"And after I threatened tae slay ye, as well," Ian replied, laughing slightly. "Sorry about that, though in me defense, yedidattack me, and in front of people."
Shifting slightly in place, Christopher shrugged. "I think we're even. Dinnae worry about it."
With a nod, Ian stared at Splendor for a moment before speaking again. "Ye were right, though. I admit it. This horse is far too magnificent to be wasted and slaughtered. He's powerful, bonny, and aye, I see what ye see as well. It isnae many men who can prove me wrong, but I'm glad ye did."
Christopher blinked in surprise. He hadn't actually known it waspossiblefor Ian to admit to being wrong or to reverse a decision once it had been made. But then, Ian had always been different when the two of them were alone than the man he acted around the Campbell soldiers or around Alistair himself. Could it be possible that, like with Morag, Christopher could break through whatever was holding Ian back? HewasChristopher's brother, and Elsie's too, there was no world where there could beany doubt about it. They even looked like one another. If the true Morag could survive despite being raised by Laird Caindach, then perhaps the true Ian was there underneath the boy molded by Laird Campbell.
It was possible—no, it waslikely—that there was more to Ian than cruelty and command. Alistair was a hopeless, evil man, but as the son of the same mother, surely Christopher owed it to the late Fenella to try to rescue Ian, too?
"He's a fine horse. Come, I'll show ye," Christopher said. "Let's get closer."
"Like this?" Ian asked, adjusting his stance to copy Christopher's.
Nodding, encouraged by Ian's enthusiasm and compliance, Christopher led the way toward the stall. Splendor reared back at Ian's approach, but, under Christopher's careful instruction, Ian was able to calm him.
"Put out yer hand, but dinnae try tae touch him yet," Christopher said. "If ye want, take a slice of apple or another wee treat from the bag tae tempt him. Hold it out with yer hand open."
Ian fished out a treat and did exactly as Christopher said. Splendor nickered but leaned closer, sniffing at the treat but not displaying enough trust to eat just yet.
"Good," Christopher encouraged him. "Now, talk tae him. Keep yer face open and kind. Dinnae move too suddenly or he'll be startled."
"Do I get a sugar lump as well if I succeed?" Ian joked, grinning.
Laughing, Christopher said, "Ye'll have tae work yer way up tae that. Ye'll be gettin' fresh hay in the trough first, then we'll go from there."
With more joking and teasing as well as a surprising amount of patience from Ian, Splendor at last took the treat. A shorttime later, the horse consented to allow Ian to pet him, and both brothers cheered in excitement at their success.
"That's enough for now. Let's give him a wee rest. I'll let ye meet Beatha," Christopher said.
Ian nodded, and the two of them moved over to the mare, who was excited for the attention.
"She's much more well-behaved, I promise. Splendor's always been that way."
As Ian fed Beatha a treat, he asked, "Ye kent the stallion as a foal, then?"
"Aye, I helped train him. He was a gift from the Kincaids tae the McKenzies, supposedly as part of continuin' the friendship between the two clans, but we all kent better." C
hristopher unlocked the stall door then the two of them led Beatha out to give her a slow walk around the field.
Outside, Ian said, "Was it simply a practical joke on the McKenzies, givin' them a horse so fine but so skittish?"
Christopher chuckled. "He's nae skittish, just selective. But nae, it wasnae a joke. It was just that me—" He cut himself off before he saidbrother,catching himself just on time.
Things were so easy and light with Ian today that he had almost forgotten where he was. Disguising the near slip by guiding Beatha around a corner, he restarted after collecting himself.
"Me task was tae bring Splendor tae the McKenzies with Arran."
"Arran, the Kincaid heir?" Ian asked. "What's he like?"
"Strong. Clever. And always eager tae impress Alexandra McKenzie," Christopher replied with a fond grin. "Though the younger brother, Rory, was the one who loved Splendor most. We gave them a few other horses, but Splendor was by far the favorite."
"I can see why," Ian replied appreciatively.
They chatted more as they finished Beatha's walk and brought her back to the stable. Christopher talked a little more about fun stories from his past, though he carefully did not give away too much information about the inner workings of his family or their allies. In turn, Ian talked about his own upbringing—his friends, his lovers, and even the tournaments he liked to hold with the Campbell men.
Both of them avoided mentioning their mother, neither wanting to darken the comfortable conversation with the memory of how they had been separated. By the time they got Beatha inside, Christopher was actually feeling cautiously affectionate toward the brother he hadn't ever known.
"I have an idea," Ian said. "Do ye think that we could convince Splendor tae let me ride him?"
