“As best I ken, her mother’s people were MacDonalds, so she fled to them once they returned to their land.”
“And the betrothal?”
“Seamus severed it. They had already paid half the dowry. He demanded Matheson pay it in full or he would invoke our alliances with ye, the Sutherlands, the Mackays, and through ye, the extended alliances with the MacLeods of Lewis and of Assynt.”
“Matheson kenned he wouldnae stand a chance.”
“Aye. And drawing in the Sutherlands is the only way to ensure the Rosses would leave us alone. Amelia is still Monty’s aunt. He wouldnae dare fight against his uncle and Lachlan. It wouldnae happen.”
“Ye said this happened while ye were four-and-thirty. Yer saint’s day was only two sennights ago. We celebrated here.”
“Aye. It happened a moon and a half ago. Bluidy wonderful gift. We’ve been sorting everything out since the Mathesons left and took their men with them, but I left as soon as I could. I spent a sennight meeting with Monty to repair the damage Father did. Seamus rode out to talk to Torrian at our border. Michail rode with his father. The Gunns bided their time while the land at our northern border was so undesirable, but they’re making incursions again. It doesnae matter that ma mother lives there. I think it’s because of her. Mother doesnae care that her cousin is Lady MacLeod of Assynt, either. They’re causing trouble with the MacLeods again. Ye ken,amicus meus, inimicus inimici mei.” My friend, the enemy of my enemy.
“May I tell Callum?”
“Aye. I would never ask ye to keep aught from yer husband. Besides, he’ll be laird one day. He must ken what occurs with yer enemies and yer allies. I would tell Liam, though. Once I have, then the others may as well ken.”
“Nay one else has to, Magnus. We dinna usually keep secrets, but this is nae mine nor Liam’s nor Callum’s secret to tell.”
“It’s hardly a secret after two hundred people watched me stand before ma brother and tell how a woman half ma size nearly raped me.”
A sound to Magnus’s right made him turn. He squinted, but he saw naught but a couple leaves on a bush move. He watched, but nothing else happened. He assumed it was a rabbit or a squirrel. He prayed it wasn’t someone listening. He didn’t want the story spread throughout the clan. He’d come to escape the incident, not relive it every time someone saw him.
“Magnus, is the shame that she nearly assaulted ye worse than the shame of how ye reacted?”
“Aboot the same. Seamus and I were basically raised here. Sinclair men dinna harm women. We dinna use our size to threaten or hurt them. I did that from the moment I woke until the moment they rode through the gates.”
Siùsan tilted her head as she rubbed between her eyebrows. She closed her eyes and exhaled before she looked up at her brother. She didn’t see a warrior. She saw a little boy whose parents ignored him. Parents who spent more time yelling at one another than remembering they had two sons to raise. She saw a boy whose father told him he was never good enough despite his years training with the Sinclairs. She saw the toddler who climbed into her lap for her to mother when she was only two-and-twelve.
“I’m glad ye came, Magnus. I ken ye canna stay forever, but I wish ye could. I wish Seamus, Caroline, and the weans could all move here.”
“I ken ye would protect us just as ye did when we were all weans, but ye canna. Other than foul memories, I didna suffer any lasting damage.”
Siùsan was slow to nod, but she wouldn’t argue with him. She wrapped her arm around his as they turned back to the village. The moment they entered the market, a pit formed in his stomach. He knew it wasn’t a rabbit or squirrel that was behind the bush.
CHAPTER5
Magnus entered the market with Siùsan, but she soon recognized a group of women, so she took her baskets and joined them. Before their talk, Magnus planned to find Siùsan a gift. Now he considered turning on his heel and running from the village. But he couldn’t. He needed the gift, and he couldn’t avoid Saoirse since she was watching him.
“Ye heard.” It wasn’t fully an accusation, but it definitely wasn’t a question.
“I did. I’m sorry.”
“Did ye hear all of it?”
“Aye.”
“And ye didna think to leave? That mayhap I wouldnae appreciate ye hearing aboot such a shameful event?” Magnus couldn’t meet Saoirse’s gaze. He looked over her head, scanning the crowd for anyone who might watch them.
“Will ye walk with me?”
“Where are yer guards?” Magnus frowned as he realized he didn’t see anyone assigned to her.
“Da says I can come to the market without any, but if I intend to leave the path between the village and the keep, then I must have someone accompany me. I’m never to walk alone anywhere but between the keep and village.”
Magnus nodded. Saoirse left the stall where she browsed dried flowers. She’d been curious rather than an intent shopper. She led Magnus to the far side of the market, which ended at the northern outskirts of the village.
“Magnus, the only shame is on her. Ye did naught wrong.” Saoirse had rattled the leaves when she’d fisted her hands and shifted in anger. She’d forced herself to remain still until she heard the part about Magnus blaming himself.
