"I've crossed paths with the man once or twice, but don't know him well enough to say one way or the other. If Lady Anna has doubts, I'm afraid I can't help."
Arthur was walking a fine line. Too adamant a denial would rouse suspicion, but he wanted to keep the seed of doubt planted in Lorn's mind.
Lorn's face hardened, his hatred of his former brother by marriage evident. "MacRuairi is a treacherous snake--a cold-blooded killer who'd sell his mother for a piece of silver, but there is one thing he doesn't do, and that is give up. I've never seen him retreat from a battle."
Bas roimh Geill. Death before Surrender. Part of the Highland Guard creed. But it was damned unfortunate that it had given Lorn something to sink his teeth into.
That thin line Arthur was treading had just become narrower.
He shrugged noncommittally. "Then perhaps it was not him?"
Lorn's gaze landed back on his daughter. Anna's eyes darted to him before she answered. "I can't be sure, Father. It was very dark. I only saw his face clearly for an instant, and I haven't seen him in years."
Arthur felt his chest tighten. She was trying to protect him. Had Lorn realized it as well?
Dugald had grown impatient. "Was there something you needed from me, my lord?"
In other words, why the hell was he here? A question Arthur was interested in as well.
"I'm getting to that."
Lorn was tapping his fingers again, and Arthur had visions of taking his war hammer and putting an end to the annoyance.
"I'm not sure whether you were aware of the purpose of the journey north to Ross," he said to Dugald. "It was to renew discussions of a betrothal between my daughter and Sir Hugh Ross, in the hopes that an alliance between us would encourage the earl to send troops to aid in the war against Bruce. Unfortunately, it didn't quite go as planned."
Dugald shot Arthur a sideways glare. "It didn't?"
"Nay." Lorn's gaze fell back on him. "It seems Sir Hugh became aware that my daughter's affections lay elsewhere. Do you have any knowledge of this, Sir Arthur?"
Out of the corner of his eye, Arthur could see Anna pale, her hands clenched tightly in her lap.
What the hell had she told him?
He gritted his teeth together, feeling backed into a corner with little room to maneuver. "Aye."
"I thought you might," Lorn said.
The flash of anger in his gaze told Arthur that he'd probably guessed some of what had happened. He waited tensely, bracing himself for what was to come. The noose drew tighter.
Lorn turned back to Dugald. His brother's reason for being here had become clear. "With all that has happened, I would like to propose a different alliance. One that would solidify the bond between our families and show my gratitude to Sir Arthur for the service he has done my son, as well as see to my daughter's happiness."
Every bone in his body tensed as he waited for what was to come. He wondered if she'd had something to do with this, but Anna's wide eyes showed her surprise when her father said, "I should like to propose a betrothal between Sir Arthur and my daughter."
Dugald choked. "A betrothal?"
Lorn's mouth thinned in a straight line. "I believe that's what I said. We can work out the terms later, but be assured that my daughter's tocher is more than generous. It includes a certain castle that I believe might be of interest to you."
Both Arthur and his brother went completely still. It was Dugald who finally spit out, "Innis Chonnel?"
A devious smile played upon Lorn's mouth. "Aye."
Arthur couldn't believe it. The Campbell stronghold on Loch Awe that had been stolen from his clan years ago, returned for marrying the woman he wanted more than any other. A true devil's bargain.
For a moment he hesitated, more tempted than he wanted to admit. Switching sides in this war was far too common.
But he couldn't do it. Even if he could get past allying himself with the man who killed his father, too many people were counting on him. Neil, King Robert, MacLeod and the other members of the Highland Guard. Nor could he ignore his conscience. He believed in what they were doing.
The return of the castle to the Campbells--even to a younger son--was enough to convince Dugald. He turned to Arthur. "I have no objection. Arthur ...?"
