Page 58 of The Highlander’s Dangerous Desire

Ewan smirked roguishly. “An’ what if they dae? We’re meant tae be betrothed…”

“That does not mean I wish word of our activities to fill the whole castle!” Grace smiled to show she spoke in jest again, and was pleased when he only laughed. She waved him toward the door. “Go! Dress. I shall meet you at the table as soon as I am properly attired.”

Ewan chuckled, brushed one last kiss across her forehead, then slipped out the door. Grace watched the heavy oak panel shut behind him, then went to find a dress for the day.

She emerged into the Great Hall little more than a candle-mark later, to find Ewan speaking with a figure she recognized. Devlin. The MacTavish second-in-command looked as if he’d been traveling hard, perhaps through the night, and both men’s expressions were grim. Grace’s contentment melted away like the last snow of winter. “What is going on?”

“Gael MacTavish has come tae MacTavish Keep with his wife and son. He’s asked tae convene the Council o’ Elders, tae request that the overseer’s position be granted tae him, until such time as he can be confirmed as Laird MacTavish by right o’ blood.”

Grace saw the pale cast to Ewan’s face, the grim uncertainty there as he spoke. Then he turned to Devlin. “But… he did not claim the title before. Surely…”

“Daesnae matter. He’s made the formal request. And the Council o’ Elders has agreed tae convene tae judge his merits against those o’ the current overseer. M’laird, yer presence is demanded as soon as ye may, in the Council chamber, yer betrothed beside ye.”

Ewan’s jaw clenched, and his words came out as a growl. “Me betrothed is currently visiting with her friend, Lady Niamh MacDuff. I willnae ask her tae…”

“We will be there.” Grace interrupted him. She turned to face Ewan. “Niamh will understand, and if I recall correctly, the decision shall not take very long. A matter of some days, yes?”

“Aye.” Ewan and Devlin both nodded. “Nae more than a seven-day, and nae likely tae tak’ that long.”

“Then there will be plenty of time for me to resume my visit with Niamh after the issue is dealt with.” It made her heart ache to be parted from her best friend after they’d so recently reunited, but they would have more time to spend together. Besides, she knew she would only spend all her time fretting if she sent Ewan back to face the Council without her.

Ewan needed her more than Niamh did, and she knew Niamh would accept that if she explained her reasons. Grace had come to enjoy the feeling of being needed and wanted at the side of a man like Ewan MacDuff, and she wasn’t willing to turn her back on him now.

“If ye’re tha’ resolved, I’ll nae stop ye, but we need tae leave as soon as possible.”

Grace looked at Devlin. “Surely, we can pause long enough for Devlin to join us for breaking our fast. Afterward, I can have such things as I need packed to return, and I shall explain the matter to Niamh while the servants pack our things and saddle our horses. That should be soon enough.”

“It should.” Ewan nodded, and clapped Devlin on the back when it looked as if the MacTavish second-in-command would have protested. “We’ll all be better off if we start the journey with full packs and full bellies, and ye could use a bit o’ something hot tae tak’ the morning chill off yer bones.”

Devlin slumped, gratitude on his face. “Aye, m’laird. I didnae wish tae delay ye, but…”

“Ye’ll nae. I’m sure ye can finish in the time it tak’s us all tae be ready fer the journey.”

“Indeed.” Grace looped her arm through Ewan’s. “I assume your brother already knows of Devlin’s arrival?”

“Likely as nae.”

“Then he will likely be waiting for us at table. We should not keep the laird waiting any longer than necessary. Especially as we shall be departing so much sooner than originally expected.”

Ewan nodded, and together the three of them made their way toward the dining chamber.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Ewan stared at the walls of MacTavish Keep as they rode up. He’d only departed them a few days before, and yet, they seemed to loom somehow, equal parts ominous and welcoming.

Over the past two seasons, the keep had become a home to him, a place he could picture living for many years to come. But he was no longer certain if he would be welcome within the walls for much longer. If Gael MacTavish convinced the Council of Elders to accept his claim, Ewan would be sent back to MacDuff Keep and Alistair. The very thought brought with it a knife-edge of shame and dread.

He’d always hated being in Alistair’s shadow, even when he knew it was the way of things, and that he would likely never be more than a second-in-command, perhaps the heir to another clan if he married a neighboring laird who had only daughters. But even the latter would have been bittersweet, for he would have been beholden to his brother for helping arrange the match, and to the laird who claimed him for accepting him.

He’d been resigned to it, all his life. But now, having had a taste of leadership, of lairdship, he wasn’t sure he could go back to being Alistair’s shadow.

Unfortunately, the choice was not his to make. That honor rested on the shoulders of the Council of Elders, MacTavish men born and bred, to whom he was still something of an outsider, and some of whom were likely to still feel bitter about his hand in the death of the previous laird.

A small hand settled on his shoulder, and he glanced sideways at Grace. She offered him a brief smile before they both dismounted. Ewan took heart from her poise and grace as she fell into step beside him, every inch the noble lady she had been raised to be, and the supportive presence the Council would expect of a woman he was courting.

Malcolm met him at the door of the Keep. “M’laird. The Council is convening, an’ they’ll be gathered within the candle-mark. Time enough for ye an’ the lady tae freshen up an’ have somethin’ tae eat.”

“A wash would be most welcome, but I understand supper is not far off, and we had provisions on the road.” Grace demurred before he could. “Some wine for myself and… I understand Master MacTavish and his wife will be attending?”