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hall, refusing to let anyone see her tears. Fortunately, no one followed, and she dried her eyes before she reached Niall’s door. He was still asleep, and she stood quietly for a moment, trying to compose her thoughts before she woke him.
    At last she sat on the bed and said, “Niall, you have to wake and listen to me ’afore someone comes.”
    The seriousness in her voice alerted him, and he sat right up. He took in her expression, and, all at once, he knew what was wrong.
    “The alarm’s been given?” he began. “They know he’s gone?”
    “Aye, they know,” she said miserably.
    He mistook her tone for disapproval and blurted, “I had to do it, Sheena! The MacKinnion said he’d beat you and rape you and make you suffer all your life if he was forced to marry you!”
    “My God!” Sheena gasped. It was worse than she had known.
    “You see, I had to let him go, for he wouldna listen to reason. He was furious, and no mistake. He said you dinna force a MacKinnion against his will and no’ suffer for it. It didna matter to him that you were no’ to blame. He swore he’d make you suffer and suffer, Sheena.”
    “Then I’m doubly grateful to you, Niall,” Sheena said, her voice soft.
    “Grateful? You’re no’ angry?”
    “I knew you did it for me. ’Tis thankful I am, and no mistake. And you’re no’ to feel bad when I tell you…I’ve accepted the blame.”
    “You? But The MacDonough—”
    “He was watched, Niall,” Sheena explained. “They know he didna do it, and William managed to make our father blame me.”
    “But Sheena—”
    She held up her hand. “Listen to me. I’ve come out of this better than you think. The MacDonough broke the betrothal, so I dinna have to marry him. And thanks to you, I’ll no’ be given to The MacKinnion.” She grinned. She really was better off thanshe had been. “I’m being sent away as punishment, Niall, but to Aunt Erminia in Aberdeen. ’Tis not so bad. I’d rather that than marry!”
    “You’ll become a nun?” he gasped.
    “Father didna say that, so dinna worry. And I havena seen our aunt for years. ’Twill be a pleasant change, and I’ll no’ have to worry about a husband being forced on me, at least not for a while. Truly, Niall, I’m no’ unhappy.”
    “But you’ll come back?”
    “Father was very angry, so I canna say. But even if I am forced to become a nun, I think I would prefer that to a loveless marriage.”
    “You dinna mean that, Sheena.”
    “Yes, I do. Our parents didna love each other, Niall. You never saw them together, but I remember well enough. Without love, I’d rather never marry.”
    “I’ll talk to Father.”
    “You willna!” she said sharply. “If I stay here, he’ll only find another man for me. I’m going, Niall, and you’re no’ to try and prevent it. And you’re never to confess what you did, you understand? You promise me?”
    He nodded, but reluctantly. This was not the way it was supposed to come out. But he no longer had any control over events. Everything had been decided. He had acted on impulse, because of his love for his sister. But the outcome was not his to determine after all.
    “I’ll come and visit you soon,” he said.
    “If Father lets you, I’ll be glad of it.” She smiled.
    Suddenly Niall threw his arms around her, tears coursing down his face. “Och, Sheena, I’m so sorry!”
    “Hush now, m’dear. This is no’ your fault. And you’re no’ to fret for me. I’ll be fine in Aberdeen. I’ve never been so far north ’afore. I’m actually looking forward to going, ’Tis better Father and I part, at least for a while. I couldna live here with him now.”

Chapter 9
    I n the weeks that followed, Sheena was often to remember that last intimate talk with Niall. Aberdeen, nearly fifty miles from home, was like a foreign land. It was crowded and filthy, and you couldn’t walk through the town without fear of having someone’s chamber pot or garbage dumped on your head. But