Page 28 of A Fearless Rebel

“She is not a Mackenzie, but a Fraser now,” Alastair replied in a bored tone. “She’s married to one.”

“Not by my choice,” Ava interjected, even though it went without saying.

“I will not allow ye to send off yer sister to the people that rejected her so publicly.”

Her brother stood, his flat gaze moving from Ava to their mother. “I am laird now, Mother, and as much as I respect yer opinion, I must do what is best for our clan. Did Father not say it matters not who pays as long as we gain power?”

Lady Mackenzie stilled, seeming to see that Alastair was not at all different than her newly departed husband. “He did.”

As much as Ava had hoped her intervention would help, she began to lose hope.

“I fear yer brother is correct,” her mother uttered. “Ye are a Fraser now. We must do what is best for our clan.”

It was as if the room swayed and she grabbed the back of a chair. She was a woman without a family, without a clan and without any claim.

Unwanted by her family and her husband.

Chapter Nine

Keithen entered the study and immediately every eye turned to him. His father looked particularly discomfited and cleared his throat.

When no one spoke, he didn’t ask what had happened. Obviously, it had to do with him and perhaps it was time to tell the truth. Time to confess that he’d been the one who’d been killing the guardsmen who’d attacked Catriona. However, as much as he admired who did it, he could not take responsibility, or perhaps credit, for Laird Mackenzie’s death.

“I did not kill Laird Mackenzie,” Keithen said, starting what he was sure would be a long period of questioning. “Whoever did must have had a greater quarrel with the man. When we find out who it is, we should invite him over to celebrate with us.”

His father motioned for him to sit. “It is not known who killed Laird Mackenzie. I am glad to hear it was not ye.”

“Of course, they will wish to blame us. I suppose we should prepare for war,” Keithen replied.

“Although they have become smaller in size, we do not wish to head into battle,” a council member added.

Broden gave Keithen a pointed look. “They’ve sent a messenger. The man was just sent to the kitchen to seek a meal.”

What could Alastair Mackenzie want so soon? “If he wishes to visit, I suggest we deny him.”

“It is not he who comes,” his father started.

“Does it matter?” Keithen interrupted. “After everything they did, why would they seek to come here? We do not owe them any kind of favor.”

“Stop speaking and listen,” Broden snapped. “Unlike the other lairds, we could not break our alliance with them for obvious reasons.”

The marriage of course. He and Ava Mackenzie were married and, therefore, the two clans remained bound.

Laird Fraser stood to his full height. Although a bit shorter than Keithen, his father was not a small man. Of slim build, he remained in good form.

“A Mackenzie, I believe brother to the late laird is who comes. I believe they plan to discuss our alliance and seek to ensure it remains strong.”

“Have we a choice?” Keithen asked.

“Although we will remain allied to Clan Mackenzie, there will be no sworn fealty between us. Despite the fact they send a pawn.”

“A pawn?” Keithen glared toward the doorway. Was there no way to ever get rid of the albatross that was Clan Mackenzie? Almost every other allied clan except for them had broken their ties immediately upon the laird’s passing. It was only those that were bound by marriages that remained.

“…to live here.” Keithen wasn’t sure what he’d missed. He’d been too busy musing about the inconvenience of the situation. Admittedly, they did not have to fear another thrashing as the clan was much smaller now.

“What did ye say?” he asked his father, noting everyone seemed to be awaiting his reaction.

“Yer wife is being brought to live here.” His father locked gazes with him. “They say she is not a Mackenzie but a Fraser.”