“I have Ian following him. Nay worries, Alex. Enjoy your celebration because on the morrow, ye will be a married man. ’Tis too bad Doireann took her leave with Donald. Ye could have had at least one more night of freedom before ye spoke your vows.”
“I doubt I will be getting much rest with my new bride if Aunt Iseabail has her way. The woman has been constantly hounding me about an heir. Praise the saints I should forget such a task.”
“That is one duty I know ye will nae mind performing.” John gave him a friendly punch in the arm. “At least the MacKenzie lass isnae so sore on the eyes. I cannae help but wonder if ye would have accepted the offer so willingly had she been a troll.”
Alex shrugged. “’Tis late. I suppose I should gather Aunt Iseabail, but she doesnae look as though she is ready to part company.”
John gulped the remainder of his ale and placed his tankard down on the table. “And I should be checking on the men to make sure they stay at their posts.” He rose from the chair and slapped Alex on the back. “Ye better seek your bed, my laird. Ye will want to give your bonny new bride all of the attention she deserves on the morrow.”
Alex smiled. “Aye, as soon as I am able to rouse Aunt Iseabail from the table and the company.” He watched John walk away, and then he shook his head, thinking about his aunt. She’d drunk most of the men under the table and still was able to hold a conversation. The MacDonells were indeed strong stock.
Alex approached the table, and the older MacKenzie man looked thoroughly engaged in the conversation— well, either that or completely taken by Alex’s aunt. The man sat forward, hanging on the edge of her every word.
“So my dear departed husband stripped them of their clothing, took their mounts, and made them all walk back as bare as the day they were born,” said Aunt Iseabail. “They ne’er encroached on our lands again.” She was friendly, smiling and bantering in a relaxed manner. As though she sensed someone beside her, she turned. “Alexander, I was sharing stories with William.”
“Aye, your aunt has some amazing tales,” said William, his eyes never leaving hers.
Alex knelt down beside her. “Aunt Iseabail, ’tis late. Why donna ye let me escort ye to your chamber?”
To his surprise, she pushed him away. “Nephew, William and I are having a delightful time. Right, William?”
“We only stay here to talk. I will make certain your aunt seeks her chamber.” William met Alex’s eyes without flinching. “Alone.”
When Alex raised his brow at his aunt, she smirked, shooing him away. “Please, Nephew. ’Tis been a long time since I required a chaperone.” And with that, Aunt Iseabail promptly ignored him and continued her conversation with William. “Now what was I speaking of?”
Alex knew when he wasn’t wanted. Recognizing that sleep would not come, he wasn’t ready to seek his bed and walked out into the bailey. Against the far wall, John spoke in raised tones with Ian. When John threw his hands up in the air, Alex knew something was amiss.
He approached his men and John’s words were hostile. Ian received a verbal thrashing and looked none too pleased.
“What the hell is going on?” asked Alex. “I can hear ye from across the bailey.”
At the sound of his voice, Ian turned. “My laird, the MacKenzie has sought his chamber, but I cannae find the MacKenzie’s son.”
“Colin, what do ye think ye are doing?” Sybella scolded him, pulling her arm out of her brother’s grasp.
Colin lit the candle and she glanced around. Several pieces of unfinished embroidery were laid upon the table, and a handful of dresses were thrown carelessly on the bed. The room was smaller than hers but just as enchanting. The dark wooden frame of the bed and the ornate furnishings complemented one another. And with bunches of floral stems that were placed upon the mantel, Sybella knew in an instant whose chamber this was.
“What are ye doing in here?” she asked, her voice unintentionally going up a notch.
“I was searching for you,” Colin responded with returning impatience.
“Searching for me? Why would ye be searching for me in Aunt Iseabail’s chamber? I will have the truth, Brother.”
His stare drilled into her and he cleared his throat. “I didnae know it was her room.”
“Ye didnae know,” she repeated.
“Aye, ye heard me. What other reason would I have to be in her chamber, Ella?”
She walked around him. “Let me tell ye what I think.”
“Ye always do,” Colin murmured under his breath.
“Surely ye arenae so bold as to search for the stone before I am wed. Ye told me as much. That being said, I think ye cannae help but sneak around Glengarry and wonder how Kintail compares,” she simply stated.
He held up his hands. “Aye, ye found me out. Can we please take our leave now before we are discovered?”
She gave a brief nod. “That would probably be best. If we were to be discovered and Father found out ye —”
“Exactly. Let us seek your chamber. I would like to know what kind of poverty my sister is living in,” he said in a jesting tone. He opened the door and gestured her through as he blew out the candle.
They walked down the hall and entered Sybella’s bedchamber. She had just closed the door when Colin smirked. “There is nay way this is your chamber, Sister.”
“What do ye mean? Of course this is my chamber.”
He spoke in his casual, jesting way. “’Tis far too clean to be your room, Ella.”
She tossed a pillow at him and he caught it with one hand. He placed the pillow back on the bed and sat down beside her. His eyes had a burning, faraway look in them.
“What is it, Colin?”
“Are ye going to be all right here with the MacDonell? I would expect the truth.”
His smile was almost apologetic, and she punched him playfully in the arm. “Is that what is troubling ye? In truth, I am nae thrilled to be the MacDonell’s wife, but as I told ye before, I will do what is expected of me. Like all things in life, I am sure I will grow accustomed.”
“Do ye mean that?”
“I wouldnae speak the words if they werenae the truth.” She couldn’t figure out if Colin’s concern was that of an older brother or if there was some other meaning to his words or lack thereof. He was always direct with her and never made a play upon his words—yet, she had an underlying feeling something was off. “Are ye certain that is all that troubles ye?”
He hesitated, studying her for a moment. “I am only concerned for your welfare. Father made this alliance for the sole purpose of finding the stone. ’Tis dangerous, Ella. I want ye to be careful and donna be so quick to search for the stone. It will probably take the MacDonell a little while to lower his guard around ye. Give him time to know ye, and I am sure he will be besotted.” He smiled warmly. “Most importantly, earn his trust. Make him realize that his wife stands by his side. I know it may be difficult for ye, but be a dutiful wife and please try to hold your tongue.”
“This is the second time ye and Father have made such a reminder. Why do I get the feeling ye donna trust me to take this responsibility seriously? I am a MacKenzie. I know what is to be gained from recovering the stone.” When his eyes flashed with the same familiar display of impatience, she added, “But I understand what ye mean. I will make certain I have the MacDonell’s trust before I start to search for the stone so he isnae suspicious of me.”
Colin kissed her on the cheek and then rose. “I will see ye in a few hours for your wedding, Sister. Try to get some rest.” He was about to open the door when she spoke.
“And Colin?”
He turned around and raised his brow. “Aye?”
“Seek your own chamber and stop your wanderings lest we both find ourselves upon the gallows.”
He rolled his eyes and closed the door behind him.
