"Are they?" Conall's tone was mild, but his mind was racing. Ada was supposed to be miserable. Trapped. Desperate enoughto accept help when he finally offered it. "And Haraldson? How daes he treat her?"
"Like she's made of glass. Willnae let her out of his sight since the fire." Donnan's hand tightened on his cup. "He's obsessed with her."
"Obsessed." Conall filed that information away. "Or protective?"
"Both, maybe. But it's more than just duty." Donnan looked up, and Conall saw it—the flash of jealousy, quickly suppressed. "He looks at her like she matters. Like she's nae just some Highland bride forced on him by the king."
Perfect.
Conall had suspected this might happen. Had counted on it, even. Ada—clever, competent Ada—would provide exactly the kind of steadfast support a man like Magnus craved.
She'd make herself indispensable. Make him care about her. Make him lower his guard.
And then Conall would use that weakness to destroy him.
"Have they consummated the marriage?" Conall asked. "Has Brian reported tae the king yet?"
"Aye. The mornin' after the weddin', Brian took the bloodied sheet and fer for court. The marriage is legal in the eyes of the Crown." Donnan paused. "Though I nae sure they actually did."
"I dinnae care how the blood got on the sheet, just that it did." Conall waved a dismissive hand. "As long as the king believes the marriage is consummated, that's all that matters. The Pact holds, and me daughter is now bound tae Haraldson in ways nae easily broken. Useful, but nae me real objective."
"What is that, me laird? Haraldson's still standin', and his people love him more than ever."
"The plan," Conall said slowly, "is tae be patient. We've planted the seeds. Shown him that his keep isnae as secure as he thinks. Made him paranoid, jumpy, spread his forces thin tryin' tae guard everything at once." He looked at Donnan. "How many men daes he have watchin' the walls now?"
"Double what he had before. Plus patrols in the courtyard, guards on every well, men watchin' the storerooms and armory." Donnan rattled off the numbers. "He's pulled men from other duties tae increase security. It's strainin' resources."
"Good. Keep it that way. Keep him stretched thin, keep him worried." Conall's mind worked through the possibilities. "What about Ada? Daes she suspect ye?"
"Nay. She daesnae trust me, but she daesnae ken I'm workin' fer ye either. Thinks I'm just there because ye told me tae watch over her." Donnan's expression darkened. "Which makes naysense tae her, since she kens ye dinnae actually care about her wellbein'."
"Smart lass." Conall felt a flicker of pride despite himself. Ada had always been clever, too clever for her own good sometimes. "But nae clever enough tae see the whole picture. She thinks ye're here tae spy on her. She daesnae realize ye're here tae help me take everythin' Haraldson has."
Donnan set down his cup. "Whyarewe daein' this? What dae ye gain from destroyin' Haraldson? He's one of the king's chosen jarls, bound by the Pact and now tae us, thanks tae his marriage with Lady Ada. If ye move against him, ye move against the Crown."
"I'll explain. The Pact is meant tae bind the Isles tae Scotland through marriage. Tae create loyalty where there was none. But what happens if those marriages fail? What happens when Highland brides claimin' abuse, or beggin' their faithers tae rescue them from savage Norse husbands?"
Gregor's eyes widened. "The Pact crumbles."
"Exactly. And when it crumbles, the king will have nay choice but tae take the Isles by force. Which means war. Which means clans like mine—clans who prove their loyalty by offerin' soldiers, supplies, strategic advice—will be richly rewarded." Conall smiled. "I dinnae just want tae destroy Haraldson. I want tae destroy the entire Pact. And Ada is the key tae daein' it."
"How?" Donnan asked.
"Because she's the second bride. The first marriage—Erik and Claricia—that one's solid. They're in love. But if the second marriage fails? If Magnus Haraldson's bride is killed, or injured, or claims she was mistreated?" Conall spread his hands. "The other jarls will start tae worry. Their brides will start tae doubt. The whole arrangement will fall apart like wet parchment."
"So ye're plannin' tae, what? Kill Ada?" Donnan's voice went sharp. "That's… she's yer daughter."
"Calm yerself." Conall studied him. "I'm nae goin' tae kill her. Nae unless absolutely necessary. But I am goin' tae make it look like Haraldson tried tae. Or better yet, like he neglected to protect her from someone else's attack. Either way, the blame falls on him, and the Pact is damaged beyond repair."
Donnan was quiet for a long moment. When he spoke again, his voice was careful. "And what happens tae Ada after? When all this is done?"
"She comes home, of course. Under me protection. The poor mistreated bride, rescued from her savage Norse husband." Conall's smile widened. "And I'll be the loyal faither who risked everythin' tae save her. The king will reward me fer me devotion. Might even give me control of Barra once Haraldson's stripped of his title."
"That's," Donnan stopped. Started again. "That's a dangerous game, me laird. If anyone discovers what we're daein'—"
"They willnae. Because ye're careful, and I'm patient, and Ada has nay idea she's bein' used." Conall moved closer to Donnan. "But ye need tae stay focused. Keep playin' concerned. Keep gatherin' information. And when the time comes tae make our move, ye'll be ready."
Donnan nodded slowly. But something flickered across his face—doubt, maybe, or worry.
