“I intend to,” Alasdair said. “The cèilidh will be the time for it.”
“Good,” Conall answered. He raised his cup, drank deeply, and then set it down. “Now, tell me where the alliance part comes in.”
Alasdair’s eyes darkened. “That was the council’s doing. They saw the chance to make the clan stronger and went for it.”
“And ye? What do ye think?”
Alasdair shrugged. “I never cared for their scheming, to be honest.”
“Well,” Conall drawled, “she doesnae seem to believe that.”
“I will make her see,” Alasdair said, his voice edged with determination. “One way or another.”
Conall gave a sharp nod. “Good. Because ye must understand something, Alasdair. Laird MacFinn and I intend to hold to this alliance. We Blackwood husbands must stand together. But that doesnae shield ye from what happens if ye fail Lily again. If ye hurt her—if ye let her down a second time—we willnae hesitate to bring war to yer gates.”
Alasdair’s jaw tightened. “I wouldnae expect anything less.”
“Then we are in agreement?” Conall asked, his hand outstretched.
“That we are,” Alasdair replied, clasping it firmly.
For a moment, both men held the grip, a look of complete understanding passing between them. Then, Alasdair poured another measure into his cup and lifted the flask toward Conall.
Conall raised a palm. “Nay, I’ll wait. Brigid would skin me if I showed up to supper half-drunk.”
Alasdair smirked. “The sacrifices we make.”
“Aye,” Conall said with a wry grin. “Love is quite the compromise, is it nae?”
Love? That couldn’t be what it was, but Alasdair smiled all the same.
CHAPTER 26
Lily’s eyessettled on Daisy, who had entered carrying a tray of tablets and wild berries. She balanced it carefully and set it on the table between her and her sister.
“Here they are,” Daisy said, brushing her palms against her dress.
Lily gave her a smile. “Thank ye. How are the preparations for the cèilidh going?”
“Quite well,” Daisy replied. “Nathan has posted more guards at every entrance of the hall. He is with them now in the guard room, giving orders.”
Lily lifted her eyebrows. “That is thorough.”
“It is,” Daisy agreed. “He says all must be secure.”
“Good. Thank ye, Daisy. Do ye need to tend to anything else?”
Daisy shook her head. “Only to ask if ye need more before I go.”
“We are fine,” Lily said softly.
The maid curtsied with a smile and eventually slipped out the door.
As soon as she was gone, Brigid’s eyes narrowed. “Who is Nathan? And why are they posting more guards for a celebration?”
Lily leaned back against the bedpost. “He’s the man-at-arms, and I daenae ken. Likely, Alasdair is being extra careful again.”
Brigid made a small sound, and Lily watched as her gaze swept the chamber, taking in the tapestries, the warm bed with its thick blankets, and the tall carved wardrobe in the corner.
