Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6

S tellan and Anders rode out of Dunrobin flanking Mariota, with six guards following them. They headed first along the firth to let her enjoy the views and the breeze off the water. "This is beautiful," she told them. "Do ye ken how to sail?"

"Of course," Stellan told her. "The fastest way to almost anywhere is by water."

"No' to MacKay," she said. "Or is it, from here? I've never considered that."

"'Twould depend on the weather and the seas rounding the north between Caithness and the Orkney islands," Anders said. "'Tis farther, but if the seas are calm and the winds favorable, 'twill be faster."

"Than a fast horse? I dinna think so," Stellan objected.

Anders shrugged. "Perhaps one day, we'll have to test it. Will ye sail or ride?"

"I'll decide when the time comes," Stellan prevaricated, taking note of Mariota's interest in their byplay. Her gaze danced from one brother to another, depending on who was speaking, though occasionally it remained with him, as if she wished to see how he reacted to Anders' provocation. She didn't swoon over them together as most Sutherland lasses did. He found that refreshing. He didn't have to be on his guard around her. Not in the same way, at least. She seemed straightforward and direct in her questions and comments, without the innuendo he was used to.

"Surely someone has done both by now," she interjected. "Or several people, on different occasions."

"Perhaps. I'll ask our guards if they ken," Anders said and turned his horse to drop back to their followers.

Stellan knew what he was up to, giving him and Mariota time to be as alone as they could, without either twin ever being entirely alone with her. Most of the clan would think nothing of the twins entertaining the visiting MacKay heir, but neither of them could afford to be accused of ruining her, or doing anything else that would further their father's plans for the betrothal, not until they were ready. Nor could she.

"How is Valkyrie over water?" His question was not meant simply to engage her in conversation. He was curious, never having heard of a hawk hunting in the sea.

"Let's find out, shall we?" Mariota removed Valkyrie's hood and jesses and after a moment to let her get her bearings, flung her into the air. Valkyrie climbed and soared overhead, circling above her mistress, partly over water and partly over land.

"She seems unruffled," Stellan observed as the hawk's flight drifted on the breeze more inland toward the meadowland at the foot of Dunrobin's cliff and structures, then along the tree line of the forest to the north.

"She's hunting, and happy to be a-wing," Mariota said. "I envy her freedom when she flies. But I canna envy her when she is confined to a perch."

"Do ye see yerself the same way? Confined as the heir?"

She opened her mouth, then closed it, surprise written in her narrowed gaze. She took a breath. "How could I no'? Dinna ye, as well?"

So she hadn't been aware they knew who she was! Stellan didn't know whether to be surprised or amused. Did she think they gifted every lass with this much of the heir's time and attention, or seated her at the head table? Would knowing she was found out make a difference to her? Judging by the way she pursed her lips, it must. Stellan started to apologize, but instead took a breath, thinking about her question. It was something they had in common. Something to bridge the gap between them and perhaps bring them closer together. He wanted that, didn't he? He needed to learn more about her. Every time he was near her, he wanted his hands on her waist. He wanted to kiss her and find out if she tasted as sweet as she seemed to be, or if the attraction between them would burst into flames and consume them both. But her question poured cold water on all his desires. They were destined to be lairds of neighboring, sometimes rival clans. Always apart. Not betrothed. Never wed. How fast could one ride or sail from Dunrobin to MacKay, indeed?

He looked away from her, hiding how his jaw clenched. Of course he did feel confined as heir. He imagined any eldest son— or daughter in the right circumstances —did. While many, even most, sons and daughters' futures were prescribed by the circumstances of their birth, some had at least a small measure of freedom to change their fate. To join a fighting force, become a priest or a nun, a scholar. But an heir would always be the heir, always expected to take on that role, that responsibility, with no escape. He, at least, had the comfort of Anders' presence and the oath they'd sworn to each other.

What could he say to Mariota that would comfort her? They had heard some of her story and he sympathized with the lass for making her escape, temporary though it might be. He didn't understand why her father allowed her attacker to remain alive, but in any case, she remained the MacKay heir, and someday soon, her father would demand her return, either in a letter or at the point of his sword outside Dunrobin's walls.

Yet how could she return if her attacker still remained free at MacKay? And how could her father demand it of her?

"I do feel confined," he finally said, lacking an answer to the questions plaguing him. "But I see it as my responsibility, and a challenge to affect the future of the clan that few are given."

"I would like to give it back," she muttered softly.

Stellan wondered if he was meant to hear those words.

