Duty of the Chieftain - a Highland 'Lord's Right of the First Night' novella (Clan MacKrannan's Secret Traditions #3) by Jonnet Carmichael Read Free Book Online

pay, not Elinor’s.  They know, Ranald.  Her maid told all that yer trip on the boat must be bride-stealing because her mistress had been abed with ye last eve.  The clan would no' believe ye'd take a widow to wife, but there's nobody could deny ye would bed a bonnie lass.  The whole castle and village and all is buzzing with it."
    "Elinor will deny it, as will I," said Ranald.
    The MacKrannans were stunned by the feisty look of determination come upon Elinor's face.  "And who would believe it anyway when all at court heard the king promise me to Maxton?"
    The Lady Agatha turned the Lady Elinor rather firmly towards the door, muttering, "Have ye the slightest notion of the trouble ye've caused, and two of my sons in Maxton's army?  What were ye thinking of to do such a thing?"
    Elinor was cornered, and the stress of it all made her come out fighting.
    "I was thinking of my PEOPLE!" she bawled, fists balled at her sides.
    Thommas and Agatha were taken aback.  The young Lady Elinor had wandered about their castle like a visiting adornment, and here was sign of some gumption and much worthier character.  She was right.  Responsibility to the clansfolk was everything, and the MacKrannans took that burden very seriously.
    Ranald spoke for them all.  " Yer motive was honorable, then.  Let it go now, Elinor.  We'll get it sorted."
    "Ye heard me, Ranald," said Sir Thommas.  "One of Maxton's men is headed east to report to the king.  Ye do realise what hangs in the balance here?"
    Ranald scrubbed a hand over his face.  "Aye… my neck on a gibbet rope.  I will tell the king the truth for he knows I have never done otherwise.  And it will have to be the whole truth, with Elinor's reasons, else she will also be punished for her betrayal of Maxton.  First one of ye up the steps, shout Dougall to saddle my horse."
     

     
    The king left Ranald cooling his heels near a full day before summoning him into his private chamber.  The guards who had surrounded Ranald since his arrival were left outside the door, a good sign.  Wine was drunk, and the detail of the Cambel uprising thoroughly discussed.  Luck for Ranald that it had been a victory, for the king seemed in reasonable mood.
    "Let's be having it, MacKrannan.  Of all the women in Scotland that you could have taken abed, why the Lady Elinor?  The queen is rather upset, as you can imagine."
    "Sire, ye have me at a disadvantage, for I dinna know what story ye have been told.  Beg yer pardon, but if ye could tell me what the gossip is, I could fill in the truth."
    The king fixed a beady eye on Ranald.  "I am told by her guard that you arrived back from battling the Cambels and had her in your bed within the hour, despite never having met her before then.  Your reputation at court precedes you, sadly, such speed of conquest not being unknown.  However, given that Elinor was already betrothed at my command to Maxton…"
    The king let that hover, awaiting an explanation that had better be an exceedingly good one.
    Ranald realized that actually was the truth, but it needed augmentation.  "Sire, I did no' meet the Lady Elinor until suppertime.  I thought it our Swordmaker's bride in my bed, for the Lord's Right, but she was gone from the castle and Elinor taken her place."
    The king frowned, but did not move, which was a hopeful sign.
    "…No' to speak ill of the dead, Sire, but were ye much acquaint with her husband, Sir Alain Douglas?"
    A grunt came, another hopeful sign.
    Ranald gave the news that he knew would affect much more than the state of Elinor's maidenhead.
    "Sire, their marriage was never consummated.  Lady Elinor had need to rectify her maiden state before her wedding night with Maxton, for the sake of her people, and to keep shame off the Douglases.  She did no' invite my co-operation on the matter first.  As I have said, it was my belief the woman in my bed was the Swordmaker's bride.  I was no' introduced to the Lady Elinor until suppertime at