Page 74 of The Chieftain
Epilogue
“William and Willa?”
“She promised the priest.” Alexander spared a glance back at Father William and Catriona where they stood beside the chieftain’s table at the head of the hall. The pair bounced and jiggled back and forth, shoulder to shoulder in perfect sync, attempting to shush the caterwauling of his wee son and daughter. Twins. Not quite two months old and more than a little insulted at having water dribbled across their pates during their nap.
The closest thing he’d ever known to pure joy coursed through him even with the babies’ howls echoing clear to the rafters and drowning out any attempts at a conversation among his guests. His heart couldna be an ounce fuller. If anyone had told him a year ago that he’d be happily married and the father of two braw, healthy bairns, he wouldha told them they were daft and had him confused with someone else.
Graham gave him a wink. “Twins at just a little over a year into your marriage. At this rate, brother, ye shall need a bigger keep.”
The sight of Sawny bumping and darting through those gathered in the hall made Alexander forget whatever quick retort he had for Graham. The boy looked harried and more than a little worried. What the hell had he gotten into this time?
Sawny came to a halt in front of him, stealing a glance around the room before he leaned in close and whispered, “Messenger. At the gate.” He gulped in a deep breath and peeped around the crowd again. “A messenger from His Highness.”
His Highness? What the hell did King William want? Edward’s regiment had recently visited, and he had no’ found them wanting. His old friend had seemed quite relieved that he could in full conscience report to his liege that all was quiet atTor Ruadh.
“I shall go to the gate.” Alexander forced a smile and nodded to the well-wishers gathered in the hall as he started toward the door. He did his best to appear nonchalant and not raise suspicion. He was more concerned about upsetting Catriona on their babes’ christening day than he was about troubling their guests. She’d fretted herself into a frenzy planning this day. He’d no’ have it go awry.
“Master Graham needs to go, too,” Sawny hurried to say before Alexander had taken more than a step. “The messenger asked for him—not yourself.”
Alexander turned to his brother whose smile had melted into a confused scowl. “What have ye done?”
“I’ve done nothing,” Graham assured in a low, tempered tone forced through clenched teeth.
“Ye best join me.” Alexander slipped out of the hall, then limped across the bailey, and headed straight to the guard tower. Graham followed a half step behind him, and Sawny brought up the rear.
A young soldier, wearing the king’s red and looking to be a little older than Sawny, stood just outside the gate in front of one of the Neal guards. He held the reins of his horse in one hand and a folded bit of parchment bearing the ribbon and royal seal of King William in the other. Alexander could spot that ribbon and seal a mile away.
Alexander held out his hand. “The message?”
The young man gave a respectful dip of his chin. “Be ye Graham MacCoinnich, sir?”
“I am Graham MacCoinnich.” Graham stepped forward then motioned to his brother. “This is Chieftain MacCoinnich.”
“Beg pardon, sir.” The young soldier made a curt bow, stepped forward, and held out the parchment envelope. “I am to escort ye, sir, as soon as ye’ve read the message.”
“Escort me?” Graham gave Alexander a worried scowl. “Escort me where?”
“To Court, sir.” The boy retreated a step and resumed his stiff-backed stance beside his horse.
Alexander pointed at the envelope, struggling against the urge to jerk it from his brother’s hand, tear it open, and read it. “Read the damn message.”
Graham ripped it open, his mouth tightening into a hard line as his gaze raced across the paper.
Alexander couldn’t stand it any longer. “What does it say?”
“It appears the king requires my help with a most delicate matter.” Graham looked up and fixed Alexander with a damning look as he crumpled the note. “Immediately.”
