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Her mother.

Her relatives and clansmen.

And now, her brother.

But she’d gained a husband, one who would not allow her to continue to suffer. Which is why he did finally tear himself from her bedside to seek out his own father. As Niall suspected, he was already in the hall, well before the servants served the morning meal. He sat as he always did, before the fire, a chess board in front of him. Though he’d have more privacy in his solar, Niall’s father had always said if he would use the early morning hours to think, then he’d do so where his people knew where to find him.

And they did.

Even before the sun rose, ‘twas not unusual to find a servant or other retainer or one of Duncraig’s warriors sitting beside his father asking a question or for advice. And when they were not, the chief would simply stare at the chess board thinking. Considering. Waiting.

Niall sat across from him.

Saying nothing, he leaned forward and began to play. His father watched Niall’s move and made one of his own.

“You were unkind to her,” Niall began, knowing this discussion would not be an easy one.

“She is not just any woman, Son. You brought a MacKinlay—the MacKinlay.”

“I did, indeed. And would not have done so lightly. Surely you must realize that.”

His father frowned. “Your mother said the same. But that matters little. Fact is, she’s the enemy. Always has been. Always will be. Your clansmen will not take kindly to her.”

“My clansmen or you? I and Kieran have taken kindly to her as does, it seems, Mother, even after I deprived her of my wedding ceremony.”

“A fact she finds difficult to reconcile,” his father said, waiting for his move.

“As expected.”

“I do not agree with the union, but why could you not have brought her here to wed? For your mother?”

“Her brother would not have easily allowed such a thing. And as you said, you do not agree with the union.”

“You knew I would not.”

“Aye.”

“But married the lass anyway.”

“Aye.”

“Yet not for love?”

Did he love her?

Niall would have said nay just days ago, but he’d be a fool to deny the feelings he had toward his wife were unlike any he’d had for a woman before.

He cared for her.

Wished to be with her always.

Wanted to protect her.

Make love to her all day and night.

Did he love her? How was one to know?

“Son,” his father said as Niall hesitated. “You could have made alliances with your marriage.”