Page 76 of My Scarred Laird

Callum bit his lip and Islay coughed delicately, making the king wink at her.

“My lord, there are three clans tha’ need good men at their helm.”

The king studied Callum, “Is there no other here who you would choose?”

Callum looked around, and then back at the king, “Ye doona have someone in mind?”

The king nodded, “For one. Not all.”

Tavish stepped forward, “My liege, if I may, I know of someone.”

He told the king exactly who he wanted as Laird, and the king allowed it.

Then Callum looked at Egan, who shook his head, “Nay. My laird, my home is here. My men, my life. I doona wish ta leave it. No’ even for a chance ta be a laird. I’m no’ tha’ man.”

Callum nodded, “Aye, ye are, but I will accept your answer.”

The king smiled, “We shall figure out who the other land should go to later. Even though, Callum, I have heard it abuts your land. Are you certain you do not wish to add to your wealth?”

Callum looked at Islay, who nodded, “The people there will need our help. They need a good, strong laird, and ye are the man ta do it.”

Callum let out a sigh, “I accept.”

The king clapped, “Good. It is payment for taking the life of the treasonous scum that no doubt deserved his death. Did he suffer at least?”

Callum shook his head, “It was swift.”

The king sighed, “Damn. Oh well. Come, let us celebrate your marriage and your new lands.”

They spent the rest of the day doing just that and Islay got to know the king a little more.

He was a good man, and only wanted what was best for his people.

She was grateful, and she could only hope that the new clan and lands they were given would accept Callum for the good man he was.

Later that night, she lay in Callum’s arms, spent after a vigorous round of lovemaking, and breathed a sigh.

“Are ye worried about meeting the new people?”

Callum nodded, “Aye. I need ta go there as soon as I can though. I’m certain tha’ Laird McGavin left it in shambles. As soon as the king leaves, ye and I are going ta travel there, along with at least a score of my warriors. We will need ta find a good steward for the keep as well.”

She nodded, “I certainly hope we can. This winter was harsh, and I pray we can help them. Do ye worry they will accept ye?”

Callum nodded, “Aye. I do. My own clan took a long time ta accept me as their laird and some still haven’a in our own clan.”

Islay snuggled against him, “Ye are gettin’ there with them. Every day they accept ye more and more. I think they needed ta no’ have Angus, Talitha and Gemma spreadin’ lies.”

He nodded and Islay knew that with Gemma and Talith locked away and Angus dead their poison was able to stop spreading through the clan.

She was grateful and more people would come up to him to speak and he gave them the time every single time.

They even came up to talk to her now as well. More so than ever.

“I think it will be great. I believe it.”

He just tightened his hold on her. “I hope ye are right.”

CHAPTER11