“Laird?”
“Can ye tell me what ye and my wife were doing beyond these walls the night we were attacked?”
Once again, a hush fell over the hall, everyone listening.
“I did as you asked, Laird Jamie, secured the perimeter and guarded the doors myself.”
“How did Helen get outside?”
Kuresh gazed at Helen, then back at Jamie. “I failed to convince her to wait for you.”
“Is this true, Helen?”
She wouldna let Kuresh take the blame. “Nay. When Kuresh tried to block the way, I struck him.”
Jamie’s eyes narrowed. “Ye struck my captain?”
She lowered her head, ashamed of what she had done, but not for the reason she had done it. “I ordered him to get out of my way after he threatened to carry me abovestairs. Nothing was going to get between ye and me, Jamie. I couldna wait helplessly while ye were out there looking for Laird Munroe.”
“But we dinna know who it was yet.”
“In my heart I knew.”
“How?”
“I know my father.”
“What if it had been an army?”
“Then I would have gladly died with ye.”
The women in the crowd gasped.
“Ye foolish, brave lass,” he said, shaking his head. “What am I to do with ye? Ye canna strike a captain and not expect to be punished. And ye canna get away with defying yer husband, for what if every woman dishonored her father or husband and did as she wanted?”
She risked looking at Kuresh, thinking he would never want to speak to her again. But to her surprise, he nodded at her, showing his support. Had he truly forgiven her foolishness?
“I have another question,” Jamie addressed his captains. “Why are so many people gathered in the great hall at this hour?”
“Many wished to wait to see if you would live, milord,” Kuresh said. “The others came to see our guest.”
“Guest? Who?”
Even Helen scanned the lower tables for a new face.
“Me,” a male voice said from the far side of the hall, near the kitchens.
Helen turned and nearly fell out of her chair at the sight of her eldest brother, Collin.
“And who are ye?” Jamie stood.
“Collin Sutherland.”
Jamie immediately drew his sword. “Ye dare darken my hall?”
Collin seemed unaffected by Jamie’s anger. “I am on a mission of peace for the earl.”
Kuresh leaned close to Jamie and whispered something in his ear that Helen couldna hear.
