When he turned back to Iain, he found his brother studying him with a mixture of impatience and understanding. Iain inclined his head toward the door, and Cameron nodded, holding up a hand to be given a moment. Once Iain departed, Cameron quickly dressed and kneeled down beside Sorcha. He listened to her deep breathing for a moment and simply watched the rise and fall of her back with each breath and her eyelids fluttering with dreams. He pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head, secured his sword, and then departed the room to find both Iain and Lachlan waiting for him.
Lachlan gave him a wry look. “I suppose this means peace will nae be coming to Dunvegan anytime soon.”
Before Cameron could answer, Iain asked, “Are ye married to the lass?” There was a greater tension to Iain’s voice than Cameron had expected, given his brother had all but offered them his support.
“Nay.”
Iain and Lachlan exchanged a glance that almost looked like relief. Cameron frowned.
“Did ye ask the lass, er, that is, do ye wish to marry her?” Iain asked.
“I asked, but she will nae marry me—yet.”
“’Cause ye have nae kenned each other long?” Iain asked.
Cameron rubbed the back of his neck. “Partly. But ’tis mostly due to Eolande’s prophecy for me and the one the seer told her, as well.”
At the matching blank looks he received, Cameron realized neither man’s wife had informed him of her activities while he had been gone. Cameron quickly told them of the women traveling to see Eolande and the attack. Both men stood still, listening, their faces going from ones of ease to irritation and then anger. “The attacker Bridgette killed is down below,” Cameron finished. “I’m going to take Sorcha down to look at him and see if it loosens any memories.”
“But ye got sidetracked,” Lachlan quipped.
Cameron scowled at him. “Aye,” he admitted.
“The lass must marry ye,” Iain said firmly. “Ye have taken her innocence.”
“Nay,” Cameron replied in a low voice. “I have taken all but that.” He would not say more. They did not need the private details that were only for Sorcha and himself. He sighed and quickly told them of what Eolande had said to her. “So, ye see, Sorcha is determined that she will nae marry me until she kens me better and until I would nae have to go against the king to do so.”
Lachlan and Iain exchanged a knowing look that made disquiet rise in Cameron. “Is there something I should ken?” he demanded, piercing both his brothers with a look.
“Come,” Iain replied, his voice grim. “This is a conversation best had in private.”
Cameron nodded, and then followed behind Iain to the laird’s bedchamber. After the door shut, he rounded on his brother. “Well?”
A distinctive uneasy look came over Iain. “It seems it was David who called us to the MacDonald hold.”
Cameron frowned. “Why?”
“A special messenger arrived there and presented him with a resolution from some of his barons, the Earl of March, the Earl of Ross, the Campbells, and the Steward and his sons.”
Tension knotted Cameron’s stomach and made it clench tight. “The rebellion has been proclaimed publicly.” It was not a question. He knew it, without his brother saying it.
“Aye,” Iain replied grimly. “They claim David misused funds levied on the people of Scotland. They say the king led the people to believe he was using the funds to pay his ransom from King Edward of England. But instead, David used the funds to reward his favorite men, such as the commoners who he had presented with land and good marriages to build the support around him that he wishes. Iain took a sharp breath. “The resolution claimed that he rewarded his favorites by knowingly taking money from the good, suffering, poor people of Scotland.”
“Lies,” Lachlan said hotly.
Both Cameron and Iain nodded their agreement. “It won’t matter, though,” Cameron said quietly. “If enough people believe it, the people will rebel against the king and—”
“And he will lose his throne. Possibly his life,” Iain finished with quiet intensity. “The rebellion must be crushed immediately.”
“And he called ye there to gain yer aid?” Cameron asked.
Iain nodded. “Aye, and he also wants ye to go see the Earl of Ross and compel the man to withdraw his name from the resolution.”
Cameron let out a derisive chuckle. “I suppose of the four of us MacLeod brothers, I’m the one he’d most willingly put into a position that could well get us killed, given how I failed him.”
