No one said a word as they rode into the village. Thoroughly exhausted by the hard pace of the day, they were a much different group than the one that had begun the journey with a light mood. Dust-covered and hungry, they passed through the gates and Tavis nodded to the men on duty.

      As he’d told Ciara, he’d sent messengers ahead so he knew the laird and lady would be waiting in the hall, along with Duncan and Marian and, most importantly, a hot meal for all. While the wagons followed the path around to the side of the tall stone keep as he’d instructed the drivers to do, the Murray warriors stood waiting for their lord and lady to dismount—or climb from her wagon—and to be dismissed by them before following his men to the barracks. Connor and Jocelyn stood on the steps, waiting to greet their newest ally.

      ‘Welcome to Lairig Dubh,’ Connor said as he walked down the steps to greet them. ‘You look a bit road-worn, so we can leave the official duties until morn,’ he offered.

      Tavis knew this next part, for he’d watched Connor do it many times—sometimes to make his rank clear and sometimes to put visitors at ease. This time he was not certain which purpose this was for.

      ‘I am Douran and this is my wife Jocelyn MacCallum, Lady MacLerie.’ Connor lived without the ceremony of his title as earl until or unless it suited him. This was a simple reminder that the MacLeries had reached a level within the kingdom and within the king’s favour that this branch of the Murrays had not. Tavis watched as they and their son bowed to Connor, acknowledging that rank.

      ‘May I present my son James, my lord,’ Murray said, pointing to him.

      The younger man did the same and waited on Connor before speaking. Ciara was greeted as the family she was and Tavis wanted to laugh and he could see the corners of Jocelyn’s mouth threatening the same. Connor waited a few moments before holding his hand out in a more personal greeting.

      ‘But we will be more than allies, William and Eleanor, and James, if I may?’ Connor met their gazes. ‘We will be family, so we need not stand on ceremony. Please call me Connor and my wife Jocelyn.’

      It was interesting to watch as he did it, even knowing it was for effect only. The tension dissolved and Tavis followed them inside where he knew Duncan and Marian would be waiting. He could see the nervousness increasing in Ciara, for she stood rigidly now and her hands trembled. He hoped that she would get a good night’s rest before tackling the serious matter with her parents.

      They entered the keep and walked along the corridor until they reached the hall. Tables had been set up with food and Tavis nodded to those he passed on the way to the front of the hall. Though servant in the Murrays’ hall, he had some status here and would give his report directly to Connor after the others left.

      The guests were introduced to Duncan and Marian, as well as Rurik and some other of Connor’s retainers and his steward, and then seated. Some informal conversation went on while the food was served and he noticed how quiet Ciara was through it all. The welcome from her parents had been a warm one and he watched as she melted into her mother’s embrace. A few words were exchanged and then Ciara was seated between her parents and James.

      It was a simple meal, but nourishing and filling and very satisfying after the meals on the journey. It took a short time and soon Gair, Connor’s steward, escorted the Murrays to the chambers above that had been prepared for them.

      Less than an hour after they reached the keep, all was quiet and Connor waited in his chambers for Tavis’s report. He gave Connor time to speak to Jocelyn before climbing the steps and was surprised, though he should not have been, to find her with Connor when he entered.

      ‘So, tell me of the Murrays and their heir,’ Connor began.

      He spoke about the lands, the holdings, the people and then the family, giving his personal opinion and making assessments as Connor asked questions. Then Tavis reported about the journey, both to and from Perthshire, along with his opinion of Lord and Lady Murray and James.

      ‘So, will this be a good match as well as a good treaty?’ Connor asked. Jocelyn watched him intently as he began to speak.

      ‘They seem companionable, from what I’ve seen,’ he admitted. ‘James is not opposed to taking her as wife.’

      Connor snorted. ‘Certainly he is not! With what that family will gain from this, he would take my horse to wife if it was offered.’

      ‘Connor!’ Jocelyn warned with a word. Tavis forced a laugh at Connor’s attempt at humour and Jocelyn gave him a dark look, too. This particular truth hurt more than others, for Ciara was simply a means to an end for the Murrays and her virtue and honour, present or missing, meant nothing to them if it brought them the wealth they needed.

      Connor shrugged as though he had not said anything offensive and then asked, ‘And what of Ciara? Will this match suit her?’

      The silence that filled the room was deafening as they waited on his answer. It seemed to matter a great deal to the laird if she would be happy. As though he’d heard Tavis’s thoughts, Connor nodded.

      ‘She is the first of our children to be given off in marriage,’ the laird explained.

      Tavis understood Connor meant the first from among him and Duncan and Rurik, though his own daughter would most likely be next for a marriage arrangement, if one was not already being planned.

      Tavis tried, he really did, but this time answering a question that would result in the marriage going forwards stopped him. He pushed his hair away from his face and rubbed his forehead. He just could not seem to say the words of approval this time. He’d tried convincing Ciara that the match was a good one for her and hated every word he spoke on its behalf.

      ‘You will have to ask her that question, Connor. Only the lass knows for certain.’

      Connor frowned and Jocelyn smiled and Tavis did not know which reaction he should worry over more. Knowing his words would be taken as something they were not, he tried to explain.

      ‘Ciara knows that this is your will. That this agreement will benefit both clans. That it is her duty to accept it unless there are serious reasons not to. I think that she will do her duty.’

      Now Connor smiled and Jocelyn frowned, making him more nervous.

      ‘I will speak to Duncan in the morn after he’s spoken to her.’

      ‘She knows.’

      The words hung out there between them and no explanation was needed as to what she knew.

      ‘Did Iain tell her?’

      ‘Nay, she overheard a conversation about her mother. She asked