He eyed her a moment longer. “Neacal has been sending out missives, garnering support tae attack yer family’s clans if he doesnae get his revenge. We have received word that there are quite a few willing tae join his side if nothing more than tae reap the spoils of battle.”
Dismal indeed, then.
“Let me go tae him,” she begged. “Let me end this.”
Malcolm’s eyes flashed. “Nay, lass. I wilnae give ye up.”
While his words should have made her feel loved, Edna crossed the room to grasp his tunic in her hands. This close, Malcolm smelled of clean soap and a hint of whiskey, causing her stomach to flutter unexpectedly. He also seemed surprised at her sudden movement, his eyes growing wide.
“’Tis not yer choice,” she told him. “I am giving mahself up for the sake of mah family.”
Malcolm held her gaze for a few moments, some of the surprise melting into what she could only call respect. “Aye, lass, ye are braver than ye look,” he finally said, his hands coming up to cover hers. The roughness of his callouses on her hands was comforting, and Edna released some of the pressure on his tunic as a wave of calm washed over her. “But this isnae up for debate. I’m not letting ye go tae him for something I did.”
Frustrated at his response, Edna attempted to pull away, but Malcolm held fast. “I have tried tae think of how tae get ye out of this,” he continued, his voice low. “Dinnae think that I’m the only one who thinks ye should stay safe.”
“So wot do we do?” she asked, emotions clogging her throat. “I cannae live in this chamber alone forever! I cannae go through this any longer, Malcolm! I need tae leave these four walls.”
Malcolm’s jaw worked, and he removed his hands from hers. “I cannae, lass. I cannae take the chance.”
Edna retreated a distance as Malcolm shoved his hand through his hair, looking as helpless as she felt. It wasn’t right the way that they expected her to remain in this chamber!
“I havenae told ye everything, lass,” he said after a few moments.
What else could there be?Edna thought miserably.
“Wot is it?”
“He’s asked for Kaiden’s lairdship.”
Edna gasped. “Nay!”
Malcolm nodded. “If the McGregor clan cannae produce ye or pay the funds that Neacal is demanding, he had ordered Kaiden tae a duel for his own clan.”
Edna thought about the elder warrior and how he would fare against someone far younger. Sure, Kaiden had been good with a sword in his day, but now? She doubted that Neacal would go easy on him and likely find a way to cheat him at the sword fight. It was all the more reason for her to escape.
“I will be back later,” Malcolm said, striding to the door. “Just try tae remember wot I said, alright?”
Edna watched him depart the chamber, wanting to throw something at his head for being so stubborn. Not only was her clan in danger, but her laird was as well, and she couldn’t very well sit in a chamber and wait for them to figure it out.
She felt like a coward cowering in the corner.
The day moved into the afternoon before the chamber door opened once more, and her cousin walked in, his expression apprehensive. “Edna,” he acknowledged as he shut the door, “I’ve come tae see how ye are.”
“Let me go, Irvine,” she stated. “I cannae just sit around and watch ye all fight for a battle that I can win!”
Irvine crossed his arms over his chest, and his pose struck Edna as someone that was going to be a great and noble laird for his clan. He reminded her a lot of Kaiden.
“I cannae let ye do that. Mah mum is already glaring at me as it is for not going tae the McGregor clan.”
Edna thought about her aunt Lisbeth and how she was a formidable lass in her own right. That was where Irvine got some of his strength from.
“We should go,” she urged. “We should go and make our case tae Neacal and tae the other clans. I didnae kill Declan, but I dinnae want tae see Malcolm be thrown into a dungeon for the rest of his days or be killed for something that he was protecting me from.” She was honestly surprised he hadn’t gone to give himself up before now.
Irvine cocked his head to the side. “Ye care aboot him.”
It wasn’t a question but a statement, and Edna couldn’t hide the flush of her cheeks from Irvine.
“Aye,” she answered softly. “I...I do.”