“Aye,” Iain said bluntly. “But he also knows how ye yearn to rectify what happened. And,” he added forcefully, “he kens, as well as we all do, that ye are more than capable of bending the Earl of Ross to the king’s will, in spite of what happened with Katherine.”
“I thank ye for the confidence, Brother,” Cameron replied. “What of the king’s orders for me to search out Katherine’s killers?”
“Ye’re to do that still,” Iain said, “but the Earl of Ross is to be yer first priority now.”
“How in the name of God am I to persuade the Earl of Ross to revoke his support for the resolution when the king has stripped the man of much of his land and made a bitter enemy of him?” Cameron asked.
Iain’s lips pressed into a thin line. “The king has a plan. He has decided to give him back Northam Castle and name it as a wedding gift—in addition to a lass the king has chosen to also gift as a wife—to compel the earl to do as David wishes without it seeming as if he is bribing him. That’s how ye are to make it seem when ye take the lass the king has chosen to them. They ken none of this yet, of course.”
Cameron snorted. The king would give back a castle to a man he knew well was disloyal and dangerous, which was why he’d taken the castle in the first place but he’d never admit it. “So I am to bring some pitiable lass to the earl, as well? Who is the unlucky bride-to-be? I did nae even ken the old clot-heid’s wife died.”
“She has nae, and the king’s plan does nae include the earl being married,” Iain explained. “His son, Hugo, is the one the king intends to get the land and the wife.”
Cameron made a derisive noise. “So the king takes from the powerful father but gives back to the son, making the son as equally powerful as the father. David is clever to pit father and son against each other. They will turn their attention from him that way. I feel even sorrier for the future bride now, though. Hugo is a grasping, greedy, immoral man.” He paused, surprised neither of his brothers had agreed when he knew they felt the same about Hugo. A terrible suspicion struck him. “Dunnae tell me the king wishes us to force Lena to marry Hugo?”
“Nay,” Lachlan replied, quickly. “Nae Lena.”
When Lachlan darted another uneasy look at Iain, Cameron clenched his jaw against a burst of frustration and worry. “Then who? Who am I to take like a pig to the slaughter?”
Iain clasped Cameron by the shoulder. “His plan is for ye to take Sorcha, Brother. She is the one he intends to present to Hugo.”
“Nay,” Cameron snarled, the word cutting through the thick tension like a well-honed blade.
“I hear ye, Brother,” Iain replied. “But the choice is nae yers.”
“What is yer plan,” Cameron demanded, sensing his brother had one by his words. Even as he waited for Iain to respond, Cameron’s mind began to turn, and he sifted through the ideas firing in his head, hoping to find one that would prevent this nightmare from coming to pass.
“I will nae force Sorcha to marry Hugo if she dunnae wish to. But we must tell her of the king’s command, just as I told ye. I’ll nae make the choice for her or any other to defy their king.” He gave Cameron a long, knowing look.
Fierce rage caused Cameron’s blood to surge and throb in his head. “And if she says she dunnae wish to marry Hugo? What then?”
“Then we find another way to get the king what he wants,” Iain promptly replied. “I’m certain we can come up with a solution, even if I must compel the earl with
land of my own.”
Cameron’s throat tightened at his brother’s selfless offer. “I dunnae have proper words to thank ye, but I kinnae allow ye to weaken our clan that way. I will find another solution.”
Lachlan clasped Cameron’s forearm. “We will find it together, Brother.
Cameron gave an absent nod, his thoughts already fully on Sorcha. He feared greatly she would agree to the king’s wishes simply to protect him from sacrificing his fealty and honor, and protect his clan from the king’s anger. He was contemplating lying and saying he told her and she would not agree, but Iain, who was looking unflinchingly at him, said, “Rouse the lass and bring her to the great hall. We will be with ye when ye relay the information.”
“Ye dunnae trust me to tell her?” Cameron demanded, even as guilt that he had considered not doing so needled him.
