Read Online A Gentle Feuding by Johanna Lindsey - Free Book Online

remembering her fear when she couldn’t find him in the middle of the night. “I came here last night to talk to you, but you were gone. Where were you, Niall?”
    He didn’t answer. He had fallen back to sleep. Impatient, she slapped his backside, none too gently.
    “Where were you, Niall?”
    “I canna tell you, Sheena,” he mumbled. “Truly, you dinna want to know.”
    She frowned. And then a chill raced through her. Where else would he have been that she wouldn’t want to know about but with The MacKinnion?
    “Och, Niall, I pray you’re no’ found out,” she whispered, but he wasn’t listening.
    She left him to his sleep. The hall was nearly empty. Only one servant was there, looking at the half-eaten breakfasts scattered over the tables. Sheena viewed the cold bannocks and barely touched bowls of porridge and cream, and her uneasy feeling deepened.
    “What is going on, Alice?” she asked the servant. “Where are my father and his men?”
    “’Tis what I’d like to be knowing, lass,” Alice replied testily. “There was a to-do in the courtyard, and the bailie came running in to see your father. Then everyone ran out of here.”
    Sheena headed for the small courtyard, but before she reached the doors, Margaret and Elspeth stepped through them, blocking her way.
    “So there you are.” Margaret took her usual disagreeable tone. “Where were you during all the fuss?”
    “I only just came down,” said Sheena. “What has happened?”
    “You havena heard?” Elspeth gasped. “The MacKinnion escaped. Father’s no’ said so yet, but of course The MacDonough helped him. Who else?”
    “This better no’ break your betrothal, Sheena,” Margaret added coldly. “I’ll no’ stand to have my wedding delayed any longer. Nor will Gilbert.”
    They left Sheena without noticing her reaction. She was standing stock-still, and her whole body tingled from a rushing of blood, as if it were flowing right out of her. Alasdair hadn’t known The MacKinnion was there, so Alasdair couldn’t have released him. Oh, Niall, Niall , what have you done? Sheena cried silently.
    She didn’t have to ask him. Somehow, she knew her brother had let The MacKinnion go. But why? She took a deep breath, steadying herself against the doorway. She knew the answer. It was William’s threat and her father’s decision. Rather than let her wed the cruel enemy, Niall had released him.
    Astonishment and fear turned to relief, and Sheena wanted to rush upstairs and shower her brother with grateful kisses. She need no longer fear the savage Highlander! Just possibly, The MacDonough would be blamed, and she wouldn’t have to wed him, either.
    She was smiling happily when the hall began to crowd and she met her father’s frowning countenance.
    “Why are you so happy? There’s naught to be cheerful about,” Dugald said coldly.
    “I’m glad he’s gone.” Sheena wasn’t afraid to admit that much. “You would have wed me to him, and I’d never have forgiven you for it.”
    Sheena hadn’t seen William’s tall frame becauseher back was to him, but he moved to stand beside her father. “You wanted a reason, Dugald. Now you have it.”
    Sheena looked from her father’s stern face to William’s accusing expression. “What do you mean?”
    “Do you deny you were in the courtyard late last night?” Dugald asked silkily.
    “I couldna sleep, Father, so I went for a walk. Where is the harm in that?”
    “An easy excuse,” William replied, his tone deliberately dry.
    “And what was your excuse for being there, cousin?” Her eyes shot sparks at him. “You were up and about at the same time. You failed to mention that.”
    “I dinna need an excuse.” He glowered at her. “’Twas no’ I who wanted The MacKinnion gone. You’ve already admitted that you did.”
    Sheena gasped, his intention clear. “So you think I let him go?”
    “Either you or your brother did,” William said sharply.
    Outraged, Sheena demanded, “How