Hands at his side, he resisted the impulse to curl them into fists. He was prepared for a fight.
“I will wed the Lady Selene Montgomery who has been a guest at Duntulm these past weeks.” He waited, expecting a torrent of words. Instead, it was only Duncan who spoke up.
“Lad, are ye being headstrong?”
Several heads nodded their agreement to Duncan’s oblique criticism.
“The Lady is sister-in-law tae Laird Halvard MacLeod. This marriage will align us with Clan MacLeod of Raasay,” he said, hoping this would at least quieten some of their opposition. The long history between the MacDonald’s and their neighbors the MacLeods of Dunvegan on the Isle of Skye was filled with conflict. An alliance with Raasay would go some way to easing the hostility between them.
Duncan huffed and folded his arms nodding thoughtfully. “Aye. There is sense in that. Yet,” he paused and looked around the table, “yer intended bride is English.”
This caused another discontented rumble among the Council. Red-fox Fergus spoke up. “Would nae an English wife be an advantage in these days of trouble with King George?”
Kenneth raised a hand. “Before we continue, there is another, pressing matter at hand.”
He waited until all had turned their eyes to him and the gathering had grown silent again.
“I wish tae read a letter received only last night from King George.” He spread the paper on the table and read it, emphasizing the word “truce.”
“As ye all ken, Aidan MacLeay has been a thorn in our side fer years as he wrongly seeks vengeance fer the loss of Eilidh Fraser’s life. Of late, his assaults have become more frequent and more dangerous.”
Alisdair MacDonald, one of Kenneth’s bold young captains leaped to his feet. “The man’s a menace and he will attack again once he has the chance.” He turned his gaze around the assembly. “And what then? When we fight back, the king deems us tae be outlaws and takes our land.”
There were furious grunts and heads shaking around the table.
“And what of yer lady?” Old Duncan asked. “Will she be on our side, the outlaws, or will her loyalty be with King George.” Meeting Kenneth’s gaze, he beetled his not inconsiderablebrows. Clearly, the suspicion that Selene was an English spy had not completely died.
Kenneth gave an emphatic shake of his head and his heart was full as he responded. “Me lady will never falter in her loyalty tae us. She may have been born English, but she is on our side, with Scotland now.” He paused.
Alisdair, still on his feet, spoke again. “I say we send a contingent tae MacLeay, asking him tae come tae Duntulm tae discuss the letter. There may yet be hope he willnae wish tae risk confiscation of his lands.”
“I agree with that plan,” Duncan said. “He may be filled with hatred yet he’s canny enough tae ken he may lose everything if he daesnae agree tae a truce.”
Kenneth nodded, even though in the depths of his heart he knew Aidan would risk everything he had in his relentless search fer vengeance.
A vote was taken and all agreed with Alisdair’s suggestion.
“Very well,” Kenneth nodded his agreement. “On the morrow I shall dispatch a contingent tae seek out Aidan and press him tae a meeting.”
“And good wishes tae ye and yer lady, Laird Kenneth. I think I speak fer us all.”
A cheer went up around the table.
“There’s tae be a feast this night tae celebrate me betrothal tae the Lady Selene Montgomery and all of ye and yer ladies are invited. I look forward tae yer company.”
With that, he marched out of the meeting hall, Callum at his heels.
“Meet with Captain Alisdair tae prepare a contingent of ten of our best lads tae meet with Laird MacLeay and requestthe pleasure of his companytae discuss the king’s letter.”
Callum nodded. “Aye. Nay doubt Aidan has already received a similar letter. He might even be ready fer a parley.” He peeled off in the direction of the courtyard as Kenneth went in search of Selene.
“I’ll meet ye soon enough at the barracks,” he called after Callum.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Selene was only just stirring from sleep when the door to her bedchamber flew open.
In a sudden whirl of petticoats and skirts, Maureen and Elsie, who had hit it off the sisters had returned to the castle together, burst into the room like a miniature storm, curls flying, ribbons flapping, cheeks flushed pink with excitement.
