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She looked away. “It is just…it’s just that I don’t think this plot against him is honorable. I made my bargain with him in good faith. I gave him my word.”

“A bargain in good faith! He made you his leman , lass. There’s nothing good nor faithful about that.”

She flushed and looked away. “Not in truth, he didn’t,” she murmured. “He only wants everyone to think it so.”

Gavin looked as though he’d swallowed a school of loch fish. “What exactly are you telling me?”

“Just what it sounds like,” she muttered. “In the time that I’ve been here, Duncan MacRae hasn’t touched me even once in that way. I’m as pure as the day I left Dulhmeny, so you cannot kill him for dishonoring me.”

Gavin remained quiet, his expression doubting.

Exasperated, Aileana said, “If an oath is necessary, then I swear it on our mother’s grave.”

Gavin’s eyes widened. His gaze traveled over her, and he shook his head. “By the Saints, Aileana…sure and that I’m thankful, but—” He looked askance at her. “Doesn’t the man have eyes? He cannot have looked upon you lately, or else I’d have to be saying he’s gone daft as well as murderous.”

“He’s nothing of the sort, I assure you.

” Aileana flushed again. “And he was honest enough not to kill you. Many a man in his place might have sought vengeance, even after taking me at my bargain. At least he’s living up to his side of the agreement.

” Then she added more quietly, “Or at least he was until an hour ago.”

“Why? What the devil did he do now?”

Aileana felt ashamed she hadn’t told him sooner.

“You must forget about everything else we’ve discussed and go home quickly, Gavin.

Gather as many men as you can.” She squeezed her hands tight in her lap.

“Less than an hour ago Duncan told me that he’s going to lead a raid on Dulhmeny by week’s end if I don’t give him the Ealach . ”

“The bastard! I knew he couldn’t be trusted,” Gavin growled and sprang to his feet, his hands clenched to fists.

“It’s all the more reason to let me kill him.

If he’s dead, he cannot lead an attack against us.

” He nodded to Aileana. “You’re coming with me.

I want to get you out of harm’s way before the deed is done, so that none of his clan tries to retaliate against you when they find their chieftain dead. ”

“Nay!” Aileana tried to control the fear that consumed her every time she considered the possibility of Duncan dying.

She didn’t know why the thought of it wounded her so, especially considering how he’d behaved toward her these last days, but understandable or not, her feelings on the matter were definite.

While she might not be able to stop the chance of its happening if a clan war broke out, she knew she’d be fit for the grave herself if she didn’t prevent her brothers from outright murdering him.

“I won’t go with you, Gavin.” She stood. “Please, just do as I say. Go home without delay.”

He shook his head. “We’re leaving together, Aileana. We’ll settle the rest later.” He took hold of her arm and started to lead her to the window. “Come. I’ll not have you spending another minute with that lying churl. He’s not fit to be called a man.”

“Nay, I said!” Aileana shouted and yanked her arm from his grasp. “I will not be pushed and prodded like a sheep to the gate.”

Gavin stared at her, stunned. She shook her sleeve back into position. “I’ve made my decision, and you must abide by it.” She glanced to him, softening enough to add, “I’m no longer a child, Gavin. Father is dead. I’ll allow no one to take his role of power over me again.”

Her brother’s gaze hardened, and he gestured round the chamber that confined them. “The MacRae seems to be doing a fine job of it if you ask me.”

“Whether that is true or not is my concern,” Aileana answered, feeling her cheeks heat. “It shouldn’t influence you.”

“You’re my sister. Anything that happens to you influences me. Christ, you’re only in this predicament because of me.”

“Nay, I’m here because I chose to be. But if it pleases you to think yourself the cause of it, then you will also admit that I’ve given much for your sake already.

Do this one thing for me now.” She took his hands in hers.

“Do not kill the MacRae, Gavin. If there’s a way to keep him from raiding our clan, I’ll find it.

I already have an idea. But I don’t want him killed. ”

He looked exasperated, but she saw from his eyes that he was wavering.

“Please,” she murmured, pressing her point. “I’m asking you on the bond of blood between us.”

“Aye, lass,” he said finally. “A bond of blood I’d prefer we keep, without any of yours being spilled.”

“The best way to ensure that is to do as I say. Swear that you won’t harm Duncan.” She stared hard at him. “Swear it, Gavin.”

He looked as if he was swallowing something bitter, but when she stepped closer to him, he muttered a curse. “All right, lass! I swear that I won’t harm him—for now, anyway.”

She nodded. “Good. Leave the MacRae to me and go now to warn the others. Prepare them for his raid in case I fail.”

Gavin shook his head. “Nay. I refuse to leave you alone here until you tell me exactly what you’re planning to do.”

She gazed at him quietly, trying to finalize the nebulous bits of her idea. “I’m planning to escape from Eilean Donan, Gavin—and I’m going to go alone.” Her heart lurched at the thought, but she saw no other option.

“Escape alone? How?” He scowled. “It would be difficult enough for me to steal you out of here.”

She tilted her chin and tried to sound brave.

“It will not be so hard. The only reason I didn’t leave earlier was because I thought it a risk to your life and the clan if I broke my agreement with Duncan.

Now that he’s decided to attack whether I break it or no, I’ll simply climb from this chamber, swim the loch, and go to our allies at Dumfrie in the north.

They’ll hide me and the Ealach until this is settled peacefully. ”

Gavin started to argue, but she leveled her gaze at him. “Just hear me out. If I escape with you and go to Dulhmeny as you wish, Duncan will most certainly follow me there, and people will die. But if I leave alone, he might give up the plan to raid in favor of searching for me and the amulet.”

