Admittedly, two of the men he had with him looked well-fed and well-trained, but it was the fourth—a lanky, ferret-faced man with greasy brown hair—who caught Brodie’s attention, because he wore a different plaid.
The man grinned smoothly and offered Brodie a sneer. “Clement Gordon. I carry a message from the King and have opted to travel with Laird MacBain for protection.”
From the grimace MacBain didn’t quite manage to cover, it wasn’t entirely a mutual decision.
“Protection, aye.” Laird Oliphant launched into a lengthy analogy about a frog with only one leg, which made about as much sense as anything he said.
Kenneth chuckled good-naturedly, as if he’d known ‘twas supposed to be a joke, then all too nonchalantly, began explaining his reason for being at Oliphant Castle.
“In conclusion, we never found McIlvain, but I met my Leanna, and she finally agreed to become my wife.”
Brodie hadn’t expected Kenneth to share their secret mission for the King, but mayhap now that Kenneth had retired from the Hunters, it mattered less? Or mayhap he’d told the secret in order to gauge MacBain’s reaction.
Having not forgotten he was there to offer insight, Brodie impassively watched MacBain. The big man had frowned thoughtfully during the recitation, then shrugged.
“It seems ye were successful then, at least! Felicitations on yer marriage, but I’m sorry ye didnae find yer friend.” He shifted so he was addressing both Kenneth and Brodie. “What did ye say McIlvain looked like?”
Rather than describing the missing Hunter’s skills, or even his distinct helmet, Kenneth said, “Golden hair, one eye, and there’s a reason they call him a mountain of a man.”
“Because he’s a mountain of a man,” Brodie deadpanned.
“Well…” Kenneth shrugged. “A craggy peak at least. He’s adjacent to mountains.”
Brodie nodded. “Hilly at the verra least. A grassy knoll.”
“Gentle rolling hummocks.” Kenneth managed without laughing. “He’s basically flat.”
Glancing back and forth between the two of them, MacBain burst into laughter. “Well, I’ve no’ seen a man who fits any of those descriptions, but I’ll send word if I do.”
Kenneth shrugged, then nodded. “’Tis in the other Hunters hands now; I’m retiring. They’ll have to look for him.”
Brodie had to admit, MacBain seemed to be all he claimed; good-natured, fair-minded, and interested in his clan’s well-being. But his companion, the weaselly Gordon, hadn’t been amused by the exchange. In fact, he’d seemed bored during Kenneth’s description of their search for McIlvain, and now that it was over, leaned forward to turn the direction of the conversation to another topic altogether.
“What,” Gordon began in a haughty tone, staring down his nose at Brodie “is this man to the Oliphants? ‘Tis no’ often I’m forced to eat with a cripple.”
As Kenneth bristled, Brodie held the gaze of the King’s messenger. The other man’s eyes flashed in challenge, as if knowing how rude he’d been, but daring Brodie to do something about it. There was once he might’ve, but today…?
Today, the men around him jumped to his defense.
“Cripple, aye,” muttered Laird Oliphant. “And a good man. He saved my daughter—Coira, was it?”
“Leanna,” corrected Kenneth, not taking his glare from Gordon. “And myself.”
“Myself, aye. And everyone kens three birds in a bush are worth four pence, if ye have enough bushes.”
Silence reigned as every single man present swung their confused gaze to the aging laird, who just smiled and bobbed his head, as if naught was wrong.
Beside Brodie, Kenneth sighed, and Brodie had to assume he’d heard the laird’s terrible analogies before. He was, after all, married to the man’s daughter. MacBain was frowning in confusion, and Gordon scowled.
Likely at being upstaged.
Thank fook Lady Oliphant chose that moment to sweep up to their gathering, her daughters arrayed behind her like ducklings. She held herself regally, as if the King himself had come to visit her castle, as she gestured for her daughters to step forward to be presented.
Kenneth’s face lit in a grin, and he opened his arms just as Leanna slid into them. They both turned to MacBain, and there was no little amount of pride in his voice when he introduced her. “My wife, Laird MacBain.”
As MacBain bowed, Laird Oliphant introduced the rest of them. Or rather, most of them. Brodie couldn’t help but notice Fenella was missing.
“My auldest, Kellan—”