Chapter 6

6

" Y er sister's right. Ye shouldnae be doing this." Lydia finished tying the straps of her final pack, then turned to face her brother-by-marriage.

She liked Alex, she truly did. He was a good husband to Isobel, and a good acting laird for their clan. The men he'd brought to their clan, his former pirate associates, were decent, hardworking people, if somewhat rough around their edges, and Alex was much the same. Normally, she enjoyed spending time with him and Isobel.

However, the past week had been filled with endless irritation and strained words passed between them, to the point where she was ready to be somewhere else, anywhere else. She would have already gone to the homes of Nora or Emma, save that she had to pack and she knew full well that neither of them would be any less determined than Isobel about trying to change her mind.

Lydia had done her best to avoid confrontation by immersing herself in packing. Her clothing, of course, was a necessity, but she'd also made a determined effort to spirit away as many books as she could sneak into her luggage. She didn't think Alex or Isobel would notice, as both of them preferred more active pursuits, such as archery and fencing

Such as finding her when necessity forced her to visit a place in Clyde Castle where she couldn't easily take her leave, and trying to once again convince her that she shouldn't be keeping the promise she'd made to Laird Lochlann.

She scowled at Alex and at Isobel standing behind him. "I've said it afore, and I'll say it again. I've given me word, and I'll nae be going back on it."

She gestured for one of the servants to take the final pack. "Me things are gathered and me plans are set. Ye willnae be changing me mind."

"Ye should have waited for me return afore ye made any plans at all. Ye shouldnae have made such a deal out of me presence. Acting laird I may be, but tis still me role to negotiate alliances on behalf of Clan Clyde at this time." Alex folded his arms, a stern scowl on his face. His voice was deep, the commanding voice of a laird, rather than her sister's husband and her brother-by-marriage.

Lydia huffed. "Ye were away on land inspections, and Laird Lochlann dinnae seem to be the most patient of men. I dinnae want a delay to cause further strife when the end result would be the same, so I did what was needed."

Lydia gave her brother-by-marriage an exasperated look as she continued. "In any case, I cannae see why ye're so angered. He's a strong laird with a powerful clan. In terms of alliances, tis a good match, of the sort most lairds would gladly partake. If ye were thinkin' as Laird Clyde instead of Isobel's husband, ye'd be supportin' me decision."

Alex grimaced, but she'd scored a point and she knew it. "Aye, sure there's that, if we're only thinkin' of clans and alliances. But a laird's character is also an important thing to consider, and what of the man himself? Ye ken he's a murderer, do ye nae?" Alex raised an eyebrow in challenge.

Lydia glared right back. She was tired of that particular rumor being thrown in her face. As if she didn't know Murdoch Nairn's reputation as well as any of them! "I see. And yer hands are bloodless, then? Nay deaths at yer doorstep?"

It was a cruel thing to say, and she knew it. Alex had killed, but he also regretted it fiercely. She saw him flinch from the words as if she'd hit him, and Isobel stepped forward, her eyes snapping with anger. "Lydia, daenae call…"

Lydia interrupted her sister, too frustrated to keep the peace. "Ye keep speakin' of Laird Lochlann bein' a killer, as if that's all there is to be concerned about in respect of the man. I'm only remindin' ye that there's oft more to a man than rumors would tell of it."

Isobel looked ready to argue the point further, but Alex laid a hand on her arm. "Och, enough me dear. The lass has a point. Besides if ye get too angered, ye're like to upset the bairn, and ye'll both be uncomfortable for hours. Ye daenae want to be stuck in bed for risking yer health."

Isobel looked as if she wanted to strike someone, but she finally nodded. Alex turned back to Lydia. "Accompany yer brother to the garden, will ye lass? I've a few more words to be speakin', and if ye're truly set on this, I'll nae keep ye past that."

Lydia nodded. She was tired of arguing, and she didn't want to part from her sister in poor spirits. Lydia did not wish for their last words together to be ones of bitterness and anger.

Alex silently led Lydia out to the garden. It was only when she fell into step at his side, with Hector loping along a pace or two behind them, that he spoke. "I ken why ye spoke as ye did, lass, and I daenae hold it against ye. But even so, as there's truth to me reputation, yer sister and I fear there's truth to his."

"I ken. But even so, I must do this." Lydia met his eyes. "Do ye nae understand that?"

"I'm nae sure I do. Though I ken from Isobel that Laird Lochlann threatened us with war if ye dinnae go. And if that's what ye're afeared of, then daenae be." Alex smiled grimly. "T'would be three clans to one, and nae any one of us are weaklings, nor unschooled in defending what's important to us."

"Doesnae mean ye couldnae get hurt, or worse."

"Ye ken very well Hunter, Leo and I would do our best to avoid such a thing. And nae one of us are untrained youths. I'm certain we'd be alright and come home safe." Alex set a hand on her shoulder.

"But ye cannae ken for certain. And ye would also need Nora. I daenae think Isobel would stay behind either, if she could find a way to the field of combat. So, I'd be risking five of me dear family, just to avoid a danger that might or might nae come to pass." Lydia shivered. "Six, if ye count the bairn. I cannae do that."

