Page 87 of Claimed By a Ruthless Scot
Duncan’s jaw tightened slightly. “He confirmed what we suspected. MacKenzie’s intent is nae simply tae locate her.” He paused again, to let the information settle. “He means tae abduct her and kill anyone who stands in the way.”
The words settled like iron in the room and the reaction was swift and sharp.
“That settles it,” one of the elders said, his voice cutting through the silence. “She cannae remain here.”
“Aye,” another agreed immediately. “If MacKenzie is already within reach, keeping her inside these walls only invites him tae strike again.”
Murmurs spread around the table, no longer uncertain but urgent for action.
“This is nae longer about one woman,” a third added, leaning forward. “It is about the safety of the entire clan. If he attacks the castle?—”
“He will,” someone else interrupted grimly. “We ken that much. And when he does, he will nae come quietly.”
Duncan remained still. He knew better than to interrupt men who were under the impression of fear. They needed to voice it out of themselves, and only then would they be able to think rationally again. So, he listened and measured.
“She must be moved,” the first man insisted. “Sent somewhere he would nae think tae look. Away from here, away from us.”
“Or handed over,” another voice muttered more quietly, but not enough.
The words hung in the air, dangerous enough to cut. Iain’s head snapped toward the speaker, but Duncan moved first.
“Say that again,” Duncan snarled.
The man hesitated, then straightened slightly under the weight of Duncan’s gaze.
“I said,” he began more carefully, “that perhaps it would be wiser tae consider… alternatives. If MacKenzie wants her, and her presence here endangers us all?—”
“Ye would give her tae him.”
It was not a question.
The man faltered. “I… would protect this clan.”
Duncan stepped forward slowly, his presence drawing every eye to him.
“She is under me protection,” he said. Each word was deliberate and unyielding. “And I dinnae trade what is mine tae protect.”
The meaning was clear. Still, the tension did not ease.
“Me laird,” one of the elders said, more cautiously now, “nay one here questions yer loyalty. But we must think of the greater good. If MacKenzie is drawn here because of her?—”
“He is drawn here because of me,” Duncan interrupted.
That stilled them completely, because they all knew, just like he did, that those words were true.
Duncan’s gaze moved across the table.
“MacKenzie has wanted these lands fer years,” he continued. “Dinnae pretend this begins and ends with her. She is a means, nae the cause.”
Duncan let the silence linger.
“There is something else ye should ken.”
That drew their attention immediately.
“I received a letter,” he revealed. “From Laird Fraser.”
The reaction was immediate.
