“Aye.” Alexander gave Mrs. Aberfeldy a damning narrow-eyed scowl. “But I’ve no’ accepted as yet.”
“Why not?” Catriona cried out. “Ye would make a fine chieftain!”
Alexander pointed toward the door then nodded to the old women. “Out. The both of ye.”
“But…”
“I said out.” Alexander took a step toward them. “I’ve much to discuss with my wife and I dinna wish it to become fodder for the kitchen gossips.”
“But…” Mrs. Aberfeldy repeated.
Mrs. Elena shot the housekeeper a dark look then took hold of her plump elbow and steered her toward the door. Shoving her into the next room, she paused to look back and nod at Alexander. “I hope ye find it in your heart to accept.” Then she exited and closed the door with a firm thud behind her.
Alexander turned back and stared at Catriona for a long moment. There was no way to make what he had to say any softer so best say it and be done with it. “I’m finding it difficult to stomach being named chieftain to a clan of cowards.”
“Cowards?” Catriona repeated, brow furrowed as though she didn’t understand. “How could ye think us cowards?”
“Why did the men of this clan no’ address the issue of your father, and then your brother? Why did they support such behavior? I ken your father was their kin and chosen by their elders, but only a coward stands by and allows their women such callous mistreatment.”
“My father was no’ their kin.” Catriona spoke with a strange, detached calmness. Alexander recognized it for the shield that it was. If Catriona didna separate herself from the evil of her family's history, she'd lose herself to despair. She stared down at her hands as she continued, “Clan Neal is my mother’s bloodline. They accepted her husband as their chieftain at her request since her father had no sons.”
“That still doesna excuse keeping the tyrant in power.”
“They did so to honor my mother. I can remember her saying so at different times over the years before she died.” Catriona shrugged. “And when my sire happened to breed horses so renowned that even the sale of just one filled the clan’s coffers, they were more than happy to look aside.” She gave a sad shake of her head as she looked away to watch the sunshine streaming into the window. “Ye see, Alexander, 'twas no' so much cowardice as it was greed.” She looked back at him. “They assuaged their consciences by telling themselves there was no harm in sacrificing a few for the betterment of the whole. My mother felt the same and I promise ye, it shames me.”
The door vibrated with a hard knock.
“Who knocks?” A frustrated growl escaped him, doing little to assuage his frustrated desire to bellow and roar.Hell’s bells.His wife had just awakened and they couldna even manage a simple conversation without being interrupted.
“'Tis Graham. I bear news ye need to hear.”
Alexander yanked open the door and waved him inside. “What now?”
Graham’s demeanor brightened when he noticed Catriona had awakened. “Dear sister, 'tis so good to see ye faring better.”
“Thank ye, Graham.” Catriona gave the barest nod toward Alexander. “Ye best tell him your news. He’s no' in the best of humors.”
“And rightly so,” Alexander interrupted. “I canna even complete a private conversation with my wife.” He pulled in a deep breath then expelled it as he scrubbed at his gritty eyes, burning for need of sleep. “What news have ye, brother?”
“Campbell is at our gates.”
“Then by all means, keep them shut,” Alexander said, torn between rushing from the room to prepare for pending attack and staying at Catriona’s side to protect her. A solution finally occurred to him. “Where’s the priest?”
“I am here and ready to guard your lady.” Father William walked into the room, two pistols clipped to the leather belt he’d lashed around the waist of his robes, a shield in one hand, and a short sword in the other. “Go now and lead your people to victory.”
Catriona held out a hand to him and he rushed to take it. “Ye are our leader and chieftain whether ye wish it or not.” She squeezed his hand, giving him a look that melted his heart and made him wish to do nothing more than gather her up and hold her. “I beg ye, husband, accept and embrace the role.”
“Is that what ye truly wish, Catriona?” It amazed Alexander that she wished to stay here and rebuild her clan after all the ill-will they’d seemed so able to accept. He couldna believe she wasna ready to shed them and start life anew. “Ye truly wish to redeem these people?”
“Aye,” she said with a smile. “There are many good folk here worthy of being saved. I swear it.”
“Then it shall be done,” he agreed, a sudden weariness overcoming him. Who was he to fight such a mighty force as Catriona?
