“What we found was carnage, yer men lying dead in pools of their own blood on the deck. The raiders had captured yer wife’s sister and were hellbent on taking her with them. She was struggling, but fighting a losing battle when we came alongside.”
Harvard swilled the whisky, a frown creasing his brow. “And who were the raiders? Have ye any idea?”
Kenneth slowly shook his head. “They had nay colors.” He glanced at Halvard. “And yer birlinn wasnae flying colors either.”
“I have nay explanation fer that. Me captain must have believed it was safer.”
“Selene spoke of a letter from yerself that was meant fer me, but the letter was destroyed and the man conveying it lay dead at our feet. At first, I suspected the English lass might well have been a spy. As ye ken, King George circulates his people among us, and without colors…”
Halvard’s frown deepened as he nodded.
“Yet, I cannae understand why me ship was attacked by these raiders and what they wanted with Lady Selene. Ransom?”
Kenneth rose to his feet to stand by the mantel. He took another sip of the whisky.
“I believe it was Aidan MacLeay’s lads who attacked yer ship.”
“Christ.” Halvard went to the cabinet, picked up the whisky decanter and poured them both another splash. “MacLeay is a mad dog, dangerous and unpredictable. Yet I didnae think he would dae such a thing.”
Kenneth nodded. “He is a menace tae the islands. I am convinced his actions were meant tae cause trouble between ye and me clan. He was thwarted when I saved Lady Selene from his clutches.”
Halvard’s eyes narrowed. “I’ve heard that Aidan has long sworn vengeance against ye. I ken he blames ye fer the death of his lass and his accusation has earned ye the name of the Brute of Sleat.”
Kenneth pshawed. “He is a constant menace as ye say. And…” He hesitated. He did not wish to alarm Halvard, but it was impossible to hide the truth of the recent happenings for which Aidan was blamed.
After Kenneth had related the story of the cattle and then the attack on Castle Duntulm under the false flag of the MacLeods, he rounded off with, “I believe he has plans tae harm Selene. If he kens what she means tae me…”
Halvard exploded. “Ye’re informing me that this dangerous lad, this… this… lunatic, means harm tae me sister-in-law?” He swung away from the fire. “Fer God’s sake, lad. This is outrageous. Fer all ye ken, the man could have trailed ye here. Ye risk danger tae me family?” He huffed angrily, glaring at Kenneth.
“Aye. I cannae argue, but I have nay wish tae bring danger tae Raasay. It is me problem and I intend tae deal wi’ it as soon as I return tae Duntulm.”
“In that case, I suggest ye return tae Duntulm with all haste.”
“That is me intention, Laird Halvard. Once me business here is done, I shall be on me way. But…”
Halvard fixed him with a look that spelled daggers.
Taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly, Kenneth steeled himself against what he knew would be Halvard’s response when he revealed his feelings for Selene.
“Since she has been at Duntulm, I have come tae care deeply fer the Lady Selene. I wish us tae marry.”
Halvard snorted. “Ye must ken I could ne’er give me approval tae such a match. It would be tantamount tae sealing Selene’s death warrant.”
Kenneth straightened his shoulders. He knew Halvard’s words held the ring of truth, but his heart sank.
“I will protect her with me life. But she is safe here at Castle Brochel. If she remains here, it will give me time tae rid meself of Aidan and his wickedness.”
“If she remains here,” Halvard said slowly, “she will be in danger as long as Aidan believes ye wish tae wed her. If ye are tae protect her, ye must deny her. Yer love endangers her.”
Kenneth nodded slowly, his heart in danger of breaking in two.
He spent the next hour discussing the problems of the contested fishing rights, and as they thrashed the matter to and fro, the two lairds were able to find a compromise that would suit the fisherfolk from both clans. There would be a cleardivision between Raasay and Duntulm’s fishing grounds that the fishermen would have to abided by.
Then, heart heavy, he took his leave.
“On the morrow I wish tae see tae purchasing cattle from yer flock. We lost too many tae the storms and Aidan’s raid.” His jaw tightened. “I must replenish them or else me people will go hungry before the end of winter.”
Halvard nodded his agreement. “Ye must stay at Brochel a second night before ye return.”
