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If he thought his father would soften his stance, Niall was to be disappointed. He dealt less with the man who’d given him life than the chief of Duncraig now. His father’s nose flared, but he gave no other indication he’d heard him.

Turning on his heel, he retreated from the hall. He would speak with his mother and then take Avelina from here. From his home.

The only one he’d ever known.

Take her away. . . perhaps, forever.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

“Thank you for the gowns, my lady,” Avelina said as her mother-in-law came into the chamber.

When she’d woken up to find Niall gone, Avelina began to dress herself. Missing Mary, not only for the aid she provided but for her companionship as well, she’d been about to slip on the one gown that did not tie in the back when a knock at the door interrupted her.

A serving maid entered, her arms laden with new gowns.

They’d chosen one, and Avelina dressed wondering where Niall had gone. To speak with his father? He’d mentioned doing so last eve.

Heat crept up her shoulders to her cheeks thinking of their wedding night. How many times they made love. What her husband had done to her. How could Avelina not know ‘twas possible? She would speak with Mary on the matter, the only married woman she knew who could have and should have mentioned such things.

Another knock sounded, and this time, ‘twas Niall’s mother.

“You are most welcome,” Mairi said, closing the bedchamber door behind her. Sitting in a high-backed wooden chair, she watched as the maid placed braids on each side of Avelina’s hair, pulling them back and tying the pieces together.

“I am sorry for the welcome you received,” his mother said. “‘Twas quite a surprise to learn Niall had married.”

“And married to a MacKinlay,” Avelina added.

“Aye.”

The maid did not flinch. Likely by now, word had spread, and all of Castle Duncraig knew of Niall’s new bride.

“I do not harbor as much hate and resentment as my husband. Or as you must for our clan,” the lady ventured.

On this, Avelina was torn. “I’ve hated for so long,” she said. “And did not expect to feel anything but for the rest of my days. Until I met your son.”

“He is an extraordinary man.”

“Indeed, he is,” Avelina agreed.

The maid finished. Avelina’s mother-in-law nodded to her as if in dismissal. With a quick bob, she did then leave.

“And I imagine you are an extraordinary woman to have captured his attention. Niall has not shown any proclivity to marry until now.”

“I cannae tell you I’ve wanted to marry either, despite my brother’s urging.”

“Until Niall?”

“Aye.”

“My son, for many reasons, has never been a spontaneous one. He carefully plans, to a fault, and so you can understand our surprise in this.”

Avelina sat on the edge of the bed.

“The healer,” she said. “He leaves nothing to chance because of it. Because of his guilt.”

His mother’s facial expression showed her surprise. “He told you of it?”

“Aye.”