“Ye wish to fight?” Jamie started to unbuckle his weapon belt.
“Jamie!” Alex stepped down from the dais. “Control yerself.”
“I’ve already disposed of his men, why worry about another body to bury?” Jamie rolled up his tunic sleeves. “I’m happy to send ye to the devil.”
Alex sighed with frustration, stepping between Jamie and Duncan. “Take yer seat at the high table, Jamie.”
Jamie stiffened at the order. He dinna like being told what do as if he were a lad again. Besides, he’d like to punch the smug expression off Duncan’s face.
“If ye doona wish to stay for the meeting, go take a bath in the loch,” Alex suggested.
Jamie glanced around the room. All eyes were on him, waiting to see what he’d do. Alex and Jamie had a volatile relationship at times, both having clear visions of what was best for the clan. As the laird’s right hand, perhaps Jamie had been given too much power. And Alex wasna the same man who had arrived home two years ago. Marriage, and now fatherhood, had softened him some, made him more like his father. Jamie recognized the value in that. His cousin had matured into a capable leader.
“I’ll take my seat.” Jamie cast a threatening look at Duncan before he turned and stomped to the dais.
“Good. Now we can continue with the meeting. Earvin, bring a chair for our guest.”
A younger soldier rushed to do the laird’s bidding, carrying a chair to a spot in front of the high table.
“If ye’ll have a seat, Duncan, one of the maids will bring ye some ale.”
Duncan sat, and Alex returned to his seat at the high table.
Jamie scanned the entrances in the great hall. The guards had been doubled. There was no chance for Duncan to escape.
“Our clans have no quarrel,” Alex told Duncan. “Why dinna ye ask for my help instead of hiding on my land like a common thief?”
“Laird MacKay,” Duncan said, “isna safe passage granted to any man who is at peace with yer people?”
“Aye. Small groups of men are permitted to cross our lands so long as they keep moving and doona help themselves to our livestock.”
“Then I have broken no trust.”
“Ye followed Lady Helen to my keep and dinna tell anyone ye were here.”
“Aye. Twas necessary to confirm the lass’s intent.”
“Her innocence is in question?”
“Nay. Her loyalty.”
“Loyalty?” Mathe interjected. “To who?”
“My uncle.”
“Does she know yer uncle?” Alex asked.
“The two have never met. But she knows about the betrothal, and in the Highlands, that’s as good as speaking vows before the Almighty.”
Alex’s eyebrows rose. “Do ye know why the lass ran away?”
Duncan shrugged. “Does it matter? The outcome will be the same, she’ll return to Dunrobin Castle to face her father, then my uncle.”
“Spare the rod, spoil the wife?” Jamie spat.
Duncan smiled faintly. “Disobedience must be corrected immediately, whether dealing with a child or woman.”
Alex cleared his throat. “The MacKays are not so heavy-handed with their women.”
