Page 23 of The Defiance of a Scottish Heart
“Too bad, laddies. Off we go.” Hagen set his arm around her shoulders.
Sheona glanced over at her father, but he was busy talking about his brew. Eva gave her the wave and Sloan smiled.
So off she went with Hagen, who began talking as soon as they exited the keep. “It’s too hot in there with so many people. I was surprised at how large Duart Castle was, and how finely built, but with all the people on the isle, I think they will need to build more. Is your castle as large as this one?”
“Nay, but our hall is large,” Sheona said. “I’ve heard all about your grandsire, but not your grandmama. What was your grandmother’s name?”
“Madeline, though she was called Maddie.”
“Why is Alexander Grant so well known?”
“Because he was quite a swordsman. It started after he met my grandmother. Her stepbrother abused her, so my grandfather rescued her from him, but her stepbrother had betrothed her to another evil one, so Alexander fought himin front of Grant Castle. Everyone heard about it, and my grandfather was unbelievable, so I’ve heard many times. Fierce, but always tender with my grandmother.”
“Tender?”Tenderis not a word she would use to describe her father with her mother. Although he treated his wife better than anyone else, he still was not what Sheona would consider tender-hearted.
“The Grants believed differently about many things,” he said as he made his way over to a bench under a tree. “My great-grandmother was a healer and so are two of my aunts and several of my cousins now. My great-grandmother believed in two things that she wouldn’t allow any argument on. First, keep yourself and your house clean, and second, choose your own spouse. She made my grandfather promise to allow all his bairns to choose their spouses. So here we are. My father believes the same.”
Sheona sighed. “I wish my sire believed in that. He’s in a sudden rush to get me married.”
“You’re beautiful, so I’m sure you’ll find someone easily.”
“Hagen!” someone from the gates bellowed.
“Just a moment,” he said, taking Sheona’s hand and squeezing it for a second. He got up and headed toward the gates. “What is it, Broc?”
“I need you. The MacQuaries are here.”
“I’ll be right there as soon as I escort this lovely lass back inside.” Then Hagen turned to her. “Sorry. I can return later.”
“I would like that.” Hagen had definitely given her something to think on. She’d never heard of someone being kind to their wives. Could it be so? Her father hadn’t been that kind to her mother. Though he’d never hit her, he was often angry about ridiculous things. Her brother Rinaldo had not been nice with any of his romantic interests. She’d thought at one time it was because he was simple-minded, but he’d proven that to be false.
So, what was her lot in life to be? A mistreated wife who had to jump at everything her husband told her to do, or life as a nun who prayed to God every day? Was a nunnery the only option she had if she didn’t wish to become slave to one man, ordered about and treated poorly?
Though watching Sloan and Eva had shown her that things could be better. They truly adored each other and enjoyed each other’s company, something she’d never seen in her brother.
Hagen held the door for Sheona, and she stepped inside the hall, only to see her father coming straight for them.
“Did you touch her?” His voice echoed across the entire hall. “You touch her, you marry her!”
Hagen quickly said, “Forgive me. I didn’t know I needed to ask permission to take your daughter out for a stroll in the courtyard. There were many others about, Chief. I acted like a gentleman. I’m sure she’ll tell you so.”
“Da, please don’t make a scene. He was verra proper and respectful. It was fine.” Sheona kneaded her hands together, praying he would let this go.
Her father moved up to Hagen. “Since I didn’t give you permission, it seems you wish to marry her in the morn.”
Connor came over and said, “That’s my son you are yelling at, Rankin. Care to explain yourself?”
Dermot stood back. “Grant took her out without asking my permission. It’s dark. Who knows what he tried to do with my lass? I’ll have him in front of a priest by the morrow.”
Sloan yelled, “Da, enough!”
Connor moved his son aside and stood toe-to-toe with Dermot. “That’s not how we do things on Grant land, Rankin.”
“That’s how it’s done on Rankin land, Grant.”
“You’re on Grant land now. My rules.”
“I’ll drag him to the kirk even if you don’t like it, Grant. Your son or not, he’ll not make a mockery of my daughter.”
