didna ge an arrow for yer daring.”
" Duncan was anxious to have the matter settled. He thought to send me as both messenger and emissary. Some of the men are difficult to contain and he is having a trying time keeping them under control," he said truthfully. He did not add that he had been just such a man.
"As have I. There is a r iver of bad blood between us."
Ian nodded. "I hope that tog ether we can build a bridge to span that river if not with friendship, then at least with some measure of understanding."
"Aye. There's been enough blood spilling to last my lifetime." Boldly he assessed Ian. "So ye are the Campbell that's to take my favorite daughter away? Ye are Robbie Campbell."
Ian shook his head. "No. I have come in his stead."
Lachlan MacQuarie swo re beneath his breath. "Why?"
Ian wasn't satisfied himself with Duncan's explanation, was himself confused as to why Duncan had sent him, but though of a hasty excuse. "Robbie was needed at the castle. Thus I was sent to make the arrangements. As I mentioned before, time is of the utmost importance."
"Ha! Ye expect me to believe that? Either this nephew of Duncan's is a weakling or he is deformed in some way. Why else would he not reveal the lad to me? Eh?" His eyes were accusing. "I smell a fish and its not in the kitchen."
For just a moment Ian was at a loss for words. He'd gotten the impression from Duncan that one of the reasons Robbie had been left behind was because Lachlan MacQuarie was not fully to be trusted, but he could not tell the clan leader that. Nor did he want to give the impression that the Campbell's were trying to foist some sickly or homely young man upon his daughter. Damn Duncan, he thought, to put me in such a p osition. For just a moment his mind went blank and he sought anxiously for an explanation.
"Ha, just as I thought." Lachlan MacQuarie’s eyes narrowed to slits
Ian cleared his throat. "The matter Robbie is attending to is rebuilding the castle to suit his bride as befits her rank. He seeks to make the daughter of the Macquarie comfortable in all ways as befits the daughter of such a powerful chieftain. He sent me to path the road to good will. AS you yourself know, moreover, it is not unusual for the toiseach to make such arrangements. I am that man." Folding his arms across his chest he held the older man's eyes without wavering. "You have my word that Robbie is a young laddie that would make any man proud. He will be a good husband to your daughter."
Aulay , who had up until now kept silent now spoke out. "Robbie Campbell is a comely young man. No' weak. No' ugly. He would cause no lassie shame."
"But if you have changed your mind then we will talk no more about it." Ian added, turning hi s back as if to walk away.
"Dunna leave just yet. I've not finished wi' my say....." At his gesture two guards came as if from out of nowhere to block the portal. I'll take it on yer word that Duncan's kin will be suitable." Once again he scrutinized Ian with his piercing eyes, his expression of suspicion diminishing. “Ha! I’ll take ye at yer word!” Plucking a sword from its resting place on the wall, he threw it at Ian and seemed pleased by Ian’s quick reflex action in being poised for a fight. “A born warrior. Allow me to say that I hope the laddie is much like you. I hae need of strength in my clan.”
"He is every bit as brave." Ian warily handed the broadsword back to its owner, wondering what to expect next, “And has always been most loyal.”
“Bravery. Loyalty. Good qualities in a mon. So, let us begin with this peace your kinsman proposes." He looked toward the door and nodded again. The soldiers who had been waiting there vanished and a small-boned, tawny-haired girl entered with three glasses of ale. "One of my daughters," Lachlan MacQuarie said in answer to Ian's unasked question. "Oriana is her
" Duncan was anxious to have the matter settled. He thought to send me as both messenger and emissary. Some of the men are difficult to contain and he is having a trying time keeping them under control," he said truthfully. He did not add that he had been just such a man.
"As have I. There is a r iver of bad blood between us."
Ian nodded. "I hope that tog ether we can build a bridge to span that river if not with friendship, then at least with some measure of understanding."
"Aye. There's been enough blood spilling to last my lifetime." Boldly he assessed Ian. "So ye are the Campbell that's to take my favorite daughter away? Ye are Robbie Campbell."
Ian shook his head. "No. I have come in his stead."
Lachlan MacQuarie swo re beneath his breath. "Why?"
Ian wasn't satisfied himself with Duncan's explanation, was himself confused as to why Duncan had sent him, but though of a hasty excuse. "Robbie was needed at the castle. Thus I was sent to make the arrangements. As I mentioned before, time is of the utmost importance."
"Ha! Ye expect me to believe that? Either this nephew of Duncan's is a weakling or he is deformed in some way. Why else would he not reveal the lad to me? Eh?" His eyes were accusing. "I smell a fish and its not in the kitchen."
For just a moment Ian was at a loss for words. He'd gotten the impression from Duncan that one of the reasons Robbie had been left behind was because Lachlan MacQuarie was not fully to be trusted, but he could not tell the clan leader that. Nor did he want to give the impression that the Campbell's were trying to foist some sickly or homely young man upon his daughter. Damn Duncan, he thought, to put me in such a p osition. For just a moment his mind went blank and he sought anxiously for an explanation.
"Ha, just as I thought." Lachlan MacQuarie’s eyes narrowed to slits
Ian cleared his throat. "The matter Robbie is attending to is rebuilding the castle to suit his bride as befits her rank. He seeks to make the daughter of the Macquarie comfortable in all ways as befits the daughter of such a powerful chieftain. He sent me to path the road to good will. AS you yourself know, moreover, it is not unusual for the toiseach to make such arrangements. I am that man." Folding his arms across his chest he held the older man's eyes without wavering. "You have my word that Robbie is a young laddie that would make any man proud. He will be a good husband to your daughter."
Aulay , who had up until now kept silent now spoke out. "Robbie Campbell is a comely young man. No' weak. No' ugly. He would cause no lassie shame."
"But if you have changed your mind then we will talk no more about it." Ian added, turning hi s back as if to walk away.
"Dunna leave just yet. I've not finished wi' my say....." At his gesture two guards came as if from out of nowhere to block the portal. I'll take it on yer word that Duncan's kin will be suitable." Once again he scrutinized Ian with his piercing eyes, his expression of suspicion diminishing. “Ha! I’ll take ye at yer word!” Plucking a sword from its resting place on the wall, he threw it at Ian and seemed pleased by Ian’s quick reflex action in being poised for a fight. “A born warrior. Allow me to say that I hope the laddie is much like you. I hae need of strength in my clan.”
"He is every bit as brave." Ian warily handed the broadsword back to its owner, wondering what to expect next, “And has always been most loyal.”
“Bravery. Loyalty. Good qualities in a mon. So, let us begin with this peace your kinsman proposes." He looked toward the door and nodded again. The soldiers who had been waiting there vanished and a small-boned, tawny-haired girl entered with three glasses of ale. "One of my daughters," Lachlan MacQuarie said in answer to Ian's unasked question. "Oriana is her
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