Chapter 15
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
MacTavish Camp
"Ye're late."
Conall MacTavish stood at the edge of the camp, arms crossed, watching Donnan emerge from the tree line. The sun had set an hour before, and the darkness provided good cover, thick enough that even the sharpest-eyed guard on Barra's walls wouldn't spot their camp from this distance.
Still. He didn't like waiting.
"I couldnae leave any sooner without drawin' suspicion," Donnan said, slightly out of breath from the ride. "The laird's been watchin' everyone since the fire. Doubled the guards, changed the patrol routes. It's gettin' harder tae slip away."
"That's yer problem, nae mine." Conall moved toward the fire where two of his men sat warming their hands. "What news?"
"The fire worked. Lost them the whole storage shed and nearly took the stables too." Donnan accepted a cup of ale from one of the men. "But Haraldson saved some of the animals. The bastard even pulled an old man out of the flames and made himself look like a bloody hero."
Conall's jaw tightened. That wasn't what he'd wanted to hear. The fire was supposed to make Magnus look weak. Incapable of protecting his own keep. Instead, the Norse bastard had turned it into another display of his strength.
"And the poisoned well?" Conall asked. "Are they still sick?"
"Most are recoverin'. Thanks to Lady Ada." Donnan's voice changed when he said her name, softened in a way that made Conall's eyes narrow. "She and the laird figured out it was the water. She convinced Haraldson to close the well before more people got sick."
"Did she now." Conall moved closer to the fire, let the flames cast his face in shadow. "And how is me darlin' daughter adjustin' tae married life?"
"Well enough. Better than expected, actually." Donnan stared into his cup. "She's winnin' over the people. Helpin' with the sick, learnin' from the castle healer. They're startin' tae call her Lady of Barra."
"Are they?" Conall's tone was mild, but his mind was racing. Ada was supposed to be miserable. Trapped. Desperate enough to accept help when he finally offered it. "And Haraldson? How daes he treat her?"
"Like she's made of glass. Willnae let her out of his sight since the fire." Donnan's hand tightened on his cup. "He's obsessed with her."
"Obsessed." Conall filed that information away. "Or protective?"
"Both, maybe. But it's more than just duty." Donnan looked up, and Conall saw it—the flash of jealousy, quickly suppressed. "He looks at her like she matters. Like she's nae just some Highland bride forced on him by the king."
Perfect.
Conall had suspected this might happen. Had counted on it, even. Ada—clever, competent Ada—would provide exactly the kind of steadfast support a man like Magnus craved.
She'd make herself indispensable. Make him care about her. Make him lower his guard.
And then Conall would use that weakness to destroy him.
"Have they consummated the marriage?" Conall asked. "Has Brian reported tae the king yet?"
"Aye. The mornin' after the weddin', Brian took the bloodied sheet and fer for court. The marriage is legal in the eyes of the Crown." Donnan paused. "Though I nae sure they actually did."
"I dinnae care how the blood got on the sheet, just that it did.
" Conall waved a dismissive hand. "As long as the king believes the marriage is consummated, that's all that matters.
The Pact holds, and me daughter is now bound tae Haraldson in ways nae easily broken. Useful, but nae me real objective."
"What is that, me laird? Haraldson's still standin', and his people love him more than ever."
"The plan," Conall said slowly, "is tae be patient. We've planted the seeds. Shown him that his keep isnae as secure as he thinks. Made him paranoid, jumpy, spread his forces thin tryin' tae guard everything at once." He looked at Donnan. "How many men daes he have watchin' the walls now?"
"Double what he had before. Plus patrols in the courtyard, guards on every well, men watchin' the storerooms and armory." Donnan rattled off the numbers. "He's pulled men from other duties tae increase security. It's strainin' resources."
"Good. Keep it that way. Keep him stretched thin, keep him worried." Conall's mind worked through the possibilities. "What about Ada? Daes she suspect ye?"
"Nay. She daesnae trust me, but she daesnae ken I'm workin' fer ye either. Thinks I'm just there because ye told me tae watch over her." Donnan's expression darkened. "Which makes nay sense tae her, since she kens ye dinnae actually care about her wellbein'."
"Smart lass." Conall felt a flicker of pride despite himself. Ada had always been clever, too clever for her own good sometimes. "But nae clever enough tae see the whole picture. She thinks ye're here tae spy on her. She daesnae realize ye're here tae help me take everythin' Haraldson has."
Donnan set down his cup. "Why are we daein' this? What dae ye gain from destroyin' Haraldson? He's one of the king's chosen jarls, bound by the Pact and now tae us, thanks tae his marriage with Lady Ada. If ye move against him, ye move against the Crown."
"I'll explain. The Pact is meant tae bind the Isles tae Scotland through marriage. Tae create loyalty where there was none. But what happens if those marriages fail? What happens when Highland brides claimin' abuse, or beggin' their faithers tae rescue them from savage Norse husbands?"
Gregor's eyes widened. "The Pact crumbles."
"Exactly. And when it crumbles, the king will have nay choice but tae take the Isles by force.
Which means war. Which means clans like mine—clans who prove their loyalty by offerin' soldiers, supplies, strategic advice—will be richly rewarded.
" Conall smiled. "I dinnae just want tae destroy Haraldson.
I want tae destroy the entire Pact. And Ada is the key tae daein' it. "
"How?" Donnan asked.
"Because she's the second bride. The first marriage—Erik and Claricia—that one's solid.
They're in love. But if the second marriage fails?
If Magnus Haraldson's bride is killed, or injured, or claims she was mistreated?
