‘He didn’t!’
When he raised his brow, she huffed. Her vehement response was an answer. So there were other factions here. Some who upheld the old story, who wanted to keep the hatred. Was it Hamish? He seemed too diminished to make such demands.
‘They could poison you, too,’ he said. ‘Because you’re married to me, a Lochmore, they could come after you. Did you think of that? Did you think I would tolerate it?’
She kept her quiet. He let her; it was a lot for him to think about, too.
‘Come. If Hamish sleeps, we will talk to your father.’
‘Ican’tleave the room,’ she said.
Her father was Tanist, but Hamish was Chief. Where did that leave his wife? For as much as she was direct and seemed to have independence, it appeared she was kept as a prisoner.
‘Is it like this every day?’ he asked. ‘Are you here every day.’
She looked at the window. ‘Yes.’
‘Then we’ll wait until someone brings you food and make them tend Hamish while we talk to your father.’
‘My father brings me food.’
Frederick wasn’t in the hall, and might have missed the morning repast which meant Ailsa would as well. Where was he and why would a warrior cater to his daughter?
Rory stood. ‘I will bring you food.’
Ailsa released her shuddering breath the moment Rory strode out the door. He seemed angry that her father brought food.
Was it wrong for family to wait on each other? They’d all grown very close since her mother died. At first, she’d been surprised when her father brought her food, but after a while, she’d looked forward to it. It was a time when they could talk. Now, however, because Rory asked her about it, she questioned it as well.
Because ultimately, her father wouldn’t be waiting on her if Hamish didn’t demand her time. Just how much power did Hamish wield? Something was amiss. Other Chiefs had gotten ill, other Tanists gained the control of clans, her own observations could be skewed.
But she knew, absolutely knew, Hamish was undermining her father’s rule. She knew that Paiden’s poisoning wasn’t an accident. That it had been done just at that moment to ensure he died so there would be a battle, that there would be no peace.
Her father often whispered that he wanted her to have a future he and his father never had. Hamish had no issue and cared not for the future of the clan. He had blind pride and revered the past when McCrieffs were strong, wealthy, honourable. It was...possible for Hamish to have ordered Lochmore’s demise.
Except for her interference, Paiden would be dead. She wished she knew what ailed him, buthis stomach contents had been too jumbled for her to guess correctly. Whatever the poison was, it was well hidden and, until she knew what, she feared any antidote.
In the meantime Paiden slept on, but for how much longer? Someone didn’t want her—a McCrieff, the Tanist’s daughter—marrying a Lochmore Chief’s son. They wanted war.
From Rory’s storm-ridden countenance, she feared he’d guessed that truth. Arrows pointed at him, he’d entered the McCrieff courtyard anyway. Paiden close to death, he’d married her anyway. He and his men had been threatened the moment they rode on McCrieff land. Yet, he was angry now.
Her heart wondered if his anger was from the fact that she now was threatened. He said he wouldn’t tolerate it. However, the way he said it... As if he wanted to say something stronger, more dangerous, and just held himself back.
Could Rory have feelings for her? Too soon. Not possible. Not given the history between McCrieffs and Lochmores. He’d said he’d married her for power.
Except they weren’t married and he seemed to think he was the only one to make sacrifices. She knew his, he didn’t know hers. Nor had he asked. And in truth, she wouldn’t even tell himof Magnus now. He didn’t deserve to know after what he’d done on their wedding night.
But now he meant to break her fast and last night he had preserved her honour.
Married or not, the real question was, in the light of day and knowing what happened afterwards, would she still have done it? She still believed some alliance with Lochmores would stop future battles. Lives would still be saved, maybe there was a chance at lasting peace.
Or maybe it was true, what Rory had said, and their marriage would expose how deep the hatred was between the clans. Paiden’s poisoning certainly revealed animosity; maybe someone would try to kill her for marrying Rory.
Marrying Rory. She wasn’t married. She hated that he held that control over her. More fool her if it did come to light. Despite her father’s leniency when it came to her being a healer, he would not forgive if his only child’s marriage was false.
Everything about this circumstance was false. They were simply strangers. Except...was that true?
Neither had been held to sword point. Her father had alluded to Rory suffering consequences, but she knew her father would never harm anyone invited to dine. Her father was a greatwarrior who had survived many battles. Other men had looked up to him long before he became Tanist. He’d earned that respect because of his reasoning as well as his sword.
