She smiled and sat on the chair across from him. “As ye wish, milord.”
He served her some meat and bread, then poured them each a cup of wine. As he ate his fill, Alex wondered if in time he could learn to trust, maybe even love Keely again.
Chapter Seventeen
Aweek later,Mathe and several other guards rushed inside the great hall where Alex and Keely had just sat down at the high table. “What is all the commotion about?” Alex asked.
“Milord,” Mathe bowed. “Laird Oliphant is here.”
“My father?” Keely shot up from her chair.
“Nay.” Alex prevented her escape. “Sit down, Keely. Please.”
“But. Alex… I havena seen my sire for years. Do ye not approve of a reunion?”
“Alexander MacKay!”
Alex couldna ever forget that booming voice. Obviously, the laird had forced his way through the bailey, for Alex hadn’t invited anyone inside.
“What will ye have me do?” Mathe asked.
“Who is with Laird Oliphant?”
“Thirty soldiers and four of his sons.”
“God’s bones,” Alex cursed.
He dinna have a chance to say anything else, for Laird Oliphant stormed the great hall with his progeny in tow.
Though Keely obeyed him and stayed on the dais, she stood immediately. “Father?”
“Keely?” Laird Oliphant strode across the room. “Alexander, what is this I hear? Ye wed my only daughter without my blessing?”
“I welcome ye, Laird Oliphant, or should I call ye Father now?” Alex walked around the table, his fingers resting loosely on the hilt of his sword.
Matthew Oliphant was an imposing man. His snow-white beard and hair dinna mean a bloody thing. He was as strong as a bull, a fearless fighter, and rightfully angry. Alex hoped their first meeting wouldna end with violence.
“That depends on what my daughter has to say. Keely, why are ye standing there, lass? Come down here at once!”
She eyed her sire, visibly shaken, then looked to Alex. If he forbade her from going to her da, it would hurt her in a way he couldna fix. It dinna matter, she rushed off the dais and into her sire’s arms. Laird Oliphant embraced her, then held her at arm’s length, studying her face.
“Lass,” he said gently. “Ye broke my heart.”
“I am sorry, Father.”
“Where have ye been?”
“That is a matter better discussed in my solar,” Alex interjected.
Not letting go of his daughter, Laird Oliphant threw Alex a dark look. “Truth is better told in the open. And if the rumors that reached my ears are true, I will have yer head, MacKay, and a good measure of yer blood, too.”
“Nay.” Keely took her father’s hand. “And Broc and Gavin,” she addressed two of her brothers, who were eager to pull their weapons. “Stand down, please.”
Mathe and several of the MacKay guards surged forward, forming a semicircle around Keely’s family.
“Violence willna change anything. I am legally wed to Laird Alex. The proof is hanging over the hearth.” She gestured at the very thing she despised, the blood-stained sheet.
“That means nothing,” her sire growled, the evidence of their wedding night only deepening his resentment. “It redeems ye, but not him.” He pointed at Alex. “She took vows with yer brother, John.”
