wrath of the storm, nor the repetitive clatter and scrape of scores of men sharpening their swords in the great hall just beyond the oratory's half-opened door.
Neither did he hear the soft footfalls of the slender, raven-haired young woman who approached him from behind. "Psalm chanting and prayer will not bring her back, Ian," the woman said, placing a hand on his shoulder.
Only then did he stir, lifting his dark head as if awakening from a dream, then pushing to his feet to stare at her with eyes gone dull with sorrow. Deep vertical lines next to his lips marred his otherwise handsome face, while purplish smudges under his eyes bespoke long nights without sleep.
"Mayhap not," he answered the woman, his deep voice weary, "but if the good Lord has any mercy, he will lend Godspeed to the men repairing our storm-damaged galley and gift us with fair weather and a safe passage to MacKinnons' Isle."
"And if He is wise, He will send more storms such as this so you have no choice but to await Donall's and Gavin's return before you set forth on such a foolhardy mission." The woman braced her hands on her hips and lifted her chin in a clear gesture of defiance.
" Foolhardy mission ?" The man's face darkened. "Now is not the time to rile me, Amicia. Sister or nay."
Undaunted, she stared back at him, her own face coloring. "Setting sail now, with Donall gone, and upon a hastily repaired vessel, is foolish."
"Avenging my wife's murder is foolish?" The man grabbed the woman's arm and pulled her from the chapel. Keeping a firm hold on her, he drew her through the throng of men until they stood in the very middle of Baldoon Castle's vast great hall.
With a broad sweep of his arm, he indicated the chaos of activity all around them. "Every man and lad o'er the age of ten-and-four who calls himself a MacLean is ready to bear arms against the foul perpetrators of my lady wife's death. You alone object."
The woman yanked her arm from his grasp and drew a deep breath. "I, too, would see Lileas avenged. But I will not stand silent when your grief and anger drives you to set sail in a ship that could sink and cost me not only you, my brother, but all these kinsmen you mean to take with you!"
Ian MacLean pressed his lips together, the slight jerking of a muscle in his jaw saying more than any heated words could have.
"Donall would tell you so, too," Amicia pressed. "Why do you think he and Gavin meant to join the MacInnesses on their journey to the mainland rather than wait until our own galley has been made seaworthy again?"
When Ian remained silent, Amicia stepped forward to stand directly before him. "We have no proof the MacKinnons are responsible for Lileas's death. Mayhap the storm that damaged our ship did damage to theirs as well?"
She tilted her head to the side, her eyes pleading. "Can you not wait until Donall's return to seek your revenge?'
It will be months before our brother has finished his business in Glasgow," he spoke at last. With a tired smile, an exceedingly grim one, he rested his hands on Amicia's shoulders. "As for the MacKinnons, who but they could have done the deed? Our clans have e'er been at odds, and they've no fondness for the MacInnesses either."
"But the ship -"
"The voyage to MacKinnons' Isle is not hazardous or long." her brother cut in. "I promise you we shall not set forth until the galley's hull has been fully and soundly repaired.”
The woman drew back her shoulders and made to protest, but Iain silenced her by placing two fingers over her lips. "'Tis well I know that retaliation will not bring Lileas back to me, but I cannot rest until I know her murderer is cold in his grave."
Amicia gave a little sigh, and her shoulders sagged. "There is naught I can say to stay you?"
Iain shook his head.
“Then may God watch o'er you," she said, blinking to hide the sudden brightness in her eyes. “`Tis said He takes special care of fools," she added under her breath, but the softly spoken words were