Page 2 of The Highland Heir

After years of trying to impress his father,Kieran occasionally changed course and chose to purposefullyirritate the man instead. It was easier to endure his father’sdisappointment when Kieran hadn’t tried for anything more.

“I would have told them they each had a cowthat gave them milk and they should be grateful for it. Then Iwould have told them to go away so as not to spend my lifelistening to petty arguments from the old codgers.”

As expected, Rolfe frowned.

“If a laird doesn’t listen to his people ontheir simpler complaints, they won’t feel confident to come to himwith their larger concerns. A laird who doesn’t hear his peopledoesn’t know his people.”

“Yes, father,” Kieran said because it wastrue, and also because it would end the lecture all the quicker foragreeing.

Before Rolfe could offer complaint forKieran’s easy acquiescence, Teague entered the hall. The war chiefgave a formal nod before turning to the men following him.

“My laird, your guest has arrived. LairdMacKenzie.”

“Neil,” Rolfe said and stood to greet theother man, whom Kieran had never met. The other men with theMacKenzie laird must have been retainers, for they were notintroduced or noticed.

Dara, the chatelaine, who seemed to know allthat went on in the keep, came forward at once.

“I will have food and drink brought rightaway.” She bustled off toward the kitchens, and Kieran wished hecould escape with her.

When he’d been a lad, he’d spent much of histime in the kitchens with the women and his best friend. But now,he was expected to sit at the high table and take part in clanbusiness.

Not that he had any idea what kind ofbusiness had brought the MacKenzie laird to their lands. His fathertold him little.

“How is your family?” Rolfe asked, making itsound as if he cared.

“Well, thank ye.” Neil glanced at Kieran andgave a nod. “Your son looks hearty.”

Hearty? Was that the word used to describe aman who stood at least four inches over his father’s tall frame andwas wider in the shoulder than the laird as well? Kieran might havesniffed in offense except he knew how much the sound bothered hisfather, and he didn’t want to be scolded like a lad in front of theMacKenzie.

“Aye. He will make a fine husband to yourIsla. Shall we sign the contract and then celebrate with a dram?”Rolfe suggested.

Perhaps Kieran wasn’t as hearty as he’dthought, for he felt the world had just tilted as the words echoedabout in his mind. Kieran would make a fine husband? Ahusband to this man’s daughter?

“Marriage?” The word escaped Kieran’s drythroat.

Rolfe lifted a brow and frowned atKieran.

“Why do you look so surprised?” his fatherasked.

Kieran might have answered if he thought hecould get the words out. The truth was he looked surprised becausehe was, in fact, quite surprised. Why did his father act as if itwere something they’d just discussed earlier in the day?

It surely wasn’t as if Kieran would haveforgotten such a thing as being shackled to a wife he didn’tknow.

“You’ve known for as long as you can recallthat, as my heir, you would one day be joined in an advantageousmarriage when an alliance was required.”

Yes. One day. He didn’t realize itwould be so soon and with a complete stranger.

Rolfe went on, nodding toward the other manas if the man came to visit often, despite Kieran never having seenhim in his life. “Neil is in need of cattle. In exchange, they willguard our lower borders. And to keep everyone honest, we will joinour clans in marriage.”

“Aye, father,” Kieran finally managed. If hehad an argument, he surely couldn’t think of it now. And therewould be no sense in bringing it up in front of the others andputting his father on the defense. Nothing good would come ofarguing.

Kieran had never done anything to please hisfather; he’d certainly make a mess of this as well.

As soon as he was able, Kieran left the mento their plans. Plans for Kieran’s future he obviously had no sayin.

With his fingers clenched, he carried hisanger out of the hall toward the kitchens. There was only oneperson he could talk to. One person who, while they couldn’tunderstand, would at least attempt to.

Everyone looked up when he entered, perhapsbecause in his haste the door had banged against the wall, alertingthe women inside of his presence.