Page 73 of Fearless Heart
His father shrugged his shoulder. “I won’t apologize for wedding Margaret. Her father wouldn’t approve and her brother was even worse. I had to take her without their leave.”
Heath sat rigid in his chair, engrossed by his father’s words. “My mother is your sister? That makes you my uncle.”
Osgar grinned. “Aye, it does. And it is right that you wed one of my clan to join the families.”
Heath grimaced. “As you ken I wed Laird Hunter’s daughter. My brother has returned and will soon lead our clan.”
A bang sounded and all eyes shifted to the great hall entrance. Roderick leaned against the wooden beam and wore a serious expression. His brother changed, not only in manner, but in appearance. Roderick’s face bore a permanent smirk, one that was never there before. They’d resembled each other as lads, but when they approached manhood, his brother’s hair darkened. Heath hoped being home would solace his brother, but given his expression it seemed not.
“Roderick, come and join the discussion. We were discussion a betrothal to unite the clans.”
“I heard your words, brother, and I must refute them. I will not lead our clan.”
Roderick’s rejection caused an uproar from his Uncle Andrew who stood and shouted in Gaelic all the reasons why his brother should lead them. His da likewise stood and shouted his reasons why he shouldn’t, and their company sat about looking confused. Heath stood and held up his hand, calling a cease to the arguments.
“This is a private family matter that should be settled betwixt us and not spoken of in front of … others. We will take a short respite and shall rejoin in an hour.” He wouldn’t allow anyone to reject his command. “I ask that my da, Uncle Andrew, and Roderick remain.”
All left the great hall and his family continued to stand. Their glares were enough to cause his sigh. The time had come to settle the matter once and for all who would lead their clan. Heath bid them to sit.
“We shall discuss this with a sense of civility. There will be no shouting. If any of you persist in being objectionable, I will have you removed from the hall.” Heath sat back and poured himself a drink. How he wished it were something stronger.
His da cleared his throat. “Roderick, you being my eldest son should be the one to lead our clan after I am gone, but with your recent confinement I fear—”
“Och, he should be named as your successor, Simon,” Andrew said in a somewhat raised tone.
Roderick shook his head. “Nay, Uncle Andrew, for can you not see? I’m not able to take on this tremendous responsibility. I have not the wherewithal that Heath has. I’ve watched him since his return. He has the ability to handle any situation, including our enemies.”
Heath dejected at his brother’s words. “I looked up to you since I was wee. How can I take your position, what rightfully belongs to you?”
“It is I who looks up to you now. You are worthy, Heath, far more than I am to guide our clan. Look at me, I’m a broken man. There are times when I can barely stand or suffer the thoughts that come to me …”
His Uncle Andrew stood and knocked back his chair. “What ye say is treasonous to our clan, Roderick. You were destined to follow your father, not that spineless God-seeking coxcomb.”
Heath closed his eyes briefly and breathed through his nose, hoping to dispel his anger. He leaned back in his chair and decided to let his brother and father defend him. At least, he would see where the conversation went.
Roderick grasped his uncle’s tunic and tossed him to the ground. “I will not have ye speak so of me or my brother in such a manner. Heath is honorable, intelligent, and forthright. Much more than you or me. I’ve never liked ye old man, especially after I heard how ye got him sent in service to the Bruce. Aye, my brother is the best man for the position of laird. I will not accept it regardless of what you say, Uncle Andrew. If ye like it not, you may leave our land and never return.”
His father applauded Roderick’s speech.
Heath helped his uncle from the floor. “Uncle, I ken you’ve never beheld me in a favorable light, but obviously Roderick’s imprisonment has changed him. He doesn’t want to lead us for whatever reason. We shan’t condemn him for it.”
“I will not be party to this usurp.” Andrew pounded his fists on the table and glared with contempt.
His da raised his voice, “Andrew, sit ye down. You have no say in this matter. I rule this clan, not you. It is I who will decide who should rightfully lead our clan. For years I’ve allowed your interference, but no longer.”
Andrew Fraser scoffed, righted his chair, and sat with a forceful thump.
“My sons, continue the decision. I deem you are both worthy, och I leave it to you to decide who shall fill my boots when I am gone.”
Heath bowed his head to his father and turned to his uncle. “Uncle Andrew, I will lead our clan and we will prosper. If ye want to be part of that, I welcome your counsel.”
Roderick laughed, the sound filling the hall. “You see, he’s learned diplomacy. I have not the inclination to be reasonable. Aye, for if my years in confinement has taught me anything, it’s to kill first and ask questions later. Brother, I give you the Clan Fraser. I shall leave and find my way—”
Heath stopped him from leaving. “Roderick, you cannot leave. I forbid it. You were lost to me for years and now I finally have you back. Nay, you will stay here and you shall assist me. I will seek your guidance. We will prevail together, just as we should have when we went on that mission to France.” He lowered his head, ashamed to speak the words that were about to come, but he needed to say them. “I was angry then and mayhap should have put my pride aside. I shouldn’t have left without you, should’ve tried and tried until I was able to gain your release. I failed you.”
Roderick leaned against the table. “Heath, you were young, much more than I. I should’ve been able to protect you, but instead got myself captured. None of what happened was your fault. I forbid you to hold guilt.”
Heath gave a firm nod.