The Chieftain's Daughter by Leigh Ann Edwards

Author:Leigh Ann Edwards
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tule Publishing
Published: 2016-09-20T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty

“What by all that is holy is transpiring here, Uncle?” Killian asked in an enraged tone. “The blacksmith’s young sons told me Alainn came to their aid. Why then, is she to be punished?”

He went to Alainn’s side, knelt beside her, and, in covering her, he noticed the dark bruises and her bent wrist. “Someone had better explain to me what has happened to Alainn or I swear to all of you here, there shall be hell to pay.” He removed his overcoat and placed it around her shoulders as he glared at his uncle, waiting for him to reply.

“Stay out of this, Killian. This clearly does not concern you. Maiden McCreary has been judged and will serve the punishment. Five lashes for attacking my priest!”

“And how did Alainn receive these abrasions; did they appear out of nowhere?”

“Killian, you have no right to question any of this; she is not your concern! Because she shared your bed does not give you cause to defend or protect her.”

“And does Niall O’Rourke know you intend to have his granddaughter lashed?”

“Killian, leave us to our business. The decision has been made, the judgment called. She will be lashed!”

“No, uncle, she will not be lashed! You can be absolutely certain, she will not be lashed, this day or any other!”

“You have no authority to question what has already been determined and judged!”

“Then I will bear the lashes for her! That is oft allowed!”

“You cannot. You are not blood kin to her, or of any recognized or accepted connection. You will therefore not be allowed to serve her punishment as that is my law!”

The two men glared at each other with austere expressions when Killian gently helped her to her feet and then openly took Alainn in his arms and tenderly consoled her.

“Aye, well, I have an indisputably strong and binding connection to her, uncle, for we are wed. Alainn is now an O’Brien for she is my wife!”

The man’s face registered stunned disbelief as did that of the priest.

“You would speak falsehoods to defend this evil seductress?” The priest accused.

“You would stoop so low as to lie to protect her, nephew?”

“‘I speak no lie, uncle! ‘I swear on the grave of my mother, ’tis truth!” He held up Alainn’s right hand and then his own to reveal the sacred rings upon them.

“By Christ Almighty, Killian, what the hell have you done?”

“I’ve done what I’ve longed to do for the past two years, what I should have done months ago. And now you can get on with your damnable lashings for it will be me who suffers them!”

“No, Killian, you must not! What of the challenges tomorrow? You cannot be injured and weakened by a lashing. You simply cannot do this!” Alainn gently pleaded with him.

“Aye, I can and I will, Alainn, and you’ll question me no further on this!”

She held tight to him and began to quietly tremble as he held her.

“Get it over with then!” Hugh O’Brien ordered. “But it will be ten lashes then for that is the typical punishment given to a man!”

“No!” Alainn screamed.

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