Page 61 of The Highlander Steals a Virgin
“It’s nay secret she’s been seen at yer side often,” Robert added. “Too often.”
Rhys’s jaw ticked.
“She’s spoken to yer men. Dined with yer kin. Rides with yer daughter.”
“She’s also the guest I chose to protect from the bastard who left her to die,” Rhys snapped. “Unless ye mean to question me honor?”
“Nay,” Leighton said quickly. “Nay, lad. But yer… attachment… it raises concerns.”
“Concerns?” Rhys stepped forward once, barely containing the heat rising in his chest.
Leighton didn’t flinch, but his voice dropped to something just shy of a whisper. “The men admire ye. They follow ye. But loyalty like that is fragile when they fear yer judgment might be clouded.”
“I’ve made nay vows. Made nay promises.”
“But ye’ve made time,” Robert said softly. “And that’s louder than any vow.”
Rhys stared at him.
“She’s a Murdoch. And though none here blame her for her kin, nae everyone can make the same separation. Nae the guards. Nor the farmers. And nae the men who’ll bleed for ye if it comes to that.”
Rhys looked to the fire, its embers cracking low and angry.
Leighton stepped forward one pace, tone gentler now. “We ask ye nae to end it. Just define it. If she’s to be here, let her be here rightly. Make her an O’Donnell. Or send her away.”
The room pulsed with silence.
Rhys exhaled slowly through his nose.
“Ye make it sound simple,” he said.
Leighton gave a half-shrug. “Simple’s what holds a clan together. Clear lines. Clear loyalties. If she’s nae your prisoner, nor your betrothed, nor your charge... then what is she?”
Rhys didn’t answer. He wasn’t sure he knew.
Robert took one step back. “We’ve said our peace, Laird. We trust ye’ll do what’s right.”
“Right for whom?” Rhys asked, voice sharper than he intended.
Leighton bowed his head. “For everyone.”
And then, without waiting for dismissal, the councilmen turned and left, one by one, leaving Rhys standing in the flicker of the dying fire.
He turned on his heel and left the room.
18
William caught up with him in the corridor outside the council chamber.
They fell into step easily, boots echoing in time on the stone floor as they made their way through the keep.
“Well… that could have gone worse,” He said lightly.
“Aye. Could’ve thrown one of them through the window,” Rhys muttered.
William smirked. “But nay war? After all the fightin’ ye did to get all of them on yer side about attackin’ Murdock. Ye’re gettin’ soft.”
“Say that again and I’ll show ye soft.”
