Page 61 of Promised to the Forbidden Laird

“I didnae claim it would,” Roy answered.

“Yet, the King expects two clans tae become one.”

“The King expects peace.”

Finlay gave a rough laugh. “Kings often confuse an order with an accomplishment.”

Roy’s eyes cooled. Donaldina spoke before pride could answer pride.

“Then perhaps we should concern ourselves less with what the King expects and more with what Dun Ard requires.”

The elders turned toward her. She kept her shoulders straight, though their attention carried the familiar weight of judgment. For years, she had spoken in this room while men waited for Lachlan to decide whether her words deserved repeating.

Lachlan was gone now. No one would lend her authority. She had to claim her own.

“Cormac is counting upon division,” she continued. “Every quarrel between our clans feeds him. Every MacNicol who looks upon a MacIver and sees only an old enemy gives Cormac another man tae frighten or persuade.”

“And what would ye have us see?” Finlay asked. “Brothers?”

“Nae.” Donaldina’s voice remained calm. “Nae yet.”

Roy looked at her. She turned toward the maps spread between them.

“Trust cannot be commanded any more than old grief can be buried beneath a marriage contract. But men may learn one another by working toward the same purpose.”

Malcolm’s brows drew together. “What purpose?”

“Keeping Cormac from taking Dun Ard.”

That silenced several objections. Roy moved one of the carved markers from Black Craig toward the northern MacNicol road.

“Shared patrols,” he suggested.

Finlay stared at him. “MacIver soldiers upon our land?”

“Beside MacNicol soldiers.”

“Watching them?”

“Watching the roads.”

“And when a dispute begins?”

“It will be settled by officers from both clans.”

Finlay shook his head. “Ye invite conflict intae every patrol.”

Roy’s fingers tightened faintly upon the marker. “Conflict is already here.”

Donaldina detected the restraint in his voice. He disliked his judgment being questioned, especially by men who resorted to suspicion rather than strategy. However, he did not issue commands or remind them of the King’s decree or the armed forces at Black Craig. Instead, he stayed beside her and let the council oppose him.

The knowledge warmed her more than it ought.

Malcolm studied the map. “MacIver men willnae know our paths.”

Donaldina nodded. “And MacIver soldiers possess experience our younger guards lack.”

Finlay looked toward her sharply. “Ye would place our men under MacIver command?”