Page 24 of The Eagle

Stuart lowered to a chair. “He was right, he had only a few days left.”

“The message also states that Lila Maclean may be visiting soon. I am sure it was one of the late laird’s wishes that she marries well.”

“She can marry Caelan then,” Stuart said.

Darach arched a brow. “Ye were specified. I suppose the late Maclean expects ye not to have a problem moving to Skye.”

“I would wait until seeing the lass before making up yer mind,” Gideon said with eyebrows raised and a twist to his lips. “Do not agree to anything until ye see her, she may be homely.”

“Looks are not what makes a marriage of convenience work,” Ewan stated.

“Says the man who married a beauty,” Gideon quipped. He then addressed Darach. “Do not ever consider marrying me off to someone I do not find attractive.”

Their eldest brother shook his head. “I would never consider marrying anyone off, especially not ye Gideon. The poor woman who ends up with ye will have a life of misery trying to keep ye in line.”

Everyone chuckled, except for Stuart. His mind was awhirl at the idea of a woman traveling there to meet him and that if he did agree to marry, he would leave his family and lands.

“Is there something to gain from an alliance between our clans?”

Darach nodded. “Possibly. However, I feel that Lennox will remain friendly because we gave him and his men harbor.”

“Some of his men remain here as well,” Gideon added. “Ye do not have to marry the lass unless ye wish to.”

“Can we discuss the southern guard exchange?” Stuart said changing the subject. “What are the plans?”

“Gideon will go in yer place,” Darach said.

The youngest nodded in agreement. “I will be an archer for a season.”

“Why?” Stuart argued. “It is my turn to go.”

“Ye must remain. If ye are gone when Lila Maclean arrives, it will be an affront to Lennox Maclean. He is newly laird and attempting to fulfill some of his father’s last wishes.”

“An arranged marriage? Honestly Darach, ye can send a message back telling him I will not marry her and save her the trip.”

“Gideon, ensure the warriors are prepared to go in three days. Ewan, see about the archers,” Darach ordered, not meeting his gaze. “See if our cousin, Artair, plans to go as well.”

The others dispersed, but Stuart remained rooted to the chair. “I am not going to marry Lila Maclean.”

Darach shrugged. “I am aware that ye are interested in the wee lass, Cait. If ye are serious about her, ye should make it known soon. Ye being betrothed will make things easier to keep from insulting the Maclean. Otherwise, ye will have to court the Maclean lass to see if ye are in fact compatible.”

“I just startled Cait in the garden. She cut her hand and is not able to work. I do not believe this to be a good time to speak to her about courtship,” he muttered. “Besides, her brother hates me.”

Not looking to speak on the subject any longer, Darach stood. Pushing back from the chair, his brother pulled a rolled-up map from a shelf and flattened it on the table. They used cups and other items to the edges down.

“This area is not protected.” Darach pointed to a western portion of their lands, just below the lands that belonged to Stuart. “Can ye and some men ride out there and scout it. I do not want to post men there permanently, but if it’s a one-day ride there and back, we can add it to the patrol assignments.”

“I will go first thing in the morning.” Stuart noted that he’d ride past where Cait lived. It would be a good opportunity to bring any other needed provisions to her mother and brother.

His mother met him as he walked out of the study. “Ye should go speak to her.” She motioned up the stairs.

If this was any indication of how courtship was to start, he wasn’t sure to be very good at it. Stuart went up the stairs and knocked on the open door. When she called for him to enter, he found Cait sitting in a chair in front of the fireplace cradling her bandaged hand to her chest.

Just then Cora, one of the kitchen maids, entered and placed a cup on a small table next to where Cait sat.

“It hurts quite badly,” she explained lifting her tear-streaked face.

“Greer says this will put ye right to sleep. It’ll help with the pain too.”