Chapter 30
“For days you have kept to this chamber, Claire,” Lachlan said as he entered and took the seat across from her at the desk. “I wish to speak with you alone.”
Barely glancing up from the ledgers, Claire let out a sigh at the disruption. “Then talk,” she mumbled, with her focus back on her work.
“It would be easier to speak if I had your attention.” She hadn’t missed the irritation in his voice and bit her lip to keep her smirk from sight. She doubted medieval men enjoyed asking for attentiveness. Yet, he had brought the ledgers to her to be done. She wished he would simply leave her to the work.
“What can I do for you?” Claire responded as she sat back in her chair.
Lachlan gazed hard at her, and she stared directly back. If he was in the chamber to try her patience, he was doing an excellent job.
With a softer gaze, he said, “I can see why Ian insisted only your hand should touch these accounts. It appears you are making fine progress. They seemed a bit odd to me, yet you understand them?”
“The format is a bit unusual. However, all the necessary information is there.” Offering the same explanation as she had to Hagan, Claire continued, “I am currently transferring the necessary data into the household accounts. It will be easier to maintain in the future this way. The old books will be kept for reference.”
“Then matters here are well cared for as Ian had hoped.” Lachlan looked away from the ledgers and back to Claire. “I had wished to offer my thanks. Because of you, my daughter and I still draw breath. We would have both enjoyed the wedding ale and paid the price. The Campbell clan is in your debt.” Lachlan added, seemingly for the sake of importance, “‘Tis no small matter.”
“You’re welcome. Please don’t speak of debt. I am simply glad no harm came to anyone.” She hated the mention of debt.
“You surprise me. Most would be pleased to have me in their debt. Still, I would have you ken that you have my thanks. The Campbell clan will honor this blood debt. Should you ever need anything, you will come to me,” Lachlan commanded. Claire smiled at the offer given with such authority.
“Your offer is very kind. Was there anything else?” Claire replied as she looked again down at the ledgers before her. If that had been his goal, the meeting should have been over.
With no preamble, Lachlan continued. “Did you ken that once a long time ago these two clans, the Draig and Campbell, were united by sisters? ‘Twas a long time past, I believe it may have been the first Draig, the one who claimed these lands. My forefather and Ian’s were married to these women.”
Claire replied, “I had no idea.” She doubted her annoyance at the story she didn’t want was kept from her face. Lachlan’s eyes narrowed, yet he kept talking.
“I believe ‘tis this common ancestry that has kept our two clans at peace. Always we have supported the other through good years and bad. ‘Tis a fine thing to have such an alliance, would you not agree?” Lachlan made a point of keeping her gaze as he spoke.
“Of course, I agree. Good neighbors are hard to find,” Claire answered with a smile she forced to her lips. Why do I feel like he is trying to sell me something?
“There still remains only goodwill between our clans. I would keep it this way. When my son follows me as the next laird, I would have this alliance solid. The future is uncertain, and good friends are always needed.”
“We have already agreed, so why are you telling me this?” If there was something he wanted to say, she wished he would spill it.
“I will speak plainly. The alliance, while strong, could be stronger. Fresh blood is needed to keep old agreements in place. I would see Ian and my daughter wed. Their children will bind our clans once again and for many generations to come.”
Claire’s gaze dropped to the ledgers. She wanted no part of the conversation. “Well, that sounds like a matter for you to discuss with Ian when he returns. I only keep the books.”
She felt his eyes on her, and she strove to ignore the sensation of being studied. “I would see my daughter in a home of her own. Not one claimed by another,” Lachlan finally said.
“Why are you talking to me about this?” The question danced on the edge of a past she had no desire to share with the man before her. Up to that point, she had enjoyed his company and found him to be pleasant and kind.
“Dinna pretend with me, lass. You said there was truth to what Tavis claimed. I merely wished to ken that you are heading back to Douglas lands.”
“So let me get this straight. First you come in to thank me and tell me how indebted you are to me. Then you insinuate how I need to be gone. Is that correct?” Claire leaned forward in her seat. Amazing. Somehow I’m still perceived as only a threat. Maybe I should enlighten him on how I was thrown away. Maybe then he’ll leave me alone.
“You make my words sound more harsh than I intended. Be at ease, Claire. There is no threat to you. I simply wished to ken if you leave or stay.” She glanced up to see eyes that seemed to be soft with no trace of underlying deceit.
Claire’s gaze left his as she answered, “If it makes you sleep better, I plan on leaving.”
