“I…I am sorry, Grandfather,” she said lamely, even as anger at the Buchanan’s betrayal surged through her. She had bargained with the laird in good faith, but he had deceived her, had played her for a fool, seeing her eagerness to bargain as vulnerability.
“’Tis all right, lass,” Angus replied with unexpected forbearance. “Ye could no’ have kenned the treachery of the bloody Buchanans. But Niall will handle matters from here out. Will ye not, lad?”
“Aye, I will indeed,” he replied darkly.
Angus pressed a hand to his heart. “I fear ’twas too muckle excitement for me. I’d best return to bed.”
Still dazed by the grave turn of events, Sabrina stepped forward. “Allow me to assist you, Grandfather.”
“Nae, lass. Ye’ve assisted me enough as is.” He waved her away and shuffled from the chamber, leaving a chastened Sabrina to stare after him dispiritedly.
In the resultant silence, she turned to gaze at Niall McLaren. He had not moved, but there was a quiet lethalness about him that was palpable. He no longer resembled the sensual rogue who could charm the very soul from a lass; there was no sign of the practiced cavalier.
Instead, he was every inch the Highland warrior. Dangerous, deadly, full of purpose. A ruthless stranger whose violence was barely leashed.
“What will you do?” she asked quietly.
Niall gave her a long glance. “Deal with the matter, as I promised,” he said as he turned to leave.
Sabrina followed him. “What are you planning?” she demanded as he strode through the great hall toward the front entrance.
“To retrieve your grandfather’s stolen cattle.”
“I want to go with you.”
He halted abruptly. “A cattle raid is no place for a green lass.”
“But this is my clan’s battle, not yours.”
A muscle flexed savagely in his jaw as Niall gazed down at her. “You are wrong, lass. I’ve made it my battle. The butcher Buchanans will get what they deserve.”
His menacing tone frightened her. “Do you mean to recover our cattle, or to seek revenge?”
“Aye, revenge has a measure to do with it. If I can do them an ill turn, I will, with great pleasure.”
Sabrina shook her head apprehensively. She didn’t want blood on her conscience. She felt guilty enough as it was, for rekindling the feud.
Imploringly she placed a hand on Niall’s sleeve. “Please,” she entreated. “I want to make amends. Take me with you.”
“You heard your grandfather. You’ve caused trouble enough.”
It stung to be dismissed as a nuisance, although he had ample justification. But Sabrina refused to concede. If Niall allowed her to accompany him, she might possibly redeem herself by helping recover the lost herd. More crucially, she could try to restrain his vengeance. “Causing trouble was far from my intention.”
“You know nothing about lifting cattle,” he replied tersely.
“No, but you could teach me.”
“If I were daft enough—which I’m not.”
“But I want to help.”
Niall stared down at her with reluctant admiration. She was gazing at him so earnestly that he felt an unexpected tenderness.
His harsh expression softened. Essaying a smile, he reached up to tuck a stray tendril behind Sabrina’s ear. “’Tis too dangerous, lass. You could be hurt. Leave the cattle reiving to more experienced hands.”
Chapter
Six