“Let’s split up and see what we can find out,” Alex said.
“I’ll see if that drunken lot knows anything,” Duncan said with a nod toward a table of Maclean warriors. “I assume you’ll talk with the MacNeils.”
Before Alex could ask Duncan what he meant by that remark, Duncan was gone.
Alex found the MacNeil chieftain near the hearth. Judging from his hearty greeting, the man had forgiven Alex for that kiss on the beach.
“I have a warning for ye,” the MacNeil said below the noise of the hall. “No one but the chieftains is to know ahead of time, but we’re attacking Mingary Castle tomorrow.”
“That’s poking a stick in the hornet’s nest.” Mingary was held by the MacIains, who were close allies of the Crown. The Crown would be up in arms over this, which made it all the more important for Alex to get to Edinburgh to reassure the regent.
“If ye don’t want to be part of it, be gone by morning.” The MacNeil glanced about to be sure no one was listening. “They intend to give you and Duncan the choice to fight with us or be the first to die in the battle.”
If Connor’s close cousin and the captain of his guard participated in the attack, the Crown’s allies would hear of it, and their clan would be committed to the rebellion.
“The sly dogs.” Alex should have expected it.
“I don’t agree with forcing a chieftain’s hand like that,” the MacNeil said. “But after the others saw ye fight, they were determined to see ye on the right side or dead.”
“I appreciate the warning.” They would all have to leave tonight, he to Edinburgh, and Duncan and the rest of their men to Skye.
“Being Highlanders, these other chieftains will be all the more impressed if ye succeed in sneaking out of here under their noses,” the MacNeil said, and they both laughed.
“They’ll never hear us leave,” Alex said with a wink. He was anxious to talk with Duncan, but that would have to wait until after the meal. “Shall we find your daughter and sit down?”
“She’s sitting at the high table tonight.”
Alex turned and saw Glynis was indeed at the high table, sitting next to the weasel with the weedy beard. “Who is that?”
“Shaggy’s second son, Alain.” The MacNeil elbowed him. “He would be a good match for my Glynis.”
“Him?” Alex stared at the pair at the head table for a long moment, trying to decide if the MacNeil chieftain was having a joke on him.
“Aye,” the MacNeil said, nodding. “Alain is a chieftain’s son from a strong clan that supports the rebellion, and she’s known him all her life.”
“He’s not a man I would trust,” Alex said.
For a brief moment, Glynis met his eyes. But when Alex smiled and nodded, she turned her head.
“And you are?” MacNeil asked him.
“Are what?” Alex asked, with his gaze still on Glynis.
“A man to be trusted.”
That got his attention. Alex knew exactly what the MacNeil chieftain was asking him. He heard his mother’s voice in his head, as if she were standing right next to him. Ye will be just like your father!
And Alex had turned out to be like his father. He enjoyed women, though never the same one for long. But in one regard, Alex was determined to be different from his father. He would not make the mistake of marrying a good woman and causing her to hate him.
“Your daughter would have her dirk in me in no time,” Alex said. “And I’d deserve it.”
“Alain will do,” the MacNeil chieftain said. “Of course, I’d prefer that she and Magnus Clanranald patched up their differences.”
Alex spun around to stare at him. “Ye can’t mean it,” he said, struggling to keep his voice low. “Magnus is a vile man—and he’s a danger to her.”
“Ach,” MacNeil said, dismissing this with a wave of his hand. “They got off to a bad start. A little time is all they need—and a babe, of course. A babe would solve the problem. Ye can’t blame Magnus for wanting an heir. Every man does.”
He’d send her back to Magnus? Alex wanted to pound the MacNeil’s thick head on the table, but knocking sense into the man was clearly a hopeless task.
