“My warriors look at me with respect now,” she said. “I had the chance to prove my worth, so they do not look on me with contempt…like some have.” She stared down at the straw she peeled with her small fingernails.

Did she speak again about when he frowned at her long ago? He cleared his throat. “That day at the festival ten years ago, when I came upon ye…”

“It was twelve years ago.”

“Twelve, then.” He crossed his legs at the ankle where they sat beside each other. “I did not mean that look for ye. The one ye interpreted as disgust. It was not about ye, but about Alec Sutherland and how he treated women, mainly my Aunt Merida.”

Of course, at the time he also believed his father when he said they beat their horses, but that had changed.

Ella flicked the stripped piece of straw. “Your sister said as much.”

“And yet ye still hate me,” he said. He watched Ginny nudge the wee foal with her nose.

Ella tipped her head to the side. “Am I still a prisoner?”

“Until ye agree to wed me.” He paused, his voice softening. “Ye could still lead your clan beside me as my wife.” His words came slow as if the gentle speed could discourage her attack.

Her head rolled against the boards of the wall as she turned her face completely to him, keeping her body straight. “You would let me continue to be in charge of Dunrobin and Sutherland lands?”

“In charge of?” He scratched his chin.

“Yes. Legally, I would retain the Sutherland clan seat, me alone.”

He studied her. “Ye want to remain the chief even if we wed.”

“That is not an answer.”

He could lie. Tell her that he would let her clan remain under their own rule if she married him. Then, once her vows were spoken, he could claim the Sutherland lands and send an official document to King James about the unification. But as much as he’d learned to strategize, war, and conquer, he would not tarnish his honor or the honor of the Sinclairs by lying to win.

He exhaled, knowing the night would not bring them any closer. “Dunrobin and Sutherland lands would be legally held under the domain of the Sinclair clan and me.”

Her head rolled back so that she stared straight ahead. “Then my answer is still no, and I will escape from here. Alive or dead depends on you.” Without a word, Ella rocked forward and pushed up into a stand, lifting her kitten with her. She walked down the dark corridor toward the double doors at the end.

Cain pushed up and followed at a distance. His stride caught him up to her as they exited. She stared straight ahead, her mind probably already creating a new plan of escape.