“’Tis no’ that I havena wanted to.”
“I know—the trouble.” She sighed and stepped behind him to shed her clothes. “The MacKinnion’s ruined all our fun this year. Soon ’twill be too cold to come here. I’ve only enjoyed my pool four times in these months, instead of twice weekly. Soon I’ll be married, and then where’ll I be swimming?”
“I doubt The MacDonough will allow you your sport, Sheena,” Niall said. One of his moments of maturity was upon him.
“Dinna say that, little brother, or I’ll no’ agree to the vows,” she said sharply.
Sheena dived into the crystal-clear water and came up in time to hear Niall call down to her, “Do you have a choice, Sheena?”
She frowned. Did she? Her father was firmly set on Alasdair MacDonough. He had heartily agreed to the match because MacDonoughs, who lived halfway between the Fergussons and the MacKinnions, were at peace with the MacKinnions and could help Dugald sue for peace.
She had met Sir Alasdair for the first time on the day they were betrothed, so she knew little about him. He was pleasing to look upon and not nearly asold as William, although not as young as she would have liked, either. He was about thirty-three years old. Her father was undoubtedly trying to please her by choosing a young, personable husband. She was sure of that—and just as sure that he hadn’t detected the arrogance of The MacDonough. She had seen it, though, and knew he was unbearably self-centered. He would probably put restrictions on her, and his pride would demand she conform.
Sheena bristled. “’Tis no’ nice of you to remind me of my plight, Niall Fergusson,” she called up to him, piqued. “I dinna see you facing anything so loathsome as marriage to a stranger.”
“Nay, but Father has threatened to send me to an English court the next time I get into trouble. He says I’m too old to be pulling pranks and breaking rules.”
“Aye, and so you are.”
“So what am I doinghere, I ask you?”
“Protecting me, just as I’ll protect you from Father if we’re found out. Dinna fash yourself, Niall. He’ll no’ send you away for something so harmless.”
“Risking your life is no’ harmless, Sheena,” Niall retorted. “Do hurry.”
He threw down her soap as a hint, and Sheena saw she wouldn’t get a long swim. She began to wash herself, frowning at her own thoughtlessness. Niall really was terrified of being sent away to a court full of strangers, and English strangers at that. She knew it, yet she risked their father’s wrath for afew moments of her own pleasure. It wasn’t right. Niall came with her to the glen only because he loved her. If she got him in trouble because of it, she’d never forgive herself.
“I’ll make it up to you, Niall. The next time you get into trouble, I’ll take the blame. I used to, remember.”
“Yes, I know you did.”
“What can Father do to me when I’m to be married in two months?”
“Give you a taste of the taws.”
“Och, he wouldna. I’m too old for the leather strap. Dinna worry about being sent away, Niall But once I’m married and gone, you’re on your own, laddie.”
“I’ll be raiding then, as Father promised. That’ll be enough adventure to keep me out of trouble.”
“You sound as if you look forward to raiding,” Sheena said, shocked.
“Raiding the MacKinnions, yes. I’d give anything to meet The MacKinnion himself.”
Sheena gasped. “Are you daft, Niall? He’d chop off your head. He’s a mean one, and no mistake.”
“I dinna believe all the stories about him.”
“He’s a thieving murderer! Have you forgotten six of our clan have died these last months?”
“And a like number of his clan, no doubt, since Father was honor-bound to raid them, as well. But you canna deny he’s brave, Sheena, the bravest man we know of.”
“I dinna deny he’s bold, but you dinna have to be praising him.”
“I respect his courage.”
“Respect him all you like, just pray you never meet the man, or you’ll be respecting him from your place inside a coffin.”
Sheena finished her bath, left the pool, and wrung out her hair to braid it. As she donned her clothes, Niall spoiled the pleasant day by announcing, “Cousin William returns today.”