“So you think serving as bait for a murdering MacRae is the answer? That’s the whole of your fine plan?”

Aileana winced at his description of Duncan.

Murdering MacRae . It was what she herself had called him, both to his face and in her own mind during those first few weeks.

But something had changed since then. She’d come to see him differently, watching him struggle to rebuild a life for his clan.

She’d glimpsed the tenderness that lived along with the rage and the hurt inside of him.

Aye, her feelings for Duncan had changed much in these past weeks. Too much to explain to her brother right now…

Gavin made a choking sound and shoved his hand through his hair, bringing his voice to a whisper only when she motioned for him to be quiet.

“What will you do, lass? Let the MacRae hunt all over the Highlands until he finds both you and the Ealach ? He’ll do far worse than confine you to your chamber then, I’ll warrant! ”

“It won’t come to that. Not if you complete the rest of my plan as I tell you to.”

“Sweet Mother Mary,” he muttered, gazing skyward, “give me the strength to hear what’s left of this.”

She favored him with a dark look. “When the time is right, you will find the MacKenzie Chief and ask for a hearing of the clans. He is Chief of Kintail and laird over Duncan. I met him myself, and it is clear that he is sympathetic to our cause. He thinks our debt of honor long paid to the MacRaes, and I think he would support our dispute and petition for peace.”

Gavin looked unconvinced. “I don’t feel right about this, Aileana. What if the MacKenzie will not help us?”

“Then we will be no worse than we are right now. There will be a war between the clans, and we will all suffer for it.” Fear squeezed her heart as she took Gavin’s hand. “At least if we try what I suggest, there is a chance to avoid bloodshed. Please, Gavin, try it my way first. It cannot hurt.”

Gavin stood silent for a moment. Finally he shook his head and sighed.

“Ah, lass, you wear me down, and in that you’re more like our mother than I ever realized.

” Love shone warm in his eyes. “She would be proud of your courage, Aileana. As am I.” He cupped her chin and smiled.

“When did you turn into such a fine woman? It seems only yesterday that you stood no higher than my knees and lisped up at me through the spaces in your teeth.”

She smiled back at him and kissed his cheek. “Ach, be off with you, now. Our time is running out. But it will all work out in the end, Gavin, I promise. Go and make haste.”

Nodding, Gavin climbed half out the window, then twisted to face her again. “I am conceding to try it your way for now, lass, though I do not like it. But understand that if anything goes wrong, or if the MacRae harms one curl upon your bonny head, I will kill him with my bare hands. This I vow.”

Aileana nodded, mutely, and he blew her a kiss.

Holding her breath, she watched him disappear through the window, climbing up his rope to the battlements again.

The twine skittered up after him, retrieved from above.

She knew that he’d leave nothing that might be seen and lead anyone to suspect he’d been there.

But once he was gone, cold emptiness settled over her. It was done, then. She’d have to be leaving Eilean Donan and Duncan. Soon.

And forever.

As grim purpose faded and reality struck her, she stumbled back from the window. Tears clouded her eyes. The thought of leaving hurt her, more deeply than she’d thought was possible. Duncan bullied her and tried to control her. He’d locked her in this room and blackmailed her.

And cared for you night and day through your sickness, kissing you with whispered words of tenderness…

Nay! She covered her face with her hands, determined not to soften, not to think of those moments again. She should be glad to get away from Duncan MacRae’s passions and his temper. She should be glad for the freedom she’d gain once she left.

But she wasn’t.

All she knew was that from this day forward, the pain inside of her was never going to stop. Never, so long as she was forced to be parted from this man who was both her sweetness and her curse…the man who held her heart in the tender cruelty of his hands.

Duncan peered from behind the wall slit, eyes narrowed, watching Gavin MacDonell emerge dripping and shaking from the loch to vanish into the shadow of the trees.

The other MacDonells were in the act of leaving as well; Robert’s mount had just cleared the gate, and his men were thundering after him.

Duncan fingered his claymore, unsheathing it and running his thumb along the edge. Had Robert’s visit been a ruse, then—a distraction, conceived to divert his attention while Gavin spirited Aileana away?

It was possible, except that Gavin had crossed the loch and left alone.

Besides that, something told Duncan that Robert knew nothing of the secret visit.

He’d been enraged, actually, when Duncan had denied him the chance to see his sister.

If he’d known of Gavin, he’d have avoided the request, fearing to let anyone catch his brother in Aileana’s chamber.

Nay, surely Gavin had worked alone this time. He’d gone to Aileana to pollute her, to pull her into his deceitful snare.

What had been said? What evil plot laid out for his demise and the ruin of the MacRaes?

Anger roiled in Duncan’s breast, partly against Gavin, and partly against himself for being so gullible again. It mingled with pain as he remembered the last time he’d allowed Gavin MacDonell to creep past the defenses of Eilean Donan. Mairi had died that day.

Now Gavin meant to sway Aileana to more mischief. Fiery, headstrong Aileana, who had somehow worked her way into his soul and made him care for her, even though he knew that he could never have her. Gavin had likely given her advice on how to betray him.

Arrows of heat shot behind Duncan’s eyes.

Thirteen years ago the MacDonells had knocked him senseless in order to accomplish their evil against him.

This time, he had his wits about him, and whether she wanted him to or no, he was going to protect Aileana against herself and the insidious pull of her brother’s schemes.

Sending his claymore hissing back into its sheath, Duncan turned toward the stairs, taking them two at a time. He stalked toward the chamber that housed his fiery-haired, impetuous bird…the sweet MacDonell nightingale who was about to sing out all of the secrets of her heart to him.

Every one of them. And now.