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“Then why would they attack in the first place?” Malcolm shook his head. “Nay, this was not an ordinary raid. The men wore no plaids, carried no banners. We had a sizable contingent of retainers. We had no carts laden with goods that would attract a band of ambitious thieves. They were after something else. I’m sure of it.”

“Something else?” Aileen idly rubbed her fingertips over the skirt of her woolen gown. “Orsomeoneelse?”

James was so startled by his mother’s revelation that he promptly broke his vow to remain silent and uninvolved. “Do ye believe they were after Davina?”

Aileen shrugged her shoulders and raised her hands. “She is an heiress.”

“Of a small, insignificant keep,” James added.

“Have ye seen it?” Malcolm asked.

“Nay. But Davina spoke of it often, as it was her childhood home. Her father was a second son; the land belonged to his mother and she bequeathed it to him when she died. ’Tis a small place, on rough terrain, best fer raising sheep. I cannae believe that any would bother to fight to possess it.”

“Well, someone sees its value,” Malcolm speculated.

“Kidnapping an heiress and making her yer wife is one of the easier ways fer a man to obtain property,” Aileen commented dryly.

“Ye meancowardly,”Malcolm interjected.

James found himself nodding in agreement.

The McKenna stroked his chin thoughtfully. “This will continue to be a problem fer the lass until she weds. The best way to protect her now, and in the future, is to make certain that she has a strong husband. A good Highlander, skilled with his sword, loyal to the crown, would be the ideal match.” He paused, looking first at Malcolm and then at James. “Are either of you interested in taking on the responsibility?”

Chapter Nine

Startled, James took a step forward. Annoyance crawled over his face at his father’s poor humor, which quickly turned to irritation when he realized that his father was serious. Impossible! Yet a second, harder look proved that the McKenna didn’t alter his expression or his firm stance, indicating he expected an answer from his sons.

James managed to keep his expression blank, yet wondered if his family could hear the grating of his teeth.

“Will ye not merely be taking on whatever troubles ye imagine come with the lass by bringing her into the clan?” James questioned.

“’Tis possible.” The McKenna’s attention focused on James. “But we could also be gaining fer the clan whatever these men seek.”

James went still. He had had years to wonder if there was more behind the ambush on the hill that had ended his relationship with Davina and caused him to leave Scotland. But he had never been able to devise a reasonable cause. “The Highlands are a refuge fer all sorts of unsavory men. ’Tis no surprise that some of them would prey on travelers.”

“Even an outlaw knows better than to attack a McKenna,” Malcolm boasted.

James snorted in annoyance. “Ye have no proof that it was Lady Davina these men were after.”

“But I’ve a feeling about it. A strong feeling,” the McKenna answered stubbornly.

’Twas only through sheer will that James was able to resist rolling his eyes. His father’sfeelingswere legendary and unfortunately over the years had proven to be correct just enough times to give them credence.

“We still have no right to pick a husband fer the lass,” James insisted, trying a different tack. “’Tis a duty reserved fer her family.”

“Aye.” Intrigue radiated from the McKenna’s eyes. “’Tis also a duty that has been sorely neglected. And it’s clearly put the lass at risk.”

“She wouldn’t be at risk if she were where she belonged,” James muttered. “Safely ensconced within the walls of Armstrong Castle.”

“We can claim a distant relation to the Armstrongs from my father’s mother,” Aileen offered. “Her sister married into the clan.”

“When? Sixty, seventy years ago?” James rubbed his temples. “That scarcely gives us the right to arrange a marriage fer her. Which brings me to another question—why is she even here?”

“I invited her to celebrate Christmas with us,” his mother said. “I’ve wanted to meet her fer quite awhile. We began a regular correspondence a few years ago, each seeking solace in our friendship. Though her letters never made direct mention of it, I could not shake the feeling that she’s been a prisoner inside the walls of her family home fer years. ’Tis also another reason why I wanted her to come here, so I could see fer myself if it was true.”

“Is it?” James asked impatiently.

He could see his mother’s back stiffen. “Well, she has only just arrived. I’ve not yet had the opportunity to find out.”