Page 10 of A Fearless Rebel

“My husband hurt his back,” she replied, winded. “I have to help where I can.”

“The blacksmith?” Keithen asked, recognizing her. “Is he here?”

When they got to the front side of the stables where a red-faced blacksmith worked, the toddler was screeching, tears flowing down its dirty face. The woman was crying because she thought that Keithen was about to scold her husband and Keithen was exasperated.

He placed the bucket down and searched out the stable master. Together, they went back to the blacksmith, who watched over his fretful wife and child.

“If ye are aware the blacksmith has injured his back, why is he working?” Keithen asked the stable master.

“With the harvest celebration, we will fall behind in work…” The man looked properly chastised and glared at the blacksmith. “Why didn’t ye tell me about yer back?”

Moments later, the family rolled out the front gates, the smiling wife guiding the horse toward home, where the blacksmith had been ordered to rest for a week.

“I beg yer pardon, Keithen. I was not aware. I’ve been busy with the new horses.” The stable master shook his head. “He’s a hard worker and he’s scared to lose his standing here at the keep.”

“I will see that someone goes to see them with food and an assurance that his job is secure.”

For a long moment, he remained rooted to the spot next to the corral. He had no wish to know what the message was.

He doubted the Mackenzie would cancel the marriage between him and his daughter, Ava. It had been the man himself who’d suggested it, after all.

“Do ye wish to know the reply?” His father had neared. “He agreed to all our terms.”

“What is he after? Why would he offer his daughter in marriage to a small clan who doesn’t wish for an alliance?”

His father pondered that for a moment. “I believe he is attempting to quell the rumors that he had the young woman’s husband killed by sending her away here to us. At the same time, by letting it be known that it was his idea to allow the marriage, he will make it seem as if he’s now providing support for us through an alliance.”

Rage threatened to erupt outwardly, so Keithen took several breaths. “It will be an alliance, Father. If I marry that woman, we will be allied to our worst enemy.”

“If it will save lives from being overrun by him, then it must be done.”

“However?” Keithen asked. “There is something bothering ye isn’t there?”

At that moment, the messenger emerged from the doorway and looked around. He was flanked by their guards, so he’d probably asked for fresh air. Nonetheless, Keithen kept an eye on the man. If the messenger went anywhere near the young maid, Gilly, he’d put a stop to it.

His father would not send a reply until he spoke with the council. This was a fact they were not obliged to share with the messenger.

“However,” his father said. “I am reluctant in that an alliance could mean the Mackenzie decides to absorb us into his clan. How we’d stop it, if it happens over time, I am not sure.”

“Dissolve the agreement. We are allied to Clan Ross, our larger clan relatives and perhaps we can meet again with the Grant.”

At his father’s head shake, Keithen wanted to scream in frustration. “This will not end well, Father. The Mackenzie does nothing without a scheme to overtake and gain power.”

“We will deal with it when it comes. I will never allow our clan to fall under any other. There is another way that I have been considering.”

Keithen didn’t care to remain to hear the talks between his father and the council. Instead, he stalked into the house.

He entered through the kitchen and caught Gilly by herself. She had been peering out the window, her eyes widening when she saw he’d entered.

“How do ye know the messenger?”

Her face turned bright pink, her cheeks reddening. “He was someone I cared for. We met secretly when we were both but a lad and a wee lass. Five years ago. This is the first time I have seen him since the day he promised to meet and did not show.”

“Remain away from him.” Although Keithen understood young love, he doubted anything good would come between the slight lass and the man who’d brought a message from the Mackenzie.

“I will,” Gilly replied with conviction. “Do not worry.” Despite the conviction of the words, there was vulnerability in her gaze.

A part of him wanted to reassure her that if things were to be, nothing would stop it. Instead, he nodded and walked away. He went directly to Catriona’s chamber. He knocked on the door and Flora, her caretaker, opened the door. Her eyes widened at seeing him.