Page 57 of A Plaid Case of Loving Ye
“There are plenty of fine young men here tonight, of an age with ye—”
Coira pointed at one in particular. “Ramsay’s next-auldest brother is still younger than me.”
Mother shot her a Look. “That’s because ye havenae done yer duty to yer clan. Ye’re far too auld to be unmarried, and ye ken it.”
Because I dinnae want to be married!
But there was no use saying it; they’d had this argument dozens—hundreds?—of times, and Mother refused to understand Coira’s feelings. Why in theworldwould she choose to be married if it meant spending the rest of her life being submissive to some man? She’d already been passed over for the leadership role that was rightfully hers. She wasn’t going to give up her freedom as well.
Mayhap Mother accepted her lack of response as a peace offering, because the older woman didn’t continue her nagging. Instead, she hummed quietly as she watched the dancers, occasionally pointing out a handsome young man—quite a few of them shared Ramsay’s rugged good looks.
Coira didn’t mind watching them, not at all. Theywerehandsome, just not in the way she preferred. These men—little more than lads, really—were too young, too weak for her. She’d always been more attracted to battle-scarred warriors with large muscles and larger swords…which had been problematic when she’d begun to train with the Oliphant men.
It had become imperative she learn to ignore all the skin and sweat and muscle and musk of the men around her, and she’d been successful.
Mostlysuccessful.
No matter how many years she’d sparred with him, there wasonewarrior who she just couldn’t ignore her body’s reaction to…
These dancers looked like lads compared to—
Nay. Dinnae think of him now. No’ with Mother blathering on about yer duty to the clan.
Coira sighed and sipped at her ale, not wanting a repeat of the coughing situation. Mother honestly didn’t understand her objections to marriage, and ‘twas entirely possible she never would. But it seemed the older womandidwant what was best for her daughters, even if she was narrow-minded in her definition of “best.”
Finally, she could no longer pretend to listen to her mother’s monologue on the benefits of marriage and interrupted. “Lady McIlvain needs help,” she said bluntly, pointing with her free hand to Ramsay’s mother, who was holding wee Relic, her own youngest bairn, and trying to listen to what another was saying to her. “Why no’ go rescue yer grandson?”
Mother’s expression lit up. “Och, the puir woman. I’ll happily take Relic off her hands! He’s such a braw and handsome young lad, is he no’?”
As she rushed off, Coira frowned after her. She’d never seen her mother sohappyas she was when she was cuddling with the bairn. Despite knowing he wasn’t Nicola’s—and now they knew he wasn’t even Ramsay’s—Mother had accepted the laddie with open arms and open heart.
Was that all she wanted? Grandbairns?
Well, she’ll have plenty from Leanna, Fen, Wynda, Robbie, and Nik. I’m no’ marrying and popping out wee lads and lassies to distract me from what’s important.
Bairns were well and good—and important!—but Coira was focused on managing the clan’s business since Da’s mind had begun to deteriorate.
Still…thanks to Da’s ridiculous plan, as soon as one of her sisters popped out a lad, her husband would become Laird Oliphant. And as much as Coira liked and approved of Kenneth, Brodie, Pherson, Kester, and Ramsay, they weren’tOliphants. They weren’t the best choice for the next leader of the clan.
Well? Stop moping. Ye have until the spring at the least to change Da’s mind. So, change it!
If only it were that simple.
A laughing couple swung by, close enough she had to step back out of the way or risk her drink. Despite the thoughts running through her mind, she was surprised by the jolt of wistfulness at the laughing expressions of the dancers. The pair looked so happy together, so at ease…
Damnation. She didn’t want that, did she?
Oh, she was no celibate nun; she knew how to have a good time. She could take her pleasure where she could find it, without allowing a man to conquer her.He’dtaught her that.
Nay, dinnae think of him.
In an effort to distract herself, Coira downed the rest of the ale, and as the delicious buzzing wormed its way through her limbs, placed the empty mug on one of the tables. She felt looser, more at ease than she’d been during Mother’s lecture.
When one of Ramsay’s brothers—George?—swung in front of her, Coira merely smiled. “Care to dance, milady?” he asked with an extravagant bow.
He was handsome, if not quite her type. ‘Twasa celebration…and Doughall was a long way away.
Her grin grew as she placed her hand on his arm. “Why in the hell no’?”
And as he swept her into the dance, she allowed herself to laugh, and vowed to enjoy herself, at least for tonight.
