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The evening was in full swing. With rowdy laughter, music, and many conversations, the Great Hall was alive with energy. Greeting the guests one by one, Duncan and Keir had moved around the room, talking to each who were invited individually. They were interested in discovering what insights they had for future marriage propositions, for that was the reason everyone was gathered.
“Och, my Laird, ye have tae see this lass,” Liam Baird said. He was a man of great wealth, owning many acres of land with tenants of his own. “She is quite something else, if ye ken what I mean.” The older man grinned, while at the same time, gesturing with his hands that the woman he spoke of was voluptuous in both bosom and hips. “I cannae understand why she has nae already been snatched up in marriage, if I’m honest.”
“Probably because she’s a bit high and mighty,” a man sat beside Liam interjected. He had come with him, and while Duncan did not know the man by name, he imagined him to be a close companion or man servant.
“Och, now, Fergus. She’s nae all that bad.”
“Is she nae?” Fergus replied sarcastically, his eyebrows high on his forehead. “Is that why she’s turned down every offer she’s ever had? Dae ye ken what I heard from the village?” he asked but did not wait upon an answer. “The women call her a leech.”
“Good Lord, man. That’s a little harsh, isnae it?” Liam replied, clearly appalled.
“Their words, Mr. Baird. Nae mine. Anyway,” he continued, shrugging off his master’s concerns. “They call her such because they say she’s waiting for a man with a large purse. And ye ken, the way a leech sucks yer blood, well, ye get the idea.”
Keir raised his eyebrows. Even though his brother was silent, Duncancould tell what was on his mind. Hewas stillnot convinced that this was a good idea.
“And there are nae others ye can recommend?” Keir inquired.
“Och, well,” Liam shrugged, “most of our lasses are married. Ye ken how it is. Their fathers are looking for a secure alliance nearly as soon as the wee girls are old enough tae brush their own hair.”
“And any that are nae married usually have a reason,” Fergus smirked.
Liam Baird rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Pay nae attention tae the man, my Laird. He has wee white mice running about in his head.”
But Duncan did pay attention. For while Liam Baird was a well-respected man, he was also much older than Fergus. He was likely cut off from what went on across his lands, whereas Fergus clearly knew the ins and outs of the people that paid Liam their dues. Though Fergus did not give a retort to his master, his expression showed frustration at being dismissed and berated in front of company. His pride had been hurt, but it was evidently more than that. His views were dismissed and by his evident irritation, Fergus believed his own words fully.
After Duncan thanked Liam for his time and contribution, the two brothers continued moving around the room. Before they reached the next table of men, Keir subtly took hold of Duncan’s elbow and pulled him to a stop.
“Are ye certain this is what ye really want, Duncan?” He asked in a concerned voice. Having clearly heard the last conversation, Duncan could understand why. This entire feast was an act of desperation. A rush to find a wife before his month was up.
“I have little choice, Keir. Ye ken that well,” he hissed, for he too, had started to feel a frustration rise within him. They had spoken to no less than nine or ten men already, and nothing that any of them had spoken promising words.
“Ye always have a choice,” Keir replied. “And while I understand why ye have chosen tae gather these men, I cannae help but feel, as I listen tae their contributions, that taking any of the propositions offered will be a grave mistake.”
“Aye, I ken. There has hardly been anything promising.”
“And yet, there is another option,” he insisted.
“An option that might cause me even more pain,” Duncan replied.
“Aye, but the word that sticks out of that sentence ismight, Duncan. Ye cannae ken what the future holds and while yer here, trying tae control it, yemightalso be setting yersel up for a lifetime of misery. I mean, we’ve heard of large women, small women, widowed women, and those who would spend every penny in yer purse. Yet, there’s a lass upstairs that falls intae none of those categories, and what’s more, ye dae actually harbor affection for.”
“All ye say is true, Keir. But… I dinnae ken if I can tak’ that chance.”
“I would at least consider it before ye mak’ any decision,” he said heavily. “Fear of something that might happen is a lesser burden that spending the rest of yer life with a woman ye can barely stand tae look at.”
CHAPTERNINETEEN
Moving around the room, the conversations continued for another couple of hours. But with his mind elsewhere. Duncan only appeared as though he were engaged. Keir had raised a point he could not ignore and referencing Elaine had only brought her back into his mind. He had sent her a gift earlier that day, knowing she would be spending the time on her own without him. Though his mind ought to be on the task at hand, all he could think about was what she had thought of the paper and chalk he had sent to her.
Elaine would have received his gift by now. He hoped it had brought her joy. But he wouldn't be able to know until the evening was over. He would have left the Great Hall if he had known for certain that his absence would go unnoticed. Many of those in attendance had traveled a long distance. At the very least, they deserved his attention, despite the fact that all of his previous conversations had yielded little in the way of results.
Eventually, the evening began to draw to a close. Keir and Finn had left quite some time ago, no doubt Finn had assisted his brother and ensured his safe return to his bedchamber. His mother also, had excused herself. Only Duncan remained. And as the hour drew late, he found himself exhausted with his surrounding company. He had spoken with every important representative of those who had arrived at the feast, a total of thirty men. He'd been approached by women of all ages and sizes, widows, virgins, and mothers left with children after the death of a husband. Nothing had appealed to him.
He was not a fool, of course. He knew well he was resisting what needed to happen. At the same time, he could not help feeling utterly frustrated. Each suggestion, though coming from a genuine place of goodwill, had with it some fault or other.
Or had it only appeared that way with the thoughts of Elaine on my mind?
While there were still some merry men lifting their tankards in drunken toasts and warbling Gaelic songs, most of the guests had retired to their rooms, which is exactly what Duncan planned to do. He had done his duty, as pointless as it had been. Now, he desperately needed to feel the tender touch of the only woman who could invigorate him.
