Page 45 of Plaid Attitude
Ramsay was grinning. “Ye reallywouldmake a fine Laird Oliphant.”
“Aye,” drawled Brodie. “All ye need is a magical penis.”
Wynda shrugged. “Mayhap shehasa magical penis. I’ve noticed she and Doughall have become quite—”
“Ye’re here because we need to talk about the future of the clan!” blurted Coira, the words all running together in her haste to interrupt her sister. When they all stared at her, she forced herself to take a deep breath. “I mean, that’s why ye’re here. Because we need to discuss Da’s health and what will happen.”
Nodding solemnly, Nicola stepped forward, thankfully drawing everyone’s attention, as she gave a brief explanation of what Da had gone through. Those who’d been in the castle for the last fortnight already knew all this, and Coira suspected Leanna and Robena had sought out the healer for an explanation as soon as they’d arrived.
The healer soon finished with a sigh. “The point is, he cannae have any stress.Ever. Another seizure of his heart like this, and he willnae live.”
“He doesnae have any stress now,” muttered Leanna. When they all turned to her, she shrugged mulishly. “What? Coira does it all already. He might as well just let it be official!”
Grateful for her youngest sister’s support, even if it was naïve, Coira sent her a grateful smile. “We have to honor his wishes.”
Kenneth was nodding. “Even if Coiraisthe best person to lead the Oliphants, the clan cannae accept her until they ken their laird decrees it. She’d no’ be able to lead the warriors, otherwise.”
She didn’twantto lead the warriors. That was Doughall’s—
Yer heart did that little jumpy thing it does whenever ye think about Doughall.
She winced.
Wynda cleared her throat. “Where is Evander? I ken he arrived, because he’s been staying in the barracks with his friend.”
Glad for the distraction, Coira nodded. “He kens Barclay well, Doughall’s cousin. Evander has been to see Da when Mother was sleeping.” The old man had barely recognized his bastard son, but no need to tell the rest of her sisters that. “And then we had a long talk.”
Ramsay’s brows were up. “I hate to say it, but he might be a good choice—” His words cut off with anoofas his wife elbowed him.
Coira crossed her arms in front of her chest and tried not to bite her lip. “He would be,” she managed to admit. “He’s a good leader, even if he hasnae lived in Oliphant Castle like the rest of us.”
“He wouldnae be as good as ye,” Leanna offered loyally.
“He doesnae want to leave Castle Watshesed,” finished Coira, because that seemed the simplest way to say it. Their brother had been married at Hogmanay to the head of the Duncan clan in the Cairngorn Mountains. ‘Twas a very small holding, but he was happy there.
Brodie cleared his throat. “He might carry yer name, but Evander’s never been welcome here the way his mother’s people welcomed him. I expect he doesnaewantto lead the Oliphants, no’ after the way his father has treated him.”
They were all silent for a moment, and Coira tried not to wince at the blunt truth. Evander had been more subtle, but had said more or less the same thing. The simple fact he had been invited to this meeting but had declined with a gentle, “I dinnae think ‘tis my place to help decide this clan’s future” had proved it.
“I have a question,” asked Pherson, a little reluctantly. “When ye say Laird Oliphant cannae have any stress, Nicola…does that mean ye—wecannae ask him to name his heir? ‘Tis what he’d been preparing to do when he fell into the pudding, aye?”
Nicola looked uncertain, but finally hesitantly nodded. “I…I dinnae want to risk it, but the clanneedsa clear heir.” She exchanged glances with Coira, and Coira knew her sister was thinking of the dangers they’d discussed, the ones Doughall and Barclay had shared about the neighboring clans viewing Oliphant weakness. “So, I suppose we’ll have to ask him sooner rather than later.”
“Ye should do it,” Fen immediately suggested softly. “Ye’re the healer.”
But Nicola shook her head, then swallowed and shook her head again. “If we’re going to ask him, we need toallask him. He needs to see ‘tis coming fromallof us.”
Coira took a deep breath and held it. Held it until she could feel her lungs aching and her chest stretching. Held it until she thought she might pass out, and not have to deal with this fear and anger and guilt any longer.
The knock on the door, when it came, surprised her so much her breath burst from her all at once, then she sucked in another so fast she started to cough. As Robena pounded on her back, Pherson opened the door.
It was Doughall.
And he looked…wrong.
His eyes met hers across the crowded room, and she saw something in those blue depths she’d never seen before;fear. Coira straightened, her hand dropping to the hilt of the sword she wasn’t wearing.
“What is it?” she whispered, knowing he couldn’t hear her across the distance.