"I think I would happily become hawk mistress rather than laird," she said a little louder. "I could do what I love and given the choice, would not be forced to wed anyone I did not like— or anyone at all."

"Ye dinna wish to wed?"

"I dinna ken. Surely I dinna wish to wed some of the men my da is likely to want alliances with. I must be able to refuse them." She looked away from the sea. "Has yer da written to mine yet that I am here?"

Her question seemed casual, but her hands clenched on her reins told Stellan the answer to that question meant more to her than she was willing to divulge.

"Aye, he has." Stellan sympathized with her, but he also saw her reluctance to wed as a mark against her. She knew she had no choice. Despite how she intrigued him, even if they could solve the problem of their positions in their clans, he didn't want an unwilling bride. Perhaps she should wed his more easygoing twin. He could make her happier than Stellan, and with Anders as her husband at MacKay, rather than just rule Sutherland together, he and Anders could control much of the north of Scotland.

Later, after supper, while he and Anders settled by the fire as was their custom, Stellan broached the idea.

Anders choked on his ale and coughed. "Did ye spend too much time in the sun today, riding along the firth with Mariota? Ye seem to have lost yer mind— right along with our da!" Anders shook his head. "Da already risks having our neighbors Sinclair and Gunn up in arms over an alliance between our clans."

Stellan shrugged. "Against Domnhall? I doubt he cares what the clans to our north think."

"And have ye forgotten which of us is attracted to her? 'Tisna me. Besides, I've had too many willing lasses to want an unwilling one, especially to wife."

Stellan took another drink, then drummed the fingers of one hand on the arm of his chair. "Dinna refuse the idea out of hand. It solves our problems." When Anders snorted, he added, "Da will sign the betrothal agreement with ye in mind. 'Tis up to ye to make her willing. Seduce her. In bed— nay, not until after the wedding, but with yer charm, the strength of an alliance with Sutherland, and how close we brothers are. Having Sutherland at her back at all times."

"And wedding the brother she can have fun with, rather than the dour "older" brother who is in the same position she's in, aye?" Anders shook his head again. "'Twill never work. She's as attracted to ye as ye are to her. Forget it."

Hope bloomed in Stellan's chest, warm, yet strangely sharp and painful. Anders had sensed that she was interested in him? His twin was much better than he at picking up on such things, having spent much more time with the lasses. Until Anders' comment, Stellan had remained unsure if Mariota felt the same as he did. Now that he knew, he wanted to smile, to laugh, to go to her. But it could never be that simple. Now that he knew, what good could come of it?

Three days later, Mariota was crossing the bailey when the guards up on the wall called for their laird. Not knowing what to expect, she returned to the door to the keep and waited to see what would happen. She'd enjoyed her time at Sutherland so far, and had learned a great deal. Perhaps she'd learn something else useful in whatever was about to transpire with Stellan's father.

She appreciated the care she was being shown by everyone, but especially by the twins. And even more so by Stellan. Yet how could she let herself fall for him, knowing what their futures held?

Brìghde saw her and came to join her. They leaned on the sun-warmed stone by the door and watched the guards scurry across the wall walk, gesturing to each other and down toward the glen outside Dunrobin's walls.

"Who do ye think it is?" Brìghde nodded toward the keep's heavy gates. "Tisna someone they're eager to allow entry, no' until the laird gives his aye."

The door at their side opened and the Sutherland laird came out, followed by stern-faced Stellan. The pair proceeded across the bailey without hesitation.

"We will soon hear what has caused the commotion," Mariota said confidently. The Sutherland laird was decisive and not at all soft-spoken, not in her experience anyway, so they would know soon enough who was at the gates.

The laird and his heir mounted the steps to the wall walk and had a few words with the guard captain, then turned to regard the ground below them. Mariota was about to say they'd never find out at this rate when Stellan caught her gaze and beckoned.

Her belly clenched. His summons could mean only one thing. Her father had answered the Sutherland's letter. He had arrived to take her home.

Brìghde patted her shoulder and pushed her across the bailey.

Stellan met her at the bottom of the steps and escorted her up them to the wall walk. She gasped when she looked over the nearest gap in the rampart. Below, her father rode with fifty men. One, positioned just behind him, made her stomach turn and her skin break out in a cold sweat. "Ach, nay, he didna," she muttered, shocked that he had brought her attacker. Shocked, too, that Alber still lived after what he tried to do to her the last time. And that witnesses, even after the fact, within the clan could confirm her story. Was her father telling her he didn't believe her? Given Alber's position in the horde, had her father promoted the man bent on ruining her? Destroying her father's plans for an alliance with another clan? Could he possibly be so blind? She wanted to appeal to the twins for help, but not until she was sure what her father intended.