“If I had been commanded to relinquish Marion to another, I would have done anything to ensure it did nae occur, so nay, I dunnae trust ye, but I dunnae fault ye for that, either. Now make haste. Grant Macaulay arrived while ye were locked away in Sorcha’s bedchamber, so ye’re set to depart tomorrow for the Earl of Ross’s home. Ye will stop at Graham’s home first, however, since it is on the way. He needs to be told what has occurred and arm Brigid accordingly. Then depending on what Sorcha wishes for her future”—Cameron tensed but remained silent as Iain spoke—“we will either make our way to the Earl of March’s or the Earl of Ross’s home next.”
“I was to go, nae we,” Cameron corrected. “I ken ye wish to help me, but I’ll nae leave Dunvegan unprotected by taking ye or Lachlan away.” An idea crystallized, one that would be risky but that he felt certain he could make work.
Iain scowled. “There are many fine warriors here to protect our home.”
Cameron resolutely shook his head. “Nae like the two of ye.” Before Iain or Lachlan could argue, Cameron went on. “I intend to travel to March’s home after Graham’s and seize March’s castle,” he said, knowing he had to let his brothers in on the plot that had just come to him.
Both his brothers stared at him with parted mouths. Finally, Iain clamped his jaw shut. “Explain.”
“I can gain sway with the king by seizing March’s castle. Of March’s and Ross’s strongholds, March’s will be the easiest to breach and seize. I will need a large force, though. I’ll ask Alex to gather his men to aid me, and I will ask Graham to send men, as well. He can afford them, given the strength of his castle and the combined forces of his wife’s, his, and his wife’s father’s, given he commands them all.”
Iain nodded, as did Lachlan. “All good thoughts.”
“But how will seizing March’s home gain ye sway with the king?” Lachlan asked.
“The king wishes to compel March and Ross to withdraw their names from the resolution rather than force them and subject the countryside to more war, aye?”
Iain nodded.
Cameron’s mind turned as he considered his idea. “But if he kinnae sway them with bribery and talk, he will turn to force, which means we would be fighting anyway. Aye?”
“Aye,” Iain and Lachlan said at the same time.
“So if it appears that we have taken the castle on our own, and the king can compel us to return it, he will have great bargaining power with March,” Cameron said. “And David will nae forget what I have done for him. He will be much more likely to nae force Sorcha to marry Hugo as the number of betrayers against him will be much smaller.”
“Verra clever, Brother,” Iain said.
“Ye are strong in body and mind now, Cameron,” Lachlan added. “Ye are a fine warrior. I’m proud of ye.”
For the first time in his life, Cameron felt like his brothers’ equal. His chest tightened with emotion, and he could do no more than nod his acknowledgment.
“Let us pray that this works,” Iain finally said, and with that, they parted ways. Iain and Lachlan were no doubt going to chastise their wives for the dangerous trip to the Fairy Pools, and Cameron was going to wake the woman he would wage war for.
She’d been awakened by a tender kiss to her forehead, then another to her chin, her nose, and finally, a long, belly-fluttering one to her lips. As she opened her eyes, the edges of a dream she had been trying to hold on to evaporated. She frowned, sensing something in the dream had been important, but when she drank in the sight of the virile man kneeling by the bed, her frown turned to a shy smile.
Sorcha didn’t have a single regret about what she and Cameron had done together, but she was slightly embarrassed about how wanton she had been. Did he think her wicked? She eyed him covertly as he brushed his hand gently over her forehead where her cut was almost healed.
He smiled at her. “Bean bhàsail, even watching ye sleep tempted me greatly to slide back into the bed beside ye.”
She laughed huskily at his admission. “Then why do ye nae?” she teased.
An intense expression settled on his face, and he clasped her hands in his. “Ye trust me, aye?”
She nodded. “Completely.”
“I need ye to vow something to me.”
The urgency in his words made her catch her breath. “What?”
“Vow to me that in spite of what ye may hear, ye will nae agree to marry anyone yet.”
