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“I gather ye have made yer decision?” Gavin asked.

“Aye,” the laird grumbled. “I’ve decided that I’m the biggest fool in all of Christendom fer letting a spoiled child sway my opinion.”

“Oh, Father, thank ye.” Jumping to her feet, Aileen wrapped her arms around the laird and hugged him tightly. “All I want is the chance fer love. I want to marry a man who will at least try to find a place in his heart fer me. Some might call it foolish nonsense, but I believe that can happen, even in an arranged marriage.”

Sinclair’s eyes softened. “It can. It does. I met yer sainted mother the morning of our wedding. We lived and loved together for nigh on thirty years until the good Lord called her to sit at his side in heaven. I want the same fer ye, Aileen. Ye deserve it. Even if ye are a bold and impudent wench.”

Aileen laughed, her smile brightening the chamber. “I get my strength from ye.”

“And yer willful attitude,” the laird finished.

Seizing upon Sinclair’s even mood, Gavin switched the direction of the conversation. “Though our families willnae be allied through marriage, I hope that King Robert can count on yer support.”

Sinclair’s eyes narrowed and he stared at Gavin fiercely. “Given how ye’ve insulted my daughter and broken yer word, I should ride with the MacDougalls against the king just to spite ye,” the laird retorted. “But I’m not such a fool as to be driven by pride. Aileen fell to harm while under yer protection, but ye rescued her and kept her safe from any true danger. She has made her feelings about a marriage to ye very clear and they are good reasons. In the end, I’ll allow that no real harm’s been done.”

“Yer support?” Gavin prompted.

“Will rest with the Bruce. Ye have my pledge that my best fighting men will flock to the king’s banner when called.” Sinclair paused. “And unlike ye, I honor my pledges.”

Gavin released a breath he hadn’t even realized he’d been holding and met the laird’s sharp gaze. “ ’Tis a wise choice, and one ye’ll never regret.”

“That remains to be seen,” Sinclair scoffed.

“The Bruce’s cause is just, as ye have stated on more than one occasion,” Aileen said, taking an anxious step forward. Sinclair looked none too pleased at his daughter’s revelation, but did not correct her.

Gavin remained silent, grateful that he had been given the chance to redeem himself in Sinclair’s eyes and secure the support the king so badly needed.

“There are plenty of good men who have showed an interest in my daughter,” Sinclair said. “Men on both sides of this conflict, as well as those who have yet to declare their allegiance.”

“’Twould make more sense to choose someone who will stand with ye, rather than against ye,” Gavin replied, taking a long sip from a tankard of ale.

Sinclair nodded and held out his empty tankard. Gavin obligingly filled it—with whiskey. “I think Brian McKenna could be such a man.”

“Thus far he has fought for neither side,” Gavin mused.

“Aye,” Sinclair replied, his gaze fixed upon his daughter. “I hear he has a keen appreciation fer a bonnie lass.”

Aileen’s head tilted. “If ye so desire, Father, I shall be pleased to meet him.”

“And?” Sinclair prompted.

“And then I’ll decide if it’s worth listening to his offer. Agreed?”

Sinclair sighed, then nodded. “’Tis criminal how I cannae deny my Aileen anything. Just wait until ye have daughters of yer own. ’Tis enough to put the gray in yer hair and the worry in yer brow.”

Gavin answered with a slight grin, though his heart was momentarily heavy. He would never have any daughters, or sons for that matter. Fiona was barren. Yet as he gazed over at Fiona, a warm, contented feeling began to surge through his blood. He could never let her leave him. He knew now it would feel as though a part of him were being torn away.

The lack of children to enrich their lives was a sorrow they would face together. It would not weaken their love, nay, ’twould make it stronger for it was a shared sorrow.

That knowledge alone was enough to bring Gavin a feeling of acceptance. In life it was necessary to recognize that no one escaped heartache. It therefore made it even more essential to hold tight and savor every drop of happiness that came your way.

“I’m glad we have weathered this storm together and come through it as allies,” Gavin said, offering his hand in friendship to the laird.

Sinclair looked down for a long moment before grasping it firmly. “I’ll see ye when the king next calls us to arms.” Then turning to his daughter, he added, “Come, daughter. We are fer home.”

Before leaving, Aileen allowed Gavin to send her a courtly bow, though she did not return the gesture with a curtsy. As for Fiona, Aileen never once glanced in her direction, silently voicing her resentment.

“Well now, that was thoroughly unpleasant,” Gavin announced the moment they were alone.