Page 27 of A Fearless Rebel

Alastair looked to her for a moment. “Aye, ye must go with our uncle to speak to the Fraser.”

Her stomach sunk. “Ye cannot expect me to face them. Not after what they did.”

“We are allied with them and must ensure it remains that way. Without them, our southern borders are vulnerable.”

“What ye fear are the repercussions of what our clan did to many for years. Killing, stealing and overtaking people just for gain of power. Why would the Frasers want to help us? Our clan attacked them and then forced them to accept a marriage that brought nothing but shame to us.”

Her brother jumped to his feet. “Enough! Stop speaking. Ye will do as ye are told.”

“I cannot. It would be as if I am a dog begging for a scrap.”

The slap across her face was so hard it sent her backward several steps, but Ava was much too angry to even feel it.

“Ye should go. Ye should see about repairing what has been done. As laird, it is ye who should speak to their laird.”

When he lifted his hand again, she held up both of hers. “Don’t ye dare.”

Alastair grabbed her by the hair and yanked her down to her knees. “Ye will do as I tell ye.”

Despite the anger, Ava knew it was best not to goad him further.

Their uncle finally spoke up. “Release yer sister. Ye cannot hope to get anything done if ye cannot control yer temper.”

Properly chastised, Alastair released her and stalked back to the table and drank deeply from his tankard.

“She cannot speak to me in such a manner.”

“Ava,” her uncle said, looking to her. “Yer brother is now yer laird. Ye must strive to be respectful.”

Two guards entered and approached. Alastair glared at Ava for a moment before acknowledging the men. “Travel to Clan Fraser. Give them the message that my uncle and sister will travel to them and arrive in two days. They come to discuss the alliance.”

As the guards started to walk away, her brother spoke again. “Tell Keithen Fraser my sister will remain there. We care not in what capacity.”

Ava’s eyes widened. “No. Ye cannot do that. Please.” She rushed to Alastair and yanked on his arm. “Call them back. Please.”

When the guards left, she raced up the stairs to find her mother. If anyone could talk sense into her cruel brother, it was Lady Mackenzie. She burst into the chamber and found her mother sitting on a large settee holding a cup up to her lips accompanied by a pair of women who laughed at something she’d uttered.

Around the room, there were trays with baked tarts or goblets next to pitchers of honeyed mead.

The cool breeze blew in through windows that had been thrown open. A partially undressed young man lay stretched out on the bed. He looked to be sleeping.

A widow’s life suited her mother perfectly. She’d been entertaining and enjoying different men since her father’s burial.

Lady Fraser smiled warmly at her. “Come in Ava. Pour yerself some mead and join us. We are about to begin a new task.”

Her mother’s tasks varied from embroidery to reading a specific tome. Once, a piper was hired to teach them to play. It had been a horrendously annoying few days.

“I beg that ye speak to Alastair immediately,” Ava said, looking to the bed where the young man opened his eyes and stared at her. “Who is that?” she asked, pointing to the bed.

“Our instructor,” her mother said. “He is a painter. He needed rest after his long…travel.”

“Mother, Alastair plans to send me to Clan Fraser.”

Surprisingly, her mother immediately got to her feet. “That will not do at all.” She motioned to the women. “I will return in a bit. See that Marcus eats something.”

They walked down the corridor and descended the stairs to the great room, her mother’s long strides making Ava rush to keep up.

“Alastair,” her mother said, approaching the table where he and her uncle remained. “Ye will not send yer sister away. Those people do not deserve a Mackenzie in their midst.”