Chapter 13

A nna had never thought that she would end up missing an alarm clock. Getting out of bed in the morning had never been one of her strong suits and now, without anything to wake her, she found she was usually up way after everyone else. It was embarrassing. She was a guest here so how must it look when she was lounging in bed while everyone else was up at first light?

The following morning was no exception and by the time she was out of bed and dressed, she found that the sun was already climbing the sky. Anna yawned as she walked along the corridor to the stairs. Glancing through one of the narrow windows, she saw that the day had dawned bright and clear, yesterday's stormy weather having blown through. That was good. She wanted the games to go well today. It meant a lot to Emeric and his family.

But when she reached the great hall, she found it empty, with nobody seated at the benches and not even a servant in sight. She frowned. Where was everybody?

She heard a commotion from outside, the low hum of a crowd, so turning on her heel, she hurried through the entrance hall and halted abruptly at the top of the short flight of steps that led down into the courtyard .

The mystery of where everyone had got to was solved. The courtyard was full of people—the whole household by the look of it. Everyone was lined up in orderly rows, grouped by occupation. The guards all stood on one side, the household staff on the other, while the stable hands, farriers, and kennel staff all stood at the back.

At the very front, slightly apart from the rest, Anna spotted Laird Douglas, Lady Hildie, Aislinn and Emeric. They all wore the Mackintosh plaid, Laird Douglas and Emeric wearing swords strapped to their sides.

What was going on? Everyone was facing the open gates and was she imagining it, or did everyone look a little apprehensive?

She waved, trying to catch Emeric's eye, but his attention was fixed ahead and his expression was stern. His hair billowed in the breeze, his brow furrowed, one hand resting on the hilt of the sword at his waist.

Puzzled, Anna walked down the steps and began making her way through the crowd towards him. As she reached the front, Emeric turned his head and spotted her. The smile that lit his face made Anna's heart stutter. She raised her hand to wave but Laird Douglas said something and Emeric turned away. A noise came from beyond the gates: the thunder of hooves. Lots of them.

Anna tucked herself into the front row of household staff next to Maisie, the maid who'd taken care of her the night she arrived.

"What's going on?" she whispered to the young woman.

"The MacDonalds are arriving," Maisie whispered back.

The MacDonalds? The Mackintosh's neighbors ?

The thunder of hooves grew to a crescendo and a line of mounted people cantered into the courtyard. They rode large, thickset horses and each rider was wearing the same colored plaid—different to the Mackintosh in both color and design. The cloth seemed thicker and richer, and the bridles and tack shone silver.

Most of the riders spread out to either side of the gates, but three rode forward and pulled up in front of Laird Douglas. One was a middle-aged man, clean-shaven with long gray hair and whipcord thin, the second was a regal-looking older woman riding side-saddle with plaited silver hair coiled on top of her head. The third was a man around Anna's own age, with a mop of white-blond hair, chiseled good-looks and perfect white teeth that he flashed in a broad smile.

Mackintosh serving staff rushed forward to help the three dismount. The middle-aged man was the first to touch the ground, deftly swinging his leg over the horse's broad back. His boots, polished to a high shine, struck the stones of the courtyard with an authoritative thump. Stable hands brought a set of wooden steps to help the older woman dismount and she did so regally, her skirts rustling softly. Lastly, the young man dismounted with a charismatic grin etched firmly on his handsome face.

Laird Douglas stepped forward, his broad chest rising and falling under his Mackintosh plaid. "Laird Alexander, Lady Maria, Lord Duncan," he greeted in a voice that echoed throughout the courtyard. "Welcome to Dun Achmore."

The middle-aged man offered a curt nod in acknowledgement while his gray eyes shifted to take in his surroundings. "Douglas," Laird Alexander MacDonald said in a tone as chilly as his gaze. "Yer hospitality is noted."

The Lady Maria looked around imperiously, whilst the young man, Lord Duncan, gave a playful salute to Emeric. Emeric merely nodded in response, his expression tight.

Hildie and Aislinn stepped forward, lowering into deep curtseys.

"To our esteemed guests," Hildie said in a loud voice. "We bid ye welcome. May ye find comfort within our walls and warmth from our hearths."

Lady Maria bestowed a smile upon them and Laird Alexander, his cold exterior melting slightly, gently inclined his head. But Anna noticed that the younger man—Lord Duncan—stared at Aislinn, and the smile was suddenly gone from his face.

"Lady Aislinn," Duncan said tightly. "My congratulations on yer upcoming nuptials."

"Thank ye, my lord," Aislinn murmured, not meeting the man's eyes.

