The Condemned Highlander (Highland Intrigue Trilogy 2)

“If you wish an heir to the Clan MacRae, you will welcome these people,” Brogan said.

“You dare threaten me?” his father said, his anger ready to erupt.

“I warn you, Father,” Brogan said calmly. “Accept them and make certain others do or I will make certain my wife does not get with child.”

“There is no chance yet?” his father snapped. “What do you wait for?”

“For you to do what is right,” Brogan said with an anger of his own. “You can start by greeting Iver and Una warmly so that others may see they are now welcomed here. And while they enjoy market day, you and I will talk. Also, have a cart made ready. There is a list of things I need.”

Lord Balloch guarded his tongue. “I will give you what you need, and you will give me more than one heir. You will have the many sons I never got to have.”

“Daughters as well,” Brogan said with a smile.

“Aye, daughters can greatly benefit a clan through marriage. I will see them married well.”

Brogan almost laughed. Annis would never let their daughters be used in such a way and either would he. “That will be my decision, Father. Now let’s see this done, since I intend to return home today.”

“You are home,” his father reminded.

Brogan looked to Annis and realized at that moment home was wherever she was.

Brogan was not impressed with his father’s performance and how he warmly greeted Iver and Una and insisted on strolling through the market with them. He had seen such a performance many times. He believed Iver and Una had as well, for they played their roles with forced smiles.

“I am going to speak with my father. Make certain to behave yourself while on your own,” Brogan said with a chuckle and tap of his arm against hers.

“Funny,” she said, glancing about.

Brogan could see from the narrow set of her eyes that it wasn’t funny to her. “What troubles you?”

“Iver and Una have no coin or anything to barter with,” she said and had thought to bring at least one of the coins Elysia had insisted she take when she left. But those were for the witch if needed.

“Iver has coins, I gave him a few for him and his daughter to buy what they wish. And you need no coin, since the merchants will be informed that I will pay for all your purchases.”

“That is not necessary,” Annis said.

“My choice,” he said and nudged her arm again when he would rather take her in his arms and kiss her. But he could not do that here and now—not yet.

Annis saw no point in arguing. Besides, there wasn’t anything she needed. She wanted to be done here and return to the village.

“Do not be long,” she said, seeing his father approach.

He leaned down to whisper, “I look forward to seeing whatever bauble you find for yourself.”

“Bauble. You think I am interested in baubles?” She laughed and walked off.

Annis found herself with a steady smile, watching the joy Una got from being at market. She had taken the day for granted and had even avoided market day at Clan Loudon at times. But having been deprived of mingling and talking with people, Annis could understand the joy it could bring.

She was also happy to see Iver reunite with old friends and how pleased they were to see him. He seemed to stand straighter and taller, his shoulders broader than she had ever seen them. Brogan had been right. This was a good thing to do today.

People looked at her strangely when she lingered at a merchant’s table covered with building tools. She spied a chisel. She always wanted a chisel of her own and he had a gimlet as well.

She picked up the chisel. It felt good in her hand. “How much?”

The young man behind the table looked at her oddly. “Maybe you should let your husband choose the one best for him.”

Her chin shot up. “It is for me.”

“Annis is a builder,” Una said, walking over to stand next to her.

“You are teasing me,” the young fella said with a laugh.

“I am not,” Una said. “She directs the men in building a fine stone shed for our winter food and will be building dwellings as well.”

The young man looked to Annis. “Can you use help? I am good with tools, and I have many as you can see. I grow tired of traveling. It is a lonely lot and a dangerous one. I am Risley and would serve your clan well.”

Annis could tell from his calloused and scarred hands that he spoke the truth and though he was slim, there was muscle to his arms. He had good features and kept his brown hair trimmed short. And, of course, there were all those tools.

Una smiled. “He could be of great help to us.”