Page 29

Chapter

Twenty-Nine

T hey arrived well before dark.

Glenhaven Manor had been given to Niall when he was born, the estate having belonged in his family for many years. Though a manor house, it was lightly fortified with an outer wall on two sides that did not face the sea and a gatehouse that had recently been rebuilt.

“This is Glenhaven?”

Lina rode beside him, clearly pleased.

“It is not as grand as some, your home and mine included.”

“But it is perfect,” she said. “The view.” She breathed in the salt air. Though they’d ridden mostly along the coast, here they could actually spy the sea in the distance due to the landscape.

“There is a small village there,” he pointed north, “over that ridge. We’ve all we need here,” he said, “but—”

Niall stopped.

Then he spurred his mount forward and Lina followed.

He’d been about to say, “but many retreat south to Castle Duncraig and its village and on market days when they need supplies not found here.” Would they do so if his father did not accept Lina?

Likely not.

The possibility of such a state was something he’d considered the entire way to Glenhaven. Along with his wife’s question.

Would he have married her?

Knowing she may not have been accepted by his father? Knowing he may be forced to renounce his claim to become the next chief of Duncraig? ‘Twas all he’d ever known. All he’d trained for. And yet, he looked at Lina now, watched her as she took in what was to be her new home.

Aye, he’d have married her. And should have told her so.

What held me back?

She may very likely not be married to the next chief of Duncraig but, instead, to a man with no purpose. For so long, he’d avoided making rash decisions, knowing the potential consequences. But then he’d gone and made the rashest one of all.

Marrying a MacKinlay.

Nay, he did not regret it. But she may.

“They realize ‘tis you,” she said as they approached the gatehouse that was opened for them well before he and Lina reached it. As she’d said, word seemed to have spread, and not only were the gates open, but by the time they rode through into the courtyard, a small crowd had gathered.

There were just enough servants here to maintain the manor and enough warriors to defend it.

“My lord,” the steward of Glenhaven, a man who had served his clan since well before Niall had been born, greeted them.

Niall dismounted and prepared to introduce his wife and steward to each other.

“This is Angus,” Niall said, not wishing to let go of his wife’s waist but knowing he must for now.

“A loyal and trusted member of Clan Duncraig and steward of Glenhaven Manor. Do not allow his gruffness to hide his kind heart. None care more deeply for the people here than Angus.” He did not care the steward now gave him a look of reproach for admitting such a thing to Lina.

Niall relied on that kind heart now. None had a reputation quite like Angus here at Glenhaven, and his opinion of Lina would be important.

“Angus,” he said, aware they now had an audience. “I am pleased to introduce you to my wife, Lady Avelina MacKinlay, sister to the chief of Clan MacKinlay.”

Angus blinked.

Gasps and whispers told Niall all had heard his words. He would have them know immediately and also understand she was his bride by choice.

“I have a great affection for the woman by my side, now the lady of Glenhaven, and know you will too.”

Angus bowed. “I am certain of it,” he said finally. Standing, he addressed Lina. “Welcome, my lady, to Glenhaven. I would be pleased to offer you a tour if my lord wills it?”

Niall would very much like to give his wife a tour himself, but having her be in Angus’s company would serve them more.

“My lady?” Niall asked her.

“I would very much enjoy that,” she said.

“Very well.” Angus offered her his arm. “We will see to your belongings. My lord, the evening meal is being prepared. I shall escort your wife there upon the conclusion of our tour. Unless of course,” he said to Lina, “you would prefer to be taken to your chamber first?”

“Just briefly,” she said, “so that I may change my gown.”

“Of course. You travel with no lady’s maid?”

“I do not,” Lina said. “Though I do hope my maid will be joining me here soon.”

“You remain at Glenhaven for. . .” Angus trailed off.

“Permanently,” Niall added. Even if his father did welcome them in his hall, it would be here they would reside.

Angus’s smile at that could not be contrived. He seemed truly glad to hear the news.

“Very good, my lord.” And then he asked Lina, “Shall we?”

Before Niall could even properly bid his wife adieu, Angus had whisked her off.

Lina was now greeting well-wishers who seemed alternatively cautious and, some of them, pleased.

