“How dare you! You went to the Privy Council and spoke on behalf of the clan, didn’t you? There’s no other way you could have made such anarrangement.”
His father raised his hand to strike him, but Malcolm blocked it. “Don’t even try it.” Four of his clansmen stood behindhim.
“You will defy your chief and stand against him?” His father’s face turnedcrimson.
“Take him to his chamber. You will stay there until Gordon getshere.”
“I will do no such thing. You are not laird here! I am!” His father struggled against the men but he was not strong enough to break free from theirhold.
“Until this matter is resolved, the Privy Council insists that I act as chief. You are not a protector anymore, you are a destroyer and if you are not stopped, there will be nothing left to protect.” He could not back down. As difficult as it was to challenge his own father, he’d been left with no choice. This was the only way. Malcolm turned to leave thehall.
“You are weak! If the MacLeods are not stopped they will take everything like they tookher.”
The comment stopped him. He turned back to find his father did not struggle any longer. The melancholy expression returned to his face. “Tookwho?”
“Your mother. It was a MacLeod who was responsible for her death. I have proof and Rorie MacLeod knows it. That’s why he sentMargaret.”
As far as Malcolm recalled, his mother had fallen from her horse and died in the subsequent weeks from herinjuries.
“Why did you never tell methis?”
“Because you would never listen. A peace treaty with the MacLeods will never hold. They will take any and all opportunity to attack until there is nothing left toattack.”
“That is not true, Father. These talks will resolve it and with the council’s backing, we can work toward rebuilding—we all can. Hundreds of lives have been lost to this feud and I do not wish for onemore.”
Malcolm turned toward the stairs, took a few steps, stopped and turned. “Take him upstairs Hamish. Be sure he is guarded. I have to find mywife.”
* * *
Peekingthrough the crack in the door, Sheona let out a deep breath when she discovered the chamber was empty. The voices she’d heard moments ago frightened her. She was certain they would find her at anymoment.
She pushed the door open and stepped into the room. She’d leave the door open in case anyone returned, but at the moment she needed to figure out how to get some food and water. She’d had neither since the evening before and was ravenous. Hiding was exhaustingbusiness.
She cursed the MacDonald for being such a brute and she cursed Malcolm for bringing her here in the first place and leaving her. She sat on the bed for a moment. It was soft and inviting and much more appealing than the cold stone she’d spent the night curled up on. Her hands were grimy and her gown was stained. She needed to clean up, but could do neither without alerting someone to herpresence.
Frustration took hold. She flopped backward onto the bed and sighed. She was so tired. Maybe if she just closed her eyes for amoment.
Soft lips grazed her neck, trailing a delicious line down toward her chest. Sheona moaned and turned her head for better access. More insistent kissing followed a growl and she noticed her gown being tugged up.What?
Her eyes flew open. Malcolm was on top of her. The sight of him with desire-filled eyes took her breath away. He was back? She opened her mouth to ask him where he’d been, but he sealed it with his own, nipping, probing, taking, anddemanding.
Sheona’s mind swam. She wanted him so badly, but she needed an explanation—she deserved one. She turned her head away from him, breaking thekiss.
“No,Malcolm.”
His breathing was heavy, his body tight with passion. He would be frustrated, but she didn’tcare.
“I have missed my wife and I want to show her howmuch.”
She turned back to gaze up into his eyes. “You left me. Without any way to defend myself and I have been atrisk.”
“Has anyone harmedyou?”
“No, but not for lack oftrying.”
“Who?”
“Your father. He wanted—” She would curse herself if she wept in front of him. He would not get the satisfaction of knowing how much his abandoning her hadhurt.
