Page 84 of The Highlander’s Savage Vow

"And if the Council sides with him anyway?"

Ruaridh studied her face, seeing the fear but also the steel underneath. "Then we'll face whatever comes. Taegether."

She took a shaky breath, then nodded. "Aye. I'll testify with ye. Tell them what I ken."

Relief and fierce pride flooded through him. "We leave tomorrow. We'll need time tae prepare before facing the Council."

As he left their chamber to begin preparations, Iona's voice stopped him at the threshold.

"Wait." Her hands twisted in her skirts. "Shouldn't we speak with yer parents first? They need tae ken what we're walking intae. And they'll have questions."

Ruaridh paused, his hand on the door latch. "More than questions. This affects the entire clan's standing with other lairds. They deserve tae ken the full truth before we drag the clan name intae a royal tribunal."

Twenty minutes later, they sat across from Alistair and Niamh in the laird's private study, the damning letter spread on the desk between them. The silence stretched taut as Alistair finished reading, his weathered face growing grimmer with each line.

"Sweet Mary," Niamh breathed, her hand pressed to her throat. "The king believes this? All of it?"

"Enough tae call a Highland Council," Ruaridh replied grimly. "Murray's been busy since we sent our letter. Somehow he's managed tae present evidence that makes Iona look like the real traitor."

Alistair set down the parchment with careful precision. "What kind of evidence?"

"We arenae sure, exactly." Ruaridh's jaw tightened. "Murray'll be clever with his lies."

"But surely the timing alone proves the accusations false," Niamh said, looking between them desperately. "Iona fled tae us because of Murray's assault. Why would she come here if she was truly guilty of treason?"

"Because," Alistair said slowly, his political mind already working through the implications, "Murray'll claim that's exactly what a clever traitor would dae. Flee tae a powerful clan and secure protection through marriage."

Iona felt her stomach lurch as the full scope of what Murray's manipulation could turn into.

"He'll find a way tae trap us," she whispered. "Every choice we've made, every step we've taken—he's found a way tae twist it intae evidence of guilt."

"Nae yet," Ruaridh said firmly. "We still have the truth on our side."

"The truth?" Alistair's voice carried a sharp edge. "Son, I need ye tae understand what this means fer our clan. If the Highland Council finds proof against ye, if they believe Murray's accusations⁠—"

"They willnae."

"But if they dae," Alistair continued relentlessly, "the MacDuff name will be tainted with charges of harboring traitors. Our alliances with other clans, our standing with the crown—all of it could be destroyed."

Silence fell over the study like a shroud. Iona could feel the weight of their stares, could sense the questions they weren't asking. Would it be better for the clan if she simply disappeared? If Ruaridh divorced her and claimed he'd been deceived?

"Faither," Ruaridh's voice cut through the tension like a blade, "are ye suggesting I abandon me wife tae save our political reputation?"

"I'm suggesting ye consider all the options before ye risk everything on⁠—"

"On what? On standing by the woman I married? On refusing tae let a bastard like Murray MacNab destroy an innocent person and several clans with lies?" Ruaridh rose from his chair, his green eyes blazing. "That's exactly what I intend tae dae."

"Ruaridh," Niamh said gently, "yer faither's nae saying ye should abandon Iona. But ye must understand the gravity of what ye're facing. If this goes badly⁠—"

"Then we'll deal with the consequences. Taegether." His gaze found Iona's across the room. "I'll nae sacrifice me wife tae appease political fears."

Warmth flooded through Iona's chest at his words, but it was quickly followed by crushing guilt. "Maybe... maybe Laird Alistair is right. Maybe it would be better fer everyone if I just left."

"Left?" Ruaridh turned on her, his voice sharp with betrayal. "And Let Murray win by default?"

"It would stop dragging yer family intae me troubles!" The words burst from her with more force than she'd intended. "Look at what I've brought tae this house—attacks, infiltrators, and now accusations of treason before the king himself. Maybe it's time I⁠—"

"Finish that sentence and I'll lock ye in this chamber until the Council convenes," Ruaridh said, his tone deadly serious. "Ye're me wife, Iona. That means we face this taegether, whatever comes."