“They don’t matter. Good riddance to them.”
“Even your own mother?” She broke off a piece of the bread, setting it on the ground within reach.
He snatched it up, shoving it into his mouth to avoid answering. Behind his brown eyes, she saw the shadow of hurt. “I don’t care if I see any of them again.”
The lie slipped from his mouth, and he didn’t meet her gaze. Nairna left the remainder of the bread at his feet. “I’m going to bring the women and children back,” she promised. “But first, I need to learn more about what happened with the attacks.”
“I’ve nothing to say to you.” Dougal ate the bread, his gaze fixated upon the horizon where his brothers were disappearing over the ridge. The intense longing on his face and the adolescent sense of unfairness possessed him.
Bram was right, Nairna realized. If she dared to loosen the ropes, the boy would be gone within a few minutes. Though she hated the thought of keeping him tied up, there seemed to be no alternative.
“I’ll bring you food and drink later,” she promised. With a reluctant glance back at Dougal, she left him behind.
Inside the Hall, the MacKinloch men had left the evidence of their own meal from the night before, with bits of bread, discarded meat and refuse strewn everywhere.
The chief’s wife Laren crossed the Hall, seeming to recognize the dismay on her face. “It’s a waste of time to let it bother you.” She lowered her voice and leaned in. “The men here don’t bother to think of living any differently. In all the time I’ve lived here, nothing has changed.”
“What about Alex? Doesn’t he care?”
Laren’s mouth tightened. “He’s occupied with other matters. Table manners are the least of his concerns.”
“The women,” Nairna guessed. “Is he trying to bring them back?”
Laren shook her head, disappointment crossing her face. “Not really. He says they’ll come back when they’ve learned their lesson. He’s more interested in defending Glen Arrin against the English.”
“And what if you’d gone with them?”
Laren only shrugged. Her silence suggested that her husband wouldn’t even miss them. Nairna almost reached out to take Laren’s hand, but realized the woman didn’t want her sympathy. Whatever sort of marriage she and Alex had, it was not a happy one.
“I can’t see why the English would want this place,” Nairna said. Most of the fortress was in a deplorable state.
“The location would give them a garrison closer to the Highlands. With the mountains, you can see any invaders from miles around.”
“Is that why Bram wants to build our house up on the ridge? So he can see the English before they get here?”
Laren gave a nod. “He and Alex thought it would be a strategic location.” She reached out and adjusted her gloved hands, lifting her mantle to cover her hair. “I only hope the English leave us alone until Alex and Bram return.” She nodded toward the far end of the room. “There’s an underground storage chamber beneath the Hall. I usually take the girls belowground when we’re under siege.”
Nairna didn’t care for the sound of that. “Does it happen often?”
But the Lady only shrugged. “From time to time. Unfortunately, the MacKinloch men love any opportunity to fight.” A shadow of melancholy passed over her, and her blue eyes turned wistful. “They’ll never surrender their freedom. They’re too proud.”
Nairna couldn’t help comparing the two clans. Her father hadn’t cared about pride or freedom. Hamish had pledged his loyalty to the English king, to save their lands and protect the people. He’d made his choice, to turn his back on the rebellion. And though his cowardice bothered her, eventually he would be forced to confront the English. In contrast, the MacKinlochs lived in the shadow of constant battles. She didn’t know which was worse.
“My girls and I are going for a walk,” Laren said, her face reddening slightly. “We should be back in a few hours.” From the guilty expression on her face, it was clear the Lady of Glen Arrin had no desire for Nairna to accompany them.
“While you’re gone, might I have a look at the house- hold accounts?” Nairna blurted out. “At my father’s for- tress, I helped them to increase their earnings. It might be that I could do the same here.”
Laren shrugged. “If you wish.” She gave instructions as to where Nairna could find them and then excused herself from Nairna’s side, ignoring the mess within the Hall.
As Laren crossed the room, it seemed that there was no light left within her, as if she’d abandoned hope. Her girls emerged from the narrow staircase and joined their mother, holding hands in their quiet retreat.
Where were they going? Along the edge of the loch for their walk? It struck her as unusual for the Lady to abandon the keep for hours on end. Something wasn’t right. Nairna thought about following them, but decided against it. She had her chance now to learn more about Glen Arrin, without Alex or Bram to interfere. Perhaps she could determine ways to rebuild their holdings.
Earning money was something she understood. Num- bers and coins could be multiplied and increased. And if there was a way to improve their living circumstances at Glen Arrin, she would find it.
Nairna leaned up against the outer curtain wall, her mind mulling over the problems of the clan. Her mind was filled up with ideas. Sheep could bring in the profit of wool, or perhaps they could increase their cattle herds. There was a little space for farming, but only enough to provide grain.
As her brain spun off dreams of increasing the wealth, her heart worried about Bram. She remembered his heated mouth seizing hers, the way he’d cupped her breasts, running his thumbs over the nipples. Nairna turned her burning face to the wall, her skin growing more sensitive. Though he wasn’t here, she imagined him removing the clothing from her body, baring her skin to his touch. His lips would kiss her and she wondered if his hungry mouth would move over her breasts, down to her thighs.