"Ye didna expect him to come for ye?" Stellan took her arm and moved her toward his father.

"Nay, 'tisna that. 'Tis who he brought with him. Alber. The man who has attacked me three times." She finished the sentence as they reached his father.

The Sutherland frowned at her words. "He brought that man with him?"

"Aye, Laird Sutherland. He's there, in the front row behind my da."

Stellan nodded. "I see him. I recognize him by the scars ye say Valkyrie gave him."

It had only been a sennight since she fled MacKay, so Alber's wounds had not had time to heal completely and were still cruel red lines on his face and neck. She hoped his cods looked no better. She'd done her best— twice —to crush them.

"Well," Sutherland said, studying her face as if it held the answers he might need before talking with her father, "what do ye think yer da hopes to accomplish by this show of strength?"

Mariota bit back a laugh. "If need be, to compel my release. To force me home, of course. And perhaps of most import, to bring a Sutherland husband back to MacKay with me."

"I dinna see the point of bringing yer attacker here," Stellan remarked. "As a threat? Or is he going to exact punishment where ye and all of Sutherland can see?"

"I canna say." Mariota shrugged and added, "But I worry what it means." She had hoped if her father came for her, it would be to show her that he valued her, even applauded her initiative to protect herself and its outcome, and would deal respectfully with her— and with Sutherland —on the matter of the betrothal.

Sutherland nodded. "We'll take care of ye, lass." He stepped to the wall. "MacKay, what brings ye here?"

"Ye ken fine why I'm here. And I came with enough men to prize her from ye, if I must."

"Including the man who attacked her, forcing her to run from MacKay for her own safety?"

"Ye believe a lass about a man's intentions?"

Mariota's heart sank. For a moment, she'd been fool enough to allow herself to hope that some vestige of care for her had brought her father to Sutherland's gates. So much for that. Or for seeing Alber punished.

"I believe yer daughter. She is heir to an important clan, a lass who has shown herself to be sensible, accomplished, and quite determined to protect herself. I believe her over a man only brave enough to assault lasses, and who canna fight off a hawk."

Laughter rumbled across the lines of MacKay warriors, all save for Alber. Even from atop the wall, Mariota could see his face go red and his eyes narrow with fury. She feared the Sutherland laird had just made himself a target.

"Bring out my daughter," MacKay demanded.

"I have a better idea. Clearly ye received my response to yer letter. Come in and discuss this. I grant ye safe passage inside my walls. Ye alone and none of yer men. And most certainly not that one," Sutherland added pointing at Alber.

Alber stood up in his stirrups with a shout.

MacKay's head whipped around. "Sit down and wheesht or I'll send ye back with more damage than the hawk did to ye."

Mariota's mouth fell open. Finally! Her father had disciplined Alber where others could see it happen. She grasped the stone wall in front of her, anxious over how Alber would react.

Alber's jaw flexed, but he resumed his seat and calmed his mount, disturbed by his outburst.

"Yer men can camp in the glen," Sutherland continued as if Alber had not had the temerity to interrupt a negotiation between two lairds.

"I will bring ten inside with me."

"Six and nay that one," Sutherland repeated.

MacKay tried to stare him down.

"Choose yer six, and send the rest to set up camp across the glen. I willna tolerate them below my walls."

Only then did Mariota realize the army her father rode with would be enough to lay siege to Dunrobin. She hoped he was not foolish enough to try it. Clearly, Sutherland knew it, too, and was prepared to withstand it.

After a beat, MacKay turned and called out six names. Mariota was shocked to hear Seamus's among them. She had been so focused on her father and Alber that she hadn't noticed him among the troop.

Once the bulk of MacKay's men moved away, Sutherland ordered the gates opened. "Best ye go greet yer da, lass," he told Mariota. "Stellan, stay with her. I'll nay have one of his men grab her and hie back out of our gates."

Stellan nodded and went down the steps in front of Mariota.

She wondered how long her father's patience would last. She might not be inside Sutherland's walls for long— his presence here demonstrated that he would not simply allow his heir to run off. Despite his lack of confidence in her, there was an alliance on the line, after all.

