The Highlander's Destiny (Highland Rogues #2) - Mary Wine Page 0,88

who had to find a way to temper the situation. Failing meant more bloodshed.

The duty of a laird’s daughter was to become a mistress of a clan and always place the well-being of that clan before her own.

“Lirkin was me half-brother. Noreen was his sister. I am guilty of allowing Lirkin a measure of authority. I will answer for his actions.” Cormac lowered himself to one knee.

It was a huge gesture.

One not lost on the assembled McKay.

Yestin had joined Cora on the high ground. The veteran captain stood next to the chair Cora was seated in. He laid a hand on her shoulder.

“The choice before us is clear,” Cora began. “We can spend our lives in pursuit of blood or in building a better life for us all. Six McKay fell tonight. Cormac Grant, will ye pay their benefits?”

“I will,” Cormac declared loudly.

Cora nodded.

“And as for Lirkin?” she asked.

Cormac considered her. “His body shall be left out for the wolves as befits a traitor. Every man who rode with him as well. Their names shall be stricken from the records of the Grants.”

There was a moment of silence that lasted nearly an hour. Cora held still, delaying her agreement. Yestin nodded, granting her his public approval. The action started a pounding on the tables, which grew as the McKay accepted Cormac’s words. The sacrifice of his personal safety and dignity was sinking in. Lirkin’s fate was a harsh one, and it furthered the acceptance of the McKay.

“Rise, Cormac Grant,” Cora said. “I will personally raise yer nieces to ensure they are not reared to hate McKay blood.”

Cormac rose. “Yer condition is acceptable.”

“Mistress.” Lonn was suddenly coming into the hall from the side passageway. He bounded up the steps and handed a letter to her. “Found this letter on Lirkin Grant’s body.”

There was a round of spitting from the assembled Retainers. Cora shook out the letter and read it. Yestin leaned over to see it as well.

“Bloody traitor,” Yestin growled. “We have a traitor in our mist!”

“This letter was written by a McKay to Lirkin Grant.” Cora held it up. She fought to maintain her composure and remain in the chair. “There are eyes in the walls of every stronghold. Someone knows the name of who wrote this. I swear I will find them. Speak now or suffer death when ye are discovered.”

The McKay roared with approval.

“I know who wrote it.”

Cora had to turn around to see who spoke. The nursemaid holding the oldest of Noreen’s daughters was biting her lip. “It was Gilmor who schemed to have Kalan restored to the position of laird.”

“Gilmor?” Yestin asked incredulously.

Mae nodded. “He festered over being demoted. Said he’d mentor Kalen until her maturity.”

“And ye kept silent, girl?” Lonn demanded.

“He said he’d kill me,” Mae wailed as someone pulled Kalan from her arms.

Kalan was reaching out, opening and closing her hands as she tried to reach Mae. The bond the child had with her was so strong.

“Only Noreen Grant would be so foolish as to select such a weak nursemaid for her own child,” Cora growled.

“Where is Gilmor?”

There was a shuffling of the McKay. Gilmor was left standing alone. Cora lost her battle to contain her temper. Gilmor didn’t have a spot of blood on him.

She flew down the steps before Yestin could stop her. “How dare ye stand there, with not so much as a tear in yer shirt when this stronghold has been attacked!”

Lonn had dragged Mae down and tossed the girl beside Gilmor. Mae was sobbing.

“Stop sniveling.” Cora turned on the nursemaid. “Had ye spoken up, six mothers would not be mourning their sons right now! How dare ye sleep beneath this roof while knowing this letter had been sent. Every McKay will stand for the security of this stronghold!”

“Ye are a witch!” Gilmor accused her venomously.

Losing her temper had been a major miscalculation.

But Gilmor made a graver mistake in judgment when he lunged at her with a dagger. He’d forgotten that Cora was indeed unbridled. She’d ridden with her brother’s Retainers, not because she was the laird’s daughter but because she’d trained.

Cora caught the flash of the blade out of the corner of her eye. She reacted to the threat, her body twisting to the side as she brought her hands up in a sweeping motion to defend herself from the attack.

It all happened in the blink of an eye.

The attack.

Her reaction.

Her arm connected solidly with Gilmor’s. A bolt of pain went up to her shoulder. But the strength she’d