"And that'swhat has ye so furious," Leon said quietly. "Nae the refusal to pay reparations. Nae the threat of war. But because of the way he talked about her."
Ewan didn't bother denyingit. "Aye. That's what has me furious."
"Ewan."
"Organize a raidin'party," Ewan interrupted, his voice hard with command. "Fifty men. We'll hit three of his border villages simultaneously—nothin' major, nay burnin' or killin' unless they resist. Just take livestock, supplies, anythin' of value. An eye for an eye, exactly as he gave us."
Leon studiedhim for a long moment. "And what about the lass?"
"What about her?"
"If we escalate this conflict,if we start open warfare with MacMahon, what happens to her? She's still his blood, even if he doesnae value her. His clan will nae take kindly to us attackin' while we're holdin' their lady."
"Then they can takeit up with their laird," Ewan said coldly. "He's the one who started this. He's the one who refuses to make amends. And he's the one who just told me in writin' that he doesnae give a damn what happens to his niece."
He moved backto his desk, pulled out a fresh piece of parchment. "I'll draft a response. Tell him that since he's made it clear he has nay interest in Maia's return, she'll be remainin' here as a guest of Castle McGill. Indefinitely."
"A guest,"Leon repeated. "Nae a prisoner?"
"She hasnae beena prisoner for days now." The words came out more defensive than Ewan had intended. "She's free to move about the castle, free to go outside, free to do as she pleases. The only thing she cannae do is leave."
"So she's a prisoner,"Leon said dryly. "Just a well-treated one."
Ewan ignored that."Organize the raid for three days from now. I want it fast, efficient, and with minimal casualties on either side. We're sendin' a message, nae startin' a massacre."
"Aye, me laird."Leon stood, but he didn't immediately move toward the door. "Can I speak freely?"
"Have ye ever done otherwise?"
"This is different."Leon's expression was serious now, all traces of his usual humor gone. "Ye're fallin' for her. For Maia. And that's cloudin' yer judgment."
"I'm nae."
"Aye, ye are."Leon held up a hand to forestall Ewan's protest. "And I'm nae sayin' it's wrong. She seems like a good woman. Kind. Brave. The way she stood up to Laura for Kian, that took courage. But ye need to think about what happens next."
"What do ye mean?"
"I meanthat if MacMahon truly doesnae want her back, if he's willin' to let ye keep her, what then? She cannae stay here as yer 'guest' forever. Eventually, people will talk. Questions will be asked about her status, about what yer intentions are."
"Let them ask,"Ewan said flatly.
"And what will ye tell them?"Leon's gaze was piercing. "That she's yer prisoner? Yer mistress? Yer ward? Because those are the only options people will accept, and all of them put her in a difficult position."
Ewan knew Leon was right.Knew that the situation with Maia couldn't continue indefinitely in this strange limbo. But he didn't want to think about that now. Didn't want to examine too closely what it would mean to formalize her status, to make a decision about her future.
"For now, she stays here,"he said. "As me guest, as me ward, as whatever label makes people comfortable. But she's under me protection, and anyone who has a problem with that can take it up with me directly."
He paused.
"She has choices.More freedom than she's had in six years."
"But nae the freedom to leave."
"Nay,"Ewan admitted. "Nae that. Nae yet."
Leon sighed."Just—be careful, friend. I've seen what happens when a man tries to keep a woman against her will, even with the best intentions. It never ends well."
"I'm nae keepin'her against her will," Ewan protested. "She's happy here. She said as much."
