was training his men for war. The tensions were building again between King James and his nemesis the Earl of Bothwell who wanted the throne. Bothwell had returned to Scotland from hiding in England to gather his supporters once more. Another attack upon the king and queen, like the one the earl had orchestrated at Falkland Palace last year, could occur at any time. Cameron and his men had to be ready for when, not if, the earl tried to capture the king again.
Abruptly, Cameron returned the cloth and shell to his sporran. He had to keep his mind focused on the defense of his king and nothing more.
“What’s got you so on edge?”
Cameron reached for his sword and fell immediately into a defensive stance.
Alexander froze. “It’s me, Cam—” He spread his hands placatingly.
Cameron startled as he recognized the man before him and returned his sword to its sheath. “My apologies, Alexander. I was lost in thought.”
“Over what?”
Cameron frowned. “I need to work the men harder. My informants sent word this morning that Bothwell was sighted in Fife. He’s up to no good, and we need to be ready.”
“Bothwell is careful. He won’t attack until he has an advantage.” Alexander raised a brow. “Are you certain your troubles do not lie closer to home? Perhaps with a fiery maid locked upstairs in her bedchamber?” When Cameron didn’t respond, Alexander added, “It’s not like you to lock away your troubles. When will you release her?”
“When I’m ready.” He met his friend’s amusement with a scowl. “Since when do you care about how I treat my women?”
Alexander’s brow rose. “And is she that . . . your woman?”
Cameron groaned. “She’s a female in my household and under my protection. Why are you pressing this? We have many more important matters with which to concern ourselves.”
“Something is different about you.” Alexander paused, then said, “I’ve never seen you this way before.”
“What way?”
“Unsettled. Uncertain.”
“You’re ridiculous,” Cameron scoffed as he turned to face the fire in the hearth, pretending to study the reddish-gold flames when all his thoughts were on the redheaded woman abovestairs. “I am as I always was.”
All seriousness now, Alexander came to join him. “Do you ever wonder if things could be different for us? If we could be more than men existing on the edge of life and death?”
Silence fell between them until Cameron sighed. “I see their faces—the children, the women of Scotland—and I know I must do my duty to keep them safe. I do not do what I do for the king. I do it for them.”
“As do I,” Alexander said. “But no one holds us to only a life as a protector. You and I can both become more.”
“Can we?” The words felt scraped from his throat. “At what cost? Their lives are in our hands. Warriors—that is what we are.”
“We can be both warrior and man. Reid, Quinn, and Lachlan are not lesser warriors now that they have wives. Why would it be any different for you or me?”
Cameron shook his head. “My mistress is the sea and my attention already fractured by my men and my ships. There is no room for anything or anyone else.”
“Ships do not keep you warm at night.”
“But the fine linens those ships bring back from the East, do.”
Alexander turned back to the fire. “If that is so, then perhaps it’s time to find Mariam a husband and send her away instead of keeping her locked away. Laird Sibbald’s wife recently died. I have heard he is seeking to remarry. He is both young and wealthy, and would make Mariam a fine husband.”
Cameron closed his eyes and clenched his hands into fists. Alexander was right. Mariam would be less of a distraction if she were someone else’s problem. Having her physically away from him would give him the perspective he needed.
“I have considered such a thing before. She is of marriageable age,” he said, trying to convince himself that she had to go, even though he had promised her she could stay. It would be easy to find her a husband, then ask for the king’s blessing. Perhaps Sibbald could be the answer to his problem. Cameron knew Sibbald to be a decent man and a capable warrior.
It wouldn’t be as if he were casting Mariam out. He would see that she had a protector who could handle not only a difficult woman, but also the difficult task of protecting her. But even as he knew what must be done,