"Ye cannae think of that at a time like this." Alex sighed. "In this, ye need to first be thinkin' of yerself and yer own safety and happiness, little lass."

"I cannae! Do ye nae see?" Lydia pulled herself free of his hand, her fists clenching as she faced him. "All me life, I've thought of meself. I've been protected by everyone else and never cared to step up to defend me sisters as they defended me. Ever since I was a wee child, everyone's always looked after me safety and happiness, even if it cost them their own."

She took a deep breath, trying to calm her rising frustration. "Do ye ken what tis like, to be sheltered, to watch yer sisters goin' through trial after trial, and never be able to help shoulder the burden? This one time, I can be the one doin' the protectin'."

Alex looked taken aback, and well he might. She'd never spoken such words to any of her kinfolk. "Lydia…"

"Ye say ye'd go to war for me, but what then? Men die in battle. What will ye tell the widows and sons and daughters of those warriors? That their loved ones are gone because I was a spoiled, fearful child who refused to honor an alliance because I daenae like the man to whom I was contracted?"

She could tell her words had hit home, but Alex wasn't without words of his own. "And what should I tell yer sisters, if ye go to him and he murders ye in yer bed some dark night?"

"That I'm a woman grown and I made me own choice, come what may. But I daenae think it will come to that." Lydia shook her head. "If worse comes to worst, I'll run away, as me sisters and I did long ago, and come back home to ye."

"Ye may nae have the chance." Alex held her gaze for a long moment, then sighed. "But I can see ye're dead set on this, and there's nay changin' yer mind. Ye Knox sisters are all alike - ye will never let good sense stand in the way of what ye truly wish. So I'll cease arguin' with ye, and leave ye with a final gift that will aid ye if all goes poorly."

He turned and whistled to Hector. The big dog came forward and leaned happily against his thigh, nose pressed against his palm in a bid for attention. Alex smiled and scratched the dog's ears. "I ken ye're taking Hector with ye. That's a good plan, better than ye ken."

"What do ye mean?" Lydia frowned, puzzled by his words.

"Hector's been trained to the hunt, and I've ridden with him meself a fair number of times. He's never failed me, once he was set on a trail, he always caught his prey. Keep him by yer side, and if all goes badly, tell him to attack."

"To attack?"

"Aye. Just shout his name and give the word, and he'll go to whatever ye point him toward and do his best to take it down. Doesnae matter if it's hare, wolf, deer or man."

Lydia nodded her understanding. "Just ‘attack'? Nay other word?"

"Nay other word." Alex nodded.

Lydia held out her hand, and Hector immediately trotted over for more attention. The big dog seemed to sense something was happening, for he woofed softly and leaned into her. Lydia stroked her new protector's fur. "Thank ye, Alex."

She swallowed a lump in her throat. She knew her belongings were packed and ready, and Alex's chosen man-at-arms would be waiting to ride as her escort. There was little point in delaying further. Yet, now that it was time to leave, she couldn't help feeling sorrow and a desperate longing to stay.

She fought back looming tears as she looked back to Isobel's husband. She'd fought so fiercely for this; she could not retreat now. "Take care of me sister for me."

"I will." He hugged her briefly. "Come and say farewell then, and we'd best get ye on the road so ye can make Lochlann Castle afore dark."

She nodded and followed him back to the main doors that led from the castle proper to the courtyard. Isobel was already waiting for her beside the carriage that held her belongings. "Did ye talk sense into her?"

Alex shook his head. "Ye ken well enough that there's nay talkin' sense into any one of ye when ye're set. But I gave her an extra form of protection, and we can hope tis enough."

Isobel's expression crumpled with sorrow, but she only sighed. "I dinnae think ye'd succeed, but I hoped…" She shook her head. "Well, there's nay help for it." She stepped awkwardly forward and wrapped her arms around Lydia as best she could. "If ye're set on this, I cannae stop ye. However, ye'd best write."

Lydia hugged her sister in turn. "I will."

"Mark me words. Every day. If I daenae see a messenger a day, then I'll be coming after ye. Bairn or nay bairn, if I think ye're in trouble, I'll be there, and I'll shoot the blackguard in the most painful place I can think of." Her lips thinned with worry and irritation. "I ought to in any case; he'd nae be concerned with marriage and heirs if I put an arrow through that part of him. It'd serve him right for coming here and acting so high-handed."

Despite the ache in her heart, Lydia couldn't help but laugh. "I love ye too, sister. I promise I'll write." She kissed Isobel's cheek, then stepped back and quickly made her way to the carriage.

"Come Hector." The big dog jumped up beside her, and Lydia nodded to the man-at-arms, who clicked his tongue and sent the horses forward.

A moment later they'd passed through the gates of Clyde Castle and out onto the road. Lydia held Hector tightly and refused to look back, knowing her resolve might fail her if she did so. Her eyes stung with tears, but she resolutely blinked them away.

It was time to see what she could make of the world and discover whether Laird Lochlann was everything or nothing like he was reputed to be.