He watched until they disappeared inside and then turned his gaze to his father and brother, and now, Errol, Moira’s husband who had joined them.
“Weel,” his father started, “this was not the expected outcome I had anticipated when I tasked ye with this mission. But seeing the way yer eyes follow her e’ery move like a lovesick mutt, I would say we have much to discuss.”
“Da, I—”
Arthur held a hand up, silencing him. “No’ here.” He turned and started toward the castle, the others following him inside and to his study.
Rory entered after his father, Alpin after him, and Errol last, shutting the door behind them.
At the sideboard, Arthur poured drams of whiskey and passed them out to everyone. He took a long swallow, nearly emptying the glass, and then refilled it afore sitting at his desk.
“The missive I received from MacDonell was no’ a happy one.”
“He was an arse to Alana. He—”
Arthur cut Rory off again. “I ken weel of MacDonell’s countenance. The spoilt twit thinks too much of himself. Howe’er, rightly so, he feels wronged.” He pierced Rory with serious eyes. “Ye were thereto deliver the man his wife, no’ to fall in love with her and whisk her away.”
“I did escort her there. I handed her to him. Kenning that was my duty. I fulfilled it.”
Arthur raised a brow in question. “Ye delivered him a deflowered wife that was so besotted with ye that he could do naught with her.”
Rory went to answer, but snapped his mouth shut. He couldn’t deny the truth his father spoke.
“What is done is done. We cannae change that. Howe’er, MacDonell is threatening war unless he receives the restitution he has demanded. ’Tis a mighty sum.”
Rory scrubbed at his face, realizing his beard needed a trim. The thought improper for the seriousness of the conversation happening currently.
Arthur looked at Errol, and then back to Rory. “I dinnae ken how I have managed to raise children that go against all the normal pathways of finding love.” He regarded Alpin. “I can only hope ye and yer sisters will follow a more traditional path. First, I had to deal with the MacLeod for Moira, and now the MacDonell for Rory.”
Alpin raised his hands in defense. “Dinnae look to me. I’ve no plans on marrying anytime soon.”
“What of Effie?”
Alpin’s face grew serious. “We are nay longer courting.”
Rory frowned, wanting to ask what had happened, but Arthur cleared his throat, rapping his knuckles on the wooden desktop to draw their attention back to him.
“Back to the issue at hand. MacDonell is expecting a lot of coin for yer actions. The Duran’s will be here in the next few days. Since they agreed to this match by promising Alana to MacDonell for a hefty sum, am I correct to believe they dinnae have the coffers to pay back what has been given?”
Rory gave a stiff nod of acknowledgment. “From the information Ihave been given by Alana, her father doesnae have a mind for handling finances. It sounds that he finds a new way to make a bargain e’ery few years. When the coin runs out, he thinks of something else. Alana was his final bargaining chip.”
Arthur heaved a heavy sigh and leaned forward on his elbows, tenting his fingers under his chin.
“I apologize, Da. This wasnae aught I foresaw happening.”
Arthur chuckled at that. “Ye forget yer mother and I were brought together by a mystical legend in a well.” He smiled, easing the tension that Rory had been feeling. His shoulders relaxing a wee bit.
“What would ye like me to do? But dinnae ask me to send Alana back to her parents. I willnae. She will be my wife. Whether I have yer blessing, their blessing, or no’,” he said fiercely.
“Ye love her?” Alpin asked, sounding shocked.
“Aye. With all my heart,” he answered honestly, not caring if he sounded love swept.
For a long time, his father stared at him, until finally he spoke. “’Tis been a long time since I have seen ye passionate aboot aught but yer hiking. I will take care of MacDonell.”
It felt as if a weight had been lifted off of Rory’s shoulders. “Ye will?” He asked in surprise. Arthur nodded. “I will be fore’er in yer debt. I will repay ye, Da.”
“We can discuss semantics later. For now, go bathe, ye stink of the road, and sup. Ye look like ye’ve lost weight.”
