The Highlander's Heart by Amanda Forester

believe Douglas would be a party in that.”
    “Aye but he would, lad. For he will be getting all the lands he was forced to forfeit to England returned, plus some additional lands. It is said that Tynsdale has fallen out of favor wi’ the king and his lands will be forfeited to Douglas in this unholy deal.”
    Isabelle put her hand over her mouth to prevent herself from making a sound. Could this be true?
    “Douglas has always fought for Scottish independence,” said Campbell, but his voice was less than sure.
    “Douglas will serve his own interests. That much land would make his the most powerful clan in all o’ Scotland. His power would be greater than mine or yours or even our wretched king himself. I need ye to stand wi’ me, lad, if we are to prevent this.”
    “Ye have my word I will support ye in the council. I winna allow England to claim our throne.”
    “Verra good, lad. Years ago yer mother and I negotiated a marriage between ye and my daughter. She’s passed now, but I have a granddaughter who will serve ye as yer wife. I understand yer good mother told ye o’ this after yer father passed.”
    “Aye.”
    “Come now, let us set a date for yer nuptials. It will send a much needed message to Douglas that ye will stand wi’ us against him.”
    The room was silent. Isabelle held her breath, waiting to hear what Campbell would say. Had he not told her that he would marry Douglas’s daughter?
    “I understand yer sense of urgency in this matter, yet I feel we should proceed wi’ caution. I will fight wi’ ye against the English, but I am slow to raise arms against my brother. Too often, we Scots have been divided and weakened by fighting amongst ourselves. I have no love for war against my neighbor and kin. Recall my father’s dame was a Douglas.”
    “Ye have good feeling, lad. I respect yer reticence to battle against the Douglas. This course gives me no pleasure either. But this is no time for hesitancy. We must act and quickly if we are to foil this plan.”
    “And in doing so, I am plotting against my king. Nay, give me leave to consider what must be done. I fostered wi’ Douglas; he is like a second father to me. Let me talk wi’ him and see if I can reason wi’ him from this course.”
    “And what if he draws ye to his side? I need to know yer loyalties, lad.”
    “I give ye my word I will take up my sword before I will accept an Englishman as the king o’ Scots.”
    Another silence permeated the room.
    “I will take my leave then,” said Stewart. “Remember, Scotland may once again call for her true sons to defend her.”
    “Always.”
    ***
     
    Campbell shut the door with a sigh. He was exhausted. The clans may soon be at war. And he was engaged to two women. Another sigh escaped his lips. His head throbbed, his shoulder blades were clenched together so tight he might never get them to relax. This was his parents’ legacy to him. Two brides.
    He sat down hard on the bed, the weight of his decision heavy on his shoulders. His parents, with rival loyalties of their own, had both engaged in secret negotiations for his bride. Never able to agree during their lifetime, he remained unwed, even at the age of thirty-three. Now that they were both gone, Stewart and Douglas were both calling for him to choose a bride, each assured that the choice would be his own maiden.
    Yet to choose one of these powerful clans over the other was to risk inciting the conflict that loomed, waiting for a single spark to ignite the clans in battle. It was impossible to choose a bride and equally impossible for him to remain unwed. Yet how could he choose without sending his clan to war?
    He needed sleep. It had been days. It felt like years. He stripped off his clothes and brushed back the goose down comforter. He blew out the candle and sunk down into the soft, straw mattress. It was pure heaven.
    Squeeeeak.
    Campbell sat bolt upright. He did not know how long he had been asleep, but someone was trying to