He had no doubt it did matter that she was a MacKinlay.

But just then, it seemed to matter less than he expected, and much less than his father or Lina’s brother would have them believe.

Smiling at the thought, Niall grabbed the reins of his horse intending to stable him himself. Perhaps all would be well here, and Lina would be welcomed the way she deserved.

“A MacKinlay,” someone muttered behind him.

When Niall turned to uncover the culprit, none gave themselves away.

He could question them and discover who said it. Instead, Niall walked away.

Or perhaps, her welcome would not be what he’d hoped for.

“I would speak to you, my lord.”

The day had gone better than expected. Aside from the one comment when they’d arrived, Niall had heard no other unkind remarks about his wife, and during the evening meal, he’d spied nothing out of the ordinary.

It seemed as though Lina, as a MacKinlay, did not matter to his people here, but Niall also knew most would not dare anger him by being openly hostile.

Unlike his father.

“Of course,” he said, watching Lina leave the hall with the lady’s maid Angus had found for her. “I would speak to you as well.”

Moving to an alcove just outside the hall for privacy, Niall did not hesitate. “Tell me all.”

Angus shook his head. “I was surprised, of course. Had heard of the incident with the cattle and assumed you had gone to MacKinlay about the matter. Why else would you have been in the presence of the chief’s sister?”

“Why indeed,” he agreed.

“A wife. And a MacKinlay wife,” the old man mused. “Your father did not take the news well?”

Before coming to Glenhaven, Angus had served with Niall’s father for many years and knew him well.

“Nay, he did not. Refuses to accept his daughter-in-law.”

Angus did not seem surprised.

“So you are here.”

“Aye,” Niall said. “Though we’d planned to reside here, I did not think ‘twould be necessary to give up my position as the chief’s second.”

That did seem to surprise Angus. “Did he say as much?”

“If he will not accept her. . .” There was naught else to say on the matter.

“I see why you fell in love with the woman, despite her clan’s affiliation.”

“I am not—”

Angus laughed. “You may not know love, son, but this old man knows the affliction well.”

Angus had been married for many years. When his wife fell ill and died, he remarried. But when he lost his second wife, Angus vowed never to do so again. And had not.

“I care deeply for her and married Lina so not to be parted from her.”

“It is no weakness to admit to love.”

Niall wished to steer the path in another direction. “How was your tour?”

“We got along, if that’s what you wish to know. I will admit my initial thoughts had not been kind. ‘Tis been many years since I’ve been in the presence of a MacKinlay. But Lady Avelina. . .”

“Did you tell her you fought in the Battle of The Black Friars?”

“I did,” he said. “Told the lady most sincerely I was sorry for the loss she bore because of it. But also stated I knew her father to be an honorable man, even as he was considered an enemy.”

“Men can be both, I suppose.”

“And women too.”

“What did Lina reply?”

“That together we would learn to bury the past and forge a new future.”

The corners of Niall’s lips raised. “Do you believe such a thing is possible?”

“Mmm. I would not have believed I’d spend the afternoon giving a tour to the new lady of Glenhaven, the chief of MacKinlay’s sister.”

Angus liked her, and Niall was pleased by the fact.

He liked her too.

Nay. He loved her.

And would tell her so.

“I am glad you can see beyond her surname, Angus,” he said, unused to sharing such things with the stalwart steward.

“He will come around to her,” Angus said without acknowledging Niall’s words.

“And if he does not?”

Both men remained silent. The implications of such a thing were too great to contemplate. Neither would the problem be solved that eve. Another, his absence from Lina, could be more easily overcome.

Niall clasped Angus on the shoulder. “You are a good man, and I am grateful for your service here. And your treatment of my wife.”

“No thanks are necessary,” the old man said. “Now go to her. Glenhaven may be her home now, but the manor is foreign to her.”

“A fine suggestion,” Niall replied.

He intended to do just that. And would have, if his friend and steward had not reached one hand to Niall’s shoulder to steady himself, grasping his chest with the other one.

Beads of sweat formed on Angus’s head as he suddenly struggled to breathe.

His beloved steward, friend, clansman, was going to die.