Prudence chuckled. “Egad, we may be sure of that. But you knew?”
“ A vrai dire. I might guess — since I too know Robert. Ah, he might count on me, he knew well! It is this rebellion, not?” She sank her voice a little, and her bright eyes were keen as needles.
Robin put a finger to his lips. “To be frank, ma’am, I believe I’m under attainder.”
Her very red lips formed an O, and she wrinkled up her nose. “Chut, chut! He must then put your head in a noose too?”
“Why, madam, to say sooth we were not loth. Prudence lay snug enough at Perth.”
My lady beamed upon Prudence. “I had thought you in the thick of the fight, my child. It is well. But since it ended, where have you been? Voyons, it is many months since it is over, and you are but just come to me!”
There came that bitter look of brooding into Robin’s eyes. It was Prudence who made answer. “Robin was fled to the hills, my lady. I waited snug enough, as he says.”
“To the hills?” My lady leaned a little forward. “With the Prince, no?”
Robin made an impatient movement. The cloud did not lift from his brow. “Some of the time.”
“We heard rumours that he had gone. It is true?”