“Good.” Jamie aimed him in the direction of the keep.
“Master Jamie,” Petro, Alex’s Italian secretary and friend, rushed down the stairs to greet him. “Laird Alex and the council are eager to see you and our distinguished guest.” He gazed at Duncan.
Jamie scrubbed his face. His eyes burned from the lack of sleep. “I’d hoped to meet with Alex privately.”
“Laird Alex informed the council as soon as he received your message. He believes they have a right to question the prisoner.”
Jamie dinna always agree with how his cousin conducted clan affairs. As laird, he could administer justice as he saw fit. But Alex preferred involving his council and captains before he made important decisions. And since Jamie was a member of the council, his opinion mattered, and he’d give it.
Jamie and his men followed Petro into the crowded great hall. The trestle tables were full, and Alex sat at the high table, looking as exhausted as Jamie felt.
“Welcome home, Jamie,” Alex said, standing.
“Laird Alex.” Jamie bowed formally. “We were on patrol north of here and found four Munroe soldiers on MacKay land.”
“And did these men threaten yer life?”
“Och, aye,” Jamie said. “I dinna give the bloody bastards a chance to say anything.”
The room exploded with laughter.
“But this one…” Jamie gave Duncan a shove forward. “Is the nephew of Laird Munroe himself. In the interest of peace, I spared his life.”
“A wise choice,” Alex approved. “What is yer name?”
Duncan straightened, holding his head high. “Duncan Munroe, heir to Laird Baran Munroe.”
“And why are ye here,Duncan Munroe?”
“To retrieve a piece of property for my uncle.”
Jamie growled at those words. “She’s not a cow,” he murmured in Duncan’s ear. “The next time ye refer to her as a…”
“What are ye telling Duncan?” Alex asked suddenly.
By everything holy…Jamie gritted his teeth. “Nothing of importance, Cousin.”
“Nay?”
He couldna lie to Alex. “I’m reminding wee Duncan that women shouldna be considered a piece of property, as if they dinna possess souls or minds of their own.”
“Some men would agree with the Munroe heir,” Mathe, the eldest council member, offered. “Depends on the lass ye’re speaking of.”
“My Nellie is as sweet as a lamb,” a soldier called from one of the trestle tables. “But when she’s angry, she turns into a bear…”
More laughter followed, and this time at Jamie’s expense.
“The lady in question will do as she’s told,” Duncan said.
“Oh?” Alex said as the room quieted. “Are ye in any position to make demands?”
“The law favors my uncle,” Duncan said with confidence. “Release Helen Sutherland and I will take her home.”
“To Dunrobin Castle or Skye?”
Duncan dinna want to answer, so Jamie smacked the back of his head, where Kuresh had hit him with the club. “Show respect to my laird.”
The Munroe heir turned violently, raising his fist in challenge.
