Chapter 6

6

"Is that what this is about?" Cameron asked, circling Daniel as he loaded his saddlebags for a ride. "Are ye looking for a maither for Skye?"

"The girl needs someone," Daniel told him. "And I cannae have nannies running off every few years to care for sick aunts. This is the best solution."

"It was one nanny." Cameron laughed. "Look how many years Silvers has lived here!"

"I've made up me mind," Daniel declared, mounting his horse and leaving a perplexed Cameron staring up at him. "I daenae need yer opinion."

With that, he kicked his heels into his horse's flanks and felt the familiar jolt as the beast burst forward. He kept his eye on his horse's mane as he rode away from his castle and his confused brother.

He felt the familiar excitement as he pushed his horse faster, bringing her to a speed that was rarely needed except on the battlefield. But Daniel missed the fast pace and quick decisions that war required, so when he knew the road was clear, he sometimes allowed himself this luxury. He knew his mare, Clava, enjoyed these times too.

No matter how many years of peace passed, Daniel couldn't shake the fear that war was on his doorstep. Despite positive reports on all the neighboring villages and clans, he still forced himself to be prepared for whatever would arrive. He needed to protect his people at all costs.

It was why he still trained most mornings, thrashing his sword against straw men as he weaved Clava in and around bales of hay his men arranged for him. He didn't feel right unless his muscles ached and his breaths came fast before he sat down for breakfast.

As Daniel rode, he remembered his conversation a few weeks ago, when his daughter's nanny told him she was leaving.

"I must ask yer permission to leave, Me Laird," Daniel remembered the young nanny saying, her eyes trained on the floor.

He could have sworn she was shaking as she stood in front of him, her voice thin and terrified.

"Leave?" he had roared, making the lass jump in front of him. He remembered clenching his hands into fists and telling himself to calm down.

"It's me aunt. She's sick, Me Laird. And there's nay one else to care for her."

For four years, this woman had cared for his child, dressing her and feeding her. There were days at a time when Daniel didn't see Skye, but he always comforted himself knowing she was well cared for. Hearing that the nanny wanted to leave made an unfamiliar panic well in chest.

"Go for a visit," Daniel told her, making it sound like an order instead of a suggestion. "And come back when she's well."

"I daenae think she will get well, Me Laird," the nanny said, shaking her head.

Daniel felt uncomfortable when her voice broke. He wondered if she was on the verge of tears.

"Then come back when she is dead."

In retrospect, Daniel was too harsh with the woman. He should have sat her down and comforted her, perhaps sent a healer back to the village to look after her aunt. But he was too busy running through all the things that would go wrong when she left. For a man who raced into battle without fear, he was uncharacteristically terrified to be alone with his daughter.

"I'm leaving, Me Laird," the nanny stated.

It seemed Daniel's cruel tone had strengthened her resolve. She no longer seemed on the edge of tears. Instead, she was confident, her mind made up.

"And what will we do with the bairn?"

She looked confused for a moment, but she quickly schooled her features into a neutral expression, perhaps fearful of upsetting him.

"She is nay longer a bairn, Me Laird. She is a young girl who will need someone to teach her to be a woman."

The words had haunted Daniel long after the nanny left his castle. He had thought they were years away from teaching Skye to behave as a well-brought-up daughter of a prominent laird. But all at once, he realized that the child's education needed to start now. Just as he trained his colts, his daughter needed guidance he was ill-equipped to give.

And so Daniel had set about finding a new guardian for Skye. But with each young girl who arrived from the village and each chambermaid who volunteered for the job, he grew more certain that filling the position would be harder than he thought. These women could bathe the girl and teach her to hold a knife at the dinner table, but that wasn't enough.

Who would teach the girl how to comport herself in front of his councilmen? Who would teach her to curtsy and show respect to the other lairds who visited the castle? And who would prepare the girl for life as some laird's wife?

It was then that Daniel had decided. He needed someone who had been through this. He needed a lass for Skye to look up to and someone who could walk the girl through all the intricacies of being a highborn lady. And the only way to bring such a woman into his household was to find himself a wife.

Lana pressed her body against the wall as she peered around the corner to see the man dismounting his horse. Daniel was even taller than she remembered, and his dark hair was wet from the light rain that had begun to fall around them. She took the opportunity to stare at him, knowing she couldn't be seen. She saw the sharp angle of his clenched jaw, as if he were constantly clenching his teeth. And there was that eyepatch, a dark reminder of his past conquests in war.

She let her eyes drift down to his broad shoulders, which were barely hidden by his cloak. And those strong legs that strode with confidence toward the servant who stood by to receive his horse.

"I'm here to see Laird Gunn," Daniel announced, and his voice sent a surprising shiver up her spine. "Tell someone to announce me."

