Two

 

 

 

Heath drew Lillia into the entrance hallway and kissed her. There were several reasons for his abrupt passion. One, to assure her that he desired her; two, to allay any fears she had about their present company; and three, because he damned well wanted to.

Their kiss turned more torrid than he expected. God how he missed her touch, her body, her seductive lure. If he had any sense, he’d carry her off to their bed and spend the night in pleasure. It was a far better state than spending the night speaking politics.

Heath pulled back and gazed at her closed eyes. “You’re tired. Our chamber is the third door on the right. I will send food. You haven’t eaten all day and must be famished.” He kissed her cheek and gently shoved her toward the steps.

“I shall get rest, but you will come to bed this night? We need to talk about—”

“I am unsure, Sweetness, how long my discussion with MacKintosh will take. Rest assured we will talk, but it may need to await the morrow. Might you be patient until then?”

“I shall expect you no later than the early morning hours.”

He waited at the bottom of the stairs until she made her ascent and directed a servant to take food to her. Heath entered the great hall and signaled to his clansmen: John and Lagan.

“Begin the clearance. Only Laird MacKintosh, my Da, and Laird Hunter should remain. And of course you should join the meeting.” His clansmen set out to shuffle the unwanted from the hall. He approached Osgar MacKintosh. “We will begin our meeting shortly. My mother has prepared a chamber for you and your wife, should you wish to spend the night in our keep.”

“Aye, your kindness is appreciated. I shall see my wife settled and return.”

Heath inclined his head at Angus as he stomped forward. “I am pleased we settled the betrothal situation to our accord. Be well, Angus.”

The burly man clapped his shoulder and almost sent him back a step with his strength. “Och, and the best to you and the wee bride. May she give ye many a fine son.”

He should’ve let well enough alone, but Heath called him back. “Angus, I wanted to say something to you out of friendship. I ken you want a wife, but you’ll get none if you persist in not washing. Good God, my man, you stink to high heaven. Why do you not bathe?” For a brief moment, Heath was certain the unruly man would pound him into the floorboards, but then a gleam came to his comrade’s eye.

“Och I never learned how to swim.”

Confused by his retort, Heath understood after rationalizing it for a moment. “You do know that you don’t need to swim to bathe?”

“What say you? I don’t? My comrades tell me I must and they’re always out in the deep water, which is why I never enter the loch.”

Heath grinned. “All ye need to do is sit your arse in the water by the bank and use your hand to rinse yourself. Oh, and ye might want to use a wee bit of soap to wash away the grime.”

Angus scowled, but nodded. “Mayhap a lot of bit of soap. I shall try this on the journey home.”

“Good fortune to you, Angus.” He grinned, knowing he did the right thing. His smile waned when he got a whiff of the man’s stench which remained for a bit after his departure.

The Sinclairs left and the hall quieted. Heath nodded to Laird Hunter as he stepped forward. “You are welcome to join us for the meeting with Laird MacKintosh. Your clan sits between us and I’m sure our negotiation for peace is of interest.”

“That it is. I will sit with your father so I might tell him the goings on.”

His da slapped his knee and hooted in laughter. “Oh but Aylmer professes to be my eyes. Go, son, and see to the truce.”

Hunter stopped him from leaving when he said, “Your brother comes.”

He turned and expected to find Roderick, but saw his Uncle Andrew approach with heavy steps. Hunter must’ve meant that remark towards his da. If his uncle wanted to attend the meeting, he wouldn’t gainsay him, but if he interfered …

Heath sat at the table and poured himself a half of cup of ale. He only wanted to wet his throat, not to imbibe. With the coming speeches, he needed his wit about him. MacKintosh joined him with two of his comrades.

John and Lagan entered the hall and all parties to the treaty were finally present.

“Laird, all is secure. The sentry was doubled for the night and the walls well protected,” Lagan said.

He nodded. “I thank you Laird MacKintosh for considering the truce. There’s been too much warring betwixt our clans and it needs to cease if we’re to prosper.”

MacKintosh leaned forward. “I have considered your proposal and we will accept a union. One from each clan to wed and join us in an alliance. ‘Tis justified since your father stole one of our women.”

