Page 68 of Fearless Heart

“Christ Almighty, it cannot be.”

“I see you are … well. We need to discuss the matter of your bride.”

“We do?” Angus turned to the crowd. “My fellow Sinclairs, this is he, the man who saved me the day ye left me on that field. Remember I told ye how he killed the boar. The animal was a one of the best meals we’d had in a good fortnight. Aye, I owe him for my life, a debt that I shall one day repay.”

Henry approached. “What is the matter with his bride?”

“She’s mine.” Heath needn’t say anything more to clarify what he meant.

Angus bellowed. “So ye stole my bride? I shan’t hold it against you, Fraser. Consider it repayment.”

Heath, as much as he didn’t want to be near the smelly man, put his hand on his shoulder. “From this day forward, the Sinclairs will be considered an ally to all Frasers.”

All the men standing about the courtyard, the Frasers, the Hunters, the Sinclairs, all cheered.

“Let us on to the drink,” Heath said. He needed a good chug of something powerful enough to put this debacle behind him.

Angus hooted. “Och ye likely saved my arse twice now, Fraser.”

Heath raised his bemused eyes and didn’t hide his confusion. “How is that?”

“Aye, for I wasn’t wont to wed the lass. She be a mite strong-willed to my liking. I want a soft willing woman, not one who must be cajoled into accepting me. Och, but a woman who would gladly warm my bed.”

Heath chuckled to himself and nodded. The chances of Angus Sinclair finding such a woman, any woman was nil. “Let us on to the celebration.” He motioned the men into the hall and the clansmen barreled through and began their assent on the keep.

Heath signaled to his mother. She hastened to him and turned to peer at the lewd men, all clamoring for ale. “Keep the drink flowing. And ensure that man,” he said, pointing at Angus, “is entertained.”

His mother turned and gasped. “Oh my, I certainly hope you don’t mean entertained by a woman. There’s none in our clan who would think of getting near him.”

“I must go and find Lillia. She’s upset with me and I need to ensure she’s well. Can you keep them drinking and fed until my return?”

“Aye, I will do what I must,” she said and turned with a big smile on her face.

He was about to exit the keep when the gate’s sentry approached.

“Laird Fraser,” the lad said, and inclined his head.

For a moment, he was unsure who the lad was referring to, for he turned and peered behind him, thinking his father had come down to the great hall. He realized the sentry was speaking to him and shook his head. This was going to take some getting used to.

“Aye, Thomas? What goes?”

“’Tis the MacKintoshs, they’re at the gate asking for entrance.”

This day was going to hell. What’s more all he wanted to do was find Lillia, but distraction after distraction kept him from going to her. Heath nodded. “I’ll come.” Before he left, he motioned to his mother and when she reached him, he pulled her aside. “Keep all inside the hall. I must go and see what the MacKintoshs want.”

“Have they come to declare war on us?” Her voice pitched.

Heath sighed. “I ken not. Let us hope they decided to accept the truce.” He left her standing looking after him. He was in no rush to greet his enemy. As he ambled toward the gate, he glanced up and saw his brother watching him from the upper solar window casement. His brother should be attending to this matter, not he. Yet it was up to him to keep his clan safe and settle the riff between the two clans, a task he was unsure he’d be able to accomplish.

The Hunter clan had a right to declare war since he’d wed Lillia without his permission. Sinclair had a right to declare war since he’d stolen Angus’ bride. And the MacKintoshs, they’d war regardless of the insult or slight. He’d do what was necessary to avert the third possible war of the day.

Where in God’s name was Lillia when he needed her?