Anna had no idea what was going on but there were clearly undercurrents here that she was painfully ignorant of. She tried to remember what she'd learned of Clan MacDonald. It wasn't much. They were the Mackintosh's neighbors weren't they? The ones who had rights to a portion of the Mackintosh harvest?

She was about to ask Maisie about it when Laird Douglas began leading his guests towards the great hall, the staff falling in behind. Anna was swept along with the crowd.

Emeric walked with his family, his shoulders rigid and fists clenched at his sides. He barely spoke a word. His uncle was engrossed in a conversation with Laird Alexander. Their faces were severe, their words lost in the buzz of conversation. Emeric's eyes, however, were focused on Lord Duncan. The young man was gazing at Aislinn with an intensity that sent unease creeping through Anna's veins.

As they entered the great hall, the serving staff quickly set about their tasks. The clatter of cutlery and murmured voices filled the air as everyone found their seats. It seemed she'd not missed breakfast after all. Good. She was so hungry she could eat a scabby horse and still have room for pudding.

She followed Emeric and Laird Douglas toward the high table, but Maisie gently took her elbow and steered her away. Instead, she was led to a table where Aislinn, Hildie and Lady Maria were already seated, whilst the two lairds, along with Emeric and Duncan went to sit at the high table alone.

Anna had no idea why things were different this morning but it was clearly some form of protocol that she was unaware of. With a slight shrug, she took a seat next to Hildie, with Aislinn and Lady Maria opposite.

The elegant older woman's gaze fixed on Anna. Despite the lines around her eyes and the white of her hair, she looked hale and strong and Anna found it difficult to put an age to her. Certainly older than Laird MacDonald. His mother, perhaps?

"I dinna believe I've had the pleasure," she said with a smile. "I'm Maria. And ye are?"

"Anna," Anna said, holding out her hand. "Pleased to meet you. "

Lady Maria looked at her hand for a moment, before tentatively reaching out and taking it. Anna shook it with a firm grip.

"Anna is a guest staying with us for a little while. She is on her way to Edinburgh," Hildie said.

"Ah, Edinburgh. A fine city indeed, full of life and charm," Lady Maria said, releasing Anna's hand. "And what brings ye to our humble lands before ye journey there, Anna?"

"I was on my way to see a friend," Anna replied, snagging a piece of bread from a basket placed on the table. "I got lost on the way and Emeric came to my rescue."

Maria's bright blue eyes lit up. "Really? It sounds like ye have quite the tale to tell. Have ye come a long way?"

Anna swallowed a mouthful of bread. You don't know the half of it, she thought.

Instinctively she sensed she had to tread carefully here. From the way Hildie and Aislinn sat stiff-backed and rigid, she guessed that Lady Maria wielded considerable power and it would not do to put her foot in it. But how could she answer the woman's questions without revealing too much or seeming rude?

She decided on something near to the truth. "I started out from Glasgow. I think I underestimated the difficulties of the journey." She gave a self-deprecating laugh. "I got lost and then stuck in a bog. Emeric had to haul me out."

Maria let out a trill of laughter. "A Glasgow lass, in a bog? Ye must have been a sight to behold!"

"Yes, it wasn't my finest moment. "

From the corner of her eye, Anna noticed Hildie giving a slight nod of approval. Lady Maria, she noticed, had a way of controlling the table without appearing overtly domineering. She was a masterful conversationalist, easy in her charm, querying just enough to keep them talking but not so much as to put them on the defensive.

"Is yer husband not traveling with ye?" Lady Maria asked Anna.

Anna, who had a mouthful of porridge, had to swallow quickly. "Husband?"

"Aye," Maria said. "Surely a woman of yer age is married? And I'll bet ye have a brood of healthy bairns waiting at home for ye as well?"

"No, actually," Anna replied. "I have neither and I'm more than happy with that, thank you very much."

Maria said nothing but Anna didn't miss the expression of surprise that flashed through her eyes. She glanced at Hildie and Aislinn who wore the same expression.

Anna pressed her lips together. In the twenty-first century an unmarried woman in her twenties was nothing out of the ordinary. But here? She guessed it must be a bit of an oddity and for the first time since she'd arrived here she truly felt the difference between herself and her hosts.

She tried to think of a way to steer the conversation to safer topics. "Um...so, are you looking forward to the games?"

"Ah, the games!" Lady Maria exclaimed as a smile brightened her face. "It's always such a spectacle. Brave lads giving their all to win. There's nothing quite like it. I know my grandson is looking forward to the blade work." She glanced at Aislinn, who was keeping unusually quiet. "And ye, Aislinn," Lady Maria continued. "Are ye excited to see yer future husband compete?"

