Page 13 of The Defiance of a Scottish Heart
Where would they live if they married? Would he take her to Edinburgh for her gowns? Could she have a maid to tend to her needs? Could she choose the menu?
It was as if they all dreamed of being married to a chieftain, but they weren’t interested in Lennox. They’d been like that before Lennox met Meg, so nothing had changed much.
Lennox was serious, and his responsibilities made him short at times. Meg had been the best thing that had ever happened to him. Taskill would love to find his perfect match in the same way his brother had. It was like a bolt of lightning came down from the sky and struck Lennox in the heart when Meg arrived.
Was there such a lass out there for him?
As Lennox’s second-in-command, Taskill had plenty of responsibilities. And he adored bairns. In fact, he couldn’t wait to see the first child born to Lennox and Meg. Or to Eva and Sloan.
But Taskill was unlikely to have any. He didn’t think he could do the right thing by any lass. There was something inside him, something that ate away at him, that said he’d never be a good husband.
And he wouldn’t do that to any lass. If he couldn’t love them with all his heart, be completely devoted to his wife and his family, then he couldn’t stand in a chapel and say the vows.
He couldn’t marry someone like Sheona unless he could give her his full attention. She deserved that much. They’d played together as youngsters, and he’d always admired Sheona because she never acted like a girl. She swam and fished and rode on horseback when her father wasn’t around. She loved obstacle courses, and he heard her ask Sloan once if he’d teach her how to throw a dagger.
But Sloan had denied her. Sheona was unlike any of the lasses who fawned over Taskill, begging him to court one lass or another. She was quite unique and he had always admired her for that.
But he still couldn’t marry her.
There was a time when they were younger that Taskill had thought he and Sheona would make a fine couple, though she was nearly six summers younger than he was. But there had been times when he, Lennox, and Sloan had played together, pulling the three lasses in to join them, ignoring the age difference. Lennox had been the eldest at ten and six, Taskill, ten and four, Sloan a summer and a half younger. Then Sheona had been nearly nine. Of course, the lasses always played the enemy and lost to the stronger clan that the lads represented, but it had inspired a feeling in Taskill he hadn’t had before.
He’d begun to feel like Sheona’s protector. Every time her brother or sister ordered her about or criticized her, Taskill found himself standing up for her. Lennox had often teased him about it, but Sheona was brighter than anyone gave her credit for.
But his favorite characteristic of Sheona had been that she had no fear of anything they asked her to do. Eva and Martawould never play in the mud or touch a frog or a fish. Sheona didn’t mind any of it.
So, when they’d reached the point of choosing partners, Taskill had chosen Sheona first. Lennox always worked with Marta while Sloan matched with Eva. Taskill’s favorite activities had been racing across the meadow on their strongest horses and preparing obstacle courses. But then everything changed. Eva and Marta didn’t wish to play with the lads any longer, so Sheona had to give up the same.
They’d all continued to swim together until Sheona had developed. Then her mother stopped everything. He’d thought that odd because no one had told Eva or Marta they couldn’t join the lads, but Sheona had grown breasts at a young age.
And her mother had ended all swimming with the boys.
Staying apart hadn’t set kindly with Taskill. He didn’t find the separation the least bit respectful. He’d grown fond of Sheona, even though there were nearly six summers between them.
But he got over it once the lasses had begun to flirt with him. And flirt they did. More than he wanted, if the truth were known. Now he had a reputation that he’d never desired or deserved.
Lennox entered through the gates, so Taskill wiped the sweat from his hands and proceeded down the steps to determine if he was betrothed. Oh, he liked Sheona well enough. She certainly was a beauty and smart too. But he couldn’t do it to her. He’d not marry her. She deserved a man who would be faithful, loyal, and one who loved her.
He liked Sheona, but that was it.
If he were forced, he’d leave the isle rather than force himself on the poor lass. It just wasn’t fair.
With that decision made, he moved to learn his fate. “Well?”
Lennox pulled him into the stables to the back stall. “Lads, do not let anyone near this section. Even my mother.”
“Aye, Chief.”
Taskill followed his brother through the passageway between the stalls, the horses nickering along the way, but it wasn’t until the very end when Lennox turned around and said, “I calmed him for now, refused him, but he’ll not agree for long. Either you have to find a lass or Sheona needs to find a husband, because he’s angrier than an otter protecting its cubs. He’ll be back for you in less than a sennight, if I were to guess.”
“Shite.”
“Lennox, I need to hear all of it.” His mother came down the passageway toward them.
Lennox was about to yell at the stable lads, but Taskill stilled him by placing his hand on his brother’s shoulder. “Do you think they could stop her? They’re good lads.”
Lennox grumbled but agreed. Meg came along behind their mother, hiding a smirk.
The woman waited until she was close, then barked, “If he won’t listen to you, then I’ll go. That ornery bastard is not going to order my sons around. Douglas made no such agreement. I knew everything they discussed, every plan he and Dermot made together.”
