Chapter 5

Evander scowled as he entered Alec’s office and joined his brothers. The last seven-day had been awful, and he wasn’t sure who he wanted to blame for that. Ever since May had appeared on their doorstep, he’d felt restless and irritable, unable to sleep properly. His thoughts were entirely too full of her.

The only saving grace was that Enna had been convinced to return to her own clan for the time being. A part of it was to continue the wedding plans. Part of the reason was so that she could inform her clan leaders of the fact that Clan Mackintosh was sheltering a family member from a neighboring clan, and might get caught in Clan MacPherson’s feud. And of course, part of it was to keep her safe, in case Clan MacDonell was foolish enough to attack Mackintosh Castle.

Evander agreed with all those reasons, but he to be honest he was just simply relieved that his betrothed and May were no longer in the same castle. May had been spending her days with the ladies of the castle, according to word Bran had passed on from Ilyssa. Enna would have been among the ladies as well, had she stayed. May might have kept her word regarding their former relationship, but if May and Enna had spent a lot of time together, one of the other women might have mentioned something.

It was a frustrating position to be in, but unfortunately, their first messenger to MacPherson Keep had returned without a reply. Since there was every chance that Laird MacPherson and his son were away, searching for May or fighting their enemies, Alec had refused to send May back to the keep, where she might get hurt or kidnapped again.

Evander had agreed with his reasoning and his decision, but it didn’t make his life any easier. After that first night, he’d chosen to avoid her, aware that spending any time in her presence was only begging for trouble.

He’d eaten his meals in his rooms or in the kitchens instead of the Great Hall, where she might join the rest of the family. He’d spent the days sparring, scouting the walls, or patrolling the lands. He only ventured into the halls when he absolutely had to, and avoided the ladies’ solar, the gardens and the library as if they were plague ridden.

Even so, he was constantly on guard, watching for any sign of May in the halls. It was frustrating.

Alec and Bran understood his decision, though he could tell they disapproved of it. Still, he knew if he dared go near May MacPherson, all the control he had would likely shatter, and he’d either say or do something he shouldn’t.

Alec looked up as he entered the office. “I’m glad ye’ve made it.”

“As if I wouldnae come when ye called.” Evander moved to the chair that was customarily his. “Ye said there was news?”

“Aye. Laird MacPherson has returned tae MacPherson Keep, and received the message we sent him. A messenger arrived less than a candle-mark ago, telling us that he and his heir had returned home.”

“’Tis good tae ken. Dae they say what they want tae dae regarding May?”

“Aye. Laird MacPherson thanks us fer caring fer his daughter and asks that she be returned tae his home with all haste, so he may see her safe.”

Evander was tempted to bristle at the subtle insult in the request – as if they were incapable of keeping May safe. Still, he nodded. “Makes sense fer the lass tae be with her kinfolk. Ye were thinking o’ sending her with a troop o’ guards?”

Alec shook his head. “I wasnae. A troop o’ guards is easily spotted, and we dinnae ken if Laird MacDonell will be watching fer them. He has tae ken May escaped, and likely as nae, he kens where she ran tae. A troop will make it clear. ‘Twill also make it seem as if we’re aiding the clan, and intend to take MacPherson’s side in the quarrel.”

Bran raised an eyebrow. “Are we nae?”

Alec huffed. “We’ve nae been formally asked fer assistance. We werenae asked tae assist when the feud started, either. We’ve nae formally declared alliance with Clan MacPherson either. Until one o’ those conditions changes, there’s nae reason tae get involved besides agreeing tae give sanctuary tae May, and then returning her tae her home. And until we’re asked or forced one way or another, I’m nae minded tae put us in the middle o’ the fighting.”

It was a sensible decision, but Evander felt his stomach tighten. Even though it had been ten years since he and May had parted and the feud had formally started, he hated the idea of leaving the matter alone.

But that was his feeling as Evander, the man. As the clan’s war leader, he knew Alec was being wise and keeping them out of conflict. They’d seen enough of it, as the tattoos that covered his arms and upper body attested to. He forced himself to nod. “If nae a troop o’ warriors, yer surely nae sending her back alone?”

“O’ course nae. ‘Twould be discourteous, and leave her at risk o’ being captured again. And then we’d likely as nae be feuding both MacPherson fer letting her be taken, and MacDonell fer giving her shelter.” Alec scowled. “I’d prefer tae avoid both conflicts, but if I cannae, better tae face MacDonell than MacPherson.”

That was true as well. Before the feud had cut off most of the communication between their clans, MacPherson and Mackintosh had been good neighbors and friends. None of them were eager to go to battle against people they’d once broken bread with. “So, what is yer plan?”

“I’ll send her back in the care o’ one o’ our best warriors. As long as they ride quickly and quietly, they should be able tae reach MacPherson safely. I’ll also send a messenger tae tell Laird MacPherson tae look fer his daughter within two tae three days’ time and let us ken if she doesnae arrive safe.”

“’Tis a sensible idea. I ken the lands well, and I ken the best ways tae pass unobserved.” Evander eyed the maps.

Alec startled. “I wasnae thinking o’ sending ye.”

Evander jolted from his consideration of the map. “And who else would ye send? I’m the best warrior our clan has. Even the pair o’ ye are hard pressed tae face me in the practice yard.”

“Aye. I ken that. But ye have a history with the lass, and I’d nae want tae put ye in a sore position…”

Evander scowled. “There’s naething tae be worrying about. If the past is yer only reason fer denying me me duty, then ye’re being a fool.”

“He’s being considerate, ye great lout!” Bran reached over and smacked him on the back of the head. It didn’t hurt, but Evander snarled at his brother anyway. “He’s trying tae take yer feelings intae account and keep ye from being hurt, or facing a situation that will put ye in difficulty.”

“And I told ye, there’ll be nae difficulty, unless MacDonell warriors ambush us on the road. And if they dae, there’d best be a troop o’ them, or they’ll be the ones tae suffer distress. All I’ll be feeling is embarrassed tae have lost me touch with sneaking across the land.”

“Ye’re a stubborn bastard.” Alec glared at him.

“I’m also ken that I’m the best warrior and the best choice. The land we’ll need tae cover is one I ken like the back o’ me hand since I was scarce more than a bairn, and well ye ken it too.” Evander clenched one hand into a fist. “Ye spoke o’ it yerself the other night... I managed tae get tae MacPherson and back without incident when I was fair younger and far stupider.”

Bran made a noise of exasperation, then sighed with annoyance. “Och, ye have us both there.” The middle brother turned to Alec. “He’s right about that. Were it nae fer personal matters, we wouldnae hesitate tae send him along with May. As clan leader, ye should choose him.”

“But as his braither…”

Bran snorted. “As his braither, Evander’s made it clear that he’s more offended by being considered unfit fer the duty, than interested in being spared. And mayhap, the time will get him tae cool his head, and sort some things out in his mind, and mayhap even with her. At the very least, he willnae be stalking around here, growling like a wounded wolf looking fer something tae snap its teeth on.”

“A fair point.”

Evander would have liked to point out that he wasn’t behaving that badly, but he kept his silence as Alec turned to him. “All right. I’ll send ye with May. Ye’ll need tae leave as soon as possible, so go pack yer things while I send a messenger tae find her and summon her here tae inform her of our plans.”

Evander bowed to his brother and laird, and hurried from the office.

Perhaps Alec and Bran were right, and this was a terrible idea. Even so, he couldn’t find it within himself to choose another path. At least, if he spent enough time with May, he might be able to convince himself he was truly over his feelings for her. And if that failed, perhaps he’d find the will within himself to demand the answers he’d not yet discovered.