Worry twisted in the pit of her stomach, and confusion blanketed her mind. “I dunnae understand,” she murmured. “Has the king returned? I did nae believe it was my choice but his command.”
“He has nae returned. He is traveling to his nephew’s home from the MacDonald hold. Sorcha—” Cameron glanced quickly behind him toward the door, as if he expected someone would burst through it at any moment. The tension vibrating off him curled around her like a mist, increasing the beat of her heart and the intake of her breaths. “We are on the verge of war between the clans in Scotland. The king means to use ye, and I intend to prevent it.” She opened her mouth to protest, but he held up his hand. “Let me finish,” he growled. “I dunnae have much time. If we dunnae appear in the great hall shortly, I’ve nary a doubt that Iain will send someone for us or come himself.” He took a deep breath. “What I intend to do will nae risk my honor, and I vow to ye it will nae be considered a betrayal by the king. Ye must trust me. When my brother asks ye shortly if ye are willing to marry by the king’s command, tell him ye are nae. King David will nae learn ye refused.” He slid his hands into her hair, his strong fingers curling around her head. “If ye truly wish us to have a future, ye must give me yer vow now, or all will most assuredly be lost.”
Anxiety tangled inside her as her thoughts raced. She wanted to give him her vow, but she feared making a choice that would endanger him.
A soft knock came at the door, which made Sorcha jump and Cameron spring to his feet.
“I’m sorry to bother you both,” came Marion’s voice, “but Iain says to tell you that if you do not appear within minutes, he will personally come haul you out, clothed or not. He’s truly very unreasonable at the moment.”
“A moment, if ye please, Marion,” Cameron said.
He picked up Sorcha’s léine and gown, which had been discarded on the floor, and motioned to her to come to him. She obliged without thought, and he helped her dress, putting on her léine first, then her gown. He shocked her by thinking to run a comb through her hair, and she knew her answer. She wanted this man in her life, and she hoped he would eventually be her husband.
“I will give ye my vow, but,” she said, watching the relieved smile that had come to his face become an instant frown. “But,” she repeated, praying for the strength to do what she must, “if there comes a time I fear yer sacrifices too great, I will make it known to all that I have reconsidered and wish to marry as the king commands.”
“That time will nae come,” he assured her, sealing his mouth over hers in a passionate kiss that stole her breath. He broke the kiss as quickly as it had begun, took her by the hand, and led her out the door to where Marion awaited them.
Sorcha felt all eyes upon h
er as soon as they entered the great hall. Cameron held her hand and did not release it, for which she was grateful. Upon the dais sat Cameron’s brothers, Alex MacLean, Bridgette, and Lena. No one else was present. It didn’t surprise Sorcha. The MacLeod laird seemed a very astute man, and the fewer people who knew that he was supporting Cameron in trying to stop the king from using her, the better. She took a deep breath for courage as Cameron led her to the front of the dais. Marion gave her a reassuring glance as she passed her and took her seat beside her husband.
“Sorcha,” Iain said, piercing her with probing eyes. “Cameron told ye why ye have been called here?”
She glanced to Cameron, and he gave her a small nod that it was safe to speak truthfully. “He said the king intends to use me and that we are on the verge of a clan war.”
Iain motioned her closer, so she released Cameron’s hand and stepped nearer to the dais. Iain stood and looked down at her. “Aye, we are on the verge of civil war. Unless we can prevent it, the devastation would be unthinkable. When such things occur, we weaken ourselves and become ripe for someone like King Edward to conquer us. I’ll be direct,” he said. “Our king has been delivered a resolution by barons, earls, and lairds who are rising up against him. In the resolution, they accuse him of using money that was supposed to go toward the ransom debt that he—and in turn, the people of Scotland—owe King Edward, for his own greedy gain. The truth is, the nobles who signed the resolution dunnae like David’s relentless promotion of his favorites, because his favorites dunnae include them but more common men who he considered loyal while he was imprisoned in England.”
How a Scot Surrenders to a Lady Page 23