Greenweld then. No one would want me for laird did I allow the castle to fall to an English.”

“Ahh,” Iliana muttered dryly.

“It was for the best anyhow. Greenweld needed to ken how many men were left and the like.”

“Knowing how few men there were, why did he not attack the day Duncan left?”

Allistair shrugged. “They had only arrived that morning and had been traveling hard for days. The men needed the rest, and then there were a few things I had to ready first.”

“Such as?”

“The boiling pitch.”

Iliana’s mouth tightened as she recalled Angus’s irritation on hearing that the fire had gone out below the pitch and ’twas cold. Then she realized that Allistair was smiling at her crookedly and she arched an eyebrow questioningly. “What?”

“Nothing.” He shrugged, then asked, “What was it you substituted for pitch? The men said it tasted good but burned like the devil.”

“Elgin’s stew. I shall pass along your compliments. Mayhap it will help him forgive the loss of his vat.”

“You shall not see him again,” he reminded softly.

Iliana managed a shrug. “Mayhap not. We shall see.”

His expression tightened in displeasure at her seeming lack of concern and he started toward her.

She spoke quickly to distract him. “So, Greenweld avoided attacking the first day Duncan left, out of care and concern for his men? I find that difficult to believe. I have yet to see him show concern for anyone.”

Allistair paused, hesitated, then relaxed and shrugged. “’Twas more like because he himself was tired. ’Sides, there was the slight possibility that Duncan might turn back for some reason. It seemed better to wait until the next day.”