Gideon fell in step as they circumvented the bailey and trod across the wooden drawbridge. “I have drawn up both the marriage papers and the surrender of Dunrobin and Sutherland lands,” Gideon said. “In truth, Ella could sign both and be done with it here if ye do not want to bring her out on the field. She is still the current chief of Sutherland Clan. If ye want, we can have her brother also sign the surrender. Macleod says the boy can write.”

Cain’s jawline hardened as he frowned, his gaze before him. “I would have her clan see her sign and that she and her brother are unharmed.” He saw a bird fly up from a tree growing alongside the wall and watched it climb higher into the gray sky. “I would have Ella take her vows before them, so they know that it is what she wants.”

Was it what she wanted? To marry him? He had told her that there were only two choices and that he had taken away her choice to die.

Hands fisted at his sides, Cain glanced at Gideon. Always the brother with level-headed answers, he stared at him. “She will take the vows with me?”

Gideon’s brows rose. “Joshua says that she has lain with ye, more than once. Tell her that no other man would have her.”

Anger, already ignited by the incessant questions tangling his thoughts, grew rapidly with every word from his brother’s mouth. Cain stopped, centering his fierce gaze on Gideon. “I will not let any other man touch her.” It was all he could do not to punch him. Why the bloody hell was he talking to him anyway?

Gideon spied Cain’s fist and met the challenge in his eyes. “Well, tell her that, too. She might be flattered by it.”

Why had he ever thought that Gideon knew anything about women?

Cain whirled away from him, but Gideon stopped him with a hand on his arm. Cain almost slammed his fist into him, but his brother stepped away when Cain turned back with murder in his eyes.

Gideon sighed. “Cain…I am only looking out for our clan and for ye. Ye have seemed…distracted.” Gideon clenched his fists as if preparing to defend himself. “And Joshua worries ye might not go to war against the Sutherlands because ye have…” He unclenched one hand, lifting and flipping it as if trying to find the right word. “Because ye have grown soft for Ella.”

Cain walked straight up to him and pressed his closed fist hard against Gideon’s chest. “Joshua can fok off, and so can ye. If either of ye think that I am not the chief of the Sinclairs, feel free to draw your swords.”