" Conall spread his hands. "The other jarls will start tae worry.
Their brides will start tae doubt. The whole arrangement will fall apart like wet parchment. "
"So ye're plannin' tae, what? Kill Ada?" Donnan's voice went sharp. "That's… she's yer daughter."
"Calm yerself." Conall studied him. "I'm nae goin' tae kill her.
Nae unless absolutely necessary. But I am goin' tae make it look like Haraldson tried tae.
Or better yet, like he neglected to protect her from someone else's attack.
Either way, the blame falls on him, and the Pact is damaged beyond repair. "
Donnan was quiet for a long moment. When he spoke again, his voice was careful. "And what happens tae Ada after? When all this is done?"
"She comes home, of course. Under me protection.
The poor mistreated bride, rescued from her savage Norse husband.
" Conall's smile widened. "And I'll be the loyal faither who risked everythin' tae save her.
The king will reward me fer me devotion.
Might even give me control of Barra once Haraldson's stripped of his title. "
"That's," Donnan stopped. Started again. "That's a dangerous game, me laird. If anyone discovers what we're daein'—"
"They willnae. Because ye're careful, and I'm patient, and Ada has nay idea she's bein' used." Conall moved closer to Donnan. "But ye need tae stay focused. Keep playin' concerned. Keep gatherin' information. And when the time comes tae make our move, ye'll be ready."
Donnan nodded slowly. But something flickered across his face—doubt, maybe, or worry.
Conall recognized that look. He'd seen it before, when men were starting to question their orders. Starting to develop inconvenient attachments.
"Ye care about her," Conall said quietly. "Dinnae ye?"
Donnan's jaw tightened. "She's yer daughter, me laird. Of course, I care about her wellbein'."
"That's nae what I mean." Conall circled him slowly, like a wolf stalking prey. "Ye've always watched her a bit too closely. Always found excuses tae be near her. Even when she ran away, ye volunteered tae find her. Nae because of duty, but because ye wanted tae be the one tae find her."
"I… that's nae true me laird."
"Dinnae lie tae me, Donnan. I've kent about yer... interest in Ada fer years." Conall stopped directly in front of him. "Ye want her. Have wanted her since she was barely grown. Havenae ye?"
Donnan's silence was answer enough.
"There's nay shame in it," Conall said, his voice almost gentle now. "She's a beautiful lass. Smart. Kind. Any man would want her. But she was promised to others—and ye've had tae stand by and watch, unable tae claim what ye want."
"What's yer point?" Donnan's voice was hoarse.
"Me point is that I can give her tae ye." Conall let the words sink in. "When this is over, when Haraldson is destroyed and Ada comes home, she'll need a new husband. Someone loyal. Someone who understands what she's been through. Someone who's proven himself worthy."
Donnan's eyes widened. "Ye'd let me marry her?"
"If ye dae exactly as I say. If ye help me bring down Haraldson and the Pact. If ye prove yer loyalty beyond any doubt." Conall smiled. "Then aye, Ada will be yers. I'll arrange it meself. And ye'll have everythin' ye've ever wanted."
He watched Donnan's face carefully. Saw the hunger there. The desperate want of a man who'd loved someone from afar for years with no hope of ever having them.
Perfect.
Men driven by desire were easy to manipulate. Easy to control. All ye had to do was dangle what they wanted just out of reach, and they'd do anything to grasp it.
"I'll dae it," Donnan said finally. "Whatever ye need. I'll dae it."
"Good man." Conall clapped him on the shoulder. "Now, tell me more about the keep's defenses. Where are the weak points? Which guards are laziest? Who can be bribed or threatened?"
They talked long into the night. Donnan providing details, Conall filing them away for later use. By the time Donnan left to ride back to Dun Barra, careful to arrive before dawn so nae one would notice his absence, Conall had a clear picture of exactly how to proceed.
The poisoned well had been a test. The fire, another. Both had shown him that Magnus Haraldson was strong, capable, beloved by his people.
But every man had weaknesses. And Magnus's weakness was becoming clearer by the day.
It seemed that he cared about Ada. Genuinely cared. Maybe even loved her, though it was too soon to tell for certain.
And caring made a man vulnerable, reckless. Made him do foolish things to protect what he loved.
Conall would use that. Would push and push and push until Magnus made a mistake. Until he failed to protect Ada in some critical way. Until the marriage crumbled under the weight of suspicion and fear.
And when it did, Conall would be there. The loving father. The devoted protector. The loyal subject who'd saved his daughter from a savage Norse husband.
The king would have no choice but to reward him. To give him everything he'd ever wanted—land, title, power beyond what any MacTavish had ever held.
And if Ada had to suffer a bit in the process? If she had to be scared, or hurt, or used as a pawn?
Well. That was what daughters were for.
And if it didn’t work? If Haraldson kept her safe despite everythin'?
Conall stared into the fire, watching the flames dance. Then he would escalate. Push harder. Get more creative. He smiled, cold and sharp. One way or another, Magnus Haraldson would fail. And when he did, everything he'd built would come crashing down around him.
And Ada would learn a valuable lesson about loyalty. Conall's smile widened. That the only person she could truly trust was her father. Who'd been workin' to save her all along.
The next push that would bring Magnus Haraldson one step closer to ruin and Ada one step closer to returning home, where she belonged. Where he could finally use her the way he'd always intended, as a tool to get everything he'd ever wanted.
She'd thank him eventually, or she wouldn't. Either way, it didn't matter.
She was his daughter. His property. His to use as he saw fit.
And no Norse jarl, no matter how strong, how beloved, how determined would stop him from takin' what should have been his all along.