There was a slight edge to Maria's voice that hadn't been there before. Hildie and Aislinn paled slightly and that undercurrent of tension Anna had sensed previously was back.

"Of course, Lady Maria," Aislinn said, her voice barely more than a whisper.

"Indeed," Lady Maria said, taking a sip from her goblet. "Nothing speaks more of a man's strength and character than his actions on the field. "

Anna looked between the three women. Nobody spoke and the tension in the air was palpable.

"Well, I'm looking forward to the games," she blurted, trying to break the tension. "Thought I might try my hand at the ax throwing."

The three of them turned to stare at her in surprise.

"Ye?" Maria asked.

"Sure. Why not?"

"Because ye are a woman," Maria said, as though Anna might have forgotten this fact. "Only men compete in the games."

"What? Why?"

The three women looked at each other.

"How would ye even know how to throw an ax?" Maria asked.

"I've done it before," Anna replied. "We went on this work team-building thing. Ax throwing. They've got a place in town and there are drinks thrown in. I won. Even beat Steve from HR and he thinks he's God's gift at sports." She fell silent abruptly at their surprised expressions. "Or...maybe not. Maybe I'll just watch."

Anna felt her cheeks heat. She'd done it again; rambling because she was nervous and giving away far more than she should. You and your big mouth!

"Oh no, dinna ye dare back away now," said Maria, a wicked gleam in her eyes. "I've never heard of such a thing as a woman partaking in the games, and it sounds like quite the spectacle."

Hildie coughed uncomfortably. "Lady Maria, Anna was simply jesting. She's full of such outlandish ideas."

Maria's gaze sharpened as she looked at Anna. "Is she now?" she said softly. "I wonder why that is."

Anna gave a nervous little laugh. "Glaswegians eh? We're a strange bunch."

Maria leant back in her chair, still eyeing Anna. "I must admit, Anna," she began. "Ye are unlike any lass I've met before." She paused, sipping on her ale. "Yer words and behaviors are... peculiar."

Anna felt a bead of sweat trickle down her forehead. "As I said, Lady Maria, we Glaswegians are a strange bunch."

Maria smiled again. "Indeed ye are. But tell me," she leaned in closer to Anna across the table, lowering her voice to barely above a whisper. "Why is it that ye talk about places and things that none of us have ever heard of? What is this ‘work team-building thing' ye speak of? And what is this place where women can throw axes and drink? Is this customary in Glasgow? "

Anna hesitated, fumbling for an answer. "Well, every place has its own... customs," she said slowly, trying to come up with something plausible. "And I suppose mine might seem a bit strange to people from other places."

Maria stared at her for a moment, unblinking. Her blue eyes which had seemed so light only moments ago, suddenly seemed dark and calculating. For a reason she couldn't quite fathom, Irene MacAskill's face flashed into Anna's head as though Maria suddenly reminded her of the old woman although she had no idea why that might be.

Maria laughed lightly, breaking the tension. "Ah, ye have me there, Anna," she said, raising her goblet. "We all have our peculiarities, do we not? I suppose that's what makes life so interesting. I look forward to seeing ye take on the men in the ax throwing."

Anna let out a shaky breath and joined in the toast. She noticed, however, the way Maria's eyes never left hers.

Oh hell , she thought. What has my big mouth gotten me into this time?

EMERIC BARELY TASTED the food he put into his mouth. He ate only to keep up the facade of politeness, the thin veneer of civility that had descended on the high table. That veneer was wafer thin and tension was strung between the four men like the strands of some spider's web.

In truth, Emeric's stomach was churning so badly he could barely eat anything and he had to force down the oatcake Maisie placed before him. But it wasn't nerves or fear that was making his stomach boil .

It was anger.

Laird MacDonald and his son Duncan sat at the table with all the ease of lounging predators. They knew the power they held here and they reveled in it.

God above, this was Dun Achmore! This had been the seat of Clan Mackintosh long before the MacDonalds had dragged themselves out of the mud and squalor. And yet the MacDonalds strode in and expected to be treated like royalty.

Gritting his teeth, he did his best to focus on the conversation at the table. It was inane stuff about crops and cattle and the weather, skirting around the real issues between them, one of which was seated not ten paces away, at the women's table.

His gaze drifted over to his sister. Aislinn was sitting with their mother, Anna, and the laird's mother-in-law, Lady Maria. She was barely eating either, not immune to the tension in the room which centered around her.

Emeric glanced across the table to Duncan. He was tall like his father with sharp eyes that missed nothing. He had a look about him that suggested he was always alert, always ready for a fight, despite the easy grin that was never far from his lips. He was not joining in the conversation and in fact, seemed to be barely listening at all. Since they'd sat down he'd not stopped staring at Aislinn.

