Page 64 of A Fearless Rebel

Ava continued speaking, telling Keithen about her capture and then rescue by a woman named Hilda and the ultimate help by the man, Thomas. “I then went to the keep to find out what happened to ye and found that my brother was dying.”

“Ye have been through a great deal.” Keithen lifted a hand and she took it. “We will ensure that coin and what ye promised to the woman are sent,” Keithen reassured her.

Ava nodded. “I owe her a great debt.” She held her breath. “May I stay?”

Chapter Nineteen

Thankful that no one was in the room, Keithen slid from the bed and hobbled to the trunk at the foot of it. It took a bit of maneuvering, but he managed to pull out a tunic and then grabbed his tartan that hung on the door of the wardrobe and wrapped it around his waist. He pulled a corner up over his shoulders and belted it in place.

He waited a moment for the lightheadedness to go away and then hopped to the doorway. There was no time to remain in bed. If he was to recover faster, it was best to make himself move about and do more than remain in the bedchamber.

At the end of the corridor, he hesitated. The stairs would be hard to get down. One missed step and he would tumble.

“Do not move.” Broden appeared at the bottom of the steps and held both hands up. He hurried up the stairs and helped Keithen down. It was slow progress, especially when his ribcage began aching, but they made it to the first floor.

There were a few people milling about the space. Two stood before his father, arguing, while another group waited to be heard.

Keithen allowed Broden to help him to the sideboard where he lowered to a chair. His father looked to him, acknowledged Keithen with a nod and continued listening to the argument.

Once the situation between the men was resolved, the group who’d been waiting approached. They presented an idea for a multi-family farm that would share responsibilities of farming a parcel of land. They asked for land to farm and keep livestock on.

His father considered the request, conferring with two council members and, in the end, the land was granted to them.

Finally, Broden spoke. He reported on needs and requirements found while on patrol. The head archer, Ewan Ross, was next. He presented requests from the Ross guardsmen.

Keithen listened and gave input as needed.

Finally, a meal was served and as everyone ate, his father turned to him. “I am glad that ye are well enough to be here.”

“Do we have many injuries from the attack on Mackenzie Keep?”

Broden spoke up. “Five men injured, no dead.”

“One man injured, one dead,” Ewan reported for the archers.

“Alastair Mackenzie is dead,” Keithen told them, noting that everyone was surprised at the news. “Ava kept his death a secret until the Mackenzie from the north arrived. She said Atholl Mackenzie has been appointed as laird.”

The council began discussing their thoughts on the new laird, while Keithen scanned the room for his wife.

“Father, may I speak to ye in private?”

With his father’s help, they went to the study and closed the door. Keithen didn’t sit. He needed to spend time upright.

“If this is about Ava, whether she will remain or not, I leave it up to ye to make that choice.” His father paced. “She is yer wife and her ride to seek help is not only admirable, but it saved yer life. However, her recklessness is the reason for all of it. Ye almost dying. One archer dead.”

“I am not sure what to do,” Keithen admitted. “She is my wife and although her actions were wrong, I do understand why she did it.”

His father shook his head. “She disobeyed ye.”

Keithen considered his own rebellious actions and how hunting the men who’d hurt Catriona was why he was almost killed. How could he judge his own wife for something similar?

“I did hunt down those guards and kill them. Therefore, I am partly to blame for everything.”

His father didn’t seem surprised. “Ye disobeyed me then.” It was not a question, but a statement and Keithen nodded.

“If Ava remains here, with me, will it be against yer wishes?”

His father frowned. “Ye made vows to the woman, which makes her a Fraser. I believe she should remain. If she is scorned by the clanspeople, it is because she brought it upon herself. It will be a long time, if ever, that they accept her as one of our own.”