She was grateful for Stellan's care, and that his da was not foolish enough to trust hers. After what she'd just seen and heard from her da, her hands shook and she could barely draw breath. The only good news so far was that Seamus rode with him, and was coming inside Sutherland. She could find out from Seamus what had happened at MacKay since she left, and what her father was thinking, bringing Alber with the group of warriors intended to guard her on their return home.

Stellan couldn't believe Mariota's attacker was here with the MacKay. His outrage at the insult burned white-hot in his blood. He knew Sutherland would normally say the other laird could bring any of his men he desired, but Sutherland already denied the attacker entry, thank the saints.

Anders met them as they reached the bailey and stood shoulder to shoulder with his twin, blocking Mariota behind them from MacKay's reach. "I kenned aught was amiss."

Once again, Stellan had reason to be grateful for their uncanny connection. He gave Anders a quick update.

Anders understood the situation immediately. "The lass would be in danger inside our own walls if Alber had been allowed in. What would her father do if the man harmed her here? Blame us?"

"I wish yer da hadna taunted him," Mariota told them. "He's dangerous."

Sutherland joined them as the gates swung open. Before the MacKay could enter, he told his sons "Ye two will alternate guarding her, backed up at all times by Sutherland men. Ye willna let that man she fears get close to her. MacKay sent him away, but I dinna doubt he will try to cause trouble, and we are responsible for her safety while she resides with us."

"The MacKay will want her under his control, his guards," Anders argued in a low voice. "If that contingent includes Alber at any time, it will be the fox guarding the hen. And that can only go badly."

Stellan agreed. "And on the way home? Too many things can go wrong."

Sutherland nodded. "I ken it. But how do we prevent it?"

Mariota's gasp alerted them to trouble. Behind the MacKay, among the six, Alber rode in, on his face a malicious grin and evil gleam in his eyes.

The Sutherland held up a hand and his men stepped in front of them, swords at hand, halting the procession of MacKays through the gate.

"I did not give that man leave to enter my keep, MacKay. What do ye think ye are doing?"

"Asserting my right to have the guards around me that I most trust."

Stellan found himself shocked. The MacKay named his daughter's attacker a guard he trusted most, and dared call him back once the Sutherlands left the wall walk. Did the MacKay think they wouldn't notice? A glance aside showed him that Mariota had paled. Stellan wanted to get her out of the bailey, away from this confrontation, but he dared not do so without his father's order. So far, she was behind a wall of Sutherlands, but at the first sound of swords being drawn, her safety would be at risk.

Sutherland regarded MacKay with disdain. "Before we even begin to speak, ye disregard my orders? In my own keep?"

"I bring the men I choose. The men I trust. Alber is one of MacKay's heroes of Red Harlaw."

Stellan and Anders traded a look. Was that how the man had gotten his laird under his thumb?

MacKay demanded to see his daughter. Mariota stepped out from behind the twins, but didn't greet her father. Instead, she made a guttural sound of disgust. The fury in her eyes relieved Stellan. He had feared she might show alarm at her father's declaration— and demonstrated lack of support for her —but clearly she was made of sterner stuff.

"Turn him around," Sutherland demanded, "or this conversation is over and ye will leave Sutherland territory."

"Nay without my heir."

"Yer heir stays here, if that is her choice, until 'tis well established that she can return to MacKay without further incident."

The MacKay's gaze cut to his daughter.

Beside Stellan, Mariota straightened tighter than a bowstring.

"I choose to remain where I am safe and valued," she announced. "If ye vow that is MacKay, I will go with ye, but not with Alber in the troop. Send him back, or I will remain here."

"Then there will be clan war."

"I will leave Sutherland, if I must, to prevent it. But I willna return to MacKay."

"Daughter—"

Mariota shook her head. "Dinna threaten my hosts, who have been naught but kind to me, better than the treatment I receive at home. I will go where ye will never find me, and yer precious notion of using me for an alliance— with any clan —will die. Is that what ye want, da?"

MacKay glared at her, and at Sutherland before turning around to shout, "Alber, join the men across the glen."

Alber shot a hate-filled glare at Mariota, jerked his mount around and rode out of the gate.

The MacKay watched him go before turning back to Sutherland.

"Satisfied?"

Sutherland looked to Mariota.

She lifted her chin, then nodded.

Stellan suspected this was the first time she had been able to force her father to do anything for her.

Too bad it took the combined might of Clan Sutherland to make him capitulate. And what would come of it? A proud man, a clan laird, forced to back down in favor of a lass, and in front of one of the most powerful clans in the Highlands? Stellan didn't see anything but trouble to come.