“I am a patient woman.”
“Save your strength for another cause. If you require an apology for me seeking Jamie’s approval to win you, I refuse to give one. It was the best decision of my life. We are betrothed now.”
“Aye,” she said. “But, please, the next time ye want permission for anything that involves me, seek me out first.”
He grinned. “I will do my best to honor your request.”
“Captain Kai?” Colin peeked inside the room.
“Colin,” Kai said. “Come in.”
“Ye doona know how happy it makes me to hear ye laugh!”
“I am feeling better,” Kai said.
“The Sutherlands are growing restless. It’s been days. Are ye strong enough to meet with them?”
“Aye. Bring their captains to me now.”
Colin bowed and departed.
“Do ye wish me to go?” Miran asked as she rolled off the bed.
“Nay. I would like you to stay and listen. Please sit in the chair by the door.”
An hour later, three men wearing Sutherland tartans entered the small bedchamber.
“Captain Kai MacKay, I am Captain Gordon Sutherland, second cousin to the earl. I wish we were meeting under better circumstances.”
“Captain,” Kai said.
“Ye’re young commander has relayed everything that happened at Cacalay. We dinna know how dire the conditions were under Igor’s rule.”
“I am grateful for your help. Captain,” Kai said. “And I believe we can find a way to end Igor’s reign. Once I am home, it will be my first priority to organize a larger force and march against Igor. I will accept no less than his life as payment for his transgressions against Clan, MacKay, me, and the innocent people he brutalizes every day.”
“I have sent a request to the earl seeking his permission to restore order in the village. I believe both our clans will benefit greatly.”
“Agreed.”
Kai and Gordon grasped each other’s forearms.
“I will return to our stronghold and await word from ye.”
The Sutherlands left.
“That is all?” Miran asked, sounding surprised.
“What do you mean?”
“Ye trust the word of that man?”
“No more than he trusts me. We are adversaries but want the same thing. Have you ever heard the saying ‘keep your enemies close’?”
She shook her head. “Would it no’ be easier to be allies?”
Kai patted the open space beside him on the bed where Fraser and his wife normally slept. “Sit with me.”
She did.
“Because Laird Jamie and Lady Helen married, there is an unspoken peace between our clans. Yet, in order to keep his reputation intact and his alliances with other clans that don’t like us, the earl pretends to be our enemy.”
“A deceptive man.”
“Aye. And a brilliant statesman.”
“I doona like it.”
Kai chuckled. “Do not worry, Miran MacKay, all will be right soon enough.”
