Her hand slid behind to pull Jamie closer into her back, as if she could hide him away inside her. It was obvious from Randolph’s smirk that he did not plan for Jamie to live five more years to take over the leadership of his clan. If Jamie died in war or by some illness or accident, which could be a hidden assassination, whoever was wed to Ella and acting as regent would be in a strong position to lead the clan. Why hadn’t she told Cain before? She had been so foolish not allowing herself to trust him. He would not hurt Jamie.

Randolph shrugged and gestured to the priest who could not be found that morning. “Pastor John, your services are now required.”

Ella shook her head. “Our banns. They have not been posted for three weeks.”

Randolph tipped his hand in the air as if that meant nothing. “The Sinclairs saved me the trouble of doing so. Banns are pinned to the chapel doors so that anyone who might have an issue with your marriage could come forward to declare a previously made agreement. No one has come forward, so the pastor may proceed.” Pastor John looked small standing between two large Mackay warriors.

Randolph slid his gaze down her dress, a grin making him look eager. The man obviously did not plan to leave her alone once they were wed. “Ye are even attired for such a special event,” he said.

“I will not wed you, Randolph,” she said. The thought of him touching her made bile rise, and she swallowed.

Randolph came to stand before her, his face closing in until she could smell his breath. Beer and rot. It reminded her of her father and made the muscles in her shoulders tighten and ache. “Then I will slit his throat now.”

Ella felt Jamie’s fingers curl into her dress as his body pushed against the wide flare of her petticoats. “And then King James will take all of Mackay lands,” she said. “He knows that Jamie is the rightful leader of Clan Sutherland.”

Randolph’s grin made her skin pock with another wave of chills. “He will think it was done by Cain Sinclair or one of his brothers. Gideon was already there asking him about leadership of your clan. And I have a man in Edinburgh who is, right now, telling James how the Sinclairs are bold enough to eliminate the boy to take over the clan. If Cain rides today to conquer Dunrobin, the king will believe every word my Mackay emissary has said.”

“And if I tell the king the truth?” she whispered.