Page 4

Fergus swallowed. “I found and spoke with the merchant myself. He is just outside the keep. And is certain. The man has been alive long enough to know the Duncraig plaid even if it’s not been seen around these parts for many years.”

“So you are saying he is old?”

“Aye.”

Her brother had little patience with anything but directness. “Say as much, Cousin.”

“I will tell you then, ’tis them.”

“Coming here?”

“Appears so, aye.”

As her brother said, ’twas impossible. “They’d never do such a thing,” she blurted. “Nay. Not possible.”

Their oldest enemies, Clan Duncraig, had all but decimated Clan MacKinlay. ’Twas only by the sheer will of the women who remained behind to forge alliances to keep them safe that they had survived. The next generation, including her brother, had led the regrowth that made Clan MacKinlay a force to be reckoned with once again.

From the ashes.

The new clan motto they’d adopted nigh five years ago. In all this time, not once had a Duncraig dared come near their land. Neither had MacKinlay clansmen tempted fate by finding themselves within two days’ ride of Clan Duncraig’s land. If there was a meeting of the clans and either were to attend, the other held back.

“’Tis exceedingly odd,” her brother mused.

Nay, more than odd. “’Tis an outrage. Do they believe they can simply ride through the gates of our castle unbidden? As if we would allow them entry.”

Her brother nodded, seemingly agreeing with her. “I cannae think they mean to gain entry, but we will go nonetheless.” He stood. “To be certain.”

As if expecting as much, Fergus already stepped away from the dais and began to head to the hall’s entrance.

Avelina would not be dissuaded from accompanying them. When Ewan looked at her as if to say, “You should remain here,” Avelina preempted him with, “You will have to pin me down screaming to keep me behind.”

A prospect, it seemed, Ewan did not relish. Shaking his head, he followed Fergus and Avelina followed both men.

Partly infuriated at the audacity of these Duncraig clansmen and partly curious, she lifted the hem of her gown to catch up with Ewan and Fergus. Even worse, she cursed the newcomers in her head, for she’d had only a few bites of her pear tart. As if she needed another reason to resent the most unwelcome intrusion Castle MacKinlay had ever seen in her lifetime.

’Twas an interesting turn of events she could never have predicted.

Duncraig clansmen. Here. She had to see evidence of it to believe it.

Chapter Three

“Through the village. A worthy idea, Brother,” Niall said as they rode toward the keep, no less than two dozen horsemen at their back by now.

If his brother reached down between his legs, Niall was certain Kieran would not be able to grasp his own bawsack. It was that large. Some may even call him reckless, but secretly, when he wasn’t on the precipice of getting himself killed.

“Should we have snuck in then? Finding ourselves with backs full of arrows?”

“Perhaps circumnavigating the village may have been advantageous,” Niall responded, knowing full well Kieran had understood his meaning the first time.

His brother turned to look behind them. “They seem less than pleased.”

“Perhaps as pleased as I am to be on MacKinlay land.”

“And yet, thirty of your best men, including your clan’s chief, were not slaughtered.”

“A happy circumstance of being better-trained warriors.”

“Mmmm. . .” Kieran had a surprising softness for their enemy, one Niall could never understand. He hated them, aye. Would not be here today if their father had not demanded it. And yet, when they spoke of the battle, Niall’s brother often attempted to force him into considering Clan MacKinley’s position. As if their clans had not been feuding for decades, forcing the king to such extreme measures as commanding the battle that had decimated Clan MacKinlay.