Page 10 of The Laird's Wicked Game
“He’s sent Bran Mackinnon a missive … inviting him to travel to Meggernie at Bealtunn,” her sister finally replied, her tone cooling. “The wedding will take place then.”
“That sounds like progress.”
“Is it? I’m hoping Mackinnon won’t answer him.”
Kylie scowled. Sometimes her sister could be vexingly argumentative. “He will respond … andyewill become his wife.”
Makenna made a stubborn noise in the back of her throat. “On the contrary, when he discovers Da has tricked him, he’ll refuse to honor the agreement his father struck.”
“No, he won’t.”
“Well,Idon’t want to wed him,” Makenna shot back, her ire rising now. “I’m needed at Meggernie. Ye haven’t visited in a long while … ye don’t know how bad things have gotten with the Campbells of late.”
Kylie heaved a sigh, even as worry curdled her belly. She’d grown up under the shadow of feuding between the two clans, yet hadn’t realized the situation had worsened. Nonetheless, she wouldn’t let this news distract her. “All the more reason why ye must wed Mackinnon,” she said firmly. “They’re a powerful clan, and Da needs allies more than ever.”
“I thought ye of all people would understand how I feel,” Makenna ground out. “Yehatethe idea of ever marrying again.”
“Hate is a strong word. I never—”
“Yer mouth purses like ye just supped vinegar every time anyone suggests ye take another husband,” Makenna cut her off. “Ye wish to choose yer own path, butI’mnot allowed to.”
Kylie glared at her sister in the darkness, forcing herself to swallow her anger as if it were a lump of gristle. Makenna truly tried her patience at times. Seven years separated the sisters, as did much life experience. Kylie had dedicated a decade to a bad marriage while so far Makenna had avoided any such commitment.
Kylie had earned her freedom. Her sister had not.
Her chest started to ache then as ire pulsed under her breastbone. Just once, she’d have liked to let herself go. Other people lost their temper when provoked, but Kylie didn’t. Instead, she merely swallowed it, choosing to simmer in silence. And it cost her—every time.
And so, Makenna didn’t receive the sharp edge of her tongue, just silent judgment.
“Ye didn’t tell me MacDougall has become a problem.”
Jack screwed up his face. “He hasn’t been … until today.”
The brothers stood together in the solar, the fire crackling behind them
“Really?” Rae flashed Jack a skeptical look and handed him a cup of wine before carrying his own to one of the high-backed chairs before the fire. Storm had sat down by the laird’s chair and was now scratching. Rae nudged him with his toe, and he halted before leaning into his master.
And when Rae glanced Jack’s way once more, he noted the deep groove that had etched between his eyebrows. “Aye, he’s gotten a trifle mouthy of late,” his brother admitted after a pause, “And I’d noted he could be hot-tempered … but I didn’t think he’d try andthrottleanyone.”
Rae scowled. The scene that had greeted them upon their return home had been unacceptable, and he was still stewing over it—among other things.
What a terrible first impression Kylie Grant must have had of Dounarwyse. Certainly, his sons’ feral behavior hadn’t helped either.
Or yer vile temper.
Shame prickled his skin. No, he hadn’t shown the best side of himself when he’d introduced Ailean and Lyle to their tutor. His blood had still been up, after dealing with MacDougall, but that wasn’t any excuse. In truth, his sons had embarrassed him, and he’d lashed out.
He wouldn’t be surprised if, the next time he saw her, Lady Grant announced she wished to leave.
His breathing grew shallow at the thought.Cods. He’d made a mess of things.
Raising his cup to his lips, he took a deep draft, welcoming the burn in the back of his throat. However, it wasn’t enough. Right now, he felt like flinging the cup across his solar and watching it bounce against the wall.
It was all getting too much.
“Discipline is vital,” he said finally, dragging his attention back to the conversation at hand. Storm nudged him with his nose, and he absently reached down, stroking the Highland collie’s thick, wiry coat. “Dounarwyse is only as strong as the men defending it.”
Jack nodded, even if faint spots of color rose upon his high cheekbones. He thought Rae was criticizing him, but he wasn’t. It washimselfhe was angry with. If there was a problem with discipline within his broch, he had to deal with it.