Despite his uncle's efforts to soothe ruffled feathers, it seemed Duncan MacDonald had not forgotten the insult Aislinn had dealt him when she'd spurned his marriage proposal. Emeric tensed. He'd seen that look on a man's face before and knew trouble would come of it .

But as he followed the line of Duncan's gaze, he realized with a start that in fact, Duncan wasn't staring at Aislinn at all. His stare was fixed on the woman sitting opposite Aislinn.

Anna.

Anna seemed unaware of the scrutiny she was under, caught up in a spirited conversation with Maria. The ladies laughed heartily at Anna's words, their mirth echoing through the hall.

A twinge of unease settled within him. What was she doing? Hadn't he warned her to keep a low profile? To say nothing that might give away her origins? She already stood out like a swan among geese. It was more than just her beauty. There was an elusive quality about her that made everyone sit up and take notice.

And it seemed Duncan MacDonald had noticed it too.

Emeric's protective instincts flared. His grip tightened on his goblet, the cool pewter a stark contrast to the heat boiling within him.

"Well, what do ye think?" Laird Douglas asked, snapping Emeric's attention back to the table.

Emeric blinked. "I'm sorry, what?"

Laird Douglas rolled his eyes. "About Laird MacDonald's proposal."

"Proposal?"

His uncle scowled at his lack of attention. "Laird MacDonald has proposed a joint venture to begin mining operations in the northern valley. He thinks there might be copper deposits out there. "

Emeric shifted his gaze to Laird MacDonald. The man stared back, his expression unreadable.

Copper deposits? The northern valley was an inhospitable land of broken rocks and ravines. There had never been any hint of mineral deposits in that area.

"What's in it for us?" Emeric asked, his gaze never leaving the MacDonald clan leader.

"The valley is our ancestral land, lad," his uncle said. "If there are indeed copper deposits, we'll have a hand in the profits."

Emeric's eyes narrowed. "And what's in it for the MacDonald?"

Laird MacDonald leaned back in his chair, gesturing expansively. "We already have mines on our land and so have the resources and expertise that ye are lacking. We'd be willing to use our own men and equipment in return for say, two thirds of the profit." The laird leaned forward suddenly and his expression sharpened. "And it would be another way to renew the alliance between our two great clans and put any recent...unpleasantness behind us."

Ah, so that was it.

Emeric was not immune to the barely veiled threat behind those words. If they didn't agree to this proposal, the ‘unpleasantness' would not be forgotten.

His jaw clenched. The MacDonalds had never gone so far as to overtly threaten violence against the Mackintosh, and they'd always strenuously denied any involvement in the cattle raids that sporadically took place across the border, but the alliance between them had always been parchment thin—and that was before Aislinn had become engaged to Brodie Murray.

The MacDonald clearly saw the marriage as a threat, allying the Mackintosh with the Murrays, a clan that rivaled the MacDonald in power and influence. This proposal was just a way for the MacDonald to reassert their dominance over the Mackintosh, the smaller, weaker clan.

Ah, by the Saints, he hated all this. Politics. Clan rivalries. The endless push and pull of power struggles. Give him a bow in his hand and an enemy to point it at over all this shadowy maneuvering. Yet he knew this was a battle of its own kind, and to survive, his clan would have to navigate it wisely.

Emeric's gaze once again drifted towards Anna. She was laughing at something Maria had said, her eyes shining with the same mirth that had attracted him to her in the first place. Unbothered by the political machinations taking place around her, oblivious to the increasingly dangerous attention she was drawing from Duncan MacDonald, she was like a force of nature.

He would not let any of this put her in danger.

Turning to Laird MacDonald, he fixed him with an unwavering stare. "I'm more interested in discussing the grain agreement."

The man's eyebrows rose. "The grain agreement?"

"Aye. The agreement yer father struck with my grandfather whereby we give ye half our grain harvest in return for ‘protection' along our southern border."

Anyone with half an ear couldn't miss the stress he put on the word ‘protection'. The only people the Mackintosh needed protection from along their southern border were the MacDonalds themselves and it had long been a bone of contention between him and his uncle that they continue with the charade. Now more than ever, it was time to call the MacDonald's bluff and redefine the terms of their relationship.

MacDonald's face twitched with irritation, but he swiftly smothered it with an affected look of surprise. "What about it?"

Emeric coolly met his gaze. "I propose we renegotiate it. Our southern borders have been quiet for a long time now."

"That agreement has stood for years, boy."

"And therein lies the problem. That agreement was signed by my grandfather and yer father. Things have changed since then."

