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“I feel terrible, Kevan. I didnae realize this would happen. I just thought I was daeing what was best for both our clans, tae stop a war. But this was my idea. I’m the one responsible. If ye want, I can leave, and yer life can gae back tae the way it was before.”

Her offer surprised him, but what surprised him more was the clenching tension in his body that came as a result of thinking about her leaving. Perhaps if she had made this offer on their wedding night, he might have accepted it, but things had changed since then. He had come to know her and appreciate her fire and steel; she was a spirited lass, and he liked this about her. He had taken her to his bed, and the intimacy they shared had curled his toes and shaken his world. The thought of being without her now was anathema to him.

He shook his head. “Ye dinnae hae tae dae that, lass. Like ye said, we hae tae look tae the future. Besides, it wouldnae change anything, and if the marriage is broken, it’s likely tae lead tae war. Ye were right in making the arrangement for the marriage. It was the only way tae stop Wallace from declaring war. I will hae tae find a way tae win the trust of my people. I suppose I cannae blame them. They were expecting John tae take over from his da.”

“That doesnae excuse their behavior,” Maura said sharply, but she looked delighted that Kevan had asked her to stay. “But perhaps ye should speak tae yer uncle. After all, he was the one that made ye laird and pushed ye towards this marriage. He might know what tae dae.”

Kevan smiled. Aye, the phantom knight might know some scheme to win over the hearts of the people. And Maura was right—it had been his idea.

Not wanting to waste any time, Kevan left his chamber as dusky darkness enchanted the land, and went to see his uncle. Wallace was enjoying a late-night drink with Wyl, and the two men were laughing heartily at some joke they shared. Kevan couldn’t help but notice how Wallace was in good spirits, and he didn’t seem devastated by grief as he claimed.

“Ah, the good laird of the McGrory clan. How are ye taenight, and how is yer lovely wife?” Wallace said.

“She’s well.” Kevan ignored the mocking tone. “I wanted tae talk tae ye, Uncle. I was hoping that ye would come out and speak in support of me as laird. I dinnae know if ye hae heard the rumors, but some people are starting tae think that I haed a hand in John’s death.”

“Aye, I hae heard the rumors,” Wallace said.

“Terrible things,” Wyl added. There was a slur to his words.

“Aye, well, is there anything ye can dae? I cannae be laird if the people dinnae respect me.”

“Ye are certainly right in that, my boy!” Wallace cried. “But I dinnae think I can dae anything. Who is gaeing tae listen tae an old fool like me?” He and Wyl cackled with laughter.

“I did,” Kevan replied darkly. “I listened tae ye when ye told me tae be laird. I listened tae ye when ye told me tae marry Maura. All I hae done is listen tae ye, and look where it’s gotten me!”

The outburst changed the expression on Wallace’s face. The old man leaned forward; the glowering light from a torch illuminated the hard angles on his face. “Ye dinnae need tae lash out like that at me, son,” he said in a menacing tone. “The only way ye can get the respect of the people is tae win the respect of the people. I cannae help ye with that. I’ve never fought a man’s battles for him. If ye want tae be the laird, then ye need tae be the laird.”

Kevan seethed, and just barely managed to keep his emotions under control. These were the men who had guided his fate, and now they were going to take no responsibility and leave him to fend for himself? It was unfair.

“It was yer idea,” Kevan reminded them again. His gaze passed between the two men. Wyl merely shrugged and looked to Wallace, while Wallace remained silent. “If the people dinnae respect me, it is gaeing tae put a strain on the marriage, and if the marriage ends, then sae does our peace treaty with the Calbraiths. There might be war.”

“Then war there shall be,” Wallace said. His words were chilling. Kevan felt a sliver of ice trickle down his spine. He had never been more afraid of his uncle than he was in that moment, and he honestly didn’t know where to turn next. The men had offered him nothing but empty words and forlorn suggestions. They had set him up to fail, and were now content with swilling down wine rather than help him rule the clan. It was as though it didn’t matter at all to them.

“Uncle,” Kevan said, trying to appeal to what little emotion Wallace had, “everyone knows how much this clan means tae ye. Why would ye nae help me now? I am still yer blood. Please, I’m coming tae ye with good intentions. I want this clan tae flourish. I want the same thing ye dae. Why will ye nae help me?”

“Nobody helped me,” Wallace replied coldly. “I learned from a young age that a man haes tae stand on his own tae feet. Respect is earned, nae given, and if the people feel this way, then that says something about ye. Maybe ye are nae fit tae lead.”

“But then who will? I always thought ye wanted tae keep it in the family.”

“Aye…my family. Ye are my nephew, Kevan, nae my son. Elaine is tae old tae sire another heir, sae what dae I hae left? Shall I betray my wife and cast her tae the side in favor of a younger woman in the hopes that she might give me a son? I know what people think of me, but I’m nae heartless. Without John, I just dinnae know…” he said, and then gulped down his wine again. It was clear that Kevan wasn’t going to get any help from him, and for a moment, he thought that perhaps Wallace had been more affected by John’s death than Kevan had imagined.

But that did nothing to help him in his current situation, so he turned to the only ally he had left: his wife. Sadly, in this situation, she wasn’t a powerful ally at all.

13

“I dinnae know what’s gaeing on with him. There was a time when all he cared about was the clan. Everyone haes heard the stories of his time as the phantom knight, daeing great deeds and collecting favors sae that when he returned, he could make this clan great again. But now…he’s content for there tae be war,” Kevan said.

“Why would he feel this way? How could he feel this way?” Maura asked, shocked and surprised that anyone could be so callous.

“I suppose he thinks that whoever deserves tae lead the clan will rise up. The strongest and most suitable will prevail, and whoever commands the people will be worthy. My uncle haes never been one for sentiment. If the clan cannae be inherited by his blood, then he would want tae see it being led by someone who is worthy. I think in his mind he haes given me a chance, and if the people decide that I am nae the person they want, then someone else will rise.”

“But that’s nae how things are done! Ye are the closest male relative. Ye are the one who deserves the title.”

Kevan smirked. “I never thought that ye would be one for tradition.”

Maura wrung her hands and averted her gaze slightly. “Well, perhaps nae, but in this instance, I think it’s only fair. What if another person wants war with my clan? Then all that we’ve done is for nothing.”

“I know,” Kevan said grimly. “I think the only thing the people would accept now is for me tae denounce ye and treat ye like a prisoner. They want tae see someone punished and humiliated for John’s death. They just cannae understand that ye are nae responsible.”