“Isobel Graham,” Hamish inserted. “She and her family live in the Lowlands.”
Bile rose in Alasdair’s throat as he recalled the Lowlander who had kept him from defeating the deplorable McDonough brothers thoroughly during the afternoon hours. He and Hamish had spent days tracking those wretched creatures only to have a wisp of a woman disrupt the battle and allow Evan to escape with his life.
“I will not marry a Lowlander.” Alasdair said each word sharply, emphasizing each syllable, as if he were making a solemn vow that he needed even the beasts of the wild to hear.
“You will,” Hamish returned in a gentle tone.
Alasdair shot him a cold look.
Hamish shook his head slowly. “You must do this, Al.” He gestured toward the fire, likely indicating what was left of the decree. “You ken as well as I that the Elders didnae make this decision lightly. They chose you for a reason. They paired you with this lady so…”
“They did it for their own gain!” All his agitation, outrage, and despair were poured into those words as he shouted them toward the heavens.
“Aye,” Hamish said slowly. “That they did.”
“And what I am to do?” Alasdair begged to know. “How am I to receive this command?”
“You will marry the lass.” Hamish met Alasdair’s disbelieving stare and continued to speak in a soft, soothing tone. “You will do as the Elders bid.”
Alasdair balled his hands into fists. He wanted to hit something…someone…hard. But he could not and would not take out his anger on his dearest friend, Hamish. He breathed raggedly through his busted nose. “Why? Why should I just accept this edict?”
“The Elders mean to play a game with us…ye.” Hamish stepped closer to Alasdair and lowered his voice. “We must find out what they want…why they would make this declaration.”
“Aye.” Alasdair nodded. What Hamish said was reasonable. The letter made it clear that neither the bride nor groom could reject or deny the alliance, but why? Why did the Council of Elders need the Clan MacRaeh to align with the Grahams from the Lowlands?
Alasdair raised both hands and raked them through his black hair. The ends were tangled and his fingers caught there, but he shook them free, then sighed heavily. “Send word to the lady’s family.”
A hint of a smile tickled Hamish’s lips. “I have already done as much.”
“Ye kent I would have this reaction?” He arched a curious eyebrow at his friend.
Hamish nodded as his smile stretched wider. “I kent ye would be flummoxed, but then ye’d allow me to talk ye round. Seeing as we are already campin’ in the Lowlands, it only made sense for me to tell the messenger boy to ride onto the Graham household and inform them of yer imminent arrival.”
“And ye made this decision as soon as ye read that letter? Before ye let the messenger leave?” Alasdair was surprised that Hamish had acted so quickly. “Without waitin’ to hear me thoughts on the matter?”
Hamish lifted and lowered one beefy shoulder in a good-natured shrug. “I ken ye feelings well, Al. I ken that ye must marry and I also kent that ye would be intrigued.”
“Ah…” Laughter bubbled up in Alasdair’s throat. “Intrigue. Aye, Lady Intrigue will lead us in the wrong direction every time.”
After snorting a laugh, Hamish clapped Alasdair on the shoulder. “Get some rest, M’Laird. In the morn, we ride for the Graham household and then…”
“No,” Alasdair interrupted. “In the morn, I’ll ride for the household. Ye will…”
“Ye don’t want me to come with ye?” Hamish’s long, feathery eyelashes fluttered as he blinked confusedly.
“I will collect me bride on me own,” Alasdair declared. “Ye will ride back home and alert the clan.”
“Ah…” Hamish murmured, making it apparent that understanding was slowly dawning on him. “They will need to prepare themselves to meet the new Lady of Dunalasdair.”
Alasdair snorted in derision. “The new Lady of Dunalasdair. A Lowlander. Who would’ve dreamed it?”
Hamish laughed loudly then added, “May Heaven defend us all.”
Chapter Four
“Icannot run.” The fire of rebellion that had ignited in Isobel’s stomach moments before sputtered and extinguished a heartbeat later.
Margaret tightened her grip on her hands. “Ye can. We could leave tonight. Me uncle has connections in the south. We wouldnae even need to go far at first. Just long enough for…”