AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Papa!” Ewan came running to him and Drostan hoisted him on his arms. “Mo bhalach.” He greeted the bairn.
An invisible hand strangled her heart with countless emotions while she and Drostan prepared Ewan for bed.
The possibility of Aileen telling The McKendrick of her whereabouts had not occurred to her amid the fear for Ross’s retaliation and the need to put her son in a safe place. She did not remember to ask for her sister-in-law’s promise not to disclose anything, though she doubted the Lady McDougal would have complied.
Her trembling hand closed Ewan’s tiny bedchamber as she was thankful for finding two in this far-away cottage. In the front room, she turned to Drostan who had followed her.
“Would you like some tea?” She offered not finding anything else to say.
“What I would like is the truth.” He demanded, fists on tapered hips, legs apart, tall frame dominating the cramped place. “And no fooling around this time.” Wind-mussed chestnut strands fell on his brows, and intense old-whisky eyes burned with the fire in the fireplace.
Her legs lost firmness, and slowly she sat on an armchair, gulping air. “My father has no heir, as you remember.”
He nodded, still standing there like a Celtic god, stirring a myriad of feelings in her.
“My third cousin, Ross, means to be the next Laird.” She informed.
“There should be an election if your father does not appoint an heir.” He commented.
“I know.” Her hands twisted on her lap. “Ross does not care for any of it.” She continued in a thread of a voice. “He fears the McPhersons might regard Ewan as the natural heir.”
A crumpled mask smothered his manly features. “This is a remote possibility.” He uttered.
“Not in these circumstances.” She contradicted. “As a half McPherson, many can suggest him as a candidate.”
Drostan raked his hair with an exasperated hand. “Would anyone?”
She nodded tense. “The prospect of joining with your powerful clan will be a strong factor.”
At this, Drostan sat on the second armchair. “So this Ross is threatening Ewan’s life.”
“Yes, if I do not remove him from the scene, so to say.” Her stance gained a self-mocking quality.
“You ran to hide and protect him.” He guessed.
“I had no other choice.” Her lips pressed with apprehension.
“Your husband is a choice, bluidy hell!” He sprang from the chair. “It is my place to protect both of you.”
“And cause a clan war in the process.” She opined.
“I do not bluidy care!” He barked. “Did you not consider I should learn of this as soon as it started?”
“I did, but I was afraid of the consequences.” The confession brought little relief. “Hiding Ewan until he came of age to claim his place seemed a more peaceful choice.”
What would he do if he heard his life, his siblings, his father were also at risk she wondered? Gather the McKendricks, the McDougals and the favourable McPhersons in a bloodshed? The probability made her bones shiver.
“Who cares about peaceful when they have a weapon hanging over my heir?” He asked hotly.
“That was what I thought.” The clans often stirred becaus
e men perceived it as their duty to impose respect in a belligerent way. “If the clans choose confrontation, everyone’s life will be in the line.”
“And you suggest we cower?” He threw, swivelling to her abruptly.
“I suggest we choose peace.” Standing up, she turned full on him.
“A peace in which you live in fear and on the run.” He scoffed at the idea.