He shot a quick glance at his father. “Da, do you have something to say?”

His father shrugged his shoulder. “I won’t apologize for wedding Margaret. Her father wouldn’t approve and her brother was even worse. I had to take her without their leave.”

Heath sat rigid in his chair, engrossed by his father’s words. “My mother is your sister? That makes you my uncle.”

Osgar grinned. “Aye, it does. And it is right that you wed one of my clan to join the families.”

Heath grimaced. “As you ken I wed Laird Hunter’s daughter. My brother has returned and will soon lead our clan.”

A bang sounded and all eyes shifted to the great hall entrance. Roderick leaned against the wooden beam and wore a serious expression. His brother changed, not only in manner, but in appearance. Roderick’s face bore a permanent smirk, one that was never there before. They’d resembled each other as lads, but when they approached manhood, his brother’s hair darkened. Heath hoped being home would solace his brother, but given his expression it seemed not.

“Roderick, come and join the discussion. We were discussion a betrothal to unite the clans.”

“I heard your words, brother, and I must refute them. I will not lead our clan.”

Roderick’s rejection caused an uproar from his Uncle Andrew who stood and shouted in Gaelic all the reasons why his brother should lead them. His da likewise stood and shouted his reasons why he shouldn’t, and their company sat about looking confused. Heath stood and held up his hand, calling a cease to the arguments.

“This is a private family matter that should be settled betwixt us and not spoken of in front of … others. We will take a short respite and shall rejoin in an hour.” He wouldn’t allow anyone to reject his command. “I ask that my da, Uncle Andrew, and Roderick remain.”

All left the great hall and his family continued to stand. Their glares were enough to cause his sigh. The time had come to settle the matter once and for all who would lead their clan. Heath bid them to sit.

“We shall discuss this with a sense of civility. There will be no shouting. If any of you persist in being objectionable, I will have you removed from the hall.” Heath sat back and poured himself a drink. How he wished it were something stronger.

His da cleared his throat. “Roderick, you being my eldest son should be the one to lead our clan after I am gone, but with your recent confinement I fear—”

“Och, he should be named as your successor, Simon,” Andrew said in a somewhat raised tone.

Roderick shook his head. “Nay, Uncle Andrew, for can you not see? I’m not able to take on this tremendous responsibility. I have not the wherewithal that Heath has. I’ve watched him since his return. He has the ability to handle any situation, including our enemies.”

Heath dejected at his brother’s words. “I looked up to you since I was wee. How can I take your position, what rightfully belongs to you?”

“It is I who looks up to you now. You are worthy, Heath, far more than I am to guide our clan. Look at me, I’m a broken man. There are times when I can barely stand or suffer the thoughts that come to me …”

His Uncle Andrew stood and knocked back his chair. “What ye say is treasonous to our clan, Roderick. You were destined to follow your father, not that spineless God-seeking coxcomb.”

Heath closed his eyes briefly and breathed through his nose, hoping to dispel his anger. He leaned back in his chair and decided to let his brother and father defend him. At least, he would see where the conversation went.

Roderick grasped his uncle’s tunic and tossed him to the ground. “I will not have ye speak so of me or my brother in such a manner. Heath is honorable, intelligent, and forthright. Much more than you or me. I’ve never liked ye old man, especially after I heard how ye got him sent in service to the Bruce. Aye, my brother is the best man for the position of laird. I will not accept it regardless of what you say, Uncle Andrew. If ye like it not, you may leave our land and never return.”

His father applauded Roderick’s speech.

Heath helped his uncle from the floor. “Uncle, I ken you’ve never beheld me in a favorable light, but obviously Roderick’s imprisonment has changed him. He doesn’t want to lead us for whatever reason. We shan’t condemn him for it.”

“I will not be party to this usurp.” Andrew pounded his fists on the table and glared with contempt.

His da raised his voice, “Andrew, sit ye down. You have no say in this matter. I rule this clan, not you. It is I who will decide who should rightfully lead our clan. For years I’ve allowed your interference, but no longer.”

Andrew Fraser scoffed, righted his chair, and sat with a forceful thump.

“My sons, continue the decision. I deem you are both worthy, och I leave it to you to decide who shall fill my boots when I am gone.”

