Chapter 15
15
The door closed behind Bain, and he couldn’t keep the scowl off his face. He’d given Alison her space even though everything in him wanted to press forward. They didn’t have time for her to be lingering in her misguided feelings for Liam, not when the lairdship was at stake. Bain knew he couldn’t risk having Liam sweet talk his way back into Alison’s good graces. He had pushed enough to sow strong seeds of doubt with her about the marriage, but he wasn’t sure if they were enough to have her write Liam off completely. There couldn’t be any doors left open for him to snivel his way back in through.
The hall was mostly empty as Bain made his way through. It was unusual for this time of day, but considering the morning’s festivities, he figured the servants were gone gossiping, spreading the news of Liam’s potential offspring on the way. Bain smiled as he thought about the whispers that would bring. It would help spread the news and create even more doubt in Alison’s mind without him even having to lift a finger. He would use that to his advantage.
Lord Cormac’s office was warm, the heated air rushing out when Bain opened the door. He felt sweat bead on his face and almost thought to dampen the fire to relieve some of the warmth, but when his father beckoned him to the desk, he complied.
“The servants have all been in a tizzy this morning after the scuffle with you and Liam.” The words were delivered neutrally, but Bain could see his father looking critically at the scrapes and bruises that no doubt littered Bain’s face. He had barely the time to clean the worst of it before chasing down Alison. He had hoped she would volunteer to stitch up the worst of his wounds but was disappointed when no such offer was made.
“Aye. They were speaking in whispers and rumors when I made my way to Alison’s chambers. News of Liam’s dalliances and the possible resulting bairn have made Alison more agreeable to my advances.”
Lord Cormac nodded sharply. “Good. Once you have secured her hand in marriage, we can work to remove any hold Liam has over the clan.” He stood up from the desk and Bain watched him walk to the window. “We must set a date. Be firm in how soon it needs to occur so there will be no going back.”
Bain paused at his father’s words. He wasn’t sure what he said to imply that the battle for Alison’s agreement had been won, but he knew he needed to let Laird Cormac know before he went too far in his talks and let their plan slip prematurely.
“She hasn’t.”
“Hasn’t what?”
Bain swallowed hard before replying. “She hasn’t agreed yet.”
Cormac stopped but didn’t turn from the window. The air in the room seemed to stop with him and Bain clenched his fists as he waited to hear his father’s response. He knew what was riding on this, but he couldn’t risk presenting untruths.
“And why not?”
Bain took a step back when his father turned. His face was in half shadow as his heft blocked light coming in from the window. “Dinnae fash. She kissed me just now. ‘Tis but another push away.”
“Eejit. We cannot wait for another ineffective push to put our plan in motion. We need results now. Or do you want to be second best to him for the rest of yer miserable life?” Cormac’s words were harsh and bitten out through ground teeth. He could see when the full brunt of his words hit and smiled sharply. “Aye. Ye’re starting to get it now, lad. This rivalry between you and Liam willnae bring anything but pain and suffering to you. Mark my words.”
“What would you have me do, father?” Bain hissed. From where he stood, he was acting as he should, taking it step by step to ensure when Alison’s heart finally fell to him, it would never go astray. “I can’t force her to break her marriage.”
“Do not tell me about what cannot be done,” Laird Cormac said, rushing toward Bain. Anger filled his very being as he reached for his son, gripping him by the front of his torn shirt and using his still considerable strength to haul him forward. “You are an Anderson. You do what must be done and you do it quickly. We dinnae have time for you to…”
His words trailed off as he abruptly pushed Bain away before walking back to the window and leaning on it heavily. Bain grit his teeth as he regained his footing. Being roughed up twice in one day wasn’t something he searched for. It made his belly burn with righteous anger. His father’s abrupt brush-off had him walking forward, eager to understand why his methods were such a bother.
“I don’t understand, father,” Bain began. “I’ve led with all her favorites. I’ve shown her how much better than Liam I would be to her, and yet she still doesn’t waver.”
