Cain stopped, his boots crunching hard on the pebbles of the narrow road. “I do not know all Sutherlands, but even ye must consider that Da lied about them after watching Ella save that foal. And no horse that we ever won from them had signs of poor treatment.”

Cain began to walk again, Joshua’s words plucking at his confidence that Ella would stay even with a new foal to tie her to Girnigoe. Perhaps if he continued gifting animals to her, she would have so many that she couldn’t return without assistance, assistance that he would give only after she married him and peacefully forfeited her family’s castle and lands.

Joshua stopped him with a heavy hand on his shoulder, making Cain turn to stare into his brother’s eager face. “We need to finish this push to take Dunrobin,” Joshua said. “Without their lady chief giving them orders, the clan is likely being governed by Kenneth Macleod, the old laird’s advisor. It is only a matter of time before one of the Sutherland warriors seizes the opportunity to take over the leadership of the clan by challenging the old man, since Ella is away.” Joshua balled his hand into a fist before Cain’s face. “This is the time to strike. Sutherland territory could be ours within days.”

Cain kept his voice low. His brother had heard the warning in it too many times to miss it. “With loss of people who could become loyal to Sinclairs.”

“Sutherlands will never be loyal to Sinclairs,” Joshua said, leaning in as if he welcomed a civil war right there.

“Just because ye have not seen peace between them and us in your lifetime does not mean it is impossible, Joshua. Ye thirst for war, but war for the sake of revenge and blood is not wise.”

“Dammit, Cain,” Joshua said, dropping his hand. “That woman is a Sutherland. Ye cannot trust her. She will betray ye; mayhap she already has tonight.” His brother turned on his heel and strode off down the path that led into the village where there were several lasses who could help him work off his ire.

Cain inhaled and marched on. His instincts told him Joshua was wrong about Ella. If he started distrusting his instincts, his whole foundation would crumble. Joshua had respected their father because of his bloodthirsty ways. Would he ever grow to respect Cain as chief? Not because he was older but because he guided their clan with strength and wisdom?