“Have no fear, Alan, I will hear his confession before I kill him.”
“Laird, I’m sending Caolin to fetch Father Colm,” said Diarmad, motioning the woman out of the hall.
Niall snorted in disgust. “If ye think anyone will stop me from seeking justice, ye are wrong, Diarmad.”
Father Colm arrived at the great hall just as Cairbre returned with Fingal. Fingal stopped short, looking wary and cautious. “What has happened?” he asked.
“I think ye know,” answered Niall, barely able to contain his wrath.
“Niall, I don’t understand. Please tell me what’s wrong.”
“Ye will address me as laird, for ye don’t have the right to call me brother anymore,” snarled Niall. “Who did ye send to Matheson?”
“Laird, I sent no one to Matheson, I’ve had no contact with him.”
“Stop lying! Ye’re the only one who could have told him Katherine was on her way to Brathanead—the only one with a motive for wanting both of us dead!”
Clearly alarmed, Fingal took a step back. “I am not lying to ye, Laird. For the love of God, tell me what’s happened.”
Through clenched teeth, Niall said, “Matheson attacked with an overwhelming force as Malcolm was escorting Katherine to Brathanead.”
Fingal blanched at his words. “Is Katherine all right?”
Niall continued as if he hadn’t heard Fingal. “Most of Malcolm’s men were killed or injured. Even Malcolm himself was seriously injured. Matheson kidnapped Katherine and apparently does not intend to ransom her.” Niall grabbed Fingal by the shoulders and bellowed, “Tell me what ye know, now, or I will tear ye limb from limb!”
“I swear to ye, on our father’s soul, I had nothing to do with this. I would never harm either of ye, Niall, I swear it.”
Niall threw him to the floor. Fingal was back on his feet in an instant, but Father Colm stepped between them. “Get out of my way, Father,” demanded Niall.
Without flinching, Father Colm looked Niall squarely in the eye and said, “Laird, I will not let ye do something in anger ye will regret. Ye do not have proof your brother betrayed ye, and ye know as well as I do ye are angrier with yourself for not escorting her than ye are with anyone else. Ye need to focus on getting Lady Katherine back. Vengeance will wait.”
Father Colm looked every inch a warrior in that moment, so Niall had no doubt he would have to battle the old priest before laying a hand on Fingal. Furthermore, what the priest said was true. “Ye are right, Father,” Niall said, glaring at Fingal. “I have no proof, and nothing can interfere with getting Katherine back. However, I will find proof of your perfidy, brother, then I will kill ye.”
Addressing Diarmad and his two captains, Niall said, “We will leave only a few men here to secure Duncurra, everyone else should prepare to ride to Cnocreidh at first light.” To the MacLennan messenger, Niall said, “Eat, rest, and return to your laird. Tell him I will gladly accept the support he offers, and I will have vengeance on Matheson.” Finally, turning back to Fingal, Niall said with rancor, “Ye will stay here. I don’t trust ye to protect your inheritance, so ye are relieved of all duties and confined to the keep.” With that, he strode out of the hall, followed by Diarmad, Alan, and Cairbre.
~ * ~
Fingal felt angry and hurt, but more than anything else, he was confused. How could this have happened? He agreed with Niall, Matheson had to have known Katherine travelled with Malcolm in order to have ambushed him, defeating him so soundly. He looked at Father Colm and said sincerely, “Father, nothing that’s happened makes sense. If something happens to Katherine, I am the only person who stands to inherit Duncurra, but I swear, I did not betray my brother.” Fingal walked dejectedly to sit in a chair by the hearth.
Father Colm considered him for a moment before joining him. “I believe ye. Unfortunately, it is difficult to identify anyone else with a strong motive. If it isn’t ye, the only thing that makes sense is that whoever is behind this expects to conquer Duncurra, not inherit it.”
“That is the only answer I can see, as well,” said Fingal, “but the conspirator was here on the Epiphany and Matheson certainly was not. I didn’t want to, but I can’t help but think Malcolm is involved. I worried about Niall’s decision to send Katherine with him, but Malcolm was our father’s dearest friend. He has truly always been like an uncle to us. My distrust has more to do with my mother’s involvement with Malcolm than anything else.”
“Ye seem to have very little affection for your mother,” observed Father Colm.