Page 5 of An Allusive Love
“That’s for the best. Ross Craigg has been muttering to anyone who will listen since his dispute with my uncle over some sheep. Craigg paid for some lambies, but disease swept through last month, and half of them died. Uncle tried to pay Craigg back, but the mon wanted a prize ewe instead of the coin.” She smirked. “Your grandfather accepted my uncle’s cash and gave Craigg some MacNaughton lambs. Now Craigg tells everyone that Lachlan threatened his hide if he didna accept the terms offered by the MacNaughton.”
“That mon could argue with a mute. I’d wager he was found in the woods and adopted into that clan. It’s beyond comprehension that he comes from the same blood as Lissie.” Brodie pulled her off the path and over to a clearing. They had a view of the mountains in front of them, a jagged skyline of brown and greens capped with white. “Lissie and Ian have a part in what I want to talk about.”
He unclasped his plaid and spread it on the ground. Kirstine sat down and hugged her knees. Brodie stretched out next to her, propped on his elbow, his head in his palm. Her gaze trailed down his body from the linen shirt open at the neck, down the muscular thighs, to the thick calves. He was a fine-looking man who, she realized, was oddly quiet.
His fingers traced the bold lines on the plaid, his eyes narrowed in concentration. Kirstine wanted to push that thick, black curl from his forehead and comfort him. She sensed the urgency in his silence.
“Come out with it,” she urged quietly. Her chin rested on her knees, but she turned her head to keep an eye on him. “Ye always feel better when ye think out loud.”
“Aye, if I’m with ye when I do it. Others just try to tell me how they would solve the problem.” He sighed. “My brother, Lachlan, doesna feel he is the right choice for chief when Grandda steps down. He’s of the opinion I would be a better candidate.”
She nodded and waited.
“He has no patience and hates to placate grown men who bicker with one another. I argued against it. He was no’ considering of the serious issues the chief deals with and the leadership the MacNaughton provides.” Brodie sat up, both arms behind him now, his head thrown back. “Grandda willna like it.”
“What are yer feelings? Would ye welcome the responsibility?”
He was silent for a long while. “Aye, I believe I would. I have the temperament to deal with people fairly.”
“So do I,” she said simply. Brodie needed to come to his own conclusions.
“How do I convince Grandda? Lachlan has tried to talk to him, and he willna listen. Says he just needs more time to learn the ways of negotiation.” Brodie chuckled. “Lachlan has a knack fortradenegotiations, not diplomacy. I’ve never seen a mon enjoy haggling more than my brother. He’s the MacNaughton that should run the mill. Ian should be home with his wife.”
“Haggling and negotiating are different things, and yer grandfather kens it. He’ll come around.”
“Ye think so?”
“Aye, ye’re clever at solving problems, always have been. Ye can be impartial, and everyone likes ye.” Kirstine leaned back on her elbows, side by side with him now, their faces turned up to the sky. Fluffy bits of white hung in the pale blue, rearranged into vague shapes, and floated away. The sunshine warmed her skin, and a soft breeze flipped up the hem of her skirt. “What does this have to do with Ian and Lissie?”
“Ye ken the supervisor at the mill quit. Ian must stay until a replacement is found, and that has no’ been going well. Lachlan wants to share the duties in Glasgow. Give Ian more time to spend here with Lissie and start his family.”
“And?”
“Grandda has agreed to that much for now. Lachlan expects me to persuade the MacNaughton to let him stay at the mill. I’m afraid I’d have to enlist the help of the faeries to work that kind of magic.”
She chewed her bottom lip. “Instead of telling yer grandfather, ye need to show him. Go with him as Lachlan did, but speak up so he not only hears yer ideas but sees other men’s reactions. That will convince him quicker than words.”
He nodded. “Aye, there have been several instances I might have approached a dispute differently. Och, it wasna worth the argument at the time but now…”
She rested her cheek against her knees and smiled at him. “Now, you want yer voice heard.”
Brodie leaned over and whispered in her ear, “I love ye, lass. I kent ye would help me through this.”
“By listening? Anyone can do that.” She laughed, his nearness warming her skin. “Ye always have the answers in yer head, Brodie. Ye just need to dig around all the uncertainties and find what’s in yer heart.”
“Ye’re my neutral territory. I dinna have to choose my words so carefully with ye. With others—even my family—I must worry over whose feelings I might hurt or whose temper might flare if I dinna express myself well. I canna just spout off ideas to solve a problem, in case my intent is misinterpreted.”
His consideration of others was one reason she loved him so. Sure, he had his faults, acted like a green lad when it came to his female infatuations, but he would see his folly in that respect. Brodie would be a confident and honorable chief who would serve his clan well.
He sat up, and the pressure of his shoulder against hers sent her pulse racing. He turned his head, his breath hot against her neck.
“Will ye always be here for me, Kirsty? Ye’re like family.” He took her hand in his. His thumb stroked her skin, and a swell of pleasure coursed through her belly. “There has always been something special between us.”
Merciful heavens!This was it. She held her breath; her heart pounded so hard she was certain Brodie could hear it. He bent his head. She closed her eyes.
And then he kissed her on the cheek and stood, tugging her to her feet. “I should get ye back before yer ma takes a skelp at my noggin.”
Her face flushed at the images that flooded her brain. Thethumpslowed along with the disappointment. She blinked quickly at the sudden burn in her eyes.
