"You have men?" Dirk asked.

"The men of the MacKay clan. Aiden authorized the raid. 'Tis what we do to prove our manhood here, something I'm sure you've never done."

"Never needed to. 'Tis obvious I'm a man." Dirk forced himself not to smirk. "Besides I was at university when I was your age."

"University?" Haldane snorted. "Of what use is that? It only makes you more like the Sassenachs."

"All chiefs are required by the king to send their eldest sons."

Haldane shrugged. "Ma brought in tutors. I wager we know as much as you do."

The six clan elders disbanded from their private conference. "We will have a hearing to decide whether Dirk MacKay, eldest son and legal heir of Griff MacKay, will become chief," Hamish said in a loud voice. "This meeting will be held three days hence."

Dirk gave a bow of respect to them. "I thank you."

Much mumbling and chatter ensued. Dirk glanced around the room and his gaze landed on a familiar female face. His wee sister?

"Is that Jessie?" he asked Conall.

"Aye and hasn't she turned into a bonny lass?"

The tall young woman with flaming red hair and blue eyes descended the steps. With a wide smile, she threw herself onto him for a massive hug. "I cannot believe you're alive, brother. After all these years."

"Aye, 'tis good to see you again, lass."

He and Jessie had been close for a few years when they were young children, but when Jessie was seven summers, they'd sent her to foster with the Keiths. Mainly because their stepmother hadn't wanted her underfoot. Jessie had been a wee hellion at the time, following the lads around and engaging them in mock battles with wooden swords. He'd only seen her a few times since. He'd missed her greatly since she was his only full sibling.

She was three-and-twenty, and he couldn't believe Da hadn't married her off before now.

Jessie stepped back to beam up at him. "I'm so happy you're alive and have come home."

"I'm glad to be home. But I'm sorry I didn't make it in time to see Da one last time."

"Aye, he would've been beside himself with joy to know you are indeed alive."

Her words only made Dirk regret his decision to stay away even more. He'd always known his father loved him, but twelve years ago, it seemed Da had loved and trusted Maighread far more. At times, Dirk had been angry at his father for not believing him and ignoring his concerns.

"Will you be staying tonight?" his sister asked. "I can have a room prepared."

"Is our adoring stepmother here?" he asked.

Jessie grinned. "Nay, she is at Tongue."

Conall drew him aside and said in a low voice, "It might be best if we stay at the cottage tonight."

Dirk knew what his uncle was hinting at—his safety. In truth he wasn't sure he wanted to turn his back on Haldane long enough to exit the room, much less sleep under the same roof. The lad had violence in his eyes. Aiden came forward, approaching Dirk.

"Won't you stay the night here, brother?" he asked.

Dirk frowned, trying to decipher Aiden's frame of mind and motives. He had not changed a lot since the last time he'd seen him. He was taller, of course, but he was still thin. He certainly didn't appear old enough or fearsome enough to be a chief.

"I'd like it if you would," Aiden went on. "It has been many years. I'd like to talk and catch up."

Dirk gave a brief nod. He'd make sure to sleep far from Haldane and bar the door. "Do you have room for my friend, the Earl of Rebbinglen, as well?"

"Earl?" Aiden's wide eyes traveled to Rebbie, who gave a slight bow. "Of course. We'd be honored."

Haldane, a few inches taller than Aiden and broader of shoulder, sidled up to him. "They're not staying here, Aiden."

"Aye, I've invited them. Dirk is our brother and his friend is an earl."

"I don't care who the blazes they say they are. We have no proof this truly is Dirk. And anyone can say they're an earl. Doesn't make it so."

Rebbie smirked. Dirk knew he had no need to prove himself. One had only to look at him, his possessions, and his clothing to know he was of the nobility. But Dirk's youngest brother was not very wise or observant.

"Stand down, Haldane. I've already decided," Aiden said.

"Haldane, you dimwit. Of course he's Dirk," Jessie put in for good measure.

"Shut your mouth, Jessie." Haldane passed his glare over all of them before snarling words under his breath and stamping away.

Jessie turned, directing servants to prepare extra bedchambers.

"Could we talk for a few minutes in the library?" Aiden asked Dirk.

"Aye, of course."

Carrying a candle, Aiden led the way from the expansive great hall, down a tight corridor and into the smaller room his father had used for official business. The room looked deserted now without his father occupying the massive desk in the corner or sitting in one of the chairs at the table where small meetings were held or maps were spread out. Rolled documents and papers still filled some of the shelves along one wall.

They took seats before the hearth where a small fire smoldered. Aiden added a brick of peat to the fire, then turned to Dirk. "You left because someone tried to murder you?"

"Aye." Dirk could see how the information Conall revealed in the great hall would be a shock to Aiden. He'd been too young back then to be involved. Had any of them suspected murder or did they think he and Will had simply had an accident and both fallen off the cliff?

"Who did this? Who killed Cousin Will?"

Dirk was unsure whether he should tell Aiden his mother was the guilty party. "I have no proof as of yet, Aiden. I hope to expose them."

"But you suspect someone."

"Aye, but I'd rather not say yet. I'm certain it will all come to light now that I'm back. Tell me of Da's last few days."

Aiden's green eyes dimmed. "He did not say much. He lay abed. Sometimes he would call me into his chamber and we'd discuss the clan. He reminded me again of things he'd told me a thousand times. I ken he feared I would not make a good chief. I have the same fear." Aiden stared dejectedly into the glowing coals, his expression proclaiming he felt unsure of himself, but also guilty for not being what his father expected. It wasn't his fault he was born with musical talent instead of leadership ability. He lifted a hopeful gaze to Dirk. "Are you here to take your rightful place?"

Dirk was stunned silent for a moment. Aiden wanted to give up the title and responsibility to him. "If that is what the clan wants." Dirk released a long breath, a small measure of relief flowing through him. Most of all, he hadn't wanted to hurt his beloved brother. "Aiden, I didn't come back here to oust you. I hoped father would still be alive."

"Do not fash yourself. Ever since I can remember, you were supposed to be the next chief. Naught has been right since you disappeared. Everything was off kilter. Da made me train with a sword, targe and dirk." He shook his head. "I disappointed him. He tried to reshape me into you, but nothing could make it so."

"I'm certain he was proud of you, anyway."

Aiden gave a short bleak laugh. "Nay, I fear the training did me no good. I'm a piper, not a soldier. If Da were alive, he'd be overjoyed to see you, and to know that you would be the next chief… 'tis what he'd want. You have the training and the natural skills for it."