The chamberlain was no less disdainful than when Ronan attempted to gain entry the first time. The man turned his nose up at Ronan before disappearing within. However, this time Ronan entered immediately. He noticed the Privy Council chamber was abuzz with people working. Some poured over documents and maps, while others talked in small groups by the walls. Ronan suspected the Bruce wanted some ideas as to who he would pursue. But discussing his nuptials and any alliances in front of so many people was unappealing.
“Laird MacKinnon, good of you to come,” King Robert nodded as Ronan bowed, as though he’d asked Ronan rather than ordered him to appear. “You may approach.”
Ronan crossed the chamber and took the seat offered to him at the table in the center of the room. King Robert cast a speculative eye over Ronan, but he forced himself not to shift under the king’s assessment.
“It has been four days since last we met. Have you news to share?” King Robert inquired.
“I have considered a few potential brides, but I have yet to decide,” Ronan admitted.
“And who is on your list?”
“Laird MacNeill has an eligible daughter, but she’s a wee younger than I would prefer,” Ronan began. With a frown and a nod, the king agreed. “Laird MacDonald of Clan Ranald’s sister is also unwed, but much like the MacNeill’s daughter, she is still younger than I am comfortable…”
A pointed look from Ronan communicated that he would not consider a child bride, not even one in late adolescence. Robert nodded before saying, “You know that means you are nearly out of options among the clans of the isles.”
“Laird MacLean has three daughters who might be of interest. I don’t know if any of them are spoken for, but they are of a more acceptable age to me.” Ronan watched the king, who observed him with skepticism.
“Come to the point, MacKinnon. Who really interests you?”
“Lady Abigail.” Finally, Ronan had admitted it. He’d observed Abigail in the days since his last meeting with the king. He sat where he could see her during meals, and he timed his walk to the lists to coincide with the queen’s morning constitutional around the gardens. She was fair of face, but she seemed intelligent and not given to unnecessary chatter. Ronan witnessed that she often listened more than she spoke, and he recognized the same guarded demeanor as he possessed.
But Ronan remembered that, while quiet, Abigail had been outgoing and polite during his few encounters with her. He’d intentionally crossed paths with her at least once each day, at different times and when she was with different people. Each time, she greeted him warmly and inquired about his day. He knew they were the banalities of decorum, but they had seemed more than just pro forma.
During each of these exchanges, Ronan had pushed himself to be outgoing. He returned Abigail’s interest in his days and found that, unlike the ladies who bored and irritated him with their banal twittering, he didn’t mind listening to Abigail tell of morning strolls and time spent in the queen’s solar. He’d even gone so far as to ask her to dance more than once. But to avoid causing unnecessary chatter about his attention toward her, he forced himself to dance with some of the other ladies as well.
“She’s a fine choice, but—” King Robert glanced around before rising. He ushered Ronan back to the chairs where they’d previously sat. “Are you aware she handfasted with Lathan Chisolm?”
“I hadn’t heard,” Ronan responded cautiously.
“You ken that means she isn’t a maiden,” King Robert continued.
“How long ago did the handfast end?”
“Going on six moons,” King Robert answered.
“And she bore him no children? Is that why he repudiated it? Or did she?” Ronan realized he’d asked too much and leaned back.
“You are right to ask such questions. He repudiated the trial because he wanted her dowry, but not her. He intended all along to send her back to Stornoway and find someone on the mainland to marry. He was lucky that the MacLeod settled for demanding redress through me rather than flaying the mon alive. He took precautions not to sire any children, though he has three—nay, four—illegitimate children who live in his village with his mistress.”
“Was Lady Abigail aware of this—er—arrangement before entering the handfast?” Ronan’s chest tightened as he thought about the humiliation and pain Abigail must have suffered. He didn’t know Lathan Chisholm, but he was certain he would despise the man on sight.
“Nay. He approached Kieran, and Kieran allowed his sister to choose between marriage or service to the queen. She understood it was a handfast but chose Lathan, anyway. From what I understand, she learned of the mistress and the intended repudiation by accidently overhearing a conversation between the laird and his brother. When she attempted to let Kieran know, Lathan began threatening her and made her a virtual prisoner within the keep. The bluidy bastard waited until the last minute when he kenned Kieran and his wife Maude were visiting her family, the Sutherlands. He rode into Stornoway, pulled Lady Abigail from her horse, tossed the reins to one of his men, and rode out.”
Ronan forced himself not to grimace or clench his hands. He was angry on Abigail’s behalf. While he couldn’t imagine being such a cad, he knew plenty of men who didn’t think twice about treating women as little better than livestock.
“It was a Chisholm guardsman who unfastened her chest from a packhorse and explained his laird’s intentions. They left Lady Abigail and her mother, Lady Adeline, stunned.” King Robert sat back, his eyes keenly fastened on Ronan’s face, observing his expression. When nothing flickered within Ronan’s eyes, King Robert wondered how the young laird had learned to hide his emotions and reactions so well. He’d expected his news to shock Ronan, make him shake his head and refuse the lady.
“If Lady Abigail is amenable, I would like to get to know her and see if marriage to me might interest her,” Ronan announced.
“Her past doesn’t bother you? You don’t mind that she’s not an innocent?”
“From what you told me, she’s innocent. It’s the mon she trusted who isn’t. He manipulated her and took advantage of her faith in their agreement.” Ronan nodded and held up his hand. “I ken that’s not the innocence you mean. As long as she isn’t bearing another mon’s child, then it is of little consequence to me that she isn’t a virgin. I see her as being in a position little different from a widow. It wasn’t immorality that stole her maidenhead. It was a conniving bastard.”
The Bruce considered Ronan’s comments and eventually nodded his head. The memory of how Abigail’s older sister Madeline treated his goddaughter Maude was still fresh, despite the years and Madeline’s own personality changes. He recalled how Abigail refused to welcome Maude when her sister-by-marriage arrived at Stornoway. But he also considered the woman he’d seen over the past three months and what his own wife had shared with him. He was confident that Abigail had matured during her time away from Stornoway, both as a wife and as a lady-in-waiting.
“I think you will find Lady Abigail is an excellent choice. Besides the obvious political benefits, she’s a woman I think you will appreciate. I will not force a betrothal on you, but I would advise you send a missive to her brother as soon as possible. I believe she intends to return to Stornoway for Christmas.”
“She will travel to the isles during this time of year?” The news surprised Ronan. Even he didn’t want to travel north in early December.
