Page 58 of The Lion

“As I said, I was not aware of any kind of agreements. Ye ended my brother’s betrothal with yer daughter without explanation. Ye sent messengers back without any word.”

The Uisdein shifted in his seat, his narrowed eyes moving from the food to Darach. “Do ye reject the offerings?” The man motioned to a servant who poured ale into everyone’s goblet.

Only after the man next to him drank did Darach. The motion did not go unnoticed by the Uisdein who sneered.

“If ye and Father were to overtake the Macdonald, what would my father have to gain from it? Yer lands border theirs, we are further south.”

When the man chuckled, it was as if he considered Darach to be too daft to understand. “Rights to an entire Isle. Rich fishing, hunting, and plenty of access further north.”

Once the man spoke, Darach knew that unless he swore alliance, he would not leave with the knowledge of what the Uisdein planned to do.

With the four guards by the doors and the six men at the table, it would be impossible for him to get away. Four men, he could fight and perhaps have a chance, but ten was too many.

“I do not agree with what ye plan. My marriage to a Macdonald has nothing to do with any of yer plotting.”

“Yer father was a traitor. Or perhaps the marriage was part of the plan. Since he fell ill and his messenger never came, we will never know.”

Darach’s gut tightened. “Messenger?”

“Cairn McKinney.”

“Of course.”

“Eat,” the Uisdein said motioning to the trays of food. “Ye must be hungry after the long travel.”

Darach searched for a way to figure out how to get away from the room. “I will have to ask for privacy to see about my needs.”

“Of course,” the Uisdein said motioning to the guards. “Assist the laird to a place of privacy.”

The four guards surrounded him One yanking the sword from his scabbard another yanking his dirk from his belt. There was a third one in his boot, which they did not search as he was grabbed by the arms.

Darach hit one in the stomach and kicked another. He managed to land several punches, but there were too many against him and soon he fell to the floor bleeding and winded.

“We will speak more once yer men have been dealt with,” Uisdein called out as he was taken, struggling and kicking.

Chapter Sixteen

Men went in and out of Darach’s study. More than usual and Isobel couldn’t help but wonder if something was afoot. Duncan, whom she didn’t know well at all, kept to himself when not at the great hall hearing grievances.

The man was imposing and of all the brothers, the one she considered the most standoffish. Poor Beatrice practically raced to hide whenever he came around.

She knocked on the study door and walked in after a deep voice called out, “Enter.”

Duncan’s gaze met hers for a moment. “Lady Ross.” He had two-colored eyes, like her brother Evander, both had brown right eyes, Duncan’s left hazel. Evander’s left eye was blue.

“Please call me Isobel.”

“Very well, what can I help ye with, Isobel.”

Duncan was the opposite of Darach. Deep brown hair and tan skin, he looked like a man who spent most of his days out of doors. Although muscular in build, his movements were graceful when he stood and motioned for her to sit. The man was like a giant, a head taller than his brothers and shoulders so wide, she wondered how he fit through most doorways.

“Have ye received any message from Darach? I expected he would have returned by now.”

“I have.” Duncan stood and rounded the table, then lowered to a chair near hers. “A messenger arrived a short time ago.”

Isobel’s stomach sank, but she refused to panic. “Is he remaining longer then?”

“Just a couple days,” he replied and looked to the doorway. “I was just about to inform ye and Mother.”