And, come what may, Selene was his, no matter what King George might decide.
Their love would endure. It would be strong enough to withstand the pull of two worlds and it would not fracture under the weight.
As they caught their breath Selene whispered. “It was my idea for us tae stay apart for the sake of our two wee sisters, yet I wish for nothing more than to spend the night in your arms, my love.”
He cupped her chin, took her mouth and kissed her again without another word. She made a sound deep in her throat that further ignited the rising passion in his blood.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Kenneth woke with a pounding in his head that felt like a woodpecker trapped in his brain. The night had passed with little sleep. His thoughts – a constant struggle to find answers that might satisfy the king – had taken him in endless circles. What would satisfy a command that he had little hope of obeying?
After he’d splashed himself with enough icy water to wake him fully, he dragged on his kilt, stockings, shirt, boots and jacket. He smoothed his hair as best he could and made his way to the dining hall to take some nourishment before meeting with his Council.
Callum was the only other early morning riser. He greeted Kenneth with a raised brow. “Ye look tae me like a lad who’s nae had a good night’s sleep.” He grinned. “And I dinnae mean that in a good way, lad.”
Kenneth managed to return the grin and nodded. “Ye’re right. I was awake during the long hours of darkness after reading this.”He took the folded letter from his jacket pocket and passed it to Callum.
He waited while Callum perused the missive, watching his friend’s face. His expression altered as he read. His lips tightened, his jaw flexed, his brows drew close in a frown. He shook his head more than once.
“Well?” Kenneth said as Callum folded the paper and placed it on the table between them.
“What is there tae say. It’s clear King George is lusting after more Highland land. He’s long had his eye on the islands tae give favor tae the English lords who dae his bidding. Now, it seems, he’s struck on a plan tae confiscate nae only MacLeay lands but MacDonald lands as well.”
Kenneth nodded grimly. “Aye. It has bedeviled me all night. I cannae imagine a way Aidan would agree tae a truce. One that would satisfy our King George, that is. I ken any so-called truce Aidan might agree tae would be naught but an excuse tae enter our castle and put us all tae the sword while we slept.”
He downed another mouthful of porridge. “Come, let us retreat tae the meeting hall tae welcome our council members.”
Callum was already on his feet as Kenneth collected the folded missive from the king and placed it in his pocket.
Save for one or two late stragglers, the council members were already assembled in the meeting hall by the time Callum and Kenneth strolled in.
The men stood as Kenneth took his seat at the head of the table and bade them sit.
This was a meeting he dreaded. The problem of the king’s command had robbed him of a good night’s sleep and he did not anticipate the Council would be anything but aggrieved at receiving such a message.
Still, he managed a grin as he looked around the array of familiar faces – some lined and weary, some bearded, others clean-shaven and fresh faced, all of them keen to deal with matters of importance to Clan MacDonald.
He began by going around the table and greeting each of the men in turn and enquiring after their families, their farms, their livestock. All of these were important – not only to their laird, but to all the Clan.
After all, what was the clan if not a big, extended family that dwelt on the lands they shared, acknowledging their laird as leader.
Once he’d paid his respects to each and every one of them, he could sense their eagerness to get on with it.
He was about to begin when several scullery maids came in carrying platters of oatbread and cheese. These were placed on the table alongside large ewers of ale.
The faces of the gathering lit up as men reached for the comfort of food washed down with a tankard of ale. It was snowing heavily by then and some had travelled quite a distance. Now they had warmed themselves by the roaring fire in the hearth and were happy to be filling their bellies.
He nodded, looking around, gauging who among them might cause trouble. His uncle, Duncan MacDonald was not averse to speaking his mind and making his presence felt with a fist on the table whenever he considered it necessary. Apart from him, there were one or two troublemakers among the younger men, although they usually came into line after being satisfied they’d made their point and been heard.
After taking a deep breath, he began.
“I am planning tae wed.”
His words were first greeted by a hushed silence, then moments later a grumbling and muttering until, finally, Duncan spoke up.
“Och, lad. This is sudden indeed. Who is the lass ye wish tae marry? We’ve heard naething of whose clan ye might bepreparing tae align us with.” His voice was charged with tension, bordering on indignation.
This reaction was exactly what Kenneth had been expecting. To consider marriage without consulting the Council first was not the way things were usually done.
