The Raven's Wish by Susan King Read Free Book Online

prattled her predictions to anyone who would listen to her. That woman had warned him not to ride after the MacDonalds, and he had not listened. Anyone could have seen that outcome, but at the time he had been too young and hot-tempered to see it himself. He was convinced that seers and prophecies had no power.
    But Elspeth's cousins certainly believed that she had some true ability. His own strong reaction had been influenced by those around him. Scientific studies had lately proven that the brain was a remarkable storehouse for sensations and knowledge. As a lawyer, he knew that seers were complete nonsense, yet many believed.
    As for the irresistible urge he had felt to touch the girl's hand at the stream—well, she ahd an appealing beauty, and he must have been caught by some sudden masculine impulse. It would not happen again. If a pretty lass was part of the MacShimi's bodyguard, Duncan would collect her signature with the rest, and think no more of it.
    Still, he was curious what the girl thought she had seen when she had looked at him in the streambed. She did not seem a fraud—she had an ingenuous quality. Perhaps, he thought with dismay, she was a little mad. Certainly she dressed and behaved out of the ordinary, though her feminity was more than obvious—and he was aware of his strong physical attraction to her. Sitting up straighter, he realized he was more than a little drunk.
    Elspeth turned then and looked directly at him. He felt an odd sensation, like falling from a great height. And then he frowned, for he was not accustomed to confusion.
    "Hugh," Alasdair said, "this bond of caution will be a good thing for our clan."
    "This action from the crown would bind our hands so that we cannot defend ourselves," Hugh Fraser answered.
    "If you refuse the bond of caution, worse will follow from the crown. Tell him, Duncan."
    "Aye," Duncan agreed. "A letter of fire and sword will follow if you refuse to sign, or sign and do not honor this. Your clan will be outlawed, your homes forfeit and destroyed, your warriors banished or executed."
    "And who," the Fraser asked softly, "would carry out such orders? The crown has no army, and not enough coin to waste on hiring soldiers to come up here and rout us out. It would take years to accomplish it. Highlandmen cannot easily be found in these mountains and glens unless they want to be seen. Fire and sword may work in the Lowlands and the Borders, but it is not useful here in the high hills."
    "The MacShimi has a point," Callum said quickly.
    "There is another way to stop the MacDonalds from raiding on our land," Hugh said.
    "What is that?" Duncan asked.
    "Indeed, say what you mean, cousin," Elspeth said. Even Duncan felt the chill in her tone.
    "The MacDonald chief has offered to ease the feud with a marriage," Hugh said. "He wants a union between Elspeth and his nephew, Ruari."
    Duncan frowned slightly. "It is a sound solution," he said. The girl's gaze went stormy. "Marriage ties are, in essence, family ties, and clansmen avoid feuding with family. Until you sign the bond, this could suffice."
    "Suffice!" Elspeth snapped, standing, glaring at him. Then she looked at Hugh. "Have you given the MacDonalds my answer?"
    "Not yet," Hugh said. "I was going to refuse, but now that we have this letter of caution, I am thinking that this marriage would indeed ease the feud the fastest."
    "So you would have me marry into the MacDonald clan to save you from signing a bit of paper?" she accused, waving an arm about in her anger.
    "Elspeth—" Hugh began.
    "I will not do this, as I have said. I care about the clan too, but will not be sacrificed to it in this way."
    "Elspeth!" Hugh and Callum said together.
    "And you, sir!" She swung to face Duncan, her chest heaving beneath the shirt and the diagonal swath of her plaid. "You come here with a document that dooms our clan, and then say this marriage is a good thing?" Her voice rose indignantly. "If you are wise, Long-robe, you will get