Page 21 of A Nameless Highland Laird
Alastair nodded, his own cup swishing in his hands.
“Nae to mention, I care about this clan, these people. I ken they dinnae care much for me, but that does nae matter. They dinnae ken the kind of man I am, the kind of Laird I will become. They are still too afraid of that man and the chaos he brought. It matters more to me that I see my clan taken care of than that I live the rest of my life hating my father.”
“Ye are wise for that, lad. Yer father should have nae bearing on yer actions now. He can nae hurt ye from the grave.”
Cameron huffed a laugh. He wouldn’t put it past the crazy old man to do something to haunt him now.
“That is yet to be seen,” he told Alastair. “But I will do my best to ensure that he cannae hurt this clan again.”
Alastair nodded slowly, putting his own napkin on the table. Cameron sat back, knowing that once his advisor started pacing, he was going to say something that Cameron wouldn’t like. Sure enough, as soon as Alastair had gotten out of his seat, he began walking in circles in front of the breakfast table.
“I need ye to hear me out again. As yer advisor, it is my only duty to guide yer steps. When I am critical, it is because I want what is best for ye and for the clan. Even something as small as yer table manners can influence things. Politics are nae for the faint of heart.”
“Aye. I never said they were. I simply said that ye should give me a little more credit than ye were.”
Cameron cocked an eyebrow as his gaze tracked the older man’s steps.
“Aye, aye. And ye were right. But I am going to be right about this and I want to remind ye that it is in yer best interest to listen to what I have to say.” He stopped pacing and stood in front of where Cameron still sat. “Ye need to spend more time with the lass.”
“In what world is that a good idea, Alastair? Ye saw how uncomfortable she is around me. And ye were nae here to witness what a disaster our dinner was last night, praise the stars.”
“That is why ye need to spend time together—so ye can get more comfortable around each other.”
“I dinnae ken what to say to her. I donnae ken how to be around her.”
Cameron scrubbed a hand over his face, willing the tension headache he could already feel forming away.
“And ye will never learn unless ye make an effort. Ye ken how important it is that this goes well. She cannae return home. She must stay here and marry ye. And it must be a convincing marriage. The Lairds and the other clans, nae to mention yer own clan, need to believe that ye are in love, that she is the right lady for ye. In order for that to happen, ye are going to have to woo her, convince her to stay.”
He groaned, knowing that he was going to agree to what Alastair said. It was the only thing that made sense. It was the only way forward.
“How am I supposed to do that?”
Alastair smiled sensing his victory.
“Take her on a tour of the grounds. Ye can stick to the gardens for now. Point out the flowers that ye like, take note of the ones she pays the most attention to. Other than that, she is just like any other lass ye have talked to.”
Cameron didn’t bother telling his advisor that talking to the women in his village had never been his strong suit. No one wanted to pay him any attention, not when he had nothing to offer them. So he had kept to himself most of the time.
Instead, Cameron nodded slowly. He pushed himself out of his seat and straightened his jacket. With one last piece of fruit, he wiped his hands and attempted to smooth his hair. If he was going to spend any time with Charlotte, the least he could do was look presentable.
“We need to get these jackets to the tailor. A few more adjustments and yer father’s old jackets will fit yer wide shoulders perfectly.”
“This is one of the jackets I had already given the tailor. I will ask for it to be sent back. I might have to go back in for measurements again.”
Alastair nodded in approval.
“Perhaps ye should leave it here. It is a nice enough day outside. And it might help ye to feel less stiff.”
Cameron shrugged out of the coat, tossing it onto his chair before looking back at his advisor.
“Any other suggestions before I go?”
“Nay. Watch the time and try nae to let the conversation stall. Otherwise, be yerself.”
With that, Cameron turned and left the breakfast room behind. He was sure that Alastair would want to talk more later, but strategizing could wait.
The trip down to her room wasn’t nearly long enough for him to come up with the right things to say. He didn’t even know how he was going to invite her on this walk. He had been so dismissive of her desire for a tour of the grounds during breakfast that offering a stroll in the gardens seemed like he was trying to make up for something.
