Free Mary Reed McCall by The Sweetest Sin Page A

return. They keep stealing our livestock, to test us. We must take action against them soon.” Kinnon swung his leg over the bench and stood up. “And yet much as those clans bethorns in our sides, it is not they, nor the poor food that be chafing at you this morning, Duncan.”
    Duncan contested Kinnon’s cool gaze with a lift of his brow. “Nay? Then pray sit back down, cousin, and give me the true reason.”
    “I do not need to sit to tell you what any eyes but your own can see. MacDonell or no, you took in yon girl as your leman, and you’re not in the habit of allowing anyone in your service to suffer mistreatment—unless you be the one offering it, of course. You didn’t help her when she might have used your influence just now, and that’s what’s sticking in your craw, cousin.”
    With that, Kinnon nodded and started toward the door, but as he strode away, he called over his shoulder in challenge, “Then again, you’re the laird. Think on it as you wish.”
    Duncan scowled and stared back into his empty cup as Kinnon left the hall. Laird . Aye, he was the leader of the wild MacRaes. But his men were more apt to carouse than fight, and as added insult he’d been cursed with a slip of a woman who looked the picture of her depraved sister while behaving like either a shrewish magpie or a timid mousie.
    Just then Bridgid charged by with a platter of steaming oat pudding. Before he would let himself think too much more about what he wanted to do, he pulled her aside.
    “Get the MacDonell woman back here. I need to tell her something.”
    “Ach, don’t we all! But I don’t know where she’s taken herself off to.” Her voice thick with sarcasm, Bridgid added, “One of her kind, perhaps she’s taking a beauty rest—or could be that she’s out wandering theedge of the loch to let the sea breeze flow through her hair.”
    Duncan sighed and pushed himself away from the table. It was clear that he’d not be getting much assistance from his bailie . He tried to look stern. “When you see her, tell her I need to speak with her tonight.”
    Bridgid nodded and started away to her tasks, but Duncan stopped her again. “And keep her occupied in the kitchens today. Somewhere away from the men.”
    Rolling her gaze skyward, Bridgid stomped off, muttering about coddled brats under her breath. Duncan scowled as he set off to find Kinnon. He stepped out into the misting rain and breathed deep, flexing his hand within its leather glove to ease the ache that the damp brought to the poorly mended bones.
    He could waste no more time on troublesome women. His cousin had been right when he’d warned of the unrest among the neighboring clans. He needed to contact the MacKenzie soon and make plans for stemming the growing problems, or it seemed likely that the question of how to handle Aileana MacDonell would soon prove to be the least of his worries.
     
    Shadows had fallen over the waters of Loch Duich by the time Duncan allowed himself to consider taking his rest for the day. The rain had dissipated by late morning; now the setting sun tinted the billowing clouds pink and gold, finally fading to smoky violet as he called a halt to the sparring and war practice he’d overseen for most of the afternoon.
    The evening meal had taken place in virtual silence. Kinnon was wrapped in his own thoughts, and the others were so exhausted from the day’s activity thatthey’d barely kept their heads steady above their venison stew.
    Duncan smiled wryly and chewed the end of a narrow bone. At least his frustrations had had one positive result today; he’d managed to incite a sort of terrified enthusiasm for the hunt. Many of the men had chosen to take to the wood rather than face him in the hand-to-hand fighting he’d pressed on any that decided to remain at the castle. The reward had been three fine bucks and a doe, with meat aplenty for Bridgid to make several hearty meals in the kitchen.
    Yet for all of his efforts, the most