The Lover

“Did he also tell you that Grandfather orchestrated the entire tale of cattle thievery by the Buchanans? He duped us into retaliating for a raid that never happened.”

Niall disciplined his expression into unreadability. “I am not concerned with what Angus might have done. I’ve come to escort you home.”

She folded her hands serenely in her lap. “But I am not inclined to leave, my lord.”

“Sabrina,” Niall said warningly, fury flaring through him at finding his wife in league with his enemies. He had expressly forbidden her to go near the Buchanans, and here she sat defying him to his face.

“I intend to speak to my grandfather,” she insisted. “I anticipate his arrival any moment.”

Niall gathered his control, willing himself to patience. “Angus is here, awaiting my word.”

“Then he should join us. He owes the Buchanans three hundred head of cattle, and I intend to see that he pays it.”

“That is the price demanded for your ransom?”

“It is not a ransom precisely. Those cattle actually belong to the Buchanans. Angus would merely be returning those we took, with interest. I think it fair payment for the grief he caused.”

“And if he chooses not to pay?”

“Then I will remain here for some time.” When Niall simply stared, Sabrina explained. “I will consider returning home with you only under one condition, sir. When you’ve held a civilized discussion with the Buchanans to address ending the feud. Until then I intend to remain here as Lord Owen’s guest.”

He regarded her as i

f she had suddenly sported horns. “You are interfering in matters beyond your purview.”

“I don’t think so. Faith, it astounds me how men only think of fighting. You should leave the negotiating to women. We at least rely on reason.”

His eyes blazed with warning, but she refused to back down. “I intend for Grandfather to accept a truce with the Buchanans. And I expect you to help persuade him.”

“Indeed? Why the bloody hell should I?”

“I think,” Sabrina replied with sugary sweetness, “you might find it difficult to explain why your wife chooses to remain with your blood enemy. And why you cannot fetch her home.”

“It would be the work of a moment to carry you from here.”

“You could take me by force, perhaps, but I shall simply return at the first opportunity—unless you are prepared to keep me under lock and key for the rest of my days.”

Somehow she kept from flinching as Niall’s gaze warred with hers.

After a moment, his jaw clenched. “Do you ken what you’re asking of me?”

“I believe so.” Her expression softened. “But Owen swears he did not order the ambush of your father and brother, and I believe him.”

“Aye, lad,” Owen said quietly. “I had naught to do with such a foul deed, and I would hae stopped it had I kenned of it. Hugh was a good mon, and a worthy foe. Despite our differences, he dinna deserve such a dishonorable end. I grieved at his death, ’tis God’s holy truth.”

Niall stared at him for the space of several heartbeats. It was a long, long moment before he sheathed his claymore. “I seem to have little choice,” he said grimly. “I’ll fetch Angus.”

“Niall,” Sabrina said imploringly as he turned to go, “please understand this is for the best.”

His gaze found hers, pinning her. “What I understand, madam, is that you’ve turned on your own kinsmen.”

Sabrina lowered her gaze to hide her pain. “No,” she said quietly, “I have not. I’ve tried to make sense out of madness. I did not ask to come here, my lord, or to become involved in this senseless feud. I did not ask to wed you. I was duped into it, just as you were. But now that it’s done, I intend to do my utmost to settle our differences so that we can live in peace.”

It was long into the night when a truce of sorts was hammered out between the warring clans. The tentative peace, however, was only the beginning of the war between the McLaren and his lady. Their journey home to Creagturic was accomplished in smoldering silence.

Sabrina thought she understood Niall’s fury; she had made him look the fool by joining his enemies against him, and had forced him to end the feud. But she would not allow herself to regret what she’d done. Someone had needed to intervene in the madness, and she was the only one objective enough to attempt it.

Her defiance, Sabrina told herself resolutely, had naught to do with retaliation for Niall’s betrayal of her, yet in some secret corner of her heart, she wanted him to hurt as she was hurting.