Page 19 of The Icy Highlander's Bride
Daniel gave his brother a little shove, a small representation of the violence he wished he could unleash on someone. Hell, at this point, he would feel fine if he could punch a wall. He took a deep breath and held it in as he walked through the council chamber doors. Then he let out his breath in an angry growl as three sets of eyes stared back at him.
"We're all here!" Cameron announced with a buoyancy that made Daniel's blood boil.
Sometimes Daniel wished his brother would handle more of the business. As his man-at-arms, he should be able to rely on him to handle some of these issues. But Cameron had always been quite content with his position as the younger brother.
"Gentlemen," Daniel said, nodding at the three most senior members of his council. "What problem must we solve today?"
"We've heard some rumors," Seamus said, standing in respect for his Laird. The man could have been Daniel's father, but he was always deferential, like a dog who had been kicked in the past. Daniel didn't doubt he had his father to blame for the man's timidity.
"Please tell me ye're nae keeping me from me whiskey because of some rumors."
Daniel threw himself into his chair, letting the back of it bear all of his weight. He was exceedingly tired and images of Lana were still floating through his brain, confusing him.
"They are more than rumors," Groth said. "They are confirmed."
Daniel waited for more, but the men around the table were silent. Sometimes he thought about waiting in these moments, just to see how long it would take before someone would speak without being asked. But he never had the patience for it.
"Well, tell me," he commanded. "What horrible whisperings have yer minions picked up on?"
"It's Laird MacDougal," Seamus said.
Daniel had to stop himself from rolling his eye at the mention of his ex-father-in-law. The man had been a thorn in Daniel's side ever since he agreed to marry his daughter. And after Evelyn's death, things had only gotten worse.
"He's unhappy," Groth explained.
"The man's always unhappy." Cameron snorted. For once he seemed as disinterested in this council business as Daniel. "That is nothing new."
"The man will always blame me for his daughter's death," Daniel told them. He often found it better to throw this into the open rather than make his council talk around his wife's murder. "But his granddaughter still lives in this castle. He's family."
"Aye, and he wants to be shown that." Angus was the third man at the table, the youngest of the group. Daniel had added him to his council after the prowess he had shown on the battlefield. "He doesnae think ye show him the respect he deserves."
"And how can I do that?" Daniel asked. "The man's castle is half a day's journey away. I cannae simply invite him to dinner."
"And why nae?" Groth asked. "It would show him ye respect him. And it would let the man see his granddaughter. He's angry with ye, Daniel. He feels ye are keeping him away from the child."
Daniel scowled at this, but Cameron was the one who refuted it.
"'Tis ridiculous," Cameron declared. "We arenae barrin' him from seeing Skye."
And though Daniel shook his head, as if the idea were preposterous, he knew he was misleading the men at the table. He knew that even though he said Skye's grandfather was welcome, he had spent the better part of three years pushing the man away.
"I'm tired of talking about him," Daniel said, rising from the table. "Send him a pair of horses or some other gesture that will satisfy him. Perhaps there's a parcel of land out there nay one's usin'."
"I think ye need to speak with him," Seamus urged, trying to keep him in his seat. "I think we are beyond gifts and friendly letters. Laird MacDougal is unhappy, and he has a strong clan behind him. Nae to mention powerful friends."
"Ye figure it out," Daniel said, striding toward the door.
He didn't want to think of Evelyn's father. Any reminder of him was a reminder of the woman he had failed to protect. It was a reminder of how he had failed.
"But daenae invite him here," Daniel added, turning back to them. "I cannae have him showing up. I have a wedding to plan."
The shocked expressions on the councilmen's faces almost made the meeting worth it.
Daniel smiled as he pushed his way through the door.
9
Packing up her things to send to Daniel's castle made Lana feel a mix of dread and excitement. She couldn't stop reliving their last moment together as he trapped her against that table and his lips trailed down her neck. But the reality of moving out of the only home she had ever known was causing bursts of panic that left her reeling.