Heath bowed his head to his father and turned to his uncle. “Uncle Andrew, I will lead our clan and we will prosper. If ye want to be part of that, I welcome your counsel.”

Roderick laughed, the sound filling the hall. “You see, he’s learned diplomacy. I have not the inclination to be reasonable. Aye, for if my years in confinement has taught me anything, it’s to kill first and ask questions later. Brother, I give you the Clan Fraser. I shall leave and find my way—”

Heath stopped him from leaving. “Roderick, you cannot leave. I forbid it. You were lost to me for years and now I finally have you back. Nay, you will stay here and you shall assist me. I will seek your guidance. We will prevail together, just as we should have when we went on that mission to France.” He lowered his head, ashamed to speak the words that were about to come, but he needed to say them. “I was angry then and mayhap should have put my pride aside. I shouldn’t have left without you, should’ve tried and tried until I was able to gain your release. I failed you.”

Roderick leaned against the table. “Heath, you were young, much more than I. I should’ve been able to protect you, but instead got myself captured. None of what happened was your fault. I forbid you to hold guilt.”

Heath gave a firm nod.

His brother waved him forward. “The matter is settled as to who shall be laird. I am returning to my bed. Oh, and brother, do not put me in the pot to be chosen to wed a MacKintosh. I’m a rather poor candidate as husband right now.” He leaned forward and whispered in his ear.

Heath chuckled under his breath and nodded. “Get rest and we shall speak on the morrow.”

Once Roderick left, his uncle stomped from the hall. He was gladdened he’d left, because he wouldn’t take much more of his insolence. The rest of the attendees returned and Heath wanted to make the offer hastily before any further objections arose.

“Laird MacKintosh, let us continue. I am given leave by my da to handle this treaty for our clan. We were discussing a marriage …”

“Aye, we were. We need not a marriage to join us in alliance.”

Heath sat forward, dejected the pact wouldn’t be. “I bid you to reconsider. We’ve both lost men and goods. The raids must cease. What my father did … taking your sister as his wife without your laird’s permission was unacceptable. But my mother was happy all these years and he never mistreated her. She wouldn’t want the riff to continue. We must unite if we’re to succeed.”

“We will unite, Heath. My wife has informed me that months ago she came upon Fraser land to collect mushrooms without my permission.”

“What has she to do with this?” Heath shook his head, perplexed with the laird’s story.

“Ah but ye see, I forbade her from coming onto your land. She knows the dangers of trespassing, but she did so regardless. Whilst she was here on your land, she fell and would have plummeted to her death if it was not for a certain lady …” MacKintosh rubbed his face with his hands, and appeared displeased by what he was saying.

“Aye, what lady?”

“Your wife, Heath. She saved my sweet Fiona from death. If I wasn’t so relieved that she lived through that ordeal, I’d whack her bonny bottom. She deliberately defied my command. I’ve told her many times not to come here, but she insists she can only find the mushrooms of a certain variety here, in your woods.”

Heath smiled. Leave it to women to settle a matter men could not. “Lillia never mentioned this apparent meeting in the woods. When did this happen?”

“She says it were early autumn.”

Heath realized it happened when they’d come at his father’s behest and he’d gone to the MacKintosh to offer the treaty. He’d come away from that meeting dejected.

“My wife is tender-hearted now towards your wife, Heath, and demands I align our clans. For that, I shall, and you have my thanks. Convey it as well to your wife.”

Heath rose, and took hold of MacKintosh’s arm to honor their pact. “I shall. Yet, I believe we still need to align our clans through marriage. I suggest my cousin, Beth. She’s bonny, unwed, and the niece to my father. If she weds one of your men, we shall be joined and our clans forever more placated.”

“We have an accord. I shall insist she come to visit. Perhaps she will take a liking to one of my men. Now, I must relieve my wife’s strain for she has worried herself to a state of hysterics. Aye, and I was bid to tell you that your wife has news of the most joyous nature. My dear Fiona insists I don’t keep ye long so you may learn of it.”

Heath would’ve laughed, but the man seemed intent to have him attend Lillia. He was indeed ready to hail off to his bed, but news was the least of his want.