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But still, there was no need to be feeling bad for Jemmy. After all, Jemmy had seen Alistair banished and married the lass he loved. Jemmy had won. Or had he? What had been going on at Ravenspur during the past year? Why had the laird sent for Alistair now? In Jemmy's place, Alistair knew that he would have been both angry and deeply worried.

Well, Jemmy has naught to fear, Alistair thought. Not from me. Alistair was grateful to have the chance to see the laird once more and to say his farewells properly, but once that was done, there would be nothing to hold him to this place. He would be finished with Ravenspur forever and ready to start again. Tomorrow or the next day I'm off to Donegal, with Deirdre, he thought, his spirits rising sharply.

Jemmy rode on silently, growing paler by the moment, his mouth set in a grim line. When they drew up in the stableyard, he made no move to dismount. He sat, his head bowed, hands clutching the edge of his saddle.

"Go in," he said hoarsely. "Father's waiting. And would you send Conal to me?"

Alistair started to obey, but the memory of how kindly Jemmy had spoken to Deirdre halted him. For that, if nothing else, Jemmy deserved something in return.

"Here, I'll help ye down," he said. "There's no need to wait for Conal."

Jemmy half slid from the saddle, his face gray as ashes by the time he was on his feet. "Thank you," he said. "I'll be all right now."

"What happened to you?" Alistair asked.

"A bit of a stramash with McInnes," Jemmy said, trying to pass it off lightly even as the sweat broke out on his brow. "Hasn't had the chance to heal yet."

Alistair was fairly certain that Jemmy would never make it into the manor under his own power, so he slowed his steps to match his kinsman's, wondering what the devil was going on here.

"Tell me what's been happening since I left," he said.

"Not much," Jemmy answered. "You know how it is. The same from day to day."

"How is Malcolm?"

"Oh, well enough." Jemmy stopped to lean against the doorpost. "Missing you, of course, but otherwise—" he drew a hissing breath as he straightened. "Quite all right."

"Let me get someone to help you," Alistair said, but Jemmy shook his head.

"No!" he said vehemently. "I'm fine."

They walked into the hall. It was dim inside after the brightness of the afternoon. As Alistair's eyes adjusted, he realized it was filled with people, but a silence fell as he stepped into the room. A moment later the voices all broke out again in excited speculation as Jemmy drew himself up and walked firmly into the crowd, Alistair just beside him.

"My lord," an anxious voice said. A small, gray-haired man gave Alistair a quick, rather nervous smile, before continuing. "I have the accounts ready if ye'd care to look at them."

"Thank you," Jemmy said. "But I cannot stop just now. Perhaps this afternoon."

"Aye, my lord," the man said with a quick bow. "But I did just want to talk to you about—"

Jemmy smiled, though his pallor deepened even further. "Later," he said carefully. "I promise I will make the time."

The crowd parted to let them by, every face alight with speculation to see the two of them walk in together. Alistair noted it with half his mind, while the other part was busy watching Jemmy. He could tell exactly how bad the pain was now by the lines bracketing Jemmy's mouth. It was just how Ian used to look when he was hurting and didn't want anyone to know. And the way he walked—it was Ian to the life, the same set of the shoulders and tilt of his head. Strange how he'd never noticed how like they were before. He'd always been too busy noticing the differences between them.

"My lord, a moment!"

Jemmy stopped and turned. "Aye, Sir Calder?"

The knight gave Alistair a sly smile. It said more clearly than words that Calder knew Alistair had a plan and what's more, he was ready to be a part of it. Jemmy stood very straight, his gaze moving quickly from Calder's face to Alistair's and back again. He closed his eyes briefly, as though his strength had reached its final limit, but when he opened them his gaze was steady.

"Dougal Maxwell sent a message back wi' us," Calder said.

"I'd be most interested to hear it," Jemmy replied. "But I cannot stop now. I'll send for you later."

"Alistair," Calder said, putting a hand on his arm. "Wait a moment. What—?"

"Not now," Alistair said. "I must see the laird."

"Ah," Calder said with a knowing glance at Jemmy. "I see."