Page 70 of Promised to the Forbidden Laird

“Before Cormac can challenge it.”

“The clans require certainty.”

“Once Lady Donaldina is wed, nae man can question MacIver’s right tae defend Dun Ard.”

Roy noticed Donaldina growing very still beside him. The council spoke of her as if she were absent. A seal appeared, and immediately the woman holding it became a duty that had to be fulfilled. Roy knew the temptation of agreement. A wedding would strengthen Dun Ard. It would silence men who claimed he possessed no authority there. It would allow MacIver forces to move openly through MacNicol lands and turn Cormac’s rebellion into treason against a settled alliance.

It would also give Roy what he increasingly wanted with a hunger he did not trust himself to name: Donaldina at Black Craig, Donaldina beside him before both councils, Donaldina’s hand in his without darkness or grief required to place it there.

The accord offered him all of it. He needed only to accept what the King had already placed within his reach.

“Father Maol could perform the rites tomorrow,” Finlay continued. “The clans may gather for a larger celebration once the danger has passed.”

“Nae,” Roy spoke quietly.

The single word crossed the hall more effectively than a shout. The councilors turned toward him. Donaldina did, too.

Malcolm frowned. “Me laird?”

“The marriage willnae take place tomorrow.”

Finlay stared as though Roy had begun speaking French. “The King has confirmed the accord.”

“I heard him.”

“Then what cause remains for delay?”

Roy looked at Donaldina. She held the agreement against her chest, one hand still covering her brother’s seal. Confusion replaced the emptiness in her face.

The sight strengthened him.

“The agreement remains lawful,” Roy announced. “I dinnae dispute it.”

“Then ye are bound tae marry,” Finlay insisted.

“Aye.”

“And Lady Donaldina is bound tae accept ye.”

Roy’s gaze hardened. “Nae.”

A murmur moved through the hall. Finlay glanced toward the messenger, as though expecting royal parchment to defend him.

“The document is plain.”

“The document promises a marriage,” Roy concurred. “It doesnae grant me the right tae drag a woman before a priest because her brother placed wax beneath a decree eight years ago.”

Several councilors stiffened. Malcolm regarded him with greater care. “Ye would defy the King?”

“I will fulfill the accord.”

“When?”

Roy kept his eyes upon Donaldina. “When she chooses it.”

The hall fell utterly silent. Even the rain seemed to soften beyond the walls.

Roy continued before caution could turn the words into something smaller. “She petitioned for release because she believed the agreement nae longer served her clan and because she had been given little reason tae trust the man it required her tae marry.”