My Brave Highlander(63)

Isobel had never called him Laird MacKay. Why was she doing so now? To test Maighread and see how riled she'd become? Dirk almost smiled at the bold move.

"Laird MacKay?" Maighread demanded.

"Aye. Dirk. Your stepson," Isobel said in a guileless tone, her eyes wide and naïve. What a wee actress.

Maighread lifted a brow and glared back at Dirk. "My dear girl, he is not Laird MacKay, nor is he my stepson, of that I'm certain."

Isobel's dark gaze met his, communicating sympathy and cleverness, then she gave a covert shrug. He'd already told her Maighread would try to discredit him. Dirk knew the hag only too well. But would Isobel start believing Maighread over him?

"Come, we must talk, Lady Isobel… or should I call you Lady Jedwarth?"

Jedwarth? Dirk had neglected to ask Isobel what her first husband's name had been. Saints! He hadn't imagined he'd been the widely-known Earl of Jedwarth. She was a countess. Surely that made her even more sought after as a wife, aside from her beauty. Not that it mattered to him, but it probably did to the MacLeod.

Maighread turned back to the men. "We will sort this out later." Her eyes scanned the room. When they landed on Jessie, she said, "Have the servants bring food and drink to the solar." She then motioned to the two women who had traveled with her. "Come, ladies."

Jessie glared with great venom after their stepmother. Apparently, she liked her about as much as Dirk did. Muttering words Dirk couldn't hear, Jessie turned and stomped away toward the kitchen.

Isobel and Maighread being together did not set well with Dirk. He worried Maighread would hurt Isobel, especially if she disagreed with her. Since the two other ladies were with them, surely Maighread wouldn't become violent.

But, with her lies, she might also turn Isobel against him.

Dirk approached Rebbie where he stood by the massive fireplace. "I need a word with you," he said in a low tone, then led the way to the library. Once Rebbie was inside, Dirk closed the door.

"That woman knows who I am, and she knows the clan recognizes me," Dirk said. "Without doubt she will keep saying I'm not Dirk, but she knows the clan will pay her no heed. Her only recourse will be to try to murder me again. I'll need for you to watch my back."

"Of course. But 'haps you also need a couple of personal bodyguards," Rebbie said, his dark brown eyes far more serious than usual.

"As of yet, I know not who I can trust completely within the clan, aside from Conall and Keegan."

"But Keegan is what, third or fourth in line after you to inherit, correct?"

"Indeed, but we've always been close. I wouldn't suspect him of treachery. Nor Conall. He's in line to inherit too but he's always helped me, even more than my father did. They are loyal to the core."

"In my opinion, Keegan would make a good bodyguard. Mayhap he would do it as a favor to you."

"Aye, and once I'm chief, I'll make sure Keegan has a higher-ranking position." Dirk thought of the group of lads he spent much of his time with as a youth. Erskine had been a good friend. He was the son of his father's sword-bearer, and he'd always been destined to be Dirk's sword-bearer, a hereditary position passed down through the clan. Was he already Aiden's sword-bearer? He hadn't thought to ask, but it might not matter. If Aiden was loyal to Dirk, likely Erskine would be too.

"Erskine is another possibility. Wait here and I'll see if he is about." Dirk returned to the great hall and scanned the two dozen or so present. Erskine talked with Keegan near the entrance. While Keegan resembled Dirk a great deal, aside from his sandy hair, Erskine was smaller of frame with dark brown hair and brown eyes. Still, he had a wiry strength and Dirk had seen him best larger opponents when they were younger.

Dirk approached them. "Could I have a word with both of you in the library?"

"Aye," they responded with great interest and followed him.

Once inside the more private room, he closed the door. "Have a seat." Dirk motioned toward the chairs and benches surrounding the table, then took one himself beside Rebbie. "I'm not chief yet, of course, but if all the elders and the majority of the clan decide in my favor at the hearing, I will be. I hold no ill will toward Aiden. He is my beloved brother, but most everyone can agree he isn't suited to be a chief."

Keegan and Erskine murmured their agreements.

"Are you Aiden's sword-bearer?" Dirk asked Erskine.

"Aye. I'm glad to be sword-bearer for either you or Aiden." His dark eyes narrowed. "But not Haldane. If he ever becomes chief, my family and I are leaving."

Dirk nodded. He sounded loyal. "I thank you. You've always been a good friend, Erskine. Aiden knows who I am and I believe he will resign. He's already told me he'd rather I be chief. If that happens, my stepmother may try to have me murdered again."