fading golden hair, and barrel-chested frame as Connor's father and his hated uncle Hugh. Of the six sons his grandfather had by six different highborn women, Archibald and Hugh were the only survivors. Archibald was one of the middle brothers, in his midforties, with a reputation for staying out of trouble's way. The last Connor heard, Archibald had left Skye to live with his wife's clan in Lachalsh.
"I've come to swear my allegiance," Archibald said and sank to one knee. When Connor nodded, his uncle held his claymore out in both hands and gave his oath.
"Ye took your time," Connor said, not bothering to hide the coldness from his voice as his uncle rose to his feet again.
"I didn't join Hugh against ye," Archibald said, spreading his arms, "but neither did I wish to get between the two of ye."
Connor let that pass for the moment. He wanted to find out the true reason for Archibald's visit.
"Let us go where we can speak in private, Uncle," Connor said. Without waiting for Archibald's reply, he led the way into the adjacent building.
"You've grown into a fine man," Archibald said, when they had settled at the table in Connor's chamber. "I can see your mother in ye."
Connor saw far too much of his father and his other uncles in Archibald.
"I've been chieftain for some time," Connor said. "Why have ye come now?"
"Ye may look like your mother, but you're direct like your father."
Archibald attempted a smile, but Connor did not respond in kind. He waited for his uncle to stop fidgeting and say what he had come to say.
"I am here in the hope," Archibald finally said, "of bringing peace between you and Hugh."
"Hmmph, 'tis late for that," Connor said. "I hold him responsible for the deaths of my father, my brother, and a great many other clansmen."
"Well," Archibald said, tilting his head, "Hugh blames you for the deaths of two of our brothers."
"There's a difference between justice and murder." Connor leaned across the table and grabbed Archibald by the front of his tunic. "Those two were marauding pirates guilty of taking food from the mouths of children and then raping their mothers, so do not speak to me as if their deaths are the same."
Connor released him and sat back, annoyed with himself for losing control.
"I understand your feelings about it," Archibald said after clearing his throat, "but there's been enough bloodshed among our family."
"I doubt Hugh would agree, judging by how many times he's tried to have me murdered," Connor said. "He won't be satisfied until one of us is dead."
"Hugh is mean as a cornered rat, but he's no fool - he can see that he's losing this fight with ye," Archibald said. "He sent a message through a lass named Rhona, asking me to serve as an intermediary."
So Duncan's former lover was still with Hugh. The mention of her name soured Connor's mood further.
"Now that Hugh has earned the Crown's favor by capturing a couple of other pirate leaders, he'd like to give up the game himself," Archibald said.
"As they say, there's no honor among thieves."
"Hugh wants - "
Archibald stopped speaking when the door opened and Ilysa came in with a tray. Connor was grateful she had brought it herself since her loyalty was beyond question. By the saints, he was tired of looking over his shoulder, wondering which member of his household was involved in treachery with Hugh.
As Ilysa poured the whiskey into two cups, Connor motioned to Archibald to continue talking.
"Hugh wants to settle his differences with ye." Archibald leaned forward. "I suspect ye could buy him off with a wee bit of land."
Connor kept his expression blank while rage rolled through him. Give that murdering bastard some of the clan's land?
"Surely it's worth at least meeting with Hugh and hearing what he has to say?" Archibald said.
The only way Connor wanted to meet Hugh Dubh again was with the point of his sword sunk in Hugh's belly. He forced himself to tamp down his temper and think it through coldly. This violent contest with Hugh was a distraction from the most important challenge, the battle with the MacLeods for Trotternish. The clan did not have the strength to fight both at the same time.
He did not believe for a moment that Hugh was ready to give up his quest for the chieftainship. Eventually, Connor would have to settle the problem of Hugh once and for all. Yet, if he could delay that final reckoning with