“Do ye have proof?”
“Aye. I was with my clansmen. Guthrie was with me most of the evening.”
“These same clansmen who were willing to lie for ye about Lady Matheson?”
“Think what ye will. I didn’t enter the hall.”
“Laird MacIan, Darcy didn’t attack Rowan.” A quavering voice rose from the edge of the room.
“Who said that?” Niall asked.
“I did, Laird.”
Mairead was not shocked to see Finola working her way to the front of the room. Finola had pulled her from the great hall and was clearly involved in some way, but with everything happening so quickly, she hadn’t stopped to figure out how. Completely bewildered, Mairead simply stared at Finola. Tadhg tightened his grip on her.
“Who are ye, and what do ye know about where Darcy was last night, lass?”
“My name is Finola and I am a Matheson. I—I—I know it wasn’t Darcy who attacked Rowan because he was with me.”
“Finola…” Tadhg said, his voice laced with disapproval.
“Ye see. I didn’t attack Rowan. Finola, ye are a good lass,” Darcy said with surprising sincerity.
“So ye can attest Darcy had nothing to do with the attack on Rowan MacKenzie?” Niall asked.
“I don’t know that for sure. They talked about wanting to create a diversion, but I know Darcy didn’t attack Rowan himself because he was with me.”
After Niall quieted the crowd yet again, he asked, “They wanted to create a diversion so they could gain access to Lady Matheson?”
Darcy jumped in. “Aye, we jested about ways of creating a stir, but I certainly wouldn’t have risked the precious Rowan MacKenzie’s life. The alliance with the MacKenzies is too important.”
“Is that true, Finola?”
“Aye, Laird MacIan, they never mentioned harming Rowan, or anyone. I wouldn’t have wanted anyone hurt.” She turned toward Tadhg. “Please, Laird, ye need to understand. Darcy told me Lady Matheson was an old friend, a lover, and she would want to see him. He said they were to be married, the betrothal fell through, and her heart was broken. He said they just wanted a few moments alone.”
“Finola, why would ye put your lady in danger so?” asked Tadhg in disbelief.
“I didn’t think he meant her any harm, Laird. I thought he told me the truth. And if what he said was true then it meant Lady Matheson had played ye false and ye deserved to know.”
“Then ye should have come to me.”
“Ye wouldn’t have believed me.”
“Nay, I wouldn’t have and with good cause. I know the truth, but, Finola, I would have listened to ye and helped ye understand. We will discuss what’s to be done about your involvement in this later. Laird MacIan, ye have your answers. If ye are through with my clanswomen, I will have Hamish escort them to our encampment and I will take my wife to our chambers. She needs to rest.”
“I understand Mairead has been through a lot. However, I need something from ye and Cathal and Lachlan before ye go. We still need time to sort this out and determine who injured Rowan. I don’t want to risk a feud starting. I want your vow that ye will bring no violence against each other within my borders. I will hold ye each personally responsible for harm done to any guest at Duncurra by one of your clansmen.”
Tadhg glared at Niall but gave him the vow he sought, as did Cathal and Lachlan.
~ * ~
Afterwards, Tadhg swept Mairead from the hall, away from the Frasers. If he were being honest with himself, he needed to distance himself from them more than she did. He had just vowed to harm none of them and all he wanted to do was crush the sniveling bastard who had caused her so much grief. When they reached their bedchamber, he scooped her into his arms, holding her as close as he could while still allowing her to breath. She buried her face in his chest, holding him equally as tight. Sitting in a chair by the hearth, still with her in his arms, he said, “I’m so sorry, love. I know that was probably the hardest thing ye have ever had to do, it was very brave. I am so proud of ye.”
She smiled. “I’m proud of me too.”
He chuckled. “Ye have every right to be. Ye kept your head. Ye used what I taught ye. But perhaps more importantly, ye didn’t let fear rule ye.”
“Not bad for MacKenzie’s Mouse.”
“My brave lass, if mice had your courage all the cats in the Highlands would tremble with dread.” She laughed before taking his face between her palms and kissing him soundly. He kissed her back, gently, so as not to cause any pain but he desperately wanted to wipe away her ugly memories of Darcy. “I love ye, Mairead.”