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 Page A

Hall."
    The king's mouth twitched, then widened as his great belly moved and he started to laugh loud and long.
    "A surprise on the menu for you there, MacKrannan, eh?" he said, and bellowed all the more.
    Ranald dare not join in the mirth, but sat smiling wryly and waiting for the king to make judgement.
    "We must take pity, for her reasoning was sound," said the king eventually.  "It is common knowledge that Alain Douglas married the dowry and not the woman, for it is also common knowledge that his preferences lay in buggering any man that would lift his shirt tail for him.  Unconsummated, you say… that is serious.  You are absolutely sure?"
    "I have done duty in the Lord's Right often enough to be certain of it, Sire.  Elinor was virgin, and the evidence on the bedsheets."
    " Hmmph.  Alain Douglas's testament left all of Fordnethan and Keirston to her, yet it seems she has no legal right to as much as a widow's share.  And she would need to prove her virgin state even to reclaim her dowry lands at Keirston.  Too late for that now, MacKrannan!  Eh?  Eh?"
    Ranald was unsure if reply was expected , or if he was supposed to join in the mirth this time.  He played safe.
    " Too late indeed, as ye say, Sire," he mumbled.
    The king, ever seeking a remedy of national benefit, clucked his cheek.  "Our priority here must be the protection of the Borders.  I shall forfeit both Fordnethan and Keirston to the crown and award them to Maxton.  He must be appeased.  What say you on that?"
    Elinor was to lose everything.  What could he say, except for the usual sycophantic claptrap expected by all kings from their loyal subjects…
    "Your Majesty's wisdom has never failed Scotland."
    "And that leaves us with the problem of the Lady Elinor, who is homeless forthwith ."
    The king stood up, and Ranald followed him, but the audience was not quite at an end.  A companionable arm came around Ranald's shoulder as they walked across the chamber.
    " Your brothers are already removed from Maxton's contingent, lest there be retribution for your actions, and they will serve at court instead.  I sent for them this morn, upon news that you had come to me without need for summons.  They journey here as we speak."
    That was a bloody relief.   "I thank ye most sincerely for that, Sire, on behalf of all my family."
    But t he king had not quite finished.
    With well-rehearsed timing come from many years of reign, he waited until Ranald was half out the door before adding, "…and MacKrannan, you will wed the Lady Elinor immediately upon your return.  Proclamation will be made this day that her change of betrothed is By Royal Command.  Take some time away from your duties.  Let the fuss die down, eh?  Send for her personal belongings and get her settled in at MacKrannan Castle.  My regards to Sir Thommas and your dear mother."
    Ranald left court with royal letters in his saddlebag and a heavy heart in his chest.  The king had traded his life for a wife, with no idea that his fix-all remedy had spawned another problem.
     

     
    "Forfei t to the crown… granted to the Earl of Maxton… wed Ranald, chieftain of…"  Elinor fanned her face with the parchment, the only use she could find for the damnable missive.
    She was back in Ranald's bedchamber, sitting fully clothed in the chair from whence events had taken these convoluted turns hardly a week past.  He had spent most of the intervening time on horseback between castle and court.  She had spent the time worrying what future the king would grant her.
    "So His Majesty has taken all my lands.  I have no dowry… nothing.  And I am not to be a Countess, but a chieftain's wife."
    Ranald stood staring out the window in the disconsolate way, a shoulder against the frame and eyes that saw nothing but his thoughts.  He had no intention of undressing either one of them during this second visit of Elinor to his bedchamber.
    "No' even that.  Ye'll be wed to the chieftain's elder brother,