Page 6 of Scot of Desire
Aye, he’ll take care of me.
She smiled at him, as she could not remember smiling at Bran before. He said nothing, and only looked back at her, but there was not a trace of a smile on his own lips.
Wait… daes he fear the future? Does he think this plan willnae work tae help me escape a marriage tae Cillian Grant?
“Aye, it could work,” Tad said suddenly. “What dae ye think, Alec?”
“I agree.” Alec nodded slowly. “Though I’d urge ye nae tae leave Catreena and Ilyssa in that clan fer too long, Tad.”
“I wouldnae. It’s just if Laird Gilroy doesnae accept me first offer, I will have tae return tae make further plans.”
“Then we have an agreement.” Alec stood from behind his desk. “Tad, when will ye all have tae leave?”
“In a week,” Tad said calmly.
Ilyssa shot him a quick glare.
“Fer how long have ye been planning this little trip? Have ye already written tae Laird Gilroy tae make arrangements without speaking tae me first?” she asked, her voice harsher than before. Tad raised his eyebrows but said nothing. “Ye–”
“Rat,” Catreena finished before Ilyssa could.
“Walk a day in me shoes, both of ye,” Tad said coolly. “Then ye may understand why I did what I did.” He didn’t bother looking at Catreena but matched Ilyssa’s glare. “It’s the only plan I’ve got, sister.”
She was still furious at him, but a soft touch suddenly ran down her arm. She looked around, the anger she had been feeling sizzling in her stomach now softening to a soft smolder as she saw it was Bran’s hand. He had touched her, comfortingly.
“Trust us,” he whispered.
She didn’t nod. She was too busy wondering at that smoldering feeling in her stomach.
“Well, now we have that agreed, I am going tae see me wife,” Alec said, walking out from behind his desk.
“How is Kira?” Evander asked, who up until now had stayed quite silent in their meeting, clearly taking it all in, but choosing not to comment.
“She’s well.” Alec smiled in such a ridiculous way that Ilyssa’s gut curled in envy.
He loves his wife. Why is it so mad fer the rest of us tae want that happiness in marriage?
“And ye run at her beck and call, dae ye nae?” Tad asked with a sudden barking laugh, which sounded more like the rasping woof of a dog. “Nae the laird in the bedchamber, are ye?”
Evander laughed at this idea, but Catreena tutted loudly. Ilyssa was not paying attention. She was rocking back and forth on her feet, distracted, for Bran had passed another one of those soothing touches down her arm again. It made her stomach heat in an unfamiliar way.
“I’m happy as things are, Tad,” Alec said with a beaming smile. “Let’s see if ye are still the laird in yer own bedchamber when ye someday marry.”
“See?” Catreena waved a hand at her elder brother. “He’s happy. He’s in love. Only a man likeye,Tad, would jest about something like that.”
“A man like me? What does that mean?” Tad asked, gesturing at himself.
Ilyssa managed to snatch her gaze away from Bran at her side, looking at Catreena’s humored expression.
“Come off it, braither,” Ilyssa beat Catreena to the words. “Ye dinnae ken what it is like tae spend two nights in one lady’s bed, let alone commit tae one woman ferever. Leave Alec tae his happiness.”
Alec, however, looked unaffected by the jesting. He wished them all a good night and left the room.
Catreena and Tad started arguing again, with poor Evander stepping between them and suggesting that they make peace for a while as they were to go on a trip together. Amongst all the noise, Ilyssa sighed heavily and returned to her settle bench, slumping down in the seat. Bran sat down beside her, his arm bumping hers.
“Tell me the truth,” she whispered beneath the cover of arguing voices, so only Bran could hear her. “Dae ye think I have much chance of avoiding this marriage? Or… am I doomed?”
Bran jerked his head toward her. Suddenly, there was no calmness in his countenance at all. She didn’t think she had ever glimpsed this fury in him before.
