Page 63 of Claimed by a Highlander
“The point is,” another man said, “’tis easy for folk to see Hector as chieftain because he’s played the part for years. As the lass says, ye can help your cause by doing a bit of that yourself.”
She could see that this went against the grain for Rory. She reached for his hand and squeezed it. “In time, your clansmen will come to admire ye for the qualities that will make ye the great chieftain I know you’ll be,” she told him. “But ye only have a week. Help them see the chieftain you’ll become.”
“Ach, you’ll give my brother a swollen head,” Alex said, but he gave her a nod when Rory was not looking.
“I can’t risk Hector arriving at Castle Leod before me and barring the gates.”
“I’ll go and hold it for ye until ye come,” Malcolm said. “I trained most of the senior men at the castle. They won’t take orders from Hector now that he’s not giving them in Brian’s name.”
The men spoke at length about the men of influence in the clan that Rory ought to meet with in the coming days. Then they stood as if ready to depart but made no move to go.
“What is it ye need to say?” Rory asked.
The men all shifted their gazes to Malcolm.
“Ye can’t have the lass with ye when ye travel about to meet with the men,” Malcolm said. “It isn’t done.”
“Ye know I like Sybil, but Malcolm is right,” Alex put in. “She’s not only a lass, but a Lowlander as well. They won’t like it.”
Sybil’s heart raced as panic set in at the thought of being separated from Rory. She could not let him leave her behind.
“Once you’re chieftain, ye can do what ye like,” Malcolm said. “But now ye must persuade the clan that you’re wiser than Hector. Bringing along your mistress—and a traitor’s sister at that—is not likely to persuade them.”
“Sybil is more than that,” Rory said through clenched teeth.
“Of course she is,” Alex, the peacemaker, said. “But you’ve already dragged her across most of Scotland, and in winter yet. For God’s sake, let the poor lass rest at Lovat’s for a few days.”
“I intend to do that,” Rory snapped, “but only because she’ll be safer there.”
Sybil waited until the men mounted their horses and left before voicing her objections.
“You’re not leaving me anywhere,” she said. “I’m staying with you.”
“The course I am embarked upon is dangerous—it nearly killed ye last night.” He cupped the back of her neck and rubbed his thumb along her jaw. “You’ll be safe with Lovat behind the strong walls of Fraser Castle.”
“I won’t feel safe with anyone but you,” she said, shaking her head violently. Even people she’d known her whole life who called themselves her friends refused to help her when she was desperate. She tried to calm herself, but her chest felt too tight to breathe.
“I don’t know where my sister is or if she’s safe,” Rory said, his tone turning angry. “I’ll not let something happen to you as well.”
“I won’t go.” She couldn’t. He was sure to forget her and never return. That’s what her brothers had done. “You said you’d protect me with your last breath.”
“Protecting you is what I’m doing,” Rory said, closing the subject like a slamming door. “I’m not arguing about this. You’ll stay at Lovat’s out of harm’s way until I can bring ye to Castle Leod.”
CHAPTER 23
Sybil drew in a deep breath as Rory led her up the steps of Fraser Castle. It was her own damned fault they were here. She was the one who had advised Rory to seek Lovat’s support and to delay going to Castle Leod until he gathered his supporters.
This was a fine time for a man to finally take her advice.
Rory’s decision to leave her had caught her by surprise, and she’d shown unpardonable weakness by giving in to panic. She would not do that again.
He had not deceived her yet. As she had no choice, she decided to believe he would not abandon her here.
They were escorted into the castle’s great hall, where they were greeted by Lord Lovat, a tall Highlander in his forties with fading red hair, sharp green eyes, and thin lips.
“This is Lady Sybil,” Rory introduced her, omitting any mention of her family name or explanation for her presence.
Lovat examined her closely down his long, narrow nose as if trying to place her, but perhaps he was merely curious as to who she was to Rory. Then again, she may not have gotten all the cinders out of her hair.