“Ye haven’t shown her clearly enough that ye’re better. An Anderson doesn’t fail.”
Bain scoffed, finally showing his frustration at his father’s words. “If not for Liam’s father killing?—”
“You still stand before me with the brain of a fool,” Laird Cormac raged, turning and startling Bain with the force of his scowl. “Do you not see what is right in front of your eyes?”
Bain’s frown was nearly etched in stone on his face as he drew himself up to his height. “I see that you are eager to cement our legacy. And I am doing my best as well.”
Cormac let out a harsh bark of unamused laughter. “Doing your best, lad?” He eyed Bain for a moment before holding out his hands. Bain stared at him for a moment before letting his gaze drop. His eyes widened then as he saw the tremor in Laird Cormac’s normally steady hands. “Tell me what you see, lad. Do you see stability? Strength? Longevity? Nay. None dwell here in my hand.”
“But…” Bain trailed off for a moment before looking back up at his father. “I thought you were feeling better. I didn’t notice today?—”
“And there is yer problem,” Cormac said, cutting off his words. “You don’t think enough. To be in charge is to be thinking three steps ahead. I’ve started setting you up to take on my legacy, but now it is up to you to ensure that it will be so without any shred of doubt.”
“The healer said you should be fine to lead for a few?—”
Laird Cormac cut him off with a huff. “Nay. The numbing is starting to take o’er, and soon enough it’ll be obvious to those in the clan who want Liam back in power.”
Bain shook his head. “That doesn’t mean we need to make rash decisions.” The words had no sooner left his lips when pain blossomed across his cheek making his already split lip bleed anew. Bain stumbled slightly before turning.
His father was hunched over, breath coming out in strained pants. When Bain looked down at his outstretched hand, he saw a streak of bright red blood covering newly frail-looking knuckles. As he continued to look, the hand began to shake, starting slowly before speeding up in an unnatural rhythm. Bain looked up at his father. Familiar gray eyes glared back at him.
“You are not to speak of rash,” Cormac bit out before grabbing his shaking hand. “I’ve done what needed to be done every time; from killing my brother to making sure no one was the wiser when I stepped into the lairdship.”
Laird Cormac walked over to Bain and Bain had to force himself to remain still instead of backing up. His father reached out, gripping Bain’s face in his hands. He squeezed enough for Bain to know he wasn’t getting away.
“We need the support of Alison and her family to secure yer lairdship and here you are losing brawls to a useless drunk.” Lord Cormac’s gaze was heavy as he stared into his son’s eyes, willing him to understand the urgency of their situation. He couldn’t pass things along until they were sure, and he wouldn’t be sure until Alison had been brought into the fold, permanently. “Allowing news of Liam’s possible progeny to spread amongst the maids was the first step, and making sure it doesn’t seem to be coming from you will keep you clean of it. We can say the fight was you protecting the Lady’s reputation. Play it up so word gets to the council and spreads even beyond our clan.”
Bain understood then the heaviness with which his father thought about it all. Even against his face, Laird Cormac’s hands shook uncontrollably. It was the first time Bain had really gotten an understanding of what was happening. He brought a hand up and patted his father’s.
“I understand, father. I apologize for not understanding the urgency of our plans. I will remedy that now and move accordingly.”
Cormac stared at him for a moment before giving Bain a sharp smile and tap on the cheek. “Good. Now, we have to make some preparations. You need to get Alison to accept a proposal in the next few days.”
“Aye, father.”
On the other side of the door, Emily leaned away from the wood, a frown etched on her face from the information she’d just heard. She tried to keep quiet as she slowly stepped away, dishes in hand that were supposed to be delivered. Knowing that the death of the previous laird was not a crime of marital passion but an act of treachery left her blood chilled. Knowing this information was not safe, she knew that quite well. But she wasn’t sure what or whom she could trust.