Ye're too late.

Lana wanted to catch Alexander before Daniel arrived. She wanted to plead her case and convince her brother that it wasn't the right time for her to marry. But she wouldn't have her chance to speak to him alone.

No, if Lana wanted to stop this wedding from happening, she would have to speak to both of them.

It wasn't just one laird she needed to appeal to. Now she would need to convince them both.

Daniel stood outside the doors to Alexander's main hall as the servant announced him to the room. As he strode inside, he was relieved to see that Alexander was alone, sitting at a long table littered with documents.

Alexander stood up when Daniel approached, and Daniel was pleased to see that Alexander nodded at him as he held out his hand in greeting.

"Welcome, Laird MacCrawford," Alexander said. "If I had kenned ye were coming, I would have saved some breakfast."

"Nay, I've eaten. It isnae food I've come for."

Alexander indicated a chair at the table. "A drink, then," he offered. "Or is it too early in the day for ye?"

Daniel saw the slight smile on Alexander's face that looked dangerously close to a challenge. He was used to the friendly competitions between young lairds of his age, and he was never one to turn down a competition.

"Never too early," he countered.

Alexander looked pleased as he went to the sideboard and poured two glasses of whiskey.

"And what is it ye have come to speak with me about?" he asked, placing a glass in front of Daniel as he resumed his seat. He tidied the papers in front of him before taking a long sip from his glass.

"I think ye ken," Daniel stated, taking in the calm and cool demeanor Alexander was clearly struggling to present to him.

From the man's expressions last evening, Daniel knew he was excited about this union. He also knew that Laird Gunn knew the value of keeping control of the situation. Alexander wouldn't give himself away too quickly.

"Could it have to do with me sister?" Alexander asked.

Daniel gave the man a sideways look, sizing him up. "Aye." He nodded. "I need a wife, and yer sister will suit me just fine."

"She is more than fine," Alexander said, his voice suddenly firm and forceful. "Any laird would be lucky to have her in his household."

"Aye, Laird Gunn. And I believe ye will find that MacCrawford Castle is an ideal home for such a woman. Plus, I believe ye agree that it is an advantageous union for yer clan."

"Aye," Alexander admitted. "Yer clan's prowess on the battlefield is impressive. But I hope ye have a gentler approach to the running of yer household."

Daniel heard the question in Alexander's voice, a gentle accusation he wanted Daniel to deny.

Daniel had grown up with a cold and distant father, but there was no abuse in his household. His father saw his mother as a puzzle piece in his empire, a woman he could use to improve his political dealings, so even though there was no great love between them, there was respect.

"I wasnae raised to hit women, and I daenae condone such behavior in me household," Daniel responded evenly. "If that is what ye are askin', Laird Gunn."

Alexander paused, as if uncertain how to continue.

It was clear that Daniel had guessed correctly. Perhaps Alexander was starting to second-guess his decision. Perhaps he heard of Daniel's reputation as a cold and cruel man.

"I dinnae think so," Alexander finally answered. "After all, ye went out of yer way to protect me sister."

"Quite right, Laird Gunn," Daniel said.

He was starting to feel restless sitting here, under the scrutiny of Alexander. He didn't like feeling out of control, with this man able to pull the wedding out from under him with a single word. He needed to regain the power.

"And if ye will remember, I also went along with yer sister's deception." He forced an even, casual tone. "I ken ye must be grateful that I saved ye from that scandal. A lass running around, announcing she is betrothed to the first man she sees, is hardly a good look for Clan Gunn."

He sensed the tension immediately, a crackling of the air between them that told him he had gotten Alexander's hackles up.

"If ye hurt her in any way, I'll kill ye meself," Alexander threatened.

Daniel was pleased to hear the man's voice raised in anger. It meant he had regained the power he so desperately wanted. And, more importantly, he had gotten the confirmation he needed. He had secured a wife.

"Since me faither died, it's been me responsibility to care for Lana," Alexander continued. "I ken ye can give her a stable life. But that cannae be all ye give her. I want her to be happy. She has so much love to give."

His expression was wistful, showing the affection he had for his younger sibling.

"I understand," Daniel said. "I wouldnae expect any less."

He took a last sip of his whiskey before he noisily pushed his chair back from the table. He stood up, letting his shadow fall across Alexander, who was still seated.

"I want to be married within the week," he stated. "Ye can send her to me castle at yer convenience. We'll have rooms prepared."

Alexander stood up, and he held his hand out to the man as he regained his composure.

Wanting to maintain a positive relationship with his future brother-in-law, Daniel shook his hand in return and clapped a hand on the man's shoulder.

"See ye at the wedding," he said.

The creaking of a door and the slamming of wood against the wall made both of them jump.

"I daenae think so!"