Page 102 of The Dragon Laird’s Obsession

The mention of Alistair struck like an old hand around his throat. His jaw tightened, and his fingers curled slowly at his sides.

“Ye ken,” he said quietly, “our uncle would never have thought twice about any of this. Rebuildin’ cottages for the people?” Rowan scoffed. “The people suffered when he was laird, but things are different now. Ye are different.”

Gordon swallowed, confused by the way his heart softened just from Rowan’s compliment.

“I daenae think I much different. Allistair raised me to be just like him, and the people here…” He trailed off then exhaled. “They fear me.”

“Nay,” Rowan said firmly. “Ye are different from him, Gordon.” Gordon’s eyes returned to his brother. “I have seen these people since ye came here. I have watched them change around ye.”

He gestured toward the village.

“The men are loyal and content. They work for ye because they ken ye will work beside them. They trust ye with their families, their homes, their lives.”

Gordon’s expression tightened. “Some still fear me.”

“Some always will. Ye have a reputation that willnae vanish in a year, and as a ruler, ye must instill in yer people some sort of fear.” Rowan’s mouth softened. “But fear is nae what I see when I look at these men.”

Gordon said nothing.

“They ken ye are a good ruler,” he continued. “That is why this marriage is a good decision. Nae merely for ye. For them. It will give the people hope for the future.”

Gordon spoke up now. “I am thinkin’ of callin’ off the bethrothal.”

Rowan stared at him. “Endin’ the betrothal?”

“Aye.”

Rowan’s brows squished together as he frowned. “Why?”

“Because I shouldnae have agreed to it in the first place. I did so because I dinnae wish to refuse ye. But also, I willnae trap her.”

Rowan’s brows drew together. “Trap her?”

Gordon looked away. “She deserves better than this, better than me.”

“Ailis looks happier than I have seen her in two years. She laughs and works beside the servants like she has ken them her entire life. The children adore her. She has made this keep feel alive again.”

“That doesnae mean she wishes to marry me.”

“Nay,” Rowan agreed. “But neither does it mean ye have trapped her, me brother.”

Gordon’s jaw tightened. “Why would she want to remain here? With a man feared by half the countryside?”

“Perhaps she doesnae fear ye.”

“They call me a dragon, Rowan. For good reason. I am nae a good man; I am nae fit to be husband to someone as innocent and pure as her. She’s…” Gordon stopped himself, realizing with painful clarity that he was about to call her precious.

Rowan’s expression sobered like he sensed what Gordon was about to say. “Ye care for her,” he muttered.

“It doesnae matter what I feel.”

“If ye dissolve this bindin’ now, do ye ken what happens to her?”

Rowan sighed before continuing. “She is young. She has already fled one betrothal, and now, this one will be broken as well. There will be men who whisper. Some will call her troublesome. Others will wonder what fault lies with her. She willnae be able to find another match.”

Gordon’s stomach tightened.

“And Kerr?” Rowan continued quietly. “He would swoop in and try to strike an alliance with yer brother for her hand. Kenin’ Ailis, she would be miserable with Laird Kerr.”