Page 74 of When A Laird Loves A Lady
Seventeen
Marion thought about what Iain had told her all theway to the kitchen. If her father and Froste came here to wage war against Iainand his clan, she would simply have to dissuade them from fighting. She couldnot allow Iain or any of his people to be killed because of her. Beyond that,she was haunted by the memory of the seer’s words. If the seer had seen a needfor Iain to fly the Fairy Flag, that had to mean her father and Froste would becoming. And if Iain flew the flag, the seer had said it would mean he hadaccepted his love for her.
Marion gritted her teeth to keepfrom crying out. The seer had said the third waving could save the clan ordestroy it, and while Marion wanted Iain’s love, she did not want it if itdestroyed his clan.
As they neared the kitchen, Marionturned to Bridgette, who’d been walking quietly beside her, and whispered soArchibald would not overhear her. “I cannot let Iain ever wave the flag becauseof my father and Froste.”
“Ye dunnae want Iain to love ye somuch that he’d fly the flag for ye?” Bridgette asked in a hushed voice.
“I don’t want him to go to war forme,” Marion said, twisting her hands. “If it ever seems that he might, you mustvow to me that you will help me stop it.”
“So ye believe the prophecy?”
“I don’t know for certain,” Marionwhispered. “But I’m not willing to risk it.”
Bridgette nodded. “I feel the same.I’ll do as ye ask. I dunnae want to go against the seer, if she may becorrect.”
“What are ye two ladies whisperingabout?” Graham, Iain’s younger brother, asked as he came out of the kitchen andnearly collided with them. Graham was the smallest of the MacLeod brothers—notthat he was small. The other men were simply like enormous oak trees whileGraham was a slender pine. Marion had only spoken to him for a few minutessince arriving at Dunvegan. Of the four brothers, he seemed the quietest.
“I’m stunned to see a man in thekitchen,” Bridgette teased.
Graham’s neck flushed red. Hisfriendly dark-brown gaze flicked over Marion briefly and then turned toBridgette, where it lingered. Marion inhaled slowly as she watched him staringat Bridgette. He liked her! She’d bet her last coin on it, if she had a coin.
“Graham!” Bridgette, grinningmischievously, snapped her fingers in his face. “Are ye woolgathering?”
Marion felt instantly sorry forhim. It was clear that Bridgette did not see him as a possible husband.
“Sorry.” Graham cleared his throat.“I was in the kitchen asking Cook to make baked pears for the last coursetonight.”
“But that’s my favorite!” Bridgetteexclaimed.
“Is it?” Graham said, as if he wassurprised, but Marion didn’t believe the surprise was genuine. He’d known bakedpears were Bridgette’s favorite. He shrugged. “I had a strong hunger for it.It’s my favorite, as well.”
“I kinnae believe that in spite ofall the meals we’ve all eaten over the years, Graham MacLeod, I never kennedthat about ye.”
His dark eyes grew even darker,almost black. “There is much ye dunnae ken about me, Bridgette MacLean.”
Marion blinked. Graham was triflingwith Bridgette! Marion held her breath and prayed Bridgette would sense hisadoration and be gentle with him.
Bridgette laughed. “Such as?”
“Why do ye nae take a walk with mein the garden and I’ll tell ye?”
Bridgette frowned, as if she couldnot think of a single excuse to give him. “I dunnae think—”
“If Bridgette walks with ye, so doI,” growled Archibald.
“I dunnae need a minder!” Bridgettesnapped.
Graham immediately stepped toBridgette’s side. “Ye heard the lady.”
“I heard,” Archibald snapped. “ButI’ve orders from the MacLean to nae leave her alone.”
“She’ll nae be alone,” Graham saidwith a smirk.
“She needs a man by her side whocan defend her,” Archibald barked.
Oh good Lord! Marion saw a fightbrewing. She moved closer to the men, who were now standing so close theyalmost touched. “You are both strong, bold men capable of defending Bridgette.However, I need someone to come with me to move some things in the kitchen,”Marion lied and stared pointedly at Archibald. She knew Bridgette likely didn’ttruly want to stroll with Graham, given she desired his older brother, butMarion pitied him. Being the youngest and the smallest could not be easy amongthis lot.
