Faolan whined, his tail beating against Craeg’s thighs. The hound had been his companion for three years now. He’d picked him out of a litter—the affectionate pup that had snuggled against his chest. They’d been fast friends ever since.
Craeg crossed to the fire and added a chunk of fresh peat, coaxing the flames back to life. Another door led off the solar, this one to his bedchamber. That room had never been his mother and Alec’s room though. His father had once slept there—a fact Craeg tried not to dwell on.
It was the chieftain’s bedchamber. Until now, his quarters were upstairs, but now he’d have to get used to sleeping in Leod Maclean’s bed. His gut tightened at the thought.
He poured himself a cup of wine from the jug on the side table and sank into one of the chairs. Faolan immediately settled at his feet, head resting on Craeg’s boot.
The wine was good—Iberian, probably part of his mother’s carefully hoarded stores. His grandmother was Iberian, and despite that she was elderly these days, she still kept links with merchants who made the long journey up from sunnier climes. Craeg took a long swallow, welcoming the warmth that spread through his chest. Below, he could still hear the muted sounds of celebration. The hall would be full of drunken warriors for a while yet. Fortunately, this solar was silent; a refuge, albeit a lonely one.
He should be down there. Should be accepting their congratulations, basking in the glory of his new position.When he’d gone upstairs, Ailean had been flirting outrageously with one of the serving lasses, while Greig was immersed in a game of dice with his two younger brothers, Alistair and Davy.
Instead, Craeg had slipped away. Now, he sat here nursing his wine, with only his dog for company.
A knock at the door pulled him from his brooding. “Enter.”
The door swung open to reveal Alec Rankin. His stepfather had removed his formal attire and now wore a loose lèine and braies. As often, his blond hair—shot through with silver these days—was slightly disheveled. Those sea-blue eyes rested on Craeg, taking in his hunched posture with a single glance. “Mind if I join ye?”
Craeg gave a soft snort. “Of course not.” And he didn’t. Alec was easy company.
His stepfather crossed to the second chair and lowered himself into it with the loose-limbed grace of a man comfortable in his own skin.
They sat in companionable silence for a few moments, the only sounds the crackle of the fire and Faolan’s contented sighs. Alec had been more of a father to Craeg than his own ever had. He’d taught him how to fight, how to lead, how to be a man worth following.
“Ye left the hall early,” Alec said finally.
“I was tired.”
“Ye were running away.”
Craeg’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t deny it. There was no point. Alec could read him better than anyone save his mother.
“The Macquarie offer has ye rattled,” Alec observed.
“I don’t know the lass.”
Alec’s brow furrowed. “So, ye will refuse this alliance?”
Craeg stiffened. “What will happen if I do?”
“Ye might put some noses out of joint.”
Craeg pulled a face. “I don’t like having my life decided for me. Loch knew that Macquarie was going to offer me his daughter.” Aye, that had vexed him. The clan-chief and the Macquarie chieftain had planned this evening’s proposal; they’d moved him into position like a piece on an Ard-ri board.
Alec leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “I can see why ye are twitchy … but ye have bought yerself some time to think about it.”
Craeg met his eye. “Would ye accept … if ye were in my place?”
Alec harrumphed. “Now that’s an interesting question to ask a former pirate.”
“That’s why I want yer opinion.”
His stepfather reached up, rubbing his clean-shaven chin. “I was once wild, careless. Selfish. TradingThe Blood Reiverand open seas for castle walls wasn’t easy.” His lips curved then. “I told myself I wouldn’t give my freedom up for anything … but then, I met yer mother.”
Craeg’s lips tugged into a rueful half-smile. Most folk upon Mull knew the tale of how Leod Maclean had tried to rid himself of his wife by leaving her tied up on a rock out in the Sound. Fortunately, pirates had found her before death had. She’d then hired Alec to kill her husband. Alec had become her protector, then her lover, and finally her husband. Initially, Alec had worried that his stepson would hate him for killing his father. But Craeg hadn’t—especially once he learned what Leod had done.
“How did ye know that Ma was worth walking away from yer old life for?”
Alec’s lips quirked. “I didn’t. Not at first. But when I looked at her, I saw fire. Strength.” His stepfather’s blue eyes got that soft look he only reserved for Liza. “Someone who matched me instead of diminishing me.” He paused then, his focus on Craeg once more. “When ye look at Isla Macquarie, what do ye see?”
