Page 11 of The Anguish of the Scottish Lairds
“Nay,” she said, wondering why her friend had thought it such a good idea. Probably because she hadn’t been able to find a husband since she’d had her bairn. She’d never admitted to anyone who the father of the bairn was, just that he’d moved on. “I don’t wish to marry Sloan. I’ve known him forever. He growls too much.”
“So why does that matter?” Alycia asked as she saddled a horse, flipping her long plait over her shoulder.
“Because I want to marry someone I’m in love with. Someone with mystery, someone who travels the world and will take me with him.” Someone who would follow her everywhere the way Alaric followed Eli.
“Have you kissed Sloan yet?”
“Nay. I don’t like the thought of that.”
“Well, then he’s not for you. But until you’ve kissed the man, any man, I don’t know if you’ll know if he’s the one for you. He could be. You should try.”
“Nay.”
“You are daft, lass. He’s a handsome man. Chieftain of his clan, loads of coin, lives on the water. What more do you want?”
“Love. I want love and I’ll not settle for anything less. If he’s so handsome, why don’t you go after him?” And she wished for the assurance that her father had chosen the man for her. Something she’d never know now that he’d passed on. The thought made her teary-eyed.
Alycia snorted. “I don’t think I’m Sloan’s type.”
“And what is his type?” Confused by Alycia’s quick denial, she had to wonder what was wrong with Sloan. She’d liked him as a friend, just nothing more than that.
“A lass with her maidenhead still intact. That’s his type. He’s a chieftain and needs to make sure any bairn born by his wife is his. Besides, he would not be interested in me if I were a virgin. I’m not noble blood like you.”
“Well, I don’t care. You can have him if you like.”
Alycia rolled her eyes. “As I said, he’d not be interested. I’ll see you later. I have to get Elvard and move along.”
“What’s the event at Duart Castle?” Eva had heard about something, but she couldn’t recall.
“Just a small family gathering. Dyna’s sire is leaving soon, so this is their last celebration of the new bairn before Connor and Sela leave. Not too many will be there.”
She had a sudden idea—Broc. Mayhap she’d go along and see if she could get to know Broc better.
It was the only way she’d get her brother to leave her alone. Find her own husband.
Broc MacNicol was unmarried.
“I’m coming with you.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Eva
Dyna watched Eva arrange her stance and her bow before she set herself to fire again at the target. She hadn’t been training that long and had learned quickly, but she was definitely off this morn. “Your elbow, Eva. Lift it or your arrow will go up into the trees.” This day, she couldn’t hit any target.
Eva cursed, something Dyna hadn’t heard before.
“You wish to stop, Eva? You don’t seem yourself this morn.”
Eva fired her arrow, which missed by half a horse. She dropped her bow on the ground and stared at Dyna. “I’m distracted. I apologize.” The truth was she was a terrible archer, no matter how much she tried. “I don’t think I’ll ever get any better at this.”
“What’s wrong? Anything I can help with?”
She grumbled under her breath, then decided to tell Dyna the truth. Perhaps she had some insight as to how to make her brother change his mind about betrothing her. “Lennox wants to marry me off to someone.”
Dyna appeared surprised. “Did he choose someone yet?”
“Sloan offered for me, but I don’t wish to marry him.”
