“Aye. Yer invitation was a welcome one,” Magnus conceded. “I’d be open to making an alliance. If it benefits both our clans.”
There was little chance it would not. Clan MacWatt had many resources that would be valuable to Clan MacIrvin. Magnus had managed to forge a modest empire in his island after years of toil and struggle, but he could benefit from MacIrvin’s connections and the status of being his ally.
“Of course,” MacIrvin replied. “I’ve wished to bring our clans closer for many months now. But it is hard to pin ye down when ye arenae ever outside yer castle walls.”
Despite his harsh words, his tone was jovial, and his lips twitched slightly.
He was not wrong, either. Magnus did not usually spend time at balls and dances. He was here tonight to negotiate terms and placate his restless council, nothing more.
His gaze slid back to the edge of the room, where the fiery beauty had now been joined by another woman, their heads bowed, deep in whispered conversation.
“I’d be happy to further our alliance, Laird MacIrvin. I believe it would be mutually beneficial for our people.”
“Of course, I agree,” MacIrvin replied, but his voice was somewhat distant now—he seemed distracted.
Magnus tensed up, concerned that he may have offended him somehow, but when he turned to look at the man, MacIrvin’s gaze was fixed on the phoenix girl.
Magnus followed it, enjoying the chance to take her in for a second time. The taller woman who had joined her was making furtive, hurried movements with her hands, and they both looked to be in some distress. Magnus’s fingers twitched as though to reach for his sword, ready to defend whoever had put that sorrowful expression on her face.
He almost growled audibly at his ridiculous reaction.
Ye ken nothin’ of this lass, and ye think it yer duty to find out what ails her? Have a solid thought in yer head, ye dobber.
“Excuse me, Laird MacWatt, we will return to this conversation another time.” MacIrvin bowed and turned swiftly, making his way back toward his wife, leaving Magnus frowning after him.
The redhead’s skin was paler now, her hands clasped in front of her, her fingers twisting together unnaturally. She had clearly been given some unwelcome news.
Magnus was tempted to move closer to try and hear their conversation, but once again he shook off the feeling with a grunt of frustration.
The very notion of getting involved in Clan MacIrvin’s business, for a lass he neither knew nor wished to know, was pure folly. He kept his feet firmly planted on the floor and resolved to leave the ball as soon as his early departure would not set tongues wagging.
“He can’t be here!” Leah exclaimed, clinging to Katie’s arm with a vice-like grip.
As soon as Leah had seen her friend crossing the room toward her, she knew something was wrong. She could already hear the commotion outside the hall, heralding the new arrival.
Her father had come, and she felt a jolt of pure fear for the first time in her life. It was not so much her father who she was afraid of but the life he would force upon her now that he had cornered her.
“I told him I would return to England and agree with everything he has planned for me,” she said desperately. “Why did he have to chase me here? I would have gone back in a matter of weeks as it is.”
Katie’s kind eyes were soft and gentle, but there was reproach in them, too.
“He gave you a month to be with Daphne, Leah. And, it pains me to agree with him, but you have been here for over two.”
There was a wild shout from outside the hall. Leah saw several of the guests at the edges of the room look about them curiously as if to see who was making such a racket.
“I will see my daughter. You cannot stop me!”
Her father’s booming voice echoed through the room, and now every head in the vicinity was turning to listen. In a matter of seconds, he would barge inside, ripping away all of her hopes and dreams and saddling her with a life of his making.
Leah felt as though she were back in the drawing room all over again, watching as her father threatened to take away everything she cared about.
I will not be forced to live by a man’s whims.If I must fight, I will.
Katie came to stand in front of her, almost as though she had read Leah’s mind. She gently took her by the shoulders, her gaze steady and unwavering.
“Let us not embarrass our friends. You are the guest of Oskar and Daphne—you cannot start a brawl in the middle of a celebration in honor of their son!”
“I shall do as I like,” Leah hissed angrily. “Are you telling me to bend to his will? To return to England and marry whatever ape he has picked out for me?”
