“I’m not worried for myself.”
“Buttercup, don’t look for trouble where there is none. I’d very much like for people to see us together. I’m proud to have garnered your consent to court you.”
“But that’s not what they’ll say. They wouldn’t have said that before, and now that news of the clash has made it to court, people will say my father sold me to you as repayment for what happened to your clan.”
“Let someone say as much, and they won’t be long for this world.”
“But they will. Perhaps not toyourface, but they will.”
“You worry aboot Madeline.”
“Among others,” Maude sighed.
“What happened?”
Before there was time for Maude to explain, the door burst open with Hamish glaring at Kieran. “I warned ye nae to dillydally.”
“Hamish, I would ask you to give us a moment. Something’s happened between Maude and my sister. She’s been unkind to Maude before, and I would find out what Madeline’s done now.”
“You sound as though you’d defend Maude.” Hamish’s skepticism was clear.
“Of course I will. Even if I wasn’t aware of my sister’s mean streak, I would still defend Maude before any others. I intend for her to be my wife. She comes first.” Kieran sensed Hamish was testing him, but he couldn’t keep himself from being provoked when it came to protecting Maude. Whether it was from potential highwaymen or his sister’s viperous tongue, he refused to back down if there was any chance Maude might be hurt.
“Vera well. I shall send Donald to stand guard outside yer door, lass. He will tell me how long the lad stays.”
“Da, can we come to the Sutherland suite instead? Wouldn’t it be easier if we use the solar? That way you can be certain how long Kieran stays?”
“It would, but I dinna want ye wandering the passageways alone when ye return here, and it seems to defeat the point if Kieran escorts ye right back here.”
“I can stay in my old chamber.”
“Vera well. Come along.”
Chapter Eight
Maude compromised with her father and agreed to leave the connecting door between the family solar and her parents’ dressing chamber open. Her father retired to his chamber, leaving his door ajar. While she negotiated with her father, Kieran built up the fire in the solar and in the chamber where Maude would sleep. When she returned to the solar, she peered over her shoulder but didn’t see her father moving about. Kieran took her hand and led her to a loveseat, but rather than sit side-by-side, he pulled her into his lap and arranged her so she had room to stretch her legs on the open cushion. She leaned her head against his chest and closed her eyes. Kieran didn’t rush her to tell the story; he enjoyed the peaceful embrace as much as she did. It was only when he feared one of them would drift off that he asked what happened.
“When you informed your sister aboot your departure, you must have looked one too many times at Arabella. Madeline began demanding Bella explain why you were looking at her and how long you’d been lovers. Bella insisted that you only looked at her because she was restless and couldn’t stand still. Bella had already told me aboot how Madeline tried to push Laurel toward you, but you weren’t interested. She told Bella that your parents had practically promised you and Laurel to one another since the cradle. I figured she was trying to get a rise out of Bella, but it was my face that must have reacted. I didn’t even feel it, but the next thing I know, Madeline is standing in front of me, in the Great Hall just as the evening meal is aboot to start, laughing and pointing. She demanded I explain why I would care who you were intended for. She mocked me, saying you would only look my way if you needed a sow to roast or if you wished to lure a wildcat since I have plenty of meat to spare.” Maude had stood in silence as Madeline humiliated her, refusing to add to the scene by caterwauling like his sister.
“When she finished, I leaned forward and said either way it meant you wanted me, which was more than she could say aboot any mon at court. I should have left well enough alone and continued to ignore her, but she got the better of my temper. Once I insulted her, she began accusing the Sutherlands of massacring your people. That we intended to overrun the MacLeods of Assynt and steal their land from honest, God-fearing people. Madeline called my father and brother butchers. She swung back around to her earlier comments, adding you’d only want me if you could toss me in a dungeon to rot as punishment to my father. She said even the rats in Stornoway wouldn’t want me.”
Kieran sat stunned. He believed every word Maude said. He knew his sister all too well. His only disbelief was that his sister was that naïve or that narrow sighted to not recognize the damage her ranting might do to their clan. The Sinclairs and Mackays were the Sutherlands’ allies, which meant they greatly outnumbered the MacLeods of Assynt. It was that reason that the rogue band of Sutherland cattle rustlers attacked. If Madeline didn’t still her tongue, she would cause a feud between the MacLeods and the Sutherlands along with their neighbors. The sept in Assynt was far too small to defend itself, which would mean he’d need to send men from Lewis to protect them. If he did that, he’d weaken his own defenses at Stornoway. Beyond that, Madeline once again humiliated the clan by showing her mean-spiritedness in public. He’d received inquiries from the Matheson laird looking for a wife for his fourth son. What he needed more than a woman was the bride’s dowry that accompanied her. But Kieran was familiar with the man, and his sons were all close to his own age. Of all Matheson’s sons, the fourth one was the best suited to deal with a hoyden like his sister. Kieran didn’t fear the man would ever raise a hand against Madeline, but he wouldn’t tolerate her behavior either. He would respond to the missive he’d received while at home. He would make arrangements to send Madeline to a new home and new husband.
“You’ve gone awfully quiet.” Kieran hated hearing the timidity in Maude’s voice. She might have been shy and self-conscious, but she wasn’t timid.
“I’ll arrange a marriage for Madeline to the Matheson’s fourth son.”
“Not because of me.” Maude tried to scramble off Kieran’s lap, but he kept her in place and kissed her temple.
“Not entirely. Madeline’s lack of diplomacy at court makes her a danger to our clan’s standing, not only here, but at home. If she’s willing to insult the Sutherlands without fear of repercussions, then she has no clue how clan matters work. She would risk a feud with your father, which would rally the Sinclairs and Mackays against us when Assynt is unprotected. To make sure they’d have a fighting chance, I’d have to send men from Lewis, which would only weaken us against the MacDonalds and the Mackenzies. Beyond that, her behavior reflects badly on our people. I don’t want my clan, my family in particular, to be known for being spiteful and hateful. That won’t strengthen any of our alliances. Who wants to be seen supporting a clan in disgrace?”
“Once she knows you’re courting me, she’ll put two and two together and find me at fault for her being sent into exile.”
“I don’t want to hide that I’m courting you. I’m proud to be asking for your hand, but I also don’t want to put you at risk for more of my sister’s vitriol while she’s still here. Nor do I want to ruin any chance of a peaceful keep when she visits us. I’m certain she’ll hold a grudge.” Kieran stroked Maude’s back until she leaned against him once more.
“Then I think, for now, you pursue the betrothal with the Mathesons if you believe it would be a good match for her, not a hurried one to distance her from court. Once that’s secure, you can take her to her new home. After that, we can make it known that you are courting me.”
“Buttercup, that might take months. I don’t want to be forced to skulk aboot trying to steal a few minutes with you here and there. How’re we supposed to get to ken one another if we can never see each other?”
