Page 54 of His Secret Highland Bride

“Is it?” he asked.

“Aye. First, it’s the best way to determine if she is even there, which I imagine she is. Second, it gives the MacColls the opportunity to do the right thing. If they refuse to turn her over, they will be in the wrong. If the MacPhersons attacked first without giving this option, they would be in the wrong. If the matter catches the attention of the king, the MacPhersons will want to be on the side of right.”

He nodded again. “I am quite impressed by your strategy, wife. If ever you bore of spoiling me with your body, you would make a fine laird.”

She swallowed, unwilling to tell him how close he was to being correct. She may never be laird, but she was raised to be the wife of one. Her father had never sent her away while discussing matters with his guard, and she had enjoyed thinking through the issues herself and deciding what she would have done and why. But never had so much been on the line before.

“I know you worry about me. But I made it through five years of battles. I will be fine.”

She nodded but pressed her lips together. “I’ve seen the MacPherson guard, and I’m not impressed. Do they even have proper weapons?”

Shane frowned. “We’ll hope it doesn’t come to war.”

She nodded but still worried. The MacColls’ answer to any challenge was war. Hopefully, this time would be different.

…

As soon as Shane arrived at the castle the next morning, he sent for his brother as he pulled out a clean piece of parchment and ink.

“Have your senses returned as you slept?” Alec asked when he arrived.

Shane wasn’t sure how to answer that question honestly, so he moved on.

“I need you to assign one of our guards to deliver my message to the MacColl laird. Do not send one of the smaller lads—we need a show of strength.”

“You want to go through with this plan?” Alec asked with a wince.

“It may seem mad, but we must try to recover what was taken.”

“You might as well declare war on the MacColls, for that is how they’ll see it.”

“Or they may do as requested. They just lost a battle with the MacKays; they’ll not want trouble so soon.”

“Ye think they will just hand over the money Deirdre stole from us?”

Shane paused and lifted his hand. “Don’t forget the candlesticks.” He’d meant it to be a joke, but it only enraged his brother further.

“Candlesticks? Bloody hell, brother. Did your brain get sloshed around while you were in France? You’re not making sense.”

“Actually, I am making perfect sense. It’s time I took back what is ours so I can see the clan through the winter.”

“You’re going to see the clan fall to the hands of the MacColls if you don’t stop this madness.”

“Better a quick death than to starve and freeze to death.” Once again, he attempted to shock his brother into seeing the matter from his perspective.

“And you think the MacColls offer a quick death? You’ve heard the stories. There is no greater evil than the MacColls. Besides, you’re not even certain Deirdre went to them. She may not even be there.”

“Aye. You’re right. Which is why this tactic will allow us to know for sure.” He held out the letter he’d written to the MacColl laird. Shane had toiled over the wording of the letter all night as he slept. After his discussion with Lindsay, he was all the more determined to see this through. “We will give them the chance to do the right thing.”

“Go to Ronan. Tell him what has happened. He will help.”

“But at what cost to his own clan? Would we empty his coffers as well? I said I would go to Ronan as a last resort. If there is no other way forward.”

“Why are you really doing this?” Alec asked, crossing his arms over his massive chest. His eyes flared as he took a step back. “You are too much like Father if you are willing to put the clan at risk over the happiness of a woman.”

“Not a woman, Alec. My wife. I’ll be damned if I’ll see her regret her life with me. I am not like Father. I don’t wish to waste away every farthing on baubles and silks, but I will bloody well make sure she doesn’t go hungry.”

“If someone must go to the MacColls, it will be me,” Alec said.