Page 66 of His Secret Highland Bride

He’d known it was a risk but thought he had the law on his side. With the way things stood, he couldn’t reach out to the king to decide the matter, for the man could very well believe the MacColls and side with them.

A knock at the door disrupted Shane’s pacing, and the Wallace laird came in after Shane bid him enter.

“What is this?” Alec asked.

“This is Donald Wallace. He came to see me wed to his daughter as our father agreed.”

“Bloody hell,” his brother whispered. “And you’re married to your Lindsay in the village.”

“Nay, I’m married to Lindsay, this man’s daughter. They are the same.” Shane might have laughed at the absurdity if he could scrape together even a shred of humor under the laird’s irritated gaze.

“Christ,” Alec whispered. “I think I may have preferred to stay in the dungeon at Collier.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

Lindsay frowned at the beautiful blue sky above her as she walked toward the village. It didn’t seem fair that the day was so lovely when her heart was in such a state. She’d rather a dreary day or perhaps a storm to match her mood.

She frowned at the maid and the two guards that followed as well. Not that they had done anything, but that they were there. A reminder of what she had lost—her freedom.

She’d had a guard many times, but it had been different. She’d allowed herself to think it was the way Shane showed how he cared when he wasn’t there to protect her himself. To make sure she didn’t suffer the same fate as his beloved Maria. Now she saw it was just what he was accustomed to. The laird’s wife must be protected at all times.

As if sensing her mood, Tre looked up and barked. “I don’t know what to think,” she told the dog for what seemed like the hundredth time that morning. She wanted nothing more than to go to her rock so she could sit by the running river and think. But the mistress of the castle wasn’t expected to sit about on a rock when there were things to be done at the castle. And, besides, it wasn’t her rock any longer. She’d given it to her husband. The laird.

Instead, she went to visit her cousins and Munro. Munro had taken up her challenge to the villagers to assist with arming the warriors. He was in his forge, melting down something to create a sword. The boys were gathered around but stayed back when he warned them of the heat.

She was happy the boys had found a new home, one that was safe and would help them grow into good men.

“Swords today, I see,” she said with a smile, though it felt as if it was in danger of breaking on her lips.

“I should have a dozen or more ready to bring up to the castle by the evening meal. I reckon I will see you there, my lady,” Munro said, giving her a knowing grin. So he had learned who she was. That meant the rest of the villagers no doubt knew as well.

Her simple life was over.

…

“What is going on?” Donald Wallace demanded after looking at Alec and taking a step back. Whether it was the new wounds or the old scar, Alec had managed to make the man pause at least. Still, the news was grim. He thought of telling the man it was none of his business, but his daughter was in danger, so Shane relented and shared the dismal truth.

“The MacColls plan to attack us.”

As expected, Donald Wallace sneered his disgust at the name. “Why?”

Shane gave a quick explanation, and the Wallace laird let out a sigh. “I didn’t bring my full army, and it would take too long for them to get here, but I’ll add my swords to your lot. It won’t do to leave my daughter here if Cluny is forfeit.”

If Shane had hoped the man would make him feel more confident, that surely didn’t happen.

“I thank ye,” Shane said instead.

“You’ll need others to join us if we’re to win.”

Shane nodded and pulled out a clean piece of parchment and his ink. “It may take Ronan too long to get here to help us, but the MacIntoshes are our closest allies.” He turned to Alec. “Summon your fastest riders. We’ll send one to the Grants as well. And the Camerons.”

“The Camerons?” Alec sniffed. “They are our enemy. They won’t help us.”

Wallace smirked. “It’s an old strategy but a sound one.”

Shane explained. “They are our enemy, but they hate the MacColls even more than they hate us. They will come and fight if they know we have a chance to win. They’ll want to see the deed done by their own swords.”

“The enemy of my enemy is my friend,” Wallace said with a nod. “And the MacColls won’t expect you to ask for their help. It gives us the numbers and the upper hand.”