Page 27

Chapter

Twenty-Seven

N iall stood by the bed for a long time, watching as his wife slept.

He should have gone already. Wanted to be back before she woke. But Niall just could not pull himself away from the sight. ‘Twas still dark, but the candlelight provided enough light to illuminate her face.

In the light, while she was awake, she would be more cautious as if she were attempting to prove herself, something Niall was certain Avelina had done for a long time. Wanting to prove her worth against threats which, to be fair, were plentiful for her. A woman who’d lost nearly everything.

Her father.

Her mother.

Her relatives and clansmen.

And now, her brother.

But she’d gained a husband, one who would not allow her to continue to suffer.

Which is why he did finally tear himself from her bedside to seek out his own father.

As Niall suspected, he was already in the hall, well before the servants served the morning meal.

He sat as he always did, before the fire, a chess board in front of him.

Though he’d have more privacy in his solar, Niall’s father had always said if he would use the early morning hours to think, then he’d do so where his people knew where to find him.

And they did.

Even before the sun rose, ‘twas not unusual to find a servant or other retainer or one of Duncraig’s warriors sitting beside his father asking a question or for advice. And when they were not, the chief would simply stare at the chess board thinking. Considering. Waiting.

Niall sat across from him.

Saying nothing, he leaned forward and began to play. His father watched Niall’s move and made one of his own.

“You were unkind to her,” Niall began, knowing this discussion would not be an easy one.

“She is not just any woman, Son. You brought a MacKinlay— the MacKinlay.”

“I did, indeed. And would not have done so lightly. Surely you must realize that.”

His father frowned. “Your mother said the same. But that matters little. Fact is, she’s the enemy. Always has been. Always will be. Your clansmen will not take kindly to her.”

“My clansmen or you? I and Kieran have taken kindly to her as does, it seems, Mother, even after I deprived her of my wedding ceremony.”

“A fact she finds difficult to reconcile,” his father said, waiting for his move.

“As expected.”

“I do not agree with the union, but why could you not have brought her here to wed? For your mother?”

“Her brother would not have easily allowed such a thing. And as you said, you do not agree with the union.”

“You knew I would not.”

“Aye.”

“But married the lass anyway.”

“Aye.”

“Yet not for love?”

Did he love her?

Niall would have said nay just days ago, but he’d be a fool to deny the feelings he had toward his wife were unlike any he’d had for a woman before.

He cared for her.

Wished to be with her always.

Wanted to protect her.

Make love to her all day and night.

Did he love her? How was one to know?

“Son,” his father said as Niall hesitated. “You could have made alliances with your marriage.”

“Perhaps I am.”

His father laughed bitterly. “With Clan MacKinlay? Never.”

As they continued to play, Niall losing the advantage, he found himself curious as to the reason. “It seems if anyone would be resistant to an alliance, it would be MacKinlays. It was their clan, after all, that was nearly decimated.”

His words were not endearing him to his father.

“Clan MacKinlay was ordered to that battle as we were. We lost men that day as well. You do not remember what led to it, Son, as you were too young.”

“Though I know the tales. It seems both clans were equally to blame for the feud.”

His father scowled and made a move Niall was unlikely to overcome. “You know nothing of what you speak. Clan MacKinlay will never be our allies,” he repeated.

“Yet those who remain, like Avelina and her brother, were not at that battle. Nor took part in any of the activities that led to it. A generation has passed—”

“Four generations will pass before I welcome a MacKinlay into my hall.”

“Including my wife? Our children?”

Another move. Niall had lost. Too quickly.

But he would not lose the most important fight.

“What did the chief of Clan MacKinlay say about his sister marrying you?”

As always, his father refused to give him an answer. He treated Niall as if he were a child at times. Including now.

“He was not pleased.”

“Where did you marry?”

“At Tannochbrae. We were there questioning the re-posting of the cattle.”

“On Tannochbrae land.”

“Aye.”

“Did the brother attend the ceremony?”

“Nay,” Niall admitted.

“Then, for once, MacKinlay and I are in agreement.”

“Nor did her brother attend the wedding feast the chieftain hosted. Tannochbrae was exceedingly gracious.”

“And will be rewarded for it, even if I do not agree with the union.”

“So that is your answer then? You will not accept Avelina here? Shall I go to Glenhaven then? Perhaps you wish to name another as your second?”

HIs heart thudded in his chest. Niall was sorry it had come to this, but he would not have Avelina be mistreated.

“I would think on the matter,” his father said.

It was not the answer he’d hoped for.

Never in his life had Niall disagreed with his father on such an important matter. It seemed he’d been too generous in his mind about his father’s ability to forgive. Something he’d do well to learn from Avelina.

Niall stood. “Very well. I will not have Avelina hurt, believing she is not wanted here. We go to Glenhaven immediately. I will await your decision, Father.”

If he thought his father would soften his stance, Niall was to be disappointed. He dealt less with the man who’d given him life than the chief of Duncraig now. His father’s nose flared, but he gave no other indication he’d heard him.

Turning on his heel, he retreated from the hall. He would speak with his mother and then take Avelina from here. From his home.

The only one he’d ever known.

Take her away. . . perhaps, forever.