Lachlan that felt like hostility washing over her. Then she was rocked by anguish as a vibrant blue color glowed behind the orange-red flames engulfing him.
She gripped Lachlan's arm to draw his attention. When he dragged his gaze away from Connor, his eyes held a fierceness that frightened her. But the anguish she had seen in his heart tempered her fear.
"Whatever ye think ye know about our chieftain is wrong," she said. "Connor is a good man."
"I've never met him before," Lachlan said, fixing his gaze on Connor again. "I don't think anything about him."
He lied.
Ilysa felt the tension in Lachlan's body as Connor turned his silvery blue gaze their way, then crossed the room to them. When the two men faced each other across the table, danger pulsed around them and echoed in Ilysa's head like a drumbeat.
* * *
"I am Lachlan of Lealt," the newcomer told Connor, identifying himself as being born near the Lealt River, which ran on the east side of the peninsula. "I hear ye have need of strong warriors and have come to offer my sword."
Lachlan was about Connor's age, well built and nearly as tall. His honed muscles bespoke long hours of practice, and he had the hardness in his eyes of a determined warrior. Connor liked what he saw.
"I've heard a good deal about ye," Connor said. "They say ye have been protecting the homes of our people here."
"Not all of us fled in the face of the MacLeods."
No false modesty from this one. "If ye want to fight MacLeods," Connor said, "I have need of you and your sword."
"I'm happy to demonstrate my skills," Lachlan said.
"I'd practice with ye, but I'm healing from a wound." Connor flicked his gaze to Ilysa. "I fear this wee lass will take a whip to me if I re-open it."
Lachlan's eyes widened a fraction, but he gave no hint of a smile. Connor supposed it had been too much to hope that the new man had a sense of humor as well as fighting skills.
"I'll fight him," Sorely said, stepping forward.
Connor was about to tell them it could wait until after Lachlan finished his meal, but Lachlan swung off the bench, nearly dislodging Ilysa, and strode toward the door. The other warriors stampeded out with shouts. Men did love to watch a fight. Amid the chaos, Connor noticed Ilysa was looking at him with an expression of alarm.
"I won't let them kill each other," he said, giving her a wink to reassure her. "I need them both alive to fight the MacLeods."
Ilysa did not respond with the amused glimmer in her eye that he expected. Connor regretted the discomfort that had been between them since the debacle with Deirdre. But after letting lust interfere with his judgment, he was keeping his distance from all women, especially Ilysa.
The two combatants waited to begin until Connor joined them in the middle of the courtyard. As soon as he gave the signal, Lachlan attacked with force and no hesitation. Connor folded his arms and smiled as he watched. Sorely was good enough to make Lachlan work for it, but it was clear to Connor from the start who the victor would be.
The fight went on for some time, but Sorely remained on the defensive. When Lachlan knocked him on his back and took his sword, the men erupted into cheers. Lachlan's face showed no emotion as he let his opponent's sword clatter to the ground and returned his own to its scabbard.
"I'm glad ye decided to join us," Connor said after the shouting died down. "You'll want to finish your meal now."
Lachlan gave him a sharp nod and turned on his heel to return to the hall.
"But first," Connor said, bringing him to a halt, "I'll have your pledge of loyalty."
When Lachlan turned around, Connor caught a flash of resistance in his eyes. It was gone quickly, but Connor did not think he was mistaken.
"Of course." Lachlan dropped to one knee and laid his sword at Connor's feet. "I pledge my sword and my life to defend the MacDonalds of Sleat against all others."
Connor was not entirely satisfied, but he nodded and dismissed Lachlan to his dinner. A chieftain had the right to expect absolute loyalty from his clansmen. Thanks to his uncle Hugh's efforts to take his place and tear the clan apart, however, Connor understood that he had to earn his men's loyalty.
Sorely brushed off his clothes and came to stand beside Connor.