Page 38 of In Bed with a Highland Brute

“So, ye have yer answer.” Fergus’ words brought him out of his thoughts. “The sooner ye are both married, the stronger the clan is.”

“I’m so sorry, Father,” Murdoch said with a sigh. “I had nae idea the feud had grown so bad.”

“There are rumblings, whispers.” Fergus grimaced and stared at the fire once more. “It’s what a laird must dae, prepare for the worst, so it is what I shall dae. Ye shall see that too, someday, when ye are laird.”

“Rather ye than me,” Clyde whispered in a low tone and clapped Murdoch on the shoulder. Murdoch sent his brother a look that made him laugh.

“Wish tae swap places?”

“Nae a chance.” Clyde returned to leaning on the back of the chair. “I’m happy tae be the younger son. Though I dinnae think I will tell Harper this is the reason the wedding is happening now. She is nervous enough as it is.”

“Then ye two must dae something tae distract yer brides.” Fergus clapped his hands together, his smile wide as he returned to his old self. “What about a picnic?”

“A picnic?” Murdoch smiled wryly as he gestured to the window behind them. “Ye have seen the weather, have ye nae, Father?”

“A little wind and chill never hurt anyone.”

“But a lot does,” Clyde added.

“Take yer brides up tae the loch on Fairbanks. Aye, it is a fine place. I took ye two there often when ye were children. Dae ye remember how many times we rode up there with yer mother?”

“Aye, I remember.” Murdoch nodded, smiling at the memory of it. Sometimes it was hard to recall things of his mother as she had passed so long ago of sickness, yet the memories of that loch kept her alive, as did the way Fergus talked of her. It was plain from the day she had passed that there would never be another woman for Fergus. Their mother was the love of his life.

“Then take them. Come, come. Let us make the arrangements now.” Ever the man of activity, Fergus pulled on his boots and strode toward the door before Murdoch could even think of an answer. He looked up at his brother who shrugged.

“Well, it will make him happy, willnae it?” Clyde asked with a laugh. “Chance fer us tae talk more too, aye?”

“Aye. Very well, we shall dae it.” Murdoch stood to follow his brother out of the room. By the time they traipsed through the corridors and down the stairs, following the strange path their father had taken, Fergus had bumped into others to talk to.

Clearly, he had already issued orders for preparations for a picnic, as two guards bustled out of the keep calling for horses and two servants ran in the direction of the kitchens, hitching up their apron-covered skirts in their speed to avoid tripping on their hems. Fergus talked eagerly to Ian and Avery, who stood in the middle of the hallway.

Ian was smiling, happily chatting to Fergus, whereas Avery’s arms were folded, and he looked around the room with plain suspicion.

“Ye are jesting with me, surely?” Fergus laughed as Murdoch and Clyde approached behind him. Murdoch increased his pace, fearing what it was that Ian was talking so eagerly to Fergus of.

“Nae, I dinnae jest about this.” Ian laughed. “None of us had any idea that they were betrothed. We didnae even realize they were courting.”

“Amazing, as Eloise is my sister,” Avery muttered in a low tone, his glare settling on Murdoch once more.

Nay. This could make Fergus suspicious!

“Yet the two of them are so close,” Fergus observed. “Ye mean tae say ye had nae idea?” he asked, looking between the two men who shook their heads.

My father is nae fool. If he hears enough, he could figure out the truth of the matter.

Murdoch ran the last distance across the keep hall to reach his father and took Fergus’ shoulder.

“What’s all this?” he asked, determined to change the conversation. “Ye telling them about the ride tae the loch, Father?”

“Oh, aye, aye, that is a good idea.” Fergus smiled, fortunately, distracted by the words. “Murdoch and Clyde are tae take their brides fer a ride up tae the loch at Fairbanks today. Why dinnae ye two join with yer wives? It is a fine chance tae see the beauties of this clan.”

“I havenae traveled so far north before, so I’d be happy tae see more of it,” Ian said without hesitation, smiling as he often did.

Avery did not look so eager to agree. He appeared distracted, staring at Murdoch a little too hard with his head tilted to the side. Murdoch felt watched, as if a peregrine falcon had dropped down out of the sky and sat staring at him, only occasionally blinking in wonder.

“Avery?” Murdoch said, trying to get his attention fixed on the idea of the picnic. “Will ye and Callie join us?”

“Mention a ride tae Callie and ye’ll be hard pressed tae dissuade her from joining ye. Aye, we’ll be there.” Avery stepped forward to draw level with Murdoch. “I am eager tae see how ye and my sister are together, after all.”