All the elder male clan members and gentlemen of the clan, including Haldane, Uncle Conall and Keegan sat down around the tables in the great hall, as did Rebbie and Erskine, while Dirk and Aiden took seats at the high table. His father's ceann-cath or sword-bearer, his fear sporain or treasurer, and others who held official positions were also present. Maighread lurked in one darkened corner like a hungry spider. He ignored her poison scowl and glanced around.

Isobel entered and stood on the opposite side of the room with Jessie, Seona, and several more women. Isobel's dark gaze always bewitched him, even now, at twenty paces. What power did she hold over him? He had to stop staring at her for she distracted him far too much.

His father's senachie, Phelan, who was also one of the elder clansmen, rose from the bench. His long white beard gave him a wise and distinguished air. "This hearing is to determine who the rightful chief of the MacKay clan shall be. We want a strong leader who is also the son of our revered former chief, Griff MacKay, may God rest his soul." Phelan's rich voice rang out and everyone listened intently. The man was a gifted orator, and had been telling stories of their ancestors to the clan all Dirk's life, and long before.

"I remember when Dirk MacKay was born." Phelan motioned toward Dirk. "I was standing right here in this hall when the proud Chief Griff MacKay came down the stairs carrying his firstborn son. The bairn was screaming to the top of his lungs, roaring like a wee lion cub. We could tell then he would be a fearsome warrior one day, just like his father and his grandfather before him. I ask that you all honor the memory of Griff MacKay by acknowledging his firstborn son, Dirk MacKay, as the rightful and current chief." Phelan resumed his seat.

Another clansman stood, Dirk's great uncle, Hamish. "Aye, and when his da held him aloft without a stitch of clothes on, we all saw the wee birthmark on his left shoulder in the shape of a Highland dirk. All of you who were here when Dirk arrived a few nights ago saw that same mark on this man's shoulder." He pointed to Dirk.

"You are mad, old man," Maighread growled from her corner.

Hamish turned to glare at her. "You were nay here, old woman."

She gasped and her mouth hung open.

Dirk couldn't hold back the soft snort that escaped. 'Twas about time Maighread got some of her rudeness returned. He glanced aside at Aiden to find him holding back a grin as well.

"Laird MacKay would turn in his grave if he knew you spoke to me that way," Maighread said, offense dripping from every word.

"And, if he were here, Laird MacKay would know this man is his eldest son." Hamish pointed toward Dirk. Ignoring her, he addressed the rest of the clan. "If you see the evidence and hear the testimonies of everyone who knew Dirk when he was a lad—almost everyone here over the age of twenty—you will see that Dirk is the rightful chief of our clan. You but need to look at him to see he is the spitting image of his father. Clearly, he is also a strong, intelligent man, a well-trained soldier and will be a powerful leader for our clan."

Reverend MacMahon and five more clansmen acknowledged that they knew without doubt Dirk was who he claimed to be.

Aiden stood. "I agree with all of you."

"Aiden, sit down!" Maighread ordered.

"Nay, Mother. If you truly see me as the rightful chief, then let me speak the truth." He glared at her and when she remained silent, he went on to address the clan. "I remember Dirk well from when I was a lad. I looked up to him and admired him as a strong older brother and someone I wanted to be like. This man sitting beside me is my brother." He motioned to Dirk. "My father's eldest son. As such, it is his right to lead this clan as the chief. I am stepping aside, Dirk. What they say is true. You will make a powerful, strong and wise leader."

Dirk stood, near overcome with humble gratitude for his beloved brother. He clasped his hand, then hugged him.

"I'm proud of you, Aiden. You are the most honorable of men."

"I thank you, brother."

"This is lunacy!" Haldane leapt to his feet, his hands clenched in fists at his side. "Are you insane, Aiden? To simply hand over the inheritance that Da entrusted you with to this imposter?"

"Sit down, Haldane," Aiden said in a calm but firm voice.

"Nay! I will not sit down. Nor will I be the filthy rushes beneath this bastard's feet! You are daft to give up everything without a fight."

"There is no need to fight. I know the truth. This is Da's oldest son."

"You don't know that he is legitimate. Da may not have even been married to his mother. 'Haps she was only his whore and this man a bastard in truth."

"You go too far, Haldane!" Dirk said, offended outrage rushing through him that the lad could insult his mother to such a degree. "Either sit down and remain silent or leave."

With a snarl, his youngest brother stormed from the room and shoved the door back to bang against the stone wall. A gust of chilly wind whooshed in before the guard closed the door.

Dirk ran his gaze over Maighread. Her eyes were narrowed, and she looked vindictive enough to charge him with a sword. But he knew she would never be so open about her revenge. She would retaliate in secret, under the cover of darkness. She would hire someone to do her dirty work while imagining she was keeping her hands spotlessly clean. He was certain she was even now making those plans. If he knew her, she would hire someone capable of getting the job done, someone as malicious as she was herself. But not McMurdo. He was in the dungeon.

"I think we can all agree that Dirk MacKay is our rightful chief," Hamish announced. "All in favor say aye."

A loud chorus of ayes went up.

"All not in favor say nay."

Everyone remained silent, even Maighread. But venom nearly shot from her eyes. He lifted a brow, daring her to take another shot at him.

She stormed from the room. He hoped she was going to pack her baggage.

Isobel caught his attention as she trailed his stepmother from the room. Why the devil was she always following that evil harpy about?

The meeting was adjourned and the clansmen gathered 'round to shake his hand and pledge their loyalty to him. They informed him they would hold a traditional inauguration outside when the weather was better.

Moments later, two guards burst in the front door and addressed Keegan. "The prisoner tried to escape. One of the guards was injured."

Dirk strode across the great hall toward them. "What happened?"

"Dirk MacKay is our new chief," Keegan told the two guards. Dirk had met them a few days earlier.

Each of the men bowed. "Chief, three masked men barged into the dungeon and strove to overpower the two guards. One was stabbed with a sgian dubh but he lives. The other was knocked out. The intruders snatched the keys and opened the cell door but they didn't have the key to the manacles. They were trying to smash the chain or rip it from the wall when more guards arrived."

"Did you capture them?"

"Aye. They must be from McMurdo's band of thieves."

"Damnation. I'm going to question them now."

Moments later, Dirk descended the narrow stone steps into the dank dungeon with the two guards. Rebbie followed him, as did Erskine and Keegan. A large hammer lay in the corridor. He nudged it with his toe. "Is this what they used?"

"Aye." One of the guards opened the door to McMurdo's cell. He was alone inside, and his fellow outlaws in separate cells.