bonnie lass.”
Uncomfortable and fairly mortified to be so close to Bruce considering the repressed rage evident, Mildred tried not to keep steady.
Adlin’s eyes narrowed. He fingered the dagger at his waist. “Take your hands off her, MacLeod.”
Bruce kept twirling a lock of her hair around his finger, his crude eyes on Adlin. “What exactly will you do if I dinnae? Not only do I have more weapons in this hall, but I’ve the magi in me as well… or have you forgotten?”
“I’ve a bargain to make,” Adlin returned.
The room grew quiet.
Bruce chuckled. “You mean the great MacLomain chieftain is willing to make a bargain over a mere lass? As far as I know, you’ve never bargained a day in your life. It’s your way or no way.”
This earned him a small grunt from Iosbail.
“Unending support of the MacLomain clan to the MacLeod clan for all future generations.”
Iosbail muttered.
Bruce cocked his head, a flicker of interest in his eyes. “That’s a mighty presumptuous offer. How can you guarantee such a thing?”
“A pact.Signed here and now. Sealed with the magi.”
“I want more,” Bruce grunted.
“Nay.”
“Then there’s no—”
“And all of our newly acquired land southeast of the peninsula, hundreds of acres.”
A snorting sound clearly came from Iosbail at this.
Bruce raised his brows and looked at Mildred. “He must really be forgiving your lack of fair hair, lass.”
Mildred kept her expression blank and gave no response.
It was a wicked thing to be sitting in a medieval hall full of Highlanders with their weapons drawn, to feel the palpable tension reverberating between such strong, war hungry soldiers.
Set aside the fact two lairds were bargaining for her future.
After a long drawn out silence, Bruce said, “Give me one more thing and she’s yours.”
Iosbail clicked her fingernails on the table, her eyes full of warning as they watched Adlin.
Adlin’s eyes met Mildred’s and she got the distinct feeling that he truly dreaded his next words. As if they would have a mighty impact on their lives. “I will give one of your descendants a woman who descends from the Broun clan in the distant future. I will give you the promise of a marriage between the MacLomains and Brouns as you are denied one this day. It will be yet another way to ensure that our clans remain closely tied.”
Iosbail gasped.
Bruce stood up a little straighter.
Mildred narrowed her eyes, fear forgotten. What exactly did he mean by that?
As if Bruce understood exactly, his eyes wandered over Mildred then shot to Adlin. “One of hers to one of mine?”
This wasn’t sounding good at all and she shook her head.
“Do we have a deal?” Adlin ground out.
“I think we do.” Bruce nodded slowly then gestured at his brother.
Weapons were sheathed.
The next thing she knew, a young man walked forward with a scroll. Mildred watched in amazement as Adlin approached their table. The blank scroll was unrolled on the table. When Adlin and Bruce touched it, a long line of script appeared. After the words, two x’s burned bright then fizzled down to two signatures… Adlin’s and Bruce’s.
The lad rolled up the paper and walked away.
Adlin’s eyes locked on hers. “Come sit with me now, lass.”
Though she knew something not-quite-right had just happened feelings of relief and joy overtook. Mildred nodded and walked around the table. When Adlin’s warm, steady hand took hers she felt for a moment she’d be fine even if he’d just sold her soul.
It was easy enough to ignore Bruce once she sat with Adlin amongst his clansmen. The feeling of protection was comfortably overwhelming. “I’m so sorry,” Adlin whispered. “I was unwilling to lose you.”
“I’m very glad you were unwilling to lose me,” she whispered back.
He squeezed her hand, his face not nearly as relaxed as it should be. “Do you ken the bargain I struck, Mildred?”
Still too relieved to be safely near him, her lips wobbled. “Is it really so important right now?”
“Aye, ‘Tis.”
“Music!” Bruce roared.
When Mildred looked at the MacLeod chieftain it was to find him glaring at Adlin. Not surprised, she ignored the shiver of warning that shot through her body. This was normal. Any man would feel the way the MacLeod chieftain did right now. Especially Bruce, a highland laird jilted by another highland laird.
Better yet, a man jilted by his enemy.
Mildred focused on breathing and not panicking. The truth was she’d come between a predator and his prey. She had, however unintentionally, come between two men who had no use for one another and desire for the same woman.
Assuming Bruce ever