MacDonald's face was stone. "Ye think ye can defend yerselves without us?"

Emeric did not miss the implicit threat in that statement. He took a sip from his goblet. "There's only one way to find out, isnae there?"

He was met with silence as Laird MacDonald struggled to find an answer. Good. That was what Emeric had wanted. It wasn't about the grain or even the copper. It was about making a point. The Mackintosh were not weak, were not to be pushed around.

His uncle cleared his throat. "What my nephew means is, if ye wish to explore the option of mining rights on our lands, it would only be prudent to discuss our other agreements at the same time. I'm sure we can come to an arrangement that suits us all. Wouldnae ye agree? "

Laird MacDonald inclined his head graciously. "Aye. Perhaps we can."

His agreement was quick. Too quick. Emeric felt a prickle of unease, but kept his features smooth and impassive. He watched as MacDonald leaned back in his seat with a deliberate ease, folding his arms over his chest and regarding them with hooded eyes. He got the feeling that it was MacDonald who'd won a victory here, and not the Mackintosh.

Mining rights. What were the MacDonalds up to? The Mackintosh lands were hardly rich in precious metals, despite what MacDonald claimed. Emeric didn't like it. Before he had time to probe deeper into his thoughts, a distant horn sounded, cutting through the air in the hall like a sharp blade.

"Ah!" said his uncle. "It seems our other guests have arrived. Shall we go out and greet them?"

Emeric rose, his uncle and Mackintosh clansmen following suit. MacDonald shared a long look with his son, before they too rose from their seats and filed out into the courtyard with the rest of them.

Once outside, Emeric moved through the throng towards Anna, hoping to catch a word with her, but Lady Maria linked her arm with Anna's and swept her away before he had the chance.

He gritted his teeth. Today was not going how he'd wanted it to. Oh, how he wished for the open road and the sky above him! Anything but this suffocating, claustrophobic charade .

The sun was climbing towards mid-morning and a light wind had sprung up. For the second time that morning, Emeric lined up with his family in the courtyard, the rest of the household behind, the MacDonalds standing proudly by their sides.

He glanced at Aislinn. His sister, who'd been so quiet and morose during their breakfast with the MacDonalds, had suddenly come to life. She was practically bouncing on her heels, her eyes sparkling and a grin pulling at the corners of her mouth.

The thunder of marching footsteps sounded and suddenly Clan Murray marched through the gates into Dun Achmore. They were a sturdy troop led by their Laird, Alistair Murray; a man as hard and unyielding as the granite hills that cloistered his stronghold. He moved with an unspoken authority, his strong jaw set under flaming auburn hair, his eyes green as the mossy veins in an ancient stone.

He was followed by his three sons, who were mirror images of their father, tall and proud with the unmistakable Murray fire in their eyes. Among them, leading a young chestnut horse by its reins, was Brodie Murray—the youngest son. He was tall and lean with fiery hair like his father's, but his eyes were not green but a deep sapphire blue that matched the morning sky above Dun Achmore.

Aislinn broke from the line before anyone could stop her, running towards him with open arms. He dropped the reins of his horse and caught her up in a fierce embrace, laughing and spinning her around.

"Ah, my love!" he cried, setting her down on her feet. "Ye are a sight for sore eyes. "

"And ye," Aislinn replied with a scowl, prodding him in the chest. "Are late." Then she undermined the severity of her words by planting a kiss on Brodie's lips.

The lairds watched with a mixture of surprise and thinly veiled disapproval at this breach of etiquette. It simply wasn't done for two intended to show such affection in public.

Emeric, on the other hand, couldn't help but grin at the sight. Now he understood why his uncle had agreed to this match, despite the precarious position it put his clan in. As his uncle had said, it was clear that Aislinn and Brodie were besotted with each other.

He glanced at Anna, hoping to share the moment with her, but her gaze was locked onto the pair, a soft smile playing on her lips.

The three lairds exchanged stiff greetings, their nods just respectable enough to not be considered outright rudeness, their handshakes firm and testing. Alistair Murray's gaze swept over them all, pausing here and there before finally settling on MacDonald with barely concealed hostility.

Laird Mackintosh cleared his throat, a sound that echoed through the courtyard and drawing everyone's attention. "Now that we are all assembled," he began, his eyes flicking to where Aislinn and Brodie were in quiet conversation. "I believe it is time for the games!"

A cheer went up among the assembled guests and Emeric was surprised by how much he suddenly shared their enthusiasm. For a few hours at least clan politics would be put aside and prowess would be determined by strength and skill rather than subtle threats and posturing.

He went to fetch his bow.