his face. "Ye must have seen her with someone. Who did she leave with? Tell me!"
His father's fingers dug into his arms, but Connor did not say a word. Even if he had known where his mother was, he would never betray her. And if he was very good, she might come back for him.
His father sent his galleys in every direction, despite the storm. By the next day, an eerie calm had settled over the sea. Connor was outside with Ragnall, his father's son by his first wife, when one of the galleys returned. As soon as he saw a warrior carrying his mother from the boat, her limbs and long black hair swaying with his long strides, Connor started running.
"No, Connor!" Ragnall shouted.
He darted out of his brother's reach and scrambled down to the beach. But Ragnall was ten years older, a grown man, and he caught Connor before he reached her.
Ragnall neither chastised nor tried to soothe him, but simply held Connor against his solid frame, heavily muscled from constant training. Connor strained to see his mother through the warriors who had crowded around her.
"Even in death, she commands the attention of every man," Ragnall said under his breath. "By the saints, your mother was beautiful."
Was? Connor did not understand, but fear knotted his belly.
The men suddenly parted to let the chieftain through. As their father brushed past Connor and Ragnall, his gaze was fixed on the limp body that was draped over the warrior's arms like an offering.
"Their galley capsized in the storm, and all were lost," the warrior said when his father came to a halt before him. "A farmer found her body washed up on shore."
The muscles of his father's jaw clenched and unclenched as his gaze traveled over her.
"Let me see her!" Connor wailed, reaching his arms out to her.
His father pivoted and fixed his fierce golden eyes on him. Ragnall tightened his grip and turned sideways to protect him from their father's wrath, but Connor was too distraught to fear him.
"What's wrong with her?" Connor usually kept silent in his father's presence, but he had to know.
"She was unfaithful, and now she's dead," his father said, anger vibrating off him. "There will be no weeping for her."
Grief sucked the air from Connor's lungs, and it was a long moment before any sound came out. Then he howled, "No!" and clawed at his brother's arms. "Let me see her! Let me see her!"
"Praise God I have one son who is a fit heir to lead this great clan," his father said.
"Connor's only a bairn, Fa - " Ragnall started to say.
The chieftain cut him off with an abrupt wave of his hand. "Keep her son out of my sight."
Chapter 1
1516
Ye can't go with Connor," Duncan told her.
"Who else will set up his household at Trotternish Castle?" Ilysa continued sorting and packing her clothes while her brother, who was twice her size and all brawny muscle, glowered down at her. "Ach, there will be so much to do."
"I won't allow it," Duncan said, crossing his arms.
Ilysa paused to give her brother a smile because he meant well, though she was not going to let him stop her. "For heaven's sake, Duncan, why shouldn't I go?"
"If you're keeping his household, everyone will believe that you're also warming his bed," Duncan said in a low hiss.
"I've been managing his household here at Dunscaith Castle since he became chieftain, and no one thinks that." It would not occur to any of them, least of all Connor. Ilysa stifled a sigh and returned to her packing.
"That's because I live here," Duncan said. "Ye grew up here. This is your home. Following the chieftain to Trotternish Castle is a different matter altogether."
What would she do if she remained here? Now that Duncan had married Connor's sister and been made keeper of Dunscaith, Ilysa had lost her place. Though she and Duncan's new bride were friends, there could be only one mistress of a castle.
"If you're troubled about this, why don't ye speak to Connor?" Ilysa asked. "He's been your best friend since the cradle."
"I won't insult my friend and chieftain by suggesting he'd take advantage of my sister!"
"But you'll insult me?" Ilysa asked, arching an eyebrow - though if Connor MacDonald wanted to take advantage of her, she would faint from pure happiness.
"I'm no saying anything would actually happen between the two of ye," Duncan said, raising his hands in exasperation. "But if the men think ye belong to