Page 72 of Desiring the Highland Laird
“Nay,” he agreed. “But ye can go with me to meet with the laird and offer yer apologies.”
Jamie snorted. “I will do no such thing.”
“Och, yer a hard-headed lad,” Argyle said, speaking up. “Callum is yer laird now. If he wants ye to apologize, ’tis what ye’ll do.”
“And take back the lass if that’s what it will take for peace,” Callum added.
Jamie’s face turned red with fury. “I will no take the lass back and I will no apologize.”
Then he jumped to his feet and stormed off. Callum heaved a weary sigh. Argyle shook his head in dismay.
“Ye’ll no get him to do either of those things, ye ken,” Malcolm said.
“Then he leaves me no choice,” Callum said.
“And what is that, lad?” Argyle asked.
“I go to the chieftain to ask for help settling our feud.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
The following day,the group of them rode out to the abbey not far from the keep where Hamish would be laid to rest next to his wife and daughter in the churchyard cemetery. The plot was an area thick with trees. It was a somber affair with the local bishop conducting the ceremony which he spoke in Latin. Evie didn’t understand a word of it but caught the sentiment. Tears welled in her eyes as she watched them place his shrouded body in the grave.
Callum had given her the option to remain behind in the keep but she decided she didn’t want to miss it. Her mother often told her funerals were not for the dead, but for the living left behind. Even though she didn’t belong in this world, she wanted to make sure she was there for Callum.
Evie stood off to the side, her hands clasped in front of her as she tried to huddle into the warmth of the cloak. The wind was brisk and cold, the weather like every other day in the Highlands which was a marked difference from what she was used to—fiery hot summers and moderate winters.
She eyed Callum, who stood tall and silent next to the bishop, his face blank. Malcolm stood next to him with fists clenched at his side, devoid of all expression. Jamie was on his other side, his hands clasped in front of him, and his head bowed in reverence. Dougal comforted Roslyn with his arm around her shoulders while she wiped her eyes with a handkerchief, her grief apparent. Their uncle, Argyle, was also in attendance. Hisface was impassive as he stood with his hands clasped in front of him.
When it was all over, and Hamish was deep in the ground, the bishop said something low and quiet to each of the brothers and then walked back to the church. Roslyn and Dougal slowly filed away to head back to their mounts and return to the keep. Evie hesitated, wanting to stay for Callum and yet at the same time flee. She told herself she should follow Roslyn and Dougal and ride back with them, but she couldn’t make her feet move. Malcolm turned to his brother before he walked away. Lines of anger were etched on his face.
“He will be avenged,” he said to Callum.
Callum’s face remained impassive as his gaze flickered to his brother. “You willna do anything rash.” It was not a question, but more of a warning. His tone was hard and unforgiving.
Though Malcolm said nothing, he stalked away with Jamie on his heels.
Evie shifted from one foot to the other, wishing she had left with the others and not witnessed the exchange between the two brothers.
Argyle stood next to Callum, watching the younger men stalk away.
“The lad is grieving same as ye are,” Argyle said to Callum.
“Aye, but we cannae have more fighting between our clans. It serves no purpose.” Callum’s eyes were still pinned on his brothers’ retreating backs.
“’Tis up to ye to as laird now to keep them in check.” He clasped his nephew on the shoulder. “And ’tis time for me to take my leave.”
Callum’s head snapped toward his uncle. “Yer leaving us?”
“Aye. I left unfinished business behind. I ken ye’ll be a good laird. Take care of the lads.”
They shook hands and bid each other goodbye. Argyle walked across the churchyard to say farewell to the others. Callum started to turn from the grave when he spotted her. She stiffened as their eyes met and she worried he would be angry with her for lingering behind.
He wasn’t, though. His face softened as he looked at her. She moved closer to him, pausing next to him to peer down at the other two graves next to the fresh one. His mother and sister.
“You didna have to come,” he said, his voice soft and low.
She merely gave a nod, managing a faint smile. “I didn’t want to miss it.”
