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“Loyalty is
    not a birthright, but is earned. You have done nothing to earn or deserve
    mine.” Rage spawned from years of neglect and abuse rose up within her.
    “My sister and I were beneath your notice until we came of age. You took us
    to your bosom only long enough to pass us along to those you thought
    would bring gain to your clan and to yourself. That is why I am here. I will not
    see you use my child, as you have used my sister and me.”
    “You are a fool.” Collin’s his voice sounded hoarse with emotion, his
    expression a grimace of frustrated rage.
    “Not so much a fool to think you followed me here out of concern for
    my well-being. I will see to myself. You can be on your way now.”
    “Not until I have been recompensed for the damage done to you and
    your honor.”
    She fell silent a moment, too stunned by his audacity to speak. “Do
    you not mean I shall be recompensed, Collin MacLachlan?” she asked as
    outrage tightened the muscles of her neck and shoulders.
    Something sly flickered behind her father’s face. “Aye, that is what I
    meant.”
    She studied him, a niggling of distrust and wariness bringing a chill to
    her skin.
    “Speak now and tell us what it is you want.”
    “‘Tis to be spoken in private, before a council of arbitration.”
    A quiver of fear worked its way through her innards. “Think I will allow
    you to shame me before this clan, Collin?” She raised her chin and
    wrapped the tartan more closely about her. “I will not speak before such a
    council.”
    “You will daughter.” His tone held a threatening note.
    “Enough!” John’s deep voice traveled the depths of the room. His
    tawny gaze bore into Collin, and then his son with equal enmity. “I have
    accepted Mary’s request for protection until the meeting of the council. I
    suggest you both heed that.” His features grew more threatening as his
    eyes settled on her father. “You will not disturb the peace of my table again,
    Collin, lest you find yourself eating alone outside the gates of the castle.”
    He guided Mary to the table and seated her at his right then took his
    place at the head of the table. Alexander took a place next to her as John
    motioned for the men to sit. Servants appeared with bowls of water for the
    guests to wash their hands.
    After some moments of silence, Mary’s interest settled on the only
    other women present, those few who served the food among the greater
    number of male servants. Her eyes traveled down the length of the table in
    search of any others, then settled on her host’s face.
    “‘Tis a household of bachelors you have been brought into, lass,” John
    explained. “My wife died some years ago and I have been reluctant to marry
    again. ‘Tis better to leave such matters to the young.”
    “Mayhap being older and experienced could bring something
    worthwhile to a marriage,” she offered.
    John shook his head and smiled his amusement. “‘Tis a kind thought,
    Lady Mary, but I am too old.”
    “I did not think men thought themselves too old for anything, lest they
    were in the grave.”
    He threw back his head and laughed, and the other men joined him.
    “Your chamber was to your liking, I trust?”
    “Aye. It has been some time since I have had the luxury of a bath and a
    bed. I am grateful for your hospitality.”
    “Did you not sleep upon a bed at the abbey?”
    “Nay, a pallet upon the floor. Sister Esther was kind enough to share
    her small cell with me.”
    “T’was most fortunate you were able to make your way to the abbey
    without mishap.”
    For the first time, she sensed her host had a purpose for questioning
    her actions. “The priest and the sisters were attending my sister’s betrothal.
    ‘Twas an easy thing to join their ranks when they left the next morn. Once
    there, I convinced Father Patrick to allow me to stay.”
    He nodded. “‘Tis good you were secure.”
    She studied his features, so similar to Alexander’s. The pain of