Kyle drew his sword and a dirk from his waist.
“Are you bored, brother?” Keith asked.
“Exceptionally,” Kyle answered. Together, Keith and Kyle moved forward. The men from the Lady Charity and the Lady Grace drew their weapons. The hardened criminals didn’t outnumber the MacDonnells, but they appeared far more intimidating.
“Enough,” barked one of the MacDonnells. He stepped around Dónal, casting his own loathing glare at the chieftain. “I’m called Beagan, and I arranged for Lady Moira’s escape. It was my idea that she go to Fionn O’Driscoll and from there to the Isle of Barra. I wanted her away from Dermot, and I didn’t want to ally with the O’Malleys. None of the council did. We were the ones to send Lady Moira on that ship, and we were the ones who failed to man it adequately.”
“Didn’t you think about what might happen to Moira sailing along the coast?” Kyle asked, his sword poised for battle, but some of the tension eased.
“We thought the ship was small enough it wouldn’t hold appeal to privateers,” Cormac said as he stepped forward. “It shouldn’t have been a long journey, and the crew was experienced.”
“But you knew you would sail through waters frequented by the very man you were attempting to avoid,” Kyle pointed out. “Why not sail straight for Barra?”
Cormac shifted uneasily. “Because it was more likely Ruairí and Rowan would have killed our men before they knew Lady Moira was aboard. We left things on a sour note after the battle on Lewis.”
“And you didn’t think the exact same thing would happen to Moira sailing on any ship that was shorthanded? Because that’s exactly what happened. I raided that ship, and your men were dead before we found Moira,” Kyle explained. “Any of you who were part of this idiotic plan deserve to die for how you endangered Moira.”
“What does it matter to you?” Dónal blurted. “You’ll find another whore when you tire of her. And that won’t be long from now. She’s a mouse. You’ve probably already rogered ten women since coming ashore.”
Kyle raised his sword and surged forward, with Keith at his side. The MacDonnells pulled Dónal into their midst and drew their weapons to shield their chieftain.
“We’ll leave. We sail for Dunluce tonight,” Beagan swore.
“Not good enough,” Kyle snapped. “He’s insulted Moira too many times. He won’t live to do it again.”
“You love her,” Cormac stated.
“I do,” Kyle answered without hesitation.
“She may loathe Dónal, but do you want to be the man who kills her own blood?” Cormac pressed.
“He may not,” Keith interrupted. “But I have no such qualms. I’ll do it for my brother and my sister-by-marriage.”
“You’re married?” Cormac asked.
“Who are you?” Kyle responded. Jutting his chin toward Beagan, “He said his name. Why haven’t you said yours? I recognize you from the last time I was at Dunluce.”
“I’m Cormac,” the man answered. “Beagan and I have served on the council since the chieftain’s father was a young man. We offer our felicitations to you and Lady Moira and wish to embark on our return to Dunluce.”
“You may go,” Kyle nodded, then pointed his sword toward Dónal. “But he stays.”
“What?” Dónal squawked.
“I wish him dead for what he’s done to Moira. She likely wishes him dead too. Your clan would be better off if he wasn’t your chieftain,” Kyle reasoned. “I shall do you a favor. Consider it my bride-price for Moira’s hand.”
Kyle watched as his suggestion tempted many of the MacDonnells. When no one responded promptly, Dónal whined and cursed, straining against the men who held him back. As a last attempt, he swore, “Aidan will avenge me.”
Kyle’s mouth dropped open, and he froze for a moment before a deep belly laugh rumbled out of his mouth. Keith followed suit, and it wasn’t long before all the pirates laughed along with Kyle. Many elbowed one another, and they bandied about less-than-savory comments about Aidan’s missing bollocks and meager endowment. Kyle watched several MacDonnells stifle their laughter, but most rolled their eyes.
“Let us leave,” Beagan tried again. “Lady Moira remains with you, and you see neither hide nor hair of us again.”
Kyle sucked his cheeks in and pursed his lips as though he considered the offer. He’d made up his mind before the negotiation started. He’d already known that he wouldn’t kill Moira’s brother without knowing her wishes. He wouldn’t be the one to kill a member of her family without her approval. He merely intended to make all of them uncomfortable.
“You owe Moira a great debt of