“You can’t tel me this is considered acceptable.” She faced Mrs. Mac and pointed to her chest. “If you so much as catch a glimpse of my ankles you have a fit, for God’s sake, but this . . . this is okay?” she said in a low, aggravated voice. Even though she’d prefer to shout the words, she couldn’t risk being overheard, and truthful y, she didn’t think the straitjacket posing as underclothes would al ow anything above a whisper. Mrs. Mac had the nerve to grin. “Aye, ’tis acceptable, and I’m certain my laird wil think it verra acceptable indeed.”
Ali’s gaze narrowed on her torturer. “What are you up to?”
“Sit.” With a firm hold on Ali’s shoulders, Mrs. Mac guided her none too gently onto the most uncomfortable wooden stool Ali had ever sat on. The corset didn’t help; her posture was perfect, and it was painful.
“Ouch,” Ali cried as Mrs. Mac tugged a comb through her hair. She glared at the woman over her shoulder. “You can fuss with me al you want, but I’m not leaving this room until you tel me what’s going on.”
“’Tis as I was sayin’. That woman wants nothin’ more
LORD OF THE ISLES
121
than to get her claws into my laird, and I wil no’ stand fer her bein’ Dunvegan’s lady. Fer al her fancy ways she’s a viper, just like I said.”
“Marry? You think she wants to marry Rory?” Ali stared at the dying embers in the fireplace as she absorbed what Mrs. Mac was saying.
“Think, nay. I ken ’tis what she wants. She’s always wanted him. When he married Lady Brianna the woman flew into a rage that lasted fer weeks, from what I’ve been told.”
Ali worked the words past the tightness in her throat.
“But I didn’t think Rory would marry again. He’s stil in love with his wife.”
“Och, wel , that mon would do whatever he had to for his clan, and a match between the MacLeans and the MacLeods would serve us wel . Most would welcome the union, but no’ I. It would be a disaster. He’s too good fer the likes of her. He deserves better. His whole life he’s sac
rificed fer the clan, and ’tis aboot time he put himself first, if you ask me.”
“I’m sure he’l do what’s best for everyone.” Ali twisted her hands in her lap like her heart twisted in her chest, leaving a dul and familiar ache. It felt the same as when she found out about Drew and al the women he’d been un faithful with. But it was unfair to compare Rory to Drew. She and Rory hadn’t exchanged words of love, or made a commitment. They’d shared nothing more than heated kisses. Yet, no matter what her head said, in her heart she felt betrayed.
“Aye, wel , then she’d be it. But you mark my words, no good wil come of it. She’l be a hard taskmaster. Dunvegan wil no’ be the same.”
The thought of Rory married to someone else was beyond painful. And at that moment, Ali realized she’d fal en a little bit in love with the man, despite that she couldn’t compete 122
with his dead wife, or win his clan’s acceptance.
“Doona’ get me wrong, Lady Brianna was a sweet lass, but she never assumed the role of lady to Dunvegan. You ken she was no’ strong, but what you may no’ ken is she was verra shy and left the runnin’ of the keep to me. The clan loved her fer it. Nay, ’twil no’ be the same with the other one. I warrant we’l feel the lash of her tongue, if no’ her hand as wel .”
Ali stiffened. “You aren’t implying she’d hit you?”
“Och, aye, she has the reputation fer it.”
“There’s no way Ro . . . Lord MacLeod would ever al ow that to happen, so you have nothing to worry about.”
“She’s a sneaky one, she is. I warrant the men doona’
see that side of her. She’d keep it wel hidden.”
“I’m beginning to think this wil be an interesting evening.”
“Aye, ’twil be that. And you be careful, Lady Aileanna. She wil na’ take kindly to yer presence. Be wary of the lass.”
“I doubt—” A light tap on the door to her chambers drew Ali from their conversation. “Come in,” she cal ed out, surprised when Mari crossed the threshold. “Mari, it’s so good to see you up and around. Mrs. Mac, give me a minute, please.” Ali reached back and stil ed the older woman’s hand before she gave her attention to her young maid. Other than bruises that would take some time to heal, Ali was pleased how wel Mari looked after her ordeal, but she couldn’t completely brush aside her con
cern. “Is everything al right?”
“Aye, my lady.” Mari offered Ali a hesitant smile and tilted her head to the door. “Connor thought it best I come to ye.”
The young girl blushed prettily.
LORD OF THE ISLES
123
With a rustle of silks, Ali went quickly to her side.
“Why? What’s happened?”
