“I will come with ye.”
Domhnall paused halfway through fastening his belt.
“Nay.”
She looked up. “Why nae?”
“Because it is a War Council.”
Margaret slipped her arms into the sleeves of her gown with calm efficiency.
“I am aware.”
Domhnall frowned slightly. “The captains will speak freely.”
“Then I will listen freely.”
“This is nae court politics.”
“Nay,” she said mildly. “It is me attempted abduction we are discussing.”
Domhnall exhaled through his nose. “I need ye tae remain here.”
Margaret tied the ribbon at her wrist and met his gaze evenly.
“Domhnall.”
He recognized that tone immediately. It was the same one she had used when she had refused to go to hide in the upper hall the night before.
“I am now Lady of this castle,” she continued quietly. “The men who attacked yer walls came fer me. Dae ye truly believe I should remain in a chamber pretending none of it concerns me?”
Domhnall held her gaze. A part of him wanted exactly that, to keep her behind locked doors where Kenneth MacGregor’s reach could never touch her. But the image of Margaret standing in the smoke-filled hall guiding terrified children toward safety rose unbidden in his mind.
She would not hide. He knew it.
Margaret watched the conflict flicker across his face.
“I will nae interfere,” she said softly. “I only wish tae understand what we are facing.”
Domhnall ran a hand through his hair. “Ye will stay beside me.”
A faint smile touched her mouth. “Of course.”
“And ye will nae interrupt.”
“I will behave perfectly.”
He gave her a skeptical look. “That promise is suspicious.”
Margaret laughed quietly. “Then ye had best keep a close eye on me.”
Domhnall finished fastening his belt and reached for the chamber door. Outside, the castle was already stirring with tension. Men moved quickly through the corridors carrying maps, weapons, and messages from the night patrols.
Domhnall glanced once toward Margaret as she stepped beside him. The faint bruise on her wrist from the MacGregor man’s grip caught his eye again. Rage took hold of him as he remembered that MacGregor had tried to take her once. Domhnall had no intention of allowing a second attempt.
“Stay close,” he said quietly.
Margaret nodded.
