The Red Drifter of the Sea (Pirates of the Isles #3) - Celeste Barclay Page 0,124
It tempted her to yell “boo” to see if they jumped. She’d held no disregard for them when Kyle attacked the ship they hadn’t adequately manned. But their role in her capture in Wicklow wasn’t so easily forgiven. She nodded her head once to the men and continued to walk toward the keep, forcing the men to step apart. Kyle followed one step behind her, already offering deference in case she should accept the position as chieftain. They’d agreed that if they made their lives at Dunluce, their arrangement on land would be the same as at sea. On the Lady Charity, Kyle’s word was law, with differences of opinion only aired in their cabin. At Dunluce, Moira’s word would be law, with their chamber and her solar as the safe places to speak freely.
Moira brushed her fingers against Kyle’s hand until their fingers entwined as they stepped into the bailey. Regardless of what the future held, they entered Dunluce as partners. Moira felt Kyle’s strength in his steady presence beside her. Members of her clan watched in stunned silence as Moira and Kyle walked toward the keep holding hands, with Sean bouncing on Kyle’s shoulders. They looked like a happy family.
“Lady Moira,” Beagan tried again after they entered the Great Hall, and Moira took a seat beside Kyle on the dais. Sean disappeared to play with his friends. They avoided the chieftain and lady’s chairs, settling for the one Moira once occupied and the seat beside it.
“Hello, Beagan.” Moira wouldn’t say more until she could sense their reception to her arrival.
“Welcome home, Lady Moira,” Loman smiled. She was close in age to the man, and they’d been friendly since they were children. But she trusted none of the men seated around her.
“Lady Moira,” Curran began, but his eyes darted to Kyle, and a hardness entered them. Moira’s lips thinned, and she turned a piercing glare at Curran.
“Before the servants even bring food out and they prepare a chamber for my husband and me,” Moira stressed the last four words, “you will all accept and acknowledge that Kyle and I are married. If you are unwilling to accept him into our clan, then we leave now.” Moira rose, and Kyle followed. He remained quiet, but his towering frame next to Moira’s petite one only served to make him look fiercer and more protective.
“You wish for us to accept such a man into Clan MacDonell,” Curran spat. “Never.”
“Very well. Sean need not pack anything. We can provide for him. We shall be on our way,” Moira said as Kyle pulled back her chair further for her to step around.
“Lady Moira, wait,” Hogan spoke up. “My father and I bear ill will toward your husband. I won’t lie and say that we don’t. But that doesn’t mean how we feel about my brother’s death should decide the future of our clan.”
Moira looked unmoved.
“Lady Moira,” Hogan continued. “We were all in Wicklow. We knew you and the Re— knew you were married. We asked Aidan to fetch you after we returned, knowing your husband would come with you.”
Moira looked around the table and nodded, but she didn’t take her seat. She stood and waited until she was asked to remain. Understanding her negotiating tactic, expecting the council to say aloud their desire for her to stay, Beagan spoke up.
“Lady Moira, please stay. At least until after you’ve eaten and heard us out,” Beagan reasoned. Moira nodded and took her seat once again. When she said nothing, Beagan frowned but continued on. “We assume Aidan explained what happened.”
“He said he demanded the alliance with the O’Malleys, and he killed Dónal because it didn’t work out.” Moira watched the men as they grimaced and frowned.
“Aidan planned to sell a supply of weapons to the O’Malleys that he was supposed to sell to us. He demanded a far higher price from the O’Malleys, knowing they had the means to pay,” Beagan explained. “Originally Dónal planned take up arms against the O’Malleys once you were married in order to gain sailing rights along the coast. Aidan assured Dónal that the O’Malleys could be fooled by marrying you to their chieftain. Dónal was certain defeating the O’Malleys with the weapons we got from Aidan would intimidate other privateers from attacking our ships. What he refused to believe, and what Lizzie never learned from him, was that Aidan had already alerted the O’Malleys to Dónal’s plan. That’s how he negotiated the higher price.”