Chapter 12

“Sit, Duncan.”

He tried not to flinch at the cold tone in William’s voice, but he wasn’t sure if he entirely succeeded. The lump in his throat grew more painful, and his heart thumped loudly and rapidly in his chest. Sinking down into the chair, he waited.

William took the other chair and turned it to face the fire rather than Duncan. Whatever it was, he didn’t even want to look at him.

“A messenger arrived today,” William said after a moment of staring at the fire.

Duncan swallowed. “I…I saw the arrival. Was it something bad?”

“‘Twas a message from the king.”

“I see.” He didn’t, but waited to hear more. He didn’t know enough about what went on with lords and kings to know for sure what the message would or could mean.