* * *
The storms that greeted her at dawn somehow seemed appropriate. As they rode from Drumlui Keep, she watched the way the clouds swirled in greys and blues above their heads, promising rain and reminding her of Alan’s eyes.
* * *
Brodie waited for the young woman to leave before facing his beloved. He should have kenned what she would do. It was not the first time she’d overstepped and overrode his orders and he was as certain that it would not be the last time.
‘I wish you had told me, Bella,’ he said, pulling her to her feet and wrapping his arms around her. Things felt better, felt right, when he could feel her against him and listen to her breathing.
‘You would have warned me not to interfere and I would have interfered.’ He kissed her lovely mouth at the truth she told.
‘So you thought to skip those steps and get us right into the thick of it then?’
‘Sorcha has the right—’
‘Sorcha MacMillan is dead!’ he said sharply, releasing when Bella pushed against his hold. ‘’Twould be better for her to remain that way. For all concerned.’
‘You would let Alan face down that bastard without her?’ Bella asked, staring at him. ‘Come now, Brodie. You do not allow your men into battle without their weapons.’
‘Battle is the key here, my love. For more than the last ten years, there have been none between our families or in this area that we control. All of that will change when Alan accuses Gilbert of his crimes.’
‘Then you ken him to be guilty?’
‘Certainly he is that. I had suspicions of it long before that lady stepped foot into my village or hall. Gilbert has been dealing behind our backs since before he took the high seat. Indeed, even in how he took it over instead of Robert. But that does not mean this will not lead us back into the depths of the feud.’
She shuddered then and Brodie took her back into his embrace. Nuzzling her hair, he inhaled the scent of her and knew he would do whatever was necessary to keep her and their loved ones safe. Even if it included standing by a young man who had no idea what he was walking into and the young woman who loved him.
‘All will be well, Bella. I swear it to you.’
* * *
He did not leave her side until he slid silently and carefully from their bed the next morn. Brodie did not doubt that she was awake and aware he was leaving. But it was not her way to make a situation worse by speaking of dangers or more. They had faced everything together and he had no doubt there was more left for them to do.
Still, it did not lighten his spirits when he mounted his horse and saw her staring at him from their chamber. He nodded at her, confirming everything he’d said to her in that one gesture. He gathered the reins in one hand and motioned for their group of warriors and a woman to follow.
But he could not fight the need to take one more look at his wife as they rode through the gates.
Chapter Twenty-One
Tensions were high in the great hall as the low and the high of Clan Cameron gathered there at their chieftain’s command. The sick feeling in his gut told Alan he kenned what brought them there, but he hoped and prayed that was not the reason. Would another young woman be sacrificed to appease Gilbert’s insatiable need for more?
Not if Alan had anything to do with it...and he planned to have something to say on the matter if, when, it arose. Glancing around, he saw his parents and brothers enter then. The same expression of surprise lay on his father’s face when he caught sight of Alan there. Alan made his way through those present and kissed his mother on her cheeks before greeting his father and brothers.
It had been nigh to a year since he’d seen either of them. Young Robbie, who looked like a younger version of their father, had been living with the powerful MacLerie Clan, already betrothed to the chieftain’s second daughter. Tomas, younger still, was being fostered with their mother’s brother, laird of the MacSorley clan in the south.
‘You were summoned as well?’ he asked once they’d got wine and were waiting for Gilbert to arrive.
‘This cannot be good,’ his father warned. ‘You two, be on your guard and stay with your mother,’ he ordered the younger boys.
‘Father,’ Alan said. ‘I must speak with you now. Before this goes any further.’ Alan had already witnessed the arrival of a young woman who was being kept in a private chamber until Gilbert made his announcement. ‘Come.’
His father said something to his mother before following Alan out into the corridor. Alan strode up the stairs, heading for Gilbert’s chamber, kenning there was little time left to him.
‘What are you doing, Alan?’ his father asked as they turned the last corner and approached the chamber.
‘’Tis time for me to do what I should have done long ago, Father.’ His father grabbed his arm and pulled him to stop.
‘Why, Alan? Why now and why you?’ he asked. ‘Have you thought this through?’
