Page 26 of Scot of Desire
Bran said nothing. He folded his arms across his chest and stared at Catreena. He could not get away with lying, not now. Something years of diplomacy had taught him was that it was sometimes wise not to speak too fast.
“Oh, Bran!” In her anger, Catreena reached out and slapped him around the arm.
“Ow. What was that fer?”
“Och, I barely touched ye.” She waved a hand dismissively at him, moving her palms to her hips. “Ye think yer tricks in politics will help ye now? Maybe staying silent like stone helps with people who dinnae ken ye, but I ken ye better than ye think.” She pointed straight at him. “Ye and Ilyssa are dancing around one another. Dinnae even try tae deny it.”
“I wasnae going tae.”
“Tae deny it now is madness! Wait, what!?” She jerked her head toward him, plainly realizing exactly what he had said. “Ye dinnae deny it?” Her face paled.
He offered the smallest shake of his head.
“Bran, what are ye doing?” She stepped toward him; her voice much quieter now. “Ye care fer Ilyssa, dinnae ye? Yet ye wait fer the moment she may be wed tae another tae declare it?”
“I have declared nothing.” He shook his head again. “It’s all just…” He sighed.
“A mess?” She offered, and he nodded. “What are ye going tae dae, Bran?”
He still had no answer, and anything he might have wished to say was cut short as they both heard footsteps hurrying their way. They turned in unison to see Tad marching toward them, with such heavy purpose in his steps that the gravel beneath his boots scattering around him.
“Dinnae say anything tae him,” Bran pleaded under his breath.
“What? Tell her braither ye are in love with her?”
“I didnae say it was love!”
“Aye, sounds a wise idea, doesnae it?” Catreena chuckled under her breath with full irony. “Tad would probably hang and draw ye himself.”
“What?” Bran asked sharply.
Catreena turned and smiled as Tad reached them, as the time to discuss anymore had run out.
“Tad,” Catreena declared happily as he reached them. “So, have ye had a moment of brilliance yet figuring out how tae save yer sister from this marriage? Aye, I thought nae.”
“Always so doubtful of me, Cat.” He scoffed, blowing a strand of long dark hair of his eyes.
Catreena flinched at Bran’s side, and he looked toward her. She always seemed to do this whenever Tad called her Cat.
“I have had an idea.” Tad addressed the two of them, looking between them and speaking in a quiet rush. “Laird Gilroy has refused me first offer of money instead of Ilyssa’s hand, but I have written tae me council members tae see if they will concede tae a gift of land. Money, land, and an alliance – what more could they ask fer? Surely it will give them all they need.”
“If Laird Gilroy agrees,” Bran muttered.
“Why would he nae?” Catreena stood straight, clearly outraged just at the suggestion that he may not. “Why would he still insist on the marriage when offered with so much instead?”
“I dinnae ken.” Bran couldn’t explain it. He looked away across the loch, his eyes settling on the thawing frost. He couldn’t wash from his mind the memory of the way Laird Gilroy and Cillian had stared at Ilyssa when they had first arrived.
It was nae just that she was like a prize, but a suckling pig ready fer a feast.
“It is our best hope. The moment I receive news from me council today, I will have a meeting with Laird Gilroy.” Tad looked hopeful, even smiling, but Bran could not join in.
Catreena reached out and hit Bran around the arm again.
“Ow. Why dae ye keep hitting me today?” Bran said, glowering at her. Tad merely chuckled.
“Have hope, will ye?” she pleaded. “Ye have the melancholy.”
I wonder why.
