Chapter 12 #2
"No need to thank me. I would protect Lady Mairiana with my life."
Dugald observed him for a long, speculative moment, no doubt wondering about the reason for his devotion and selflessness.
Alec yelled, "I want my bride returned to me!"
"Nay!" Darack and Dugald shouted simultaneously.
Dugald eyed him again, then grinned and turned his attention back to Alec. "Consider the marriage contract null and void."
"I will take this before the king!"
"Let's do," Dugald said. "I will also inform him you have committed murder."
"You have no proof. None of you do."
"I am a witness," Mairiana responded.
"You are but one woman and no one who matters will believe you. Besides that, Chief Grant, the king will be interested to know you are sheltering several MacGregors," Alec said.
"What MacGregors? I see none," Ewan said.
"Darack for one. If you won't return my bride to me, you will be seeing the king's retainers soon, I'm certain."
Darack watched as Ewan and Dugald exchanged a calculating glance, then a nod. "Capture them!" both chiefs shouted to their guards. Within seconds, the Grants and MacKerricks surrounded the Lindsays, outnumbering them two to one.
The Lindsays looked to Alec for a command or direction, but none came. Alec's wild-eyed horse neighed and danced about in a circle. One of the guards finally dragged him from his saddle.
***
DAWN LIGHT WAS brEAKING over the mountains when they arrived back at Dunmoris Castle.
The guards took the Lindsays, protesting and complaining, to the dungeon.
Mairiana felt happier than she had in a long time.
Joy bubbled within her. Finally, she was safe from Alec, and most important of all, Darack was healed, thanks be to God.
Father Bhradain met them in the bailey, at first wearing a stern frown. But his eyes widened and his mouth dropped open when he spotted Darack, walking around healthy and strong like everyone else.
Mairiana worried about what he would say. Thankfully, Lady MacGregor quickly approached him before he could say anything. "Could I speak with you, Father Bhradain?"
"Aye."
They disappeared into the chapel. Mairiana hoped Darack's mother could smooth the priest's ruffled feathers and convince him 'twas truly the love of God which had healed Darack and not some other force he might find unacceptable. Ewan, Dugald and their men proceeded into the great hall.
"Can I speak to you in private?" Darack whispered to her.
"Aye, of course." A renewed thrill of exuberance spun through her.
Taking her hand, he led her up the steps and into the great hall. "We'll go onto the ramparts."
When they emerged on the roof, the refreshing wind blew her hair back. The two guards stationed there, on opposite sides of the castle, acknowledged their presence with brief bows and then ignored them, pacing away and focusing on the hills in the distance.
Darack led her to a small alcove, out of sight of the guards and sheltered from the wind.
"I'm so thankful you're recovered," Mairiana said.
"As am I, and I thank you for taking such good care of me," he murmured, then drew her close and kissed her forehead.
She looked up into his handsome face, craving his lips on hers.
Sliding his hand along her cheek, he complied.
'Twas a gentle, healing kiss so filled with emotion her eyes burned with tears.
Soon, she was needing more and more of him.
Her arms around his neck, she pulled him closer, burying her fingers in his thick, dark hair.
He lifted her and pressed her against the wall and the kiss grew deeper and more forceful.
He flicked his tongue into her mouth, to taste her.
Her entire body burned with the passion and need for him.
When she was near mad with wanting him, he drew back abruptly and pressed his forehead against hers. "Saints!" he hissed. "Do you ken what you do to me?"
"You do the same to me," she whispered, stroking his cheek above his short beard and looking into his fathomless, dark eyes.
"I brought you up here to talk to you about something important." He gently set her to her feet.
Despite her weak knees, she forced herself to stand. "What is it?"
Clasping her hands, he kissed each of them, as if searching for the right words. He met her gaze. "I want to thank you for all your help while I was recovering. I know you rarely left my bedside."
"I was so worried about you."
"I'm sorry I put you through that."
She shook her head. "Do not apologize. You were injured while protecting me."
"Well, I've come to care for you a great deal, more than I ever thought possible. I—" He coughed as if suddenly choked.
She gripped his hands tighter, hanging on his every word.
