Aleck sauntered to the sideboard. “What is your interest in my wife?”
“Lady Helen?” Eoin tensed. What was the bastard up to now?
“I do not believe I’ve wedded any other woman,” Aleck said while reaching for a flagon of whisky.
Eoin choked back the words on the tip of his tongue: it wasn’t clear to whom Sir Aleck was wedded by his behavior with the widow. If only he could indeed follow such a remark by saying Aleck’s indiscretions provided much gossip for the clan—ugly rumors were never good for the health of the men and women who served a chieftain. But Eoin opted to humor the dimwitted boar this time. “Lady Helen and I have been friends since childhood. You’re aware her father fostered me? I consider her a sister, especially since I never had one, myself.”
Aleck poured only one goblet. Eoin licked his lips, his mouth was dry, but he didn’t expect MacIain to offer him a drink. Christ, he’d known more affable enemies. The cur took a sip and eyed Eoin. “I don’t want to see you touch her again.”
Eoin’s fingers itched to ball a fist to slam across that smug chin. How many times in the past sennights had Aleck touched Lady Helen with tenderness? If only it were Eoin’s place to ask. Rather than reply, he turned his attention to the map. “Lord Campbell increased the guard at Ornonsay Priory to keep an eye on MacDonald keeps on Colonsay and Islay, so we’ve no need to worry about anything to the south. The king has ten times the troops watching them there.”
Aleck moved to the table and stood beside him. “I’d assume the same.”
MacIain is actually listening this time? Eoin pointed. “Our spies are posted on Eigg, The Kyle of Lochalsh and on the northern point of Ardnamurchan.” He moved his finger south and west past Mingary. “I think you need a lookout here in northern Sunart. We should be prepared for an overland attack.”
“Have you got your head up your arse?” Aleck shook his skull with a tsk of his tongue. “MacDonald will not attack by land.”
“No?” Eoin moved his finger a bit further north. “It wouldn’t take much effort to march an army south from Tioram Castle.”
Aleck threw back his whisky and swallowed. “I don’t like the idea of splitting our forces.”
“Agreed there—we’re stronger if we stay together.” Eoin tapped his finger on the region of Sunart—land recently acquired by MacIain—land he wouldn’t want to forfeit to the marauding MacDonald. “Station a watch—three men with fast horses. Where’s the highest point?”
“Beinn Resipol.” Aleck scratched his beard. “It overlooks Loch Sunart to the south and Loch Schiel to the north.”
“Excellent. Have them notify the local crofters to be on the lookout for MacDonald men. If they attack us from behind we’ll be ready.”
Aleck’s expression grew dark. “I’m still not convinced we should waste our time covering our arses in the east. MacDonald wants the Lordship of the Isles back, not my lands.”
“You think not?” Eoin met the belligerent man’s stare. “As I recall, Sunart used to be under control of the Lord of the Isles—as was Mingary. You may very well be his first target on his way down the coast.”
“’Tis possible that they try, but no one crosses me. Though Sunart was bequeathed to me by the king after I agreed to renounce the MacDonald name, my ancestors have been the Chieftains of Ardnamurchan for a good long time. No other clan within a hundred miles would try to attack me and my men. I have the king’s backing and MacDonald knows it. If he attacks, I’ll show him no quarter.”
Eoin listened, but Aleck’s bravado changed nothing. “Would you like to stand before the king with your bonnet in hand and explain why you allowed Clan Donald to take your lands?”
MacIain slammed his fist on the table. “That will never happen. I’ll not allow it, and I’ll not tolerate your coming into my keep, placing your soiled hands on my wife and telling me how to manage my men.”
Eoin sauntered forward until he was within a hand’s breadth of the bastard. Then he folded his arms and met the man eye-to-eye. Though Aleck was probably four stone heavier, they were the same height. “I’m here because our king requested my presence. As soon as this business is over, I’ll gladly take my leave.” Eoin’s ire boiled too near the surface to hold his tongue any longer. “And as for your wife? If you’d pay