They took seats before the hearth where a small fire smoldered. Aiden added a brick of peat to the fire, then turned to Dirk. "You left because someone tried to murder you?"
"Aye." Dirk could see how the information Conall revealed in the great hall would be a shock to Aiden. He'd been too young back then to be involved. Had any of them suspected murder or did they think he and Will had simply had an accident and both fallen off the cliff?
"Who did this? Who killed Cousin Will?"
Dirk was unsure whether he should tell Aiden his mother was the guilty party. "I have no proof as of yet, Aiden. I hope to expose them."
"But you suspect someone."
"Aye, but I'd rather not say yet. I'm certain it will all come to light now that I'm back. Tell me of Da's last few days."
Aiden's green eyes dimmed. "He did not say much. He lay abed. Sometimes he would call me into his chamber and we'd discuss the clan. He reminded me again of things he'd told me a thousand times. I ken he feared I would not make a good chief. I have the same fear." Aiden stared dejectedly into the glowing coals, his expression proclaiming he felt unsure of himself, but also guilty for not being what his father expected. It wasn't his fault he was born with musical talent instead of leadership ability. He lifted a hopeful gaze to Dirk. "Are you here to take your rightful place?"
Dirk was stunned silent for a moment. Aiden wanted to give up the title and responsibility to him. "If that is what the clan wants." Dirk released a long breath, a small measure of relief flowing through him. Most of all, he hadn't wanted to hurt his beloved brother. "Aiden, I didn't come back here to oust you. I hoped father would still be alive."
"Do not fash yourself. Ever since I can remember, you were supposed to be the next chief. Naught has been right since you disappeared. Everything was off kilter. Da made me train with a sword, targe and dirk." He shook his head. "I disappointed him. He tried to reshape me into you, but nothing could make it so."
"I'm certain he was proud of you, anyway."
Aiden gave a short bleak laugh. "Nay, I fear the training did me no good. I'm a piper, not a soldier. If Da were alive, he'd be overjoyed to see you, and to know that you would be the next chief… 'tis what he'd want. You have the training and the natural skills for it."
"I'm grateful you feel this way. You are the same Aiden I remember… generous, intelligent and understanding."
"I thank you. But apparently it takes far more than that to be an effective chief."
That was true. A chief needed to be a warrior and a soldier first, and be willing to command many men and lead them into battle when necessary. A chief had to always consider the clan and their safety, as well as being harsh at other times.
"How is your mother?" Dirk asked, trying to hide his loathing of her.
"She is well and bossy as always." Aiden grinned. "She stays in the manor house at Tongue most of the time because it's warmer there."
"And she's there now?"
"Aye."
That was good. If she decided to come here, he'd have at least a few days to bring the clan to his side. Tongue was twenty or thirty miles away and a full day's ride through mountainous terrain. With the bad weather, it might take even longer. She would be as hostile as Haldane, except ten times worse.
"Have there been any clan feuds since I was last here?" Dirk asked.
"Nothing of importance. There's some cattle reeving now and again but no loss of life over it. I think 'tis a game to them, and Haldane relishes it."
"What about dealings with the MacLeods?"
Aiden shook his head. "I don't recall any for several years."
"They are still our allies, then?"
"Aye."
That was a good thing. Still, if they viewed his rescue of Isobel as stealing the chief's bride or taking a hostage, it could spark a clan war.
"What of marriages or new clan alliances?" Dirk asked.
Aiden's pale skin suddenly flushed in the candlelight. "Ma convinced Da that I should marry a lass from the Murray clan."
Dirk was surprised because he simply couldn't imagine Aiden married, young as he appeared. "Did you?"
"Nay. We are not even betrothed yet. I don't feel ready to marry. But Ma says now that I'm chief, I must. The lass and her aunt arrived right after Da's funeral and are now staying at Tongue with Ma. They stayed here for a few weeks so Seona and I could get to know one another. But if you become chief, I won't have to marry now. I can wait until I find a lass to my liking." Aiden gave a relieved smile.
"You don't like the Murray lass?"
Aiden shrugged. "She's bonny enough, but we have little to talk about. She has no talent for music or singing."
"I see." And he obviously wasn't attracted to her either or the music wouldn't have mattered.
"Haldane said he would marry her if I didn't want to. I believe he is smitten with her, but she ignores him as if he were a bothersome pup."
"Does he have his sights set on becoming chief?" Likely he did, but Dirk needed to know for a certainty. Haldane could become a great stumbling block.
Aiden shrugged. "He's never said so, but I do get the feeling 'tis what he wants. And I ken some of the clan members say he would make a better chief than I. They may be right about that. But you would make a far better chief than either of us."
Dirk felt humbled of a sudden and grateful for his forthright and caring brother. "I thank you for your confidence in me, Aiden."
"Haldane is too young and rash. He speaks or acts before he thinks. And he often provokes people's anger. We would have nothing but conflict with other clans if Haldane is chief. You are more diplomatic."
They talked for more than an hour about what had happened since Dirk had left. And Dirk filled him in on some of his exploits.
That night, Dirk insisted on barring the bedchamber door in the event Haldane did something impulsive, and he warned Rebbie to do the same in his chamber. Dirk neither understood nor trusted the lad as of yet, nor did he know what he was capable of. Terrible things, if his mother had tutored him.
Dirk was grateful that Haldane was still abed early the next morn while the rest of the men broke their fast. The last thing he wanted to do was argue during a meal.
Afterward, Dirk spoke privately with Aiden. "I thank you for your hospitality. You are most kind."
"'Tis the least I can do for my brother who's back from the dead. I hope you'll stay here until the hearing." He lowered his voice. "And after, of course, because by then you'll be chief."
"I thank you." Dirk hoped Aiden was right for he definitely wanted to make this his home once again.
He considered how to broach the subject of Isobel. She could not stay at Uncle Conall's home much longer, for his large family was already squeezed tightly into the cottage. "On our way here, we came across a lady from the MacKenzie clan and her maid. They would've frozen out in the snowstorm if we hadn't helped them. Do you have an extra chamber here where they might stay until I can return them to their home?"
"Of course. This old castle has many rooms. We'll find a place. Mother's bedchamber is not being used at the moment."
Dirk shook his head. "That's probably not a good idea. That chamber is for the chief's wife or mother. I wouldn't want anyone to get the wrong impression about Lady Isobel."
Aiden eyed him with speculation. "Ah. Lady Isobel MacKenzie, aye?"