His gaze intensified, looking deeply into her soul. "Lass, I want you to know... I love you. And, if you would have me, I would like to ask for your hand in marriage. I ken I have naught to offer you. Neither title nor—"
"Darack," she interrupted. "If you will be silent for a moment and let me speak."
"Aye."
"I love you, too," she whispered. "And I have since you risked your life for me. I saw then what a selfless, caring man you are. But 'tis more than that. We have shared some sort of bond since the first time we met years ago."
"'Tis true. I thought about you often, but I also realized... I have nothing to offer you. No land. I'm not a chief or laird. Who knows if your brother will agree to it?"
"If he is doubtful, I will convince him. But he already likes you as a friend."
"He has always seemed a fair and honest man to me."
"He is. And his bark is worse than his bite."
"I'll be sure to tell him you said that." Darack grinned, lowered his head and kissed her briefly.
"Nay! Do not tell him." She chuckled.
"I was but jesting. So, will you marry me?"
"Aye, with pleasure."
After another delightful kiss, Darack pulled himself away. "We must join the others, else they'll wonder what we're up to." He winked.
She blushed. "Aye, you're right. But I must tell you in all seriousness, Father Bhradain was against us taking you to the enchanted loch."
Darack nodded. "I can well imagine. Is that why Ma wanted to talk to him in the chapel?"
"I think so. Hopefully she can calm him."
"Did you give her the brooch?" Darack whispered in Mairiana's ear.
"Nay, of course not. I wanted you to give it to her."
He nodded. "We will tonight, together."
***
UPON JOINING THE OTHER men in the bailey, Darack learned that Ewen had sent out several of his best soldiers to scour the wood for more Lindsays. Alec had already said his father was with them. By noon, the guards brought in six more Lindsay clansmen, including their chief, Angus.
"I demand that you release my son and my men at once!" Chief Lindsay said, his face dark red above his short gray beard.
"After we negotiate. Bring him into the library," Ewan told his guard.
Darack followed Ewan into the library, and the guard brought in Chief Lindsay.
"Please, have a seat." Ewan motioned to the chairs, then sat at the head of the table. Darack sat beside him.
Ignoring his congenial words, Chief Lindsay remained standing. "I'll not negotiate with a man who harbors outlaws, murderers and kidnappers!" he yelled, glaring at Darack.
Refusing to be pulled into an angry shouting match and name calling, Darack merely raised a brow, then leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest. He knew if he said anything, Chief Lindsay would simply get more riled.
"Your son is the murderer and thief," Ewan said calmly. "If necessary, I'll take him before the king myself."
"Of course, you would believe your outlaw cousin over me." Chief Lindsay's face reddened further. "You are mad, the lot of you!"
"Lady Mairiana was a witness to your son murdering his own guard.
That's why she chose to leave him and now refuses to marry him.
There was no kidnapping," Ewan said. "The lady asked Darack to protect her on her journey and that was all he did.
As a baron, I'm well within my rights to arrest a murderer—Alec—and have him escorted to London. "
Chief Lindsay hung his head, then dropped into the chair at the other end of the table. After a dejected sigh, he said, "That is my heir you're talking about."
"Aye." Ewan leaned back in his chair. "My father considered you a close friend and a good man. What's happened? You've now lowered yourself to Alec's level?"
Chief Lindsay released a long breath and shook his head. "Hugh was a great friend to me. I miss him sorely. What would it take for you to release my son?"
Ewan eyed him for a long moment. "Do you really want someone of his character leading your clan one day?"
"I have another son, you ken. One who would make a better chief, in truth. I will deal with Alec. If he does not change his ways, I'll turn him in myself."
Darack could not believe his ears, but indeed the man did look sincere... and also disappointed in his son.
"Alec threatened to report to King James that I'm harboring MacGregors. No one here claims that name. If some of their ancestors were MacGregors, that is no fault of their own. Some of my family members live here—including my cousin, Darack—but there is no law against that."
"Aye, none of us will be reporting MacGregors," Lindsay conceded.
"If any of you do, I'll immediately report Alec's crimes," Ewan said, a glint of warning entering his eyes.
"I agree with that," Lindsay said.
To Darack, the man seemed sincere as he shook their hands. But what if Alec refused to go along with the agreement?