Page 24 of The Anguish of the Scottish Lairds
“Where have you been?”
“I went to have a brief repast with our neighbor, Angus MacKinnis. Interesting enough, he’s been trying to find a husband for Theebet. I suggested your name, Sloan. She’s a fine lass. Verra pretty. I told him you’d call for her soon.”
Sloan stared at his brother wide-eyed, denying his need to choke the breath from him. He shook his head, certain that he’d heard incorrectly. “You did what, Rinaldo?”
“I suggested a betrothal between you and Theebet. She smiled when I asked her if she would be agreeable.”
“Why would you do such a thing?”
“Because Eva refused you. And I couldn’t bear to see you arguing with your best friend in the entire land, Lennox. This way you and Lennox won’t fight again. You’re welcome.”
Rinaldo put the oars away and headed up the hill, a wide smile on his face.
“Rinaldo, halt!”
His brother turned around, that innocent expression that he always wore still there. “What can I do for you, Sloan? I’d be glad to help you in any way at all.”
Hellfire, but the simpleton pushed his patience. He loved his brother, but he truly pushed him too far sometimes. “Why did you tell Da about Eva when I asked you not to?”
His brother frowned. “I didn’t tell him. He overheard the whole discussion. I overheard him asking Miles about it.”
Sloan slapped his forehead, closing his eyes. Blast the stars out of the sky, but his name was doomed to be on the end of every wagging tongue on the isle.
“Pardon me, but I must go brush down the horses as you have requested, Sloan.”
And Rinaldo disappeared.
Sloan wished to rip every single hair out of his head, one at a time. In fact, perhaps he’d hire a bird to come along and peck at his scalp while he yanked on them. Or a flurry of crabs to crawl up and tear at his bare feet when he swam the next time. Or mayhap he’d fall onto a pile of nettles while he was taking his next pish.
His sire was daft and hated him, his brother was a simpleton who could not be controlled, and now the entire clan would know Eva refused him.
Miles and Ingelram came down the hill toward him, and he knew what he had to do, the purpose twofold. “Ingelram, I need you to go with me. We are heading to Clan MacKinnis to undo what my brother has done. Miles, you are in charge.”
He’d relax by rowing across the calm sound, then he’d explain to MacKinnis that he wasn’t in search of a bride, and his brother should not speak for him.
“Aye, Chief. Rinaldo went into the stables. Is that where you wish for him to go?”
“Aye, Miles. Make sure he brushes all the horses in the stalls at present. Keep him busy, if you please.” Grumbling, he waved Ingelram over to the boat and the two pulled it out, finding another set of oars so both could row.
They made it halfway across their short trip to Kinlochaline before Sloan could speak. “So the tongues are all wagging thanks to Rinaldo, I’m guessing.”
Ingelram cleared his throat before he spoke. “I’ve heard some rumblings, but we don’t believe everything Rinaldo says, Chief. I know he’s your brother, but many times he tells tall tales. It’s my preference to wait to hear the truth from you.”
“I appreciate that. Does anyone else agree with you?”
“Many do. Some prefer to listen to Rinaldo, but they wag their tongues more than I do.”
“This trip is to chat with Angus MacKinnis. Rinaldo offered for his daughter, not for himself, but for me. My brother has decided to start arranging marriages, apparently. I’m going to undo his promises before there’s too much damage. We’ll put the boat in, and you can chat with Isaac in the stables while I try to smooth things over.”
Nothing was said until they arrived at the neck of Loch Aline, but then Ingelram said, “I cannot believe he would do something so careless, Chief. I believe it to be one of his worst actions, to come over here on his own. Mayhap the chieftainnever truly entertained his words. And I hope Theebet never found out about it. She’s not your type, in my opinion.”
Sloan couldn’t help but be surprised by his words. As they glided down the tranquil waters of the loch, he said, “And what is my type, in your opinion?”
“Someone strong, someone not afraid to back down. Theebet strikes me as timid, Chief. Not your type.”
Sloan couldn’t argue with that, so he said nothing as they approached the dock near Kinlochaline Castle. Isaac was on the hill above the coastline, talking with Angus. Sloan waved as they approached.
Angus smiled and moved over to the dock, waving them in. “Not surprised to see you, Rankin. Come in for a brief repast.”
