“Nay?”
“A man can walk away from his responsibilities and only faces the loss of his inheritance if he refuses to marry. But a daughter…”
“Ye must learn to use the God-given gifts ye have to get what ye want.”
Helen scrunched her face. She had no special gifts she could think of. “I am not like ye, Keely.”
“What do ye mean?”
“Daring and brave. Passionate and sure of who and what I want to be.”
“Ye are very wrong, Helen.”
“Nay. Look how long it took me to defy my father. Only the threat of marrying a monster like Laird Munroe inspired me to flee. I have been a weakling all my life. Accepting whatever my father decided for me, even giving absolute obedience to my brothers.”
“Helen.” Keely slipped from her chair and kneeled in front of her friend, taking her hand. “Ye are beautiful and kind, educated, can manage an earl’s household, demand respect just by entering a chamber, and leave men begging to do yer bidding. If ye only knew how difficult is was for me to win the hearts of the MacKays after I married Alex. But ye… When I tell ye no one here has spoken against ye, I mean it.”
“Only because they pity me, see how helpless I am, and think I need protection.”
“Do ye not?”
“Aye.”
“Tis not yer fault. Ye canna deny yer birthright, but ye can make a new life for yerself.”
She wanted to believe it. But the side of her that took after her father, that callous logic he had hammered into her since she was a wee lass, ruled her mind and heart. She must accept the inevitable eventually. Once Laird Alex sent a missive to her father, this new-found happiness would end. “I will try, Keely.”
“Good,” her friend said as she stood. “That is all I ask.”
*
“Do I needto say it again, Cousin?” Alex asked in an ominous tone.
The wine-induced fog Jamie had found himself in cleared immediately. He eyed Duncan with hatred, knowing the bastard deserved to feel pain, to bleed, maybe even to die for the disgraceful things he’d said about Helen. It shouldna surprise him that Alex demanded he unhand the Munroe heir. His cousin was acting in the best interest of his clan, not for personal satisfaction.
Truth be told, though the MacKays were powerful enough, and their army was growing in size every day as more suitable recruits were found, if the Sutherlands and Munroes joined forces against them, it would devastate his clan—possibly even destroy it. As for their allies, few would fight alongside them if they knew Helen Sutherland was in their custody; she legally belonged with her sire.
“As ye wish.” Jamie let go of Duncan, letting him fall to the ground with a loud thud.
“Jesus Christ!” Duncan yelped in obvious pain. “I demand justice. This man has insulted and assaulted me without cause.”
Jamie snorted and kicked the coward in the ribs for good measure.
“Jamie! Step out of the cell and lock it.”
Jamie did as he was told.
Alex stretched out his hand, palm up.
Jamie dropped the key in his hand. “I’ve done as ye asked.”
“Have ye?” Alex’s face twisted with anger. “If I hadna interceded when I did, what would ye have done to him?”
Jamie raked his fingers through his hair. “Beat him senseless.”
Alex shook his head. “Ye never could control yer temper.”
“Only if provoked. Only if fighting for a just cause.”
