Page 74 of Fearless Heart
His brother waved him forward. “The matter is settled as to who shall be laird. I am returning to my bed. Oh, and brother, do not put me in the pot to be chosen to wed a MacKintosh. I’m a rather poor candidate as husband right now.” He leaned forward and whispered in his ear.
Heath chuckled under his breath and nodded. “Get rest and we shall speak on the morrow.”
Once Roderick left, his uncle stomped from the hall. He was gladdened he’d left, because he wouldn’t take much more of his insolence. The rest of the attendees returned and Heath wanted to make the offer hastily before any further objections arose.
“Laird MacKintosh, let us continue. I am given leave by my da to handle this treaty for our clan. We were discussing a marriage …”
“Aye, we were. We need not a marriage to join us in alliance.”
Heath sat forward, dejected the pact wouldn’t be. “I bid you to reconsider. We’ve both lost men and goods. The raids must cease. What my father did … taking your sister as his wife without your laird’s permission was unacceptable. But my mother was happy all these years and he never mistreated her. She wouldn’t want the riff to continue. We must unite if we’re to succeed.”
“We will unite, Heath. My wife has informed me that months ago she came upon Fraser land to collect mushrooms without my permission.”
“What has she to do with this?” Heath shook his head, perplexed with the laird’s story.
“Ah but ye see, I forbade her from coming onto your land. She knows the dangers of trespassing, but she did so regardless. Whilst she was here on your land, she fell and would have plummeted to her death if it was not for a certain lady …” MacKintosh rubbed his face with his hands, and appeared displeased by what he was saying.
“Aye, what lady?”
“Your wife, Heath. She saved my sweet Fiona from death. If I wasn’t so relieved that she lived through that ordeal, I’d whack her bonny bottom. She deliberately defied my command. I’ve told her many times not to come here, but she insists she can only find the mushrooms of a certain variety here, in your woods.”
Heath smiled. Leave it to women to settle a matter men could not. “Lillia never mentioned this apparent meeting in the woods. When did this happen?”
“She says it were early autumn.”
Heath realized it happened when they’d come at his father’s behest and he’d gone to the MacKintosh to offer the treaty. He’d come away from that meeting dejected.
“My wife is tender-hearted now towards your wife, Heath, and demands I align our clans. For that, I shall, and you have my thanks. Convey it as well to your wife.”
Heath rose, and took hold of MacKintosh’s arm to honor their pact. “I shall. Yet, I believe we still need to align our clans through marriage. I suggest my cousin, Beth. She’s bonny, unwed, and the niece to my father. If she weds one of your men, we shall be joined and our clans forever more placated.”
“We have an accord. I shall insist she come to visit. Perhaps she will take a liking to one of my men. Now, I must relieve my wife’s strain for she has worried herself to a state of hysterics. Aye, and I was bid to tell you that your wife has news of the most joyous nature. My dear Fiona insists I don’t keep ye long so you may learn of it.”
Heath would’ve laughed, but the man seemed intent to have him attend Lillia. He was indeed ready to hail off to his bed, but news was the least of his want.