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troll.”
    Alex shrugged. “ ’ Tis late. I suppose I should gather Aunt Iseabail, but she doesnae look as though she is ready to part company.”
    John gulped the remainder of his ale and placed his tankard down on the table. “And I should be checking on the men to make sure they stay at their posts.” He rose from the chair and slapped Alex on the back. “Ye better seek your bed, my laird. Ye will want to give your bonny new bride all of the attention she deserves on the morrow.”
    Alex smiled. “Aye, as soon as I am able to rouse Aunt Iseabail from the table and the company.” He watched John walk away, and then he shook his head, thinking about his aunt. She’d drunk most of the men under the table and still was able to hold a conversation. The MacDonells were indeed strong stock.
    Alex approached the table, and the older MacKenzie man looked thoroughly engaged in the conversation—well, either that or completely taken by Alex’s aunt. The man sat forward, hanging on the edge of her every word.
    “So my dear departed husband stripped them of their clothing, took their mounts, and made them all walk back as bare as the day they were born,” said Aunt Iseabail. “They ne’er encroached on our lands again.” She was friendly, smiling and bantering in a relaxed manner. As though she sensed someone beside her, she turned. “Alexander, I was sharing stories with William.”
    “Aye, your aunt has some amazing tales,” said William, his eyes never leaving hers.
    Alex knelt down beside her. “Aunt Iseabail, ’ tis late. Why donna ye let me escort ye to your chamber?”
    To his surprise, she pushed him away. “Nephew, William and I are having a delightful time. Right, William?”
    “We only stay here to talk. I will make certain your aunt seeks her chamber.” William met Alex’s eyes without flinching. “Alone.”
    When Alex raised his brow at his aunt, she smirked, shooing him away. “Please, Nephew. ’ Tis been a long time since I required a chaperone.” And with that, Aunt Iseabail promptly ignored him and continued her conversation with William. “Now what was I speaking of?”
    Alex knew when he wasn’t wanted. Recognizing that sleep would not come, he wasn’t ready to seek his bed and walked out into the bailey. Against the far wall, John spoke in raised tones with Ian. When John threw his hands up in the air, Alex knew something was amiss.
    He approached his men and John’s words were hostile. Ian received a verbal thrashing and looked none too pleased.
    “What the hell is going on?” asked Alex. “I can hear ye from across the bailey.”
    At the sound of his voice, Ian turned. “My laird, the MacKenzie has sought his chamber, but I cannae find the MacKenzie’s son.”
    ***
    “Colin, what do ye think ye are doing?” Sybella scolded him, pulling her arm out of her brother’s grasp.
    Colin lit the candle and she glanced around. Several pieces of unfinished embroidery were laid upon the table, and a handful of dresses were thrown carelessly on the bed. The room was smaller than hers but just as enchanting. The dark wooden frame of the bed and the ornate furnishings complemented one another. And with bunches of floral stems that were placed upon the mantel, Sybella knew in an instant whose chamber this was.
    “What are ye doing in here?” she asked, her voice unintentionally going up a notch.
    “I was searching for you,” Colin responded with returning impatience.
    “Searching for me? Why would ye be searching for me in Aunt Iseabail’s chamber? I will have the truth, Brother.”
    His stare drilled into her and he cleared his throat. “I didnae know it was her room.”
    “Ye didnae know,” she repeated.
    “Aye, ye heard me. What other reason would I have to be in her chamber, Ella?”
    She walked around him. “Let me tell ye what I think.”
    “Ye always do,” Colin murmured under his breath.
    “Surely ye arenae so bold as to search for the stone before I am wed. Ye told me