Chapter Two
Bearach Castle, Loch Moidart, Scotland
Colin Cameron strode into the candlelit great hall from the courtyard, where the men were preparing for an impending attack. Colin had come to help his friend and foster brother, Neacal MacDonald, the new chief of the MacDonalds of Moidart. Enemies were sneaking up on Neacal from every side.
When Neacal had sent Colin the missive, he'd said he expected MacDonald of Sleat to attack, attempting to take over the castle while Neacal's clan was recovering from the MacKenzie siege in which many of the Moidart men had been killed.
Now, a new threat loomed—Blackburn MacCromar. The man was trying to seize Anna Douglas from Neacal. All Colin knew thus far was that Neacal had eliminated a dozen of MacCromar's men singlehandedly, with bow and arrow, while protecting Anna on a remote mountain.
Colin proceeded into the solar where the maids had served supper. His friend wished to speak with him in private about the conflict.
The fireplace and a few candles lit the spacious, well-furnished room. The aromas of venison, bread, vegetables and herbs teased his senses.
Colin inhaled deeply. "Smells good."
"We missed supper in the great hall, and I wished to speak with you away from the others." Neacal's sharp blue gaze held great seriousness.
Good. Colin hoped he would enlighten him with the details.
They took seats at the table near the hearth. Prior to today, Colin had not seen his friend in a year. Neacal's return to remarkable health was astounding. The last time Colin had seen him, his friend had been near skin and bones from the horrid injuries he'd sustained while captured by his enemy, MacRankin.
Now, Neacal was lean and muscular, like a Highland warrior should be. His long dark hair hung over his shoulders, and the jagged pink scar on the side of his face only made him appear more fearsome.
Colin was hungrier than he'd realized after his long ride into the mountains to find Neacal. Besides, the food was delicious. He chewed and swallowed. "What's your plan in dealing with Blackburn MacCromar?"
"I'm going to kill the bastard." Neacal's voice was deadly serious.
"Ah. Don't you feel you're being a bit too lenient?" Colin asked with a trace of dry humor.
Neacal smirked. "Aye. He deserves torture worse than I suffered, but I'll spare him. I have no doubt he'll show up here."
"What if he wants to negotiate?"
"Negotiation happens when there is a hostage. Anna is here of her own free will, and I won't hand her over to him. Of a certainty, she won't choose to go with him. I expect that he'll grow hostile and attack once I tell him nay."
For several minutes they discussed battle strategy, ways they might gain the upper hand, and other clans who might join their force.
Colin took a long sip of ale, remembering how he'd come upon Neacal and Anna kissing in a glen between the mountains. Obviously, his friend was smitten with the lovely blonde. "Do you intend to marry Anna?"
"Of course."
Colin chuckled. "Damnation. You've become decisive of late."
Neacal grinned, giving a glimpse of his younger self. "I've always been decisive."
Colin was pleased to see him find happiness again. The change in Neacal when he was with Anna was miraculous.
He still didn't understand the lass's situation, and his friend seemed reluctant to tell him the whole story. What was her connection to Blackburn MacCromar, and why were his men trying to capture her?
"What on earth happened to her?" Colin asked.
Neacal hesitated for a moment, though Colin didn't ken why. Surely his friend trusted him. Neacal had always told him that he considered him more like a brother than his actual brother, Elrick.
Neacal drew in a deep breath. "Anna was forced into marriage with the murderous whoreson."
"Marriage?" Colin was stunned. The lovely blonde Neacal planned to marry was already married? His friend, ever the risk-taker, was playing with fire again.
"Aye. Blackburn MacCromar murdered the previous MacCromar chief, his cousin, Anna's first husband."
