Chapter Eleven #2
‘So this is where we talk?’
‘This is where it is private with also a plausible reason to be here.’
They were followed through the village. ‘We won’t have privacy for long.’
‘No.’
So what to talk about? Why Frederick had avoided him this morning, or about his youngest daughters or should he talk about Paiden and the possible killer?
There had been no outbreaks today between the McCrieffs and the Lochmores, but he’d talked to his men, they were taking turns at watch.
Thus far there was a temporary truce, but they could not keep that schedule and remain safe.
Eventually, someone’s guard or temper would slip and either a sword or poison would fell another Lochmore.
Paiden. Everything in him roared to help his friend. Instead he asked, ‘What was the meeting about?’
Frederick folded his arms. ‘I’m Tanist. It is common for council to be conducted.’
It wasn’t a usual council and they knew it. ‘I married your daughter; we’ve gone beyond those border conflicts, haven’t we?’
‘You’re not a McCrieff. The border still exists. As I said, I’ll remain Tanist and I’ll keep the control of this clan.’
Rory stepped back in agitation. The birds skittered on their perches. ‘And the King’s decree?’
‘It will stand with no dispute. This I promise you. Can you promise not to claim more?’
Rory should have expected this, but hadn’t.
He’d kept his eyes so focused on the future for his own issue, he wasn’t thinking about now.
Striding to the opposite wall, he leaned against it, settling in as the birds settled.
‘My father is Chief and he will decide on Lochmore’s clan.
But I offer you congratulations that you married me to a McCrieff, thinking he’d be loath to fight against my chosen family. ’
Frederick gave an audible sigh and released his arms. Rory wouldn’t give him the benefit of relief.
‘But know this, if Lochmore’s interests are compromised, it won’t matter whether I married your daughter or not. If you keep your power, I, too, will keep mine.’
‘What are you, then?’ Frederick said. ‘Lochmore or McCrieff?’
‘Shouldn’t you have figured that out before you offered her? You may hope for a peace in the future, but we’re both involved in the present. Right now, I have the right to know what the secret meetings are about.’
‘Secret?’
Rory made a pointed glance to the door. ‘We have little time, remember?’
With a glance at the airways above their head, Frederick moved to the wall Rory leant against.
Rory kept his posture casual as Frederick approached. Even so, he could see that he was a large man who had maintained his training. Which begged the question, how much control and power did Frederick wield? ‘Are there stronger warriors than you here?’
‘Hamish. In his prime, he was as large as a mountain and no one would argue with him.’
‘But he’s not in his prime, is he?’
‘He’s been ill for many seasons now...’
‘In body or mind?’
Frederick huffed. ‘Wise, aren’t you?’
‘You wouldn’t want your daughter to be married to a simpleton.’
‘It would be simpler.’
‘Because you need deception.’
Frederick raised his finger to his lips. ‘I have followed my Chief all my life. I am Tanist, true, but Hamish still rules.’
‘But he doesn’t know of my marriage to your daughter.’
‘She is my daughter. Whom she marries is of no concern of his.’
Ah. ‘Except when he poisons my friend or will you suggest your own people did that?’
Frederick rubbed his hands over his face. The years were showing on him, but it was the toil of the situation that weighed more heavily. Rory felt the weight on his own shoulders, but he’d have no mercy.
‘Hamish will not survive the year,’ Frederick said. ‘Edward made his decree and there was no time to waste; otherwise, everything would have stayed as it had been. I would not have willingly gone against the wishes of my Chief.’
‘There would have been a battle for the land,’ Rory said, no question in his voice. No question in his gut as well. It had been easy to traverse McCrieff land because it should not have happened.
‘There are men who follow me here, Lochmore,’ Frederick said. ‘Strong, good men and their families. Many of them—enough I hope, to support my decisions.’
‘You hope.’ Rory dug his shoulders into the wall behind him, felt and welcomed the bite of rough timber. It was enough to keep his temper. ‘Yet you took the risk of inviting me here and offering marriage, knowing those who follow Hamish would not accept it.’
At Frederick’s brief nod, Rory shoved away from the wall. ‘You fool, you’ve divided loyalties and then brought in an enemy clan. You expect me to repair this?’
‘By marrying my daughter, you already have. Maybe not in my lifetime, but I hope in hers. I would do anything for her. There are possibilities for you as well.’
Ludicrous. Fanciful dreams. ‘The possibilities are there only if we live through this. And know this, if my friend dies, your possibilities are meaningless. I am Lochmore’s son.’
Frederick shook his head once, twice, as if answering his inner questions, but confusion laced his expression. ‘You married her.’
Rory was tired of being held at the whims of others, of trying to get approval. He might not have control of his past, but he would take control of his future.
‘I said my vows, but that is all that occurred last night,’ Rory said, his stare unbending until Frederick’s eyes widened in recognition. Until the father knew the marriage was unconsummated and could be annulled.
‘Know this as well, Tanist.’ Rory stepped to the door, his hand on the latch.
‘I will never meet privately with you in the mews again. When we meet, it will be in front of all so that every McCrieff will know our collaboration. As for you, there will be no more secret meetings, no behind-my-back negotiations. You invited and proposed a Lochmore to marry your daughter. We’re family now. ’