Dirk grinned. "I thank you. That's very generous of you." He shook Cyrus's hand.
"What about you, MacLeod?" Cyrus asked. "Are you satisfied with that, or are you planning to lift half my cattle?"
"I'm satisfied," Torrin said, though he appeared irked and disappointed. "'Tis my brother who caused our clan to lose half the land. I'll deal with him." Torrin glared back to where Nolan was watching them from beside his horse.
"I want to have a word with him too," Cyrus said.
"As do I," Dirk said. "And if you'll have your men stand down, MacLeod, we'll have no disagreement this day."
"Very well." Torrin returned to where his mounted men waited. Dirk still didn't trust them. But he had more than three dozen guards and armed clansmen both outside and inside the gates. If the MacLeods started a skirmish, they'd be outnumbered.
Once the portcullis was open, Cyrus proceeded out to talk to his men. Several of them dismounted, then accompanied Cyrus calmly toward the MacLeods.
Damn, Dirk wanted to strangle Nolan. He'd best not get near him or he might do just that, which might set off a bloody skirmish.
Once it appeared Torrin had told his men they had no dispute, Dirk motioned to Keegan, Erskine and five more to back him up. "Let's go get our prisoners—including Haldane—and retrieve the horses they stole from us."
Before they reached the group of men, Nolan leapt on his horse and galloped away, ignoring Torrin's command and the efforts of three of his own clansmen who struggled to stop him.
Haldane and his friends hadn't dismounted, and when they saw the MacKays advancing on them, they fled, McMurdo with them. Without the MacLeods and the MacKenzies on their side, the outlaws were greatly outnumbered.
Cyrus shouted a command, and the MacKenzies who were still mounted gave chase.
Torrin and Cyrus explained to their men what Nolan had done and why he fled.
"He's no longer welcome at Munrick!" Torrin said for all to hear, then approached Dirk where he stood beside Cyrus. "He's no longer my brother," he muttered, looking saddened but still furious.
Several minutes later, the MacKenzies who had chased the outlaws returned, unsuccessful.
After placing all their weapons, except their small sgian dubhs, into the armory, the MacKenzies and MacLeods entered the great hall of Dunnakeil. Dirk was glad to have two such strong clans as allies. And their chiefs appeared to be honorable men.
Dirk spoke with the housekeeper and asked her to have the cook prepare enough food to satisfy their guests. Though he wanted to talk to Isobel, Dirk had to meet with Cyrus and Torrin, along with others in all three clans, in order to make their alliances official, documenting their agreements on paper. Maybe they could also work together in capturing the outlaws.
***
Isobel sat at the high table, along with others from all three clans. Thankfully, Jessie and Seona were beside her. Dirk joined the other chiefs and Rebbie further along the table. Though his eyes had met hers a few times and he'd given her a faint enigmatic smile, he hadn't spoken more than a couple of words to her since they'd met with Cyrus in the library. What had he talked privately with her brother about? She couldn't see either of them alone to ask. They'd been busy all day with clan negotiations and business.
After the grouse was served, Isobel's brother stood and raised his tankard of ale. "I would like to offer a toast," he announced in a commanding voice. The dozens of people in the great hall quieted. 'Twas likely a toast to their three clans renewing their alliances, Isobel thought.
Her brother glanced at her. "To Chief MacKay and my dear sister, Lady Isobel, on their upcoming wedding."
What? Isobel didn't know whether to be shocked, thrilled or perturbed. Or all three. Why hadn't one of them told her? Typical of her brother to keep her in the dark, but what about Dirk? He could've at least taken a brief moment to let her know they would be married.
Several gasped and a boisterous shout went up from some of the men before they all guzzled a hefty swallow.
Isobel snapped her mouth closed. Stunned, she let her gaze dart from Dirk to her brother and back again. How could they have arranged this without telling her? She wanted to marry Dirk, of course, but he didn't know that. No one had even asked her how she felt about the situation.
"Oh, Isobel." Jessie, sitting beside her, pulled her into a warm embrace. "How could you keep such a secret from me? I'm thrilled we'll be sisters."
Seona, sitting on her other side, smiled and hugged her next. "Congratulations."
"I thank you both," Isobel murmured, not knowing what else to say. She was vexed at the men who thought so little of her that they'd ignored her all day while arranging her life.
"I thank you, Chief MacKenzie," Dirk said. "And I thank you for the honor of wedding your lovely sister." Dirk sent her a wee smile, or was it a smug grin? Did he think she would like this surprise?
Rebbie slapped him on the shoulder and shook his hand. Other women from the MacKay clan gathered around Isobel to congratulate her and welcome her to the clan. She stepped down from the dais to accept their good wishes. Aiden came forward to welcome her as a sister.
The crowd around her and Jessie parted and before she knew it, Torrin MacLeod stood before her. Although he had been sitting at the same table, she'd somehow managed to avoid looking him in the eye or speaking to him during the meal. But now she couldn't avoid him.
He bowed. "Lady Isobel," he said with a friendly expression that surprised her.
She curtseyed. "Laird Torrin."
"I wish to congratulate you and Dirk on your upcoming marriage. I also want to apologize for what happened at Munrick. Had I known what kind of knave my brother was, I wouldn't have left him there to guard you."
Isobel frowned, trying to detect any deceitfulness in the pleasant expression on his handsome face.
"I thank you, and I don't blame you." That was all she could think to say. Still, he made her highly uncomfortable. She had intended to marry him after all, but now she didn't have to, thank the heavens.
"I'm glad. I wish you happy," he said, his green eyes seemed sincere, but his gaze didn't remain on her long. He was staring at Jessie who stood beside her. "We haven't been introduced."
"Oh. This is Lady Jessie MacKay. Dirk's sister," Isobel said, then motioned at Torrin. "And this is Laird Torrin MacLeod, chief of the MacLeod clan."
"'Tis my great pleasure to meet you, Lady Jessie." Torrin held out his hand, waiting for Jessie to place her hand in his. When she did, he bowed in a courtly manner and kissed the backs of her fingers.
Though she didn't smile, Jessie flushed pink, as she curtseyed. "'Tis an honor to meet you, m'laird." She quickly pulled away and clasped her hands in front of her.
"Dirk's sister, hmm?" Torrin said. "I would've never imagined he would have such a lovely sister."
Isobel bit her lip to keep from snickering, while Jessie merely blushed ever brighter.
"I thank you, m'laird."
Isobel switched her gaze back and forth between them, trying to figure out what was going on. Clearly Torrin found Jessie incredibly attractive with her coppery hair and sky-blue eyes. He was paying her far more attention than he'd ever paid Isobel when they'd been betrothed. But Jessie appeared extremely tense.