“I agree with your assessment on thatcount.”
“The only way I determined I could protect her was to marry her. My father was furious, and I ended up in the dungeon and she locked in her chamber. I must implore you to make haste in your decision to assist me. I intend to return to see to her safety the moment we conclude ourdiscussion.”
The Lord Chancellor nodded. “I see the urgency in your problem, MacDonald.” He turned to the other members of the council. “Do we need to vote? Or shall I direct the two lairds in question to be taken into custody until peaceful negotiations canbegin?”
Malcolm did not breathe while the other six men chatted amongst themselves. After what felt like a lifetime later, they spoke up one-by-one and agreed the chiefs must surrender to a particularnobleman.
“How soon can thishappen?”
“I will send word immediately.” The Lord Chancellor motioned to the man who had led them into the chamber. “Have a scribe attend me straight away.” The man nodded and scuttledaway.
“I thank you my Lord Chancellor. I admit I was not certain how this wouldgo.”
“You have your priorities straight, MacDonald. I only wish more chiefs thought likeyou.”
“Mylord?”
“As of this moment, you will act as chief while your father is taken into custody. You will attend all negotiations and ensure your clan understands the feuding ends once and for all. It is an easy task to take two men into custody, MacDonald. But do you really believe you are up for the task of convincing all your clansmen the feud isover?”
Whether he was or wasn’t, he had no choice but to see it through. He would do everything in his power to restore peace to the people for whom he wasresponsible.
“Aye, my Lord Chancellor. I will see itdone.”
* * *
Pickingat the food on her trencher, Sheona tried to remain calm, but with every passing second that Malcolm did not appear, she thought the worst. He wasgone.
The old laird sat across from her, devouring a platter of roast boar. His face was wet with grease and she could scarce look athim.
“You must eat to keep your strength up, Lady MacDonald.” His words and tone were designed to mock. He did not wish to see her well—he only wished to tormenther.
“I am not hungry, mylord.”
He slammed his hand down on the table. “When your laird tells you to do something, you doit!”
Shejumped.
Ask him why the carrots arecold.
Sheona jumped again. She’d not heard the White Lady’s voice since the chamber upstairs—it gave hercourage.
Askhim.
“Why are the carrots cold, mylord?”
He stopped chewing and stared at her. “What did yousay?”
“The carrots, they are cold. I wonderedwhy.”
MacDonald sat up straighter and looked around, but didn’t answerher.
Inside her head, the White Lady giggled. Was her intention to unhingehim?
Ask him if he will fill your goblet with sweetwine.
Sheona wasn’t sure what the outcome would be for taunting such a man, but if anything would give her an upper hand she’d tryit.
“Will you fill my goblet with sweet wine, mylord?”
