Page 38 of Kilted Abduction
“Aye. That’s what they say.”
“Ye sound skeptical, braither,” Domhnall said.
Magnus shrugged. “A spy thrives in the shadows. Relies on bein’ anonymous and nae drawin’ attention to themselves, eh?”
“Aye. Sure,” Domhnall agreed.
“Ciara had nae problem drawin’ attention tae herself,” he said. “Took on all comers in an archery tournament and beat them all. I’d say if she was tryin’ tae stay in the shadows, she did a pretty poor job of it.”
“Daesnae mean she’s nae the woman ye’re lookin’ fer,” Thora offered.
“Aye. She could be,” Magnus agreed. “But what if she’s nae?”
“I dinnae understand. Why would ye say she’s nae the spy we’re lookin’ fer?” Domhnall asked incredulously.
“She told me her faither is Laird Robert MacDougal and she ran away because he’d arranged fer her tae marry Edmund Fairfax…”
Magnus let his words linger, giving them time to sink in. They had all heard of the cruel brutality of Edmund Fairfax. His slaughter of Scots in pursuit of his own power and glory were the stuff of dark legends. He hated their people and wanted nothing more than to rid the world of anybody who carried Scottish blood and claim all their ancestral lands for himself. And for the English crown, of course.
Domhnall looked down into his own cup of wine and Magnus couldn’t help but wonder if he was thinking about his own marriage, which had been arranged as well for position and power. King Edward had been determined bring peace and more acceptance of the English rule to Scotland by forcing him to marry an English woman. Fortunately, Domhnall and Katherine had fallen in love, but Magnus knew not all arranged marriages had such a happy outcome, especially between the English and the Scots.
Domhnall finally raised his eyes. “As we all ken, arranging a marriage is a common practice and most of the time, it ish for strategic purposes.”
“Aye. Ciara said her faither was looking to solidify an alliance with the English tae tighten his hold on his lairdship. Needed an army tae dae it.”
“Fairfax would certainly be able give him that,” Domhnall said. “But it would also give Fairfax claim tae the MacDougal lands.”
“I dinnae think Laird Robert cares so long as he remains in power over his clan. At least, that’s what she led me tae believe,” Magnus said. “She said she’s been on the run ever since and is afraid her faither and Fairfax have men out searchin’ fer her.”
“If what she says is true, I’m sure they dae,” Domhnall said.
“Which makes Dunvegan the safest place fer her tae hide,” Enya added.
“Aye. Probably so,” Magnus agreed.
“’Tis a good story,” Domhnall said. “But it seems… convenient.”
“What dae ye mean?” asked Thora.
“It just strikes me as the sort of story somebody we believe is a spy would tell tae worm their way behind our walls,” he explained. “How dae we ken that what she’s sayin’ is true? How dae we ken she wasnae sent here by Fairfax tae kill us all and let him walk intae our home and take it?”
Magnus shook his head. “I dinnae get the sense that she’s got any love for the English. And she fought like a madwoman to get away from us and then me, risking her life in the course of it.”
“Dae ye believe her then?” Domhnall asked.
“I dinnae say that either. I just said I dinnae think she was sent here by Fairfax tae undermine us from within, given the hard time she gave me on the way here” Magnus corrected.
“Ye think she’s sincere?” Domhnall asked.
Magnus thought about it for a long moment then nodded. “Aye. I dae. And I dae think she has nay love fer the English.”
Thora and Enya exchanged a look that made them both smile.
“What?” Magnus asked gruffly. “Why are ye both grinnin’?”
Thora shrugged and couldn’t keep the silly grin off her face. “I just wondered if ye’d think she was bein’ sincere if she was homely?”
“Or if her sincerity is based on her comeliness?” Enya teased.
