"He has always seemed a fair and honest man to me."
"He is. And his bark is worse than his bite."
"I'll be sure to tell him you said that." Darack grinned, lowered his head and kissed her briefly.
"Nay! Do not tell him." She chuckled.
"I was but jesting. So, will you marry me?"
"Aye, with pleasure."
After another delightful kiss, Darack pulled himself away. "We must join the others, else they'll wonder what we're up to." He winked.
She blushed. "Aye, you're right. But I must tell you in all seriousness, Father Bhradain was against us taking you to the enchanted loch."
Darack nodded. "I can well imagine. Is that why Ma wanted to talk to him in the chapel?"
"I think so. Hopefully she can calm him."
"Did you give her the brooch?" Darack whispered in Mairiana's ear.
"Nay, of course not. I wanted you to give it to her."
He nodded. "We will tonight, together."
***
Upon joining the other men in the bailey, Darack learned that Ewen had sent out several of his best soldiers to scour the wood for more Lindsays. Alec had already said his father was with them. By noon, the guards brought in six more Lindsay clansmen, including their chief, Angus.
"I demand that you release my son and my men at once!" Chief Lindsay said, his face dark red above his short gray beard.
"After we negotiate. Bring him into the library," Ewan told his guard.
Darack followed Ewan into the library, and the guard brought in Chief Lindsay.
"Please, have a seat." Ewan motioned to the chairs, then sat at the head of the table. Darack sat beside him.
Ignoring his congenial words, Chief Lindsay remained standing. "I'll not negotiate with a man who harbors outlaws, murderers and kidnappers!" he yelled, glaring at Darack.
Refusing to be pulled into an angry shouting match and name calling, Darack merely raised a brow, then leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest. He knew if he said anything, Chief Lindsay would simply get more riled.
"Your son is the murderer and thief," Ewan said calmly. "If necessary, I'll take him before the king myself."
"Of course, you would believe your outlaw cousin over me." Chief Lindsay's face reddened further. "You are mad, the lot of you!"
"Lady Mairiana was a witness to your son murdering his own guard. That's why she chose to leave him and now refuses to marry him. There was no kidnapping," Ewan said. "The lady asked Darack to protect her on her journey and that was all he did. As a baron, I'm well within my rights to arrest a murderer—Alec—and have him escorted to London."
Chief Lindsay hung his head, then dropped into the chair at the other end of the table. After a dejected sigh, he said, "That is my heir you're talking about."
"Aye." Ewan leaned back in his chair. "My father considered you a close friend and a good man. What's happened? You've now lowered yourself to Alec's level?"
Chief Lindsay released a long breath and shook his head. "Hugh was a great friend to me. I miss him sorely. What would it take for you to release my son?"
Ewan eyed him for a long moment. "Do you really want someone of his character leading your clan one day?"
"I have another son, you ken. One who would make a better chief, in truth. I will deal with Alec. If he does not change his ways, I'll turn him in myself."
Darack could not believe his ears, but indeed the man did look sincere… and also disappointed in his son.
"Alec threatened to report to King James that I'm harboring MacGregors. No one here claims that name. If some of their ancestors were MacGregors, that is no fault of their own. Some of my family members live here—including my cousin, Darack—but there is no law against that."
"Aye, none of us will be reporting MacGregors," Lindsay conceded.
"If any of you do, I'll immediately report Alec's crimes," Ewan said, a glint of warning entering his eyes.
"I agree with that," Lindsay said.
To Darack, the man seemed sincere as he shook their hands. But what if Alec refused to go along with the agreement?
