Page 25 of The Anguish of the Scottish Lairds
Sloan accepted the help of one of MacKinnis’s men, who managed the boat with Ingelram’s assistance, and followed Angus up to the castle.
Once they were inside, Angus spoke to one of the serving lasses. “A goblet of ale and a meat pie for our guest, if you please.” Then he led Sloan into his solar at the top of the staircase, leaving the door open for the lass to enter.
“I’m not surprised to see you here, Sloan, though I didn’t expect you’d arrive until the morrow.” He smiled, and Sloan knew he was thinking about his brother’s meddling.
Sloan made small talk until the lass brought his ale and pie, then once she closed the door behind her, he decided there was no reason to delay. He took a swig of the ale and sighed, deciding to deal with the issue first thing. There was no reason to avoid the discussion about the irresponsible act his brother had committed. “My apologies that my brother came and acted on my behalf when I did not give him the rights to do so. I honestly don’t know what came over him, but I’m not in a position to offer for your daughter’s hand, Angus. I hope you will forgive us.”
Angus leaned back in his chair and folded his hands across his abdomen, his eyes sparkling. “Your brother. He is changing. He certainly surprised me with that visit. I’d heard of Lennox’s quick wedding and I’m happy for him, but I’ve heard little about you. Only that you offered for Eva MacVey and you were refused.”
“You heard that too?” Sloan closed his eyes and rubbed them with his thumbs. Would his embarrassment never cease?
“Only from Rinaldo,” he said, sitting up. “Did you offer for her?”
“I did. Lennox is in favor of the match. Eva is not, so we are not betrothed. That’s all I care to say, but either way, I had no plans for offering for another so quickly. I think that would be an insult to Eva, saying that I was not truly bothered by her rejection. While others might like her to think that, I do not. I hope you have not informed Theebet.”
“I did not. She overheard us speaking, but I told her once your brother left that it was a false offer.”
“And she was not upset?” he asked but wasn’t quite sure what he hoped the answer would be.
“Nay, Sloan. I would have accepted as I think you would make a fine match, but Theebet considers you a bit—gruffis the word I believe she used.”
Gruff? Had he ever been called gruff before? Only when he dealt with his brother and his father and his men. Well, that meant nearly everyone. He’d have to ask his sisters. Either way, he wouldn’t dwell on that. It needed to be shoved into the back of his mind where he could hopefully forget the words.
“It would be an honor to be betrothed to your daughter, but this is not the right time, Angus. And I thank you for understanding.”
“Sloan, I wish you much happiness. After what happened to your first fiancée, I’m sure it must be hard to find another. I hope it will work out for you.”
Sloan had been betrothed for a few months, but his betrothed threw herself off a cliff into the sea. Gormal was probably dead before she ever hit the water, but it had been tragic and horrific for everyone, no one else more than himself. He’d known Gormal for many years but had only agreed to the match after he’d learned of Eva’s impending betrothal to an English earl. Gormal was the daughter of the armorer, and though he hadn’t been in love with her, he had hoped for a good marriage. He respected and trusted her, so he’d hoped for the best with the match.
Even though his heart had belonged to Eva.
It hadn’t come to fruition, so it was another one of those things he pushed into the caverns in his mind, locking it up and throwing away the key. He couldn’t dwell on Gormal either. The event had affected him for so long that he’d sworn to let the pain of it go. He couldn’t dwell on what had happened forever. He honestly had no idea why the lass would take her own life. He thought she’d been pleased with their betrothal and had been excited to be his wife.
How wrong he’d been. He’d done his best to ignore the wagging tongues, to not take the awful situation as being his fault. A few others had tried to place the blame on his shoulders, as he’d done for a short while, but Gormal’s sire had insisted it was not Sloan’s fault.
It had taken nearly six moons for him and his clan to come out of that darkness.
If only Eva would allow the two of them to explore a relationship between the two of them, but it was not to be.
He took a bite of the meat pie and said, “Please excuse my brother’s ignorance, Angus. He doesn’t understand theimplications of his words. I apologize for him. If you wish for me to apologize to Theebet, I will.” Not that he wished to, but the honor code of his clan said he would.
“Nay, she knew it was not a true offer. But I wish to bring something else up to you.”
“I’m listening,” he said before taking another bite of the meat pie.
“Your brother is wiser than you think he is, in my opinion. I think that, as he has matured, he’s come into a better understanding of the world and its ways, if you know what I mean.”
Sloan couldn’t have been more surprised by his comment. “In terms of lasses and marriage? Those types of ways?”
“Nay.” Angus leaned back again and sighed. “I don’t know how else to say this other than to be blunt about it. Many consider your brother’s mind to be simple.” He glanced at his hands, then back up at Sloan. “I do not. I tried to tell your sire that once, but he got upset. However, I want you to know that I’ve seen your brother in some situations that are not the type that a simple-minded person would be in.” Sighing again, he sat up and said, “I’ll put it simply. Rinaldo is smarter than you think he is. Please consider that in all your dealings with him. And now, I have somewhere else I have to be, so I’ll escort you back to your boat.”
Sloan felt as if he’d been dealt a blow to his gut, but after a moment or two, that feeling changed. It blossomed in a good way. “Many thanks to you, Angus. I’ll take my leave.”
Had he been right about his brother all along? Was the favor his father gave Rinaldo false?
Angus escorted him back, and they chatted easily. “Sure was glad to see Lennox marry. Meg’s quite a lass. I chatted with her at the wedding, and she has a quick mind. Quite a beautytoo. I wish them much joy in their lives. I’ve never seen Lennox happier.”
Sloan said, “I agree. He’s found his mate, and I’m sure the bairns will follow soon enough.”
