Neacal glanced at the open door, realizing someone could be eavesdropping. He moved toward the door to close it.
"Chief?" The male voice came from the dimness of the corridor. Once the man came forward, into the light, Neacal saw that it was Uncle Bhatar.
"Aye, what is it?" Moving onto the threshold, he drew the door closed a bit, hoping to shield Anna from his view. The elders didn't need to know about his private conversations.
But he knew 'twas too late when Bhatar glanced past him. "Oh. I didn't know you had company." His sharp blue gaze darted between the two of them.
"I was just about to go out and join the men for training," Neacal said.
"Could I have a word first?"
"Aye."
"I must bid you both a good day," Anna said, moving toward the door. Though he did not want to step aside to allow her to leave, he did. He was surprised to see his dog following her.
"Dunn, come," he said. What a traitor. His own dog wanted to desert him for her. Well, Neacal couldn't blame him, in truth. Who wouldn't want to follow the sweet lass around? With regret, he watched her disappear down the corridor while Dunn returned to him.
Once she was out of sight, Uncle Bhatar said, "She is the one who was attacked last night. Is she not?"
"Aye." Neacal couldn't believe how irritated he was with the interruption. He'd wanted to talk to Anna a bit longer. Once he, Bhatar and Dunn were inside the library, he closed the door.
"I wanted to warn you, lad, there is a rumor going around that you killed that guard outright for no reason. There were no witnesses."
Sudden fury scraped over Neacal. "Mistress Douglas was a witness! The blackguard was trying to rape her."
"Aye, well. I believe you but some of the clansmen are unsure about what happened since no one else, aside from you and her, saw any of it."
"I don't give a damn if they're unsure. I know good and well what happened and so does Mistress Douglas. Tavia says she is covered in bruises from the ordeal. Do you think I would lie, uncle?" Neacal asked, his voice harder than he'd meant, but he was tired of the elders questioning him about everything. They seemed to enjoy prodding at him and inciting his anger.
"Nay. I don't, but a couple of the other council members have concerns."
Neacal ground his teeth. "Let me guess—Hugh."
"Aye."
"Well, he questions me at every turn, does he not?"
"Indeed, lad."
"Nothing I do pleases the council. I didn't ask for this position. I'm only doing it because all of you asked me to and to honor my father's memory. 'Tis what he would expect of me. But if the clan and council see me as an unfit chief, I'll leave."
"Nay, Neacal. I certainly don't wish you to leave. I believe you're the only hope this clan has. I've watched you since you were a wee lad. You're a good man. I'll talk to Hugh and the others."
"But I'm not my father, and no one in the clan will be happy with my leadership." He could never measure up to his father. He only wished he could be half as good.
"No two chiefs are the same. How could they possibly be? You're a far better chief than your brother, that's a certainty."
"So everyone says, but I doubt Hugh disapproved of him. He has some grudge against me."
"Humph. He's an old man. Don't pay any attention to him."
Neacal snorted at the irony, for his uncle was older than Hugh.
Bhatar's smirk was almost hidden in his white beard. "As I said, I'll talk to them. But I'm still wondering… why was the lass in here with you, alone?"
Neacal narrowed his eyes. Could he have no privacy? "I was inquiring about her injuries."
"Ah." Bhatar eyed him with speculation. "Who is she anyway?"
