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Of course, his parents could not have appeared more surprised.

“Your wife?” His mother seemed less pleased than his father.

“Lady Avelina,” Niall said. “I would introduce you to my parents. Kenneth, the chief of Clan Duncraig, and my mother, Lady Mairi.”

“Pleased to meet you both,” she ground out, wishing to mean the words. Alas, she did not. Could not. Unlike her husband, the chief fought in that battle. Had killed members of her clan. Perhaps her family.

Maybe even her father.

But for Niall’s sake. . .

Something made her want to tell them. Not to hide it a moment longer. “Avelina MacKinlay,” she added. “Sister to the chief of Clan MacKinlay.”

A chill ran through her at his parents’ expressions. His mother appeared to be in disbelief. His father?

Clearly angry.

“You married Chief MacKinlay’s sister?” he asked Niall.

At the same time, his mother stood. “Son. What have you done?”

Niall gripped her hand even tighter.

His father said, “This marriage will not stand. The chief’s son will not take a MacKinlay wife,” he said, as if Avelina was not standing beside him.

“It will, Father. We’ve consummated the marriage.”

Consummated it before the wedding day, in fact. But there seemed no need to mention that to his parents.

“My child,” his mother said, coming toward her. “This must be difficult for you, dear?”

Though his mother initially seemed the more upset of the two, her expression now was one of empathy.

Avelina found her voice. “I will admit ‘tis somewhat difficult, aye.”

She peeked at the chief.

He glared at her.

Avelina’s chin raised in defiance.

“Why?” the chief asked again. Though he looked at her, the question was clearly for Niall.

“An affinity grew between us. And I would not dishonor her by taking the lady’s maidenhood without making her my wife.”

Her cheeks warmed. Though they’d discussed telling his parents that particular fact, knowing ‘twas likely necessary, Avelina had still hoped it could be avoided.

“If you wanted to bed a woman, surely you could have found one who was not a MacKinlay.”

“Kenneth,” his mother scolded.

But the first salvo had been shot.

“Surely I did not intend to wed a man whose family slaughtered my own,” she said.

“Oh dear,” his mother said. But Avelina’s attention was on the father.

“But you did. Why?”