He glanced at the men. So far, they seemed to be nodding their agreement.
“Now, ye on the other hand must allocate the same amount of time, less one day, to allow his flock to graze onyerland, fer an agreed amount of time” he said to the other man.
“That seems fair,” he said.
“If one flock is twice the size of the other, come clipping time, according tae the number ye must decide on between yerselves, ye must compensate the other wi’ a fleece or two, depending on the difference in numbers of the two flocks,” Edmund added.
“Aye. That’s fair enough,” both men agreed.
“Good. I am pleased ye can agree. I wish ye tae report back tae me in one week’s time, when ye’ve made yer decisions and the scribe will write down the details fer me tae sign.”
“And what if we cannae agree?” Callum asked.
Edmund gave him a stern look. “If ye cannae agree, lads, then I shall decide fer ye and ye’ll have tae live with me choices.”
The men nodded again.
“Now shake hands on it before ye leave.”
They shook hands all round, and shuffled out, seemingly satisfied with Edmund’s adjudication.
Once they’d gone, Tormod laughed. “They seemed happy enough, and ye’ve given them a good solution that is fair all round.” He patted Edmund on the shoulder. “Well done lad.”
It was close to supper time when Edmund made his way back to the chamber he shared with Annora. She was there, seated by the fire, an untouched embroidery hoop holding a blank piece of linen on her knee, gazing into the fireplace. When he walked in, her face lit up and his heart skipped a beat, yet he detected a slight air of melancholy and the hint of a frown drawing her fine brows together.
“Is all well wi’ ye, lass? Ye seem a little out of sorts. Is there something causing ye anguish?”
She shook her head and favored him with a smile.
“Why nay. ‘Tis naught. I waited here so I could talk wi’ ye before we enter the hall fer supper. Did ye settle the dispute?”
He grinned. “Aye, lass. I believe the two families returned to their homes well satisfied with the resolution.”
“Oh. I am pleased.”
“Ye looked a trifle worried when I came in. Did ye have little faith in me ability?”
She shook her head. “Nay, of course I kent ye would deal wi’ the problem. It’s just that—” Her face clouded.
“What? I kent this was mayhap a test of the Elders tae judge me suitability tae be laird.” He gave a short laugh. “Is that what concerned ye.”
She breathed out a deep sigh. “Aye. I was concerned that ye were being tested. But it is more than that. Tyra spoke of ye disparagingly, hinting that ye had little knowledge of the ways of the clan and that ye’d fail.” She turned to him and placed the forgotten hoop on the table. “I could hear the bitter words spoken by Harris in everything she said.”
He nodded, unsurprised. “Dinnae fash, Annora. ‘Tis done, and I believe Tormod was well pleased. If that angers the Laird MacDonald, I am nay concerned.”
He stripped to the waist and stood, bare-chested, at the wash-bowl, ignoring the soft gasp from Annora as he removed his shirt. He was acutely aware of her eyes on him as he splashed his face and chest with water and scrubbed his hands. When he turned, her face was upturned, her gray-blue eyes alight as she observed his every move.
He chuckled. “Dae I meet wi’ yer approval?”
Flustered, she looked quickly down at her hands folded in her lap and then glanced up shyly from her dark lashes.
“Ye’re a cheeky lad if ye think I was admiring ye.”
“Of course, I ken ye’re a lady and ye’d never pay attention tae the naked form of a man.”
She pshawed. “Well, as ye ken, I’ve ne’er before laid eyes on a man without his clothing. It is of some interest.” Her eyes explored his chest, running over his biceps and down the strong length of his arms.
She licked her lips, bringing her gaze back to his. Her eyes had darkened, causing the breath to hitch in his throat and a hot rush of blood to his groin as he saw the intensity in the way she regarded him.
