The Chieftain Read Free Page A

Chlanna MhicLeòid! ”—a plague on the MacLeods!—the four chanted in unison and raised their cups.
    Ilysa could see that she had arrived just in time with more whiskey.
    “If you’re intent on this,” Duncan said, “I should remain as captain of your guard and go with ye.”
    “I need ye to protect our people here, just as I need Ian and Alex to hold our other castles,” Connor said. “I’m sailing for
     Trotternish in the morning, so I suggest we discuss how to remove the MacLeods from our lands.”
    Ach, the man should let his wounds heal before leaving. Ilysa would have to watch him closely on the two-day journey.
    She took her tray to the side table and stood with her back to them, pretending to be busy. Because they suspected Connor’s
     uncle had spies in the castle, Ilysa had always served them herself when Connor’s inner circle met in private. The four men
     were so accustomed to her coming and going that they never noticed when she stayed to listen.
    “The MacLeods are a powerful clan,” Ian said. “We won’t defeat them without a strong ally fighting at our side.”
    “If ye want us to take Trotternish,” Alex said, “ye should make a marriage alliance with another clan.”
    Ilysa tensed, though she was certain Connor would say it was not yet time, as he always did.
    “Several clans have already left the rebellion, and it will end soon,” Ian said. “’Tis possible now to judge which clans will
     have power—and which won’t—when it’s over.”
    “Ye always said that’s what ye were waiting for,” Alex said. “Of course, we think ye were just stalling.”
    “You’re right,” Connor said. “’Tis time for me to take a wife.”
    Ilysa’s vision went dark, and she gripped the edge of the table to keep from falling. Concentrating to keep her feet under
     her, she sidestepped along the table. When she reached the end of it, she turned around and half fell onto the bench that
     was beside it against the wall.
    From the long silence that followed Connor’s announcement, the men were as surprised as she was.
    “We prodded the bull by taking Trotternish Castle. Alastair MacLeod could strike back at us at any time,” Connor said. “The
     sooner I make a marriage alliance, the better.”
    Soon? Ilysa took deep breaths trying to calm herself. What was wrong with her? She had known Connor would wed eventually.
    “God knows, ye need a woman,” Alex said. “How long has it been?”
    When the others began making ribald remarks, Ilysa knew they had forgotten her completely and was grateful for it. Connor’s
     apparent celibacy since becoming chieftain had been the subject of a good deal of speculation and gossip. The men of the castle
     seemed almost as amazed by the chieftain’s failure to take any lass to his bed as the women were disappointed.
    The distance to the door suddenly seemed too far. As soon as Ilysa could trust herself to walk, she forced herself to get
     to her feet. She crossed the floor with her head down and bit her lip hard to keep from weeping.
    *  *  *
    Connor let them have their laugh though he had little humor for this particular subject. He took a long drink of his whiskey.
     By the saints, he needed a woman.
    His father and grandfather were great warriors, but the strife they caused with all their women had weakened the clan. His
     grandfather’s six sons by six different women had all hated each other. After the murder and mayhem among them, only two remained
     alive. Connor’s own father’s philandering had caused another round of turmoil.
    Connor was determined not to follow in their footsteps in that respect. During his years in France and before, he had taken
     pleasure in the company of women, as young warriors will. But when he returned to find his father and brother dead, everything
     changed. He could never again do as he pleased. As chieftain, his every decision had consequences for the clan.
    He could afford no missteps. Connor’s half