"This is my cousin, Ewan, chief of Clan Grant," Darack said.
The two exchanged greetings and shook hands.
"How did you know we were out here?" Mairiana asked.
"I had a man watching the Lindsays in the wood." Dugald sent a glare toward them, where they waited several yards away. "For the past three days, since they left Rornoch, we've been following them. We figured they were up to no good when they lurked about in the wood instead of requesting entrance at Dunmoris Castle. Especially after Alec told me you'd been kidnapped by Darack."
"I was not kidnapped," she assured him. "Darack was protecting me from Alec and his men."
"Why is Alec trying to harm you, sister?"
"I heard him murder a man in cold blood, and I could not marry him after that."
"Murder?" Dugald spoke loudly enough for Alec to hear and glowered at him.
"She lies!" Alec shouted.
"He killed his own guard because of your dagger," Mairiana said.
"My dagger?" Dugald asked.
"Aye. In Perth, the guard took your dagger and sold it for a pittance. That's the reason Alec killed the guard—because he didn't get more money for it."
"I knew you stole it, you whoreson!" Dugald called out to Alec. "But not to worry. I have it back now. 'Tis a shame you felt the need to kill someone over it. No weapon is worth a person's life."
"Darack was working in the stables, mucking out stalls," Alec said. "He killed the guard and stole his weapons!"
Mairiana shook her head. "He will say anything now to get out of it. I figured if he knew I was a witness to his malicious crime, he would kill me too, or make my life miserable. When I decided to leave, Darack slipped me outside the walls and protected me the entire time. He was trying to get me past Alec's men and back to Rornoch as soon as possible, but they injured him terribly. He is only now recovering."
"I thank you, Darack."
"No need to thank me. I would protect Lady Mairiana with my life."
Dugald observed him for a long, speculative moment, no doubt wondering about the reason for his devotion and selflessness.
Alec yelled, "I want my bride returned to me!"
"Nay!" Darack and Dugald shouted simultaneously.
Dugald eyed him again, then grinned and turned his attention back to Alec. "Consider the marriage contract null and void."
"I will take this before the king!"
"Let's do," Dugald said. "I will also inform him you have committed murder."
"You have no proof. None of you do."
"I am a witness," Mairiana responded.
"You are but one woman and no one who matters will believe you. Besides that, Chief Grant, the king will be interested to know you are sheltering several MacGregors," Alec said.
"What MacGregors? I see none," Ewan said.
"Darack for one. If you won't return my bride to me, you will be seeing the king's retainers soon, I'm certain."
Darack watched as Ewan and Dugald exchanged a calculating glance, then a nod. "Capture them!" both chiefs shouted to their guards. Within seconds, the Grants and MacKerricks surrounded the Lindsays, outnumbering them two to one.
The Lindsays looked to Alec for a command or direction, but none came. Alec's wild-eyed horse neighed and danced about in a circle. One of the guards finally dragged him from his saddle.