Lachlan offered with sincerity, “I did nay mean to have you fear me. I am nay like Tavis.”
Straightening in the chair, Claire leaned forward. “Let’s get one thing straight, I don’t fear you. Plus, I am perfectly capable of handling you if needed. You asked me an honest question, and I gave you an honest answer. Let’s leave it at that.”
Again their gazes locked. Breaking the stalemate with laughter, Lachlan said, “You are a fine woman. Tell me, will you keep the accounts for the Douglas clan?”
Her sigh answered first. The new direction of the conversation came dangerously close to the uncertainty of the path her life was taking. “I honestly don’t know. It’s my hope, but we’ll see what happens.”
Lachlan placed his hands on the desk as he offered, “You could always come with me. Sitting behind a desk is no place for a warrior, even an old one like myself.” She was about to tell him he was far from old, when his gaze slid from her face to her chest.
Claire stated coldly, “I think not, Lachlan. You should probably leave now. I have work to finish.”
His gaze returned to her face with a hint of embarrassment. “Claire, you misunderstand my offer. My accounts do need attention from a skilled hand. As for anything else, we would take time to get to know one another.” Lachlan continued with a smile. “It has been many years since my wife died. While I am nay a young man, many would say I am still within my prime. Any offer I make would be honorable.”
“Yeah, I am sure, nothing but honorable.” Belatedly, she realized she had spoken and not thought the comment. Plus, her eye rolling had clearly been seen given the small chuckle Lachlan made. Covering her mistake, she said, “While I’m sure you mean well, my plans are to go with Hagan. Thank you just the same.”
“I meant it when I said there would be time to get to know one another. You are with child, and these things dinna happen quickly,” Lachlan said. Claire felt the color drain from her cheeks, and the room spun at his confident assertion. Until this moment, she would have sworn no one would have guessed. How could be possibly know?
“Forgive me the blunt words. I had no intent of upsetting you. My wife bore me five children, and my people are fruitful. I ken a breeding woman when I see one. ‘Tis no shame you carry. Kenning this clan as I do, I am sure they have told you this. Unfortunately, such things happen to women in battle and ‘tis no fault of yours. My offer includes a fine life for your child.” That she heard only sincerity in his offer surprised her even more.
“I appreciate your understanding,” Claire said as her head cocked to the side debating how much she was willing to reveal. Yet, a partial truth still held falsehood, and she was done lying about anything. “When I said Nolen didn’t . . . the child isn’t his.”
Lachlan sat back in his seat and nodded slowly as he pieced together the bits of information. “Does Ian ken the way of it?”
“No, not yet. But he will know before I leave.”
It was obvious they studied each other and gauged reactions. “My offer still stands.” Lachlan’s gaze held Claire’s as he spoke.
“Why? I would think this might be a rather large complication.” Claire’s confusion sounded with the question.
“For two plain reasons. You are the first woman I have met in a verra long time who has intrigued me. Second, my plans for my daughter include you being gone.” With the reply, his eyes lit with mischief and a twinkle that made her believe he meant every word.
Grinning at the understanding between them, she countered, “I was planning on being gone anyway.”
“Aye, you were. I just aim to change where you might go. You are an unusual woman, and I would ken you better. Our conversations this week at the evening meals have been ones I have enjoyed immensely. Plus, you are a beautiful woman. That you have such skills with the books only adds to my curiosity. One matter need not change the course of the other. You could ride with me to my lands and tend my books. Have your child in safety with the knowledge ‘tis your home as long as you wish to reside within my walls. Time together will help us decide if we could have a future beyond daily tasks. I would only ask that you spend your meals with me so that we can learn more of each other.”
Lachlan rose from his seat. “I will leave you to continue your work. Thank you again. Our blood debt remains. Thank you also for your honesty as it will help to guide my hand. Claire, dinna discount what I offer so quickly. My keep is strong, my clan prosperous, and I do my best to be a fine man. But given our talk today, I understand your hesitation. I will speak with Hagan as is appropriate. Then you two can talk.” He offered her a smile and a quick wink as he walked to the door. “Mayhap we can have another pleasant conversation later at the evening meal.” Without waiting for a reply, Lachlan left.
What should have been offensive somehow wasn’t. The truth was that Lachlan was doing what any father should by looking out for his daughter’s happiness. The rest of it was just too bizarre. Claire thought maybe the offer was just his way of making sure she left. The fact that he may have been serious was almost too surreal to contemplate. She replayed the conversation in her mind and realized she possibly had one more legitimate offer, but once again it was from the wrong man.