Chapter Twenty-Six
Meg
Meg was so angry with Lennox, she was ready to spit.
“Meg, wait. Please.”
She stopped and whirled around. “Fine. I’ll wait. What is it you wish to tell me now? How foolish I am? How weak I am? What now? I’m sorry I’m not a chieftain as you are, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have a brain.”
“Forgive me, I did not mean to imply you are ignorant.”
“You used those words, Lennox. I’ll forgive your ignorance . Did you forget them already?” Her hands balled into fists on her hips. Oh, how tired she was with all these men telling her what to do.
“Your ignorance about women rowing their own boat. Naught else. Forgive me. Please calm down and allow us the time to talk about this.”
“Oh, I think I know exactly what you wish to tell me. Be kind, Meg. Don’t get me upset, Meg. Do as I bid you, Meg. Do as I say, Meg. What else do you have to say?”
“You’re changing my words, lass. Do not twist this around to your favor.”
“All right. Then let’s start with this. Why did you lie to me about Loch Aline?”
“It wasn’t intentional. It was—”
“It most certainly was intentional. Another lie.”
He growled. “Meg, don’t push me in a way you don’t want. I can only tolerate so much insolence.”
“You can only tolerate so much insolence? I’m not in your clan, Lennox. And guess what? I’m tired of men telling me what to do. Why do men think they should be deciding what’s best for me? Mayhap I might know what’s best and what I want. And by the way, I’ll not be marrying you, you insufferable lout. How dare you assume something for me.”
“Insufferable lout! You insult me on my own land, after how hospitable I’ve been to you?”
“Aye, I do. I’m taking that boat whether you like it or not. You may come with me if you prefer, but I’m going to cross that water if I have to find a log to climb on. There’s a wee lass of five summers who needs me. All you wise men are worried about everything else. I’m worried about Lia!”
“You’ll not be taking that boat. I haven’t allowed anyone to touch it, so surely I’m not going to allow you to take it. Leave it be, Meg.”
She spun around and opened the door to the boathouse, tugging out a boat and shoving it into the water.
“You can’t do this.”
She turned to glare at him. “Watch me.” She grabbed the boat but he yanked it back.
“Not that one.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t need to give you a reason. Use the other one.”
“It’s dirty.”
“Well you can’t take either one. I won’t allow it. You’ll never make it on your own.”
“Lennox, I am not a wee bairn. I can row.”
“Mayhap on a different day, but you had a fever for the last two days. How could you possibly think you are strong enough to row across the water on your own?”
“Mayhap because I am strong? I can throw an axe. I killed a man by putting an axe in the middle of his forehead. I was intelligent enough to hide our tracks as we crossed the mainland toward Oban. I found my own way when I left my home. And I can verra well find a wee lass before someone steals her and insults her all. Day. Long.” Tears misted Meg’s vision, but she swiped them away. “Why must you continue to insult me? I’m not weak nor am I ignorant, Lennox. Please get out of my way.” She reached for the first boat again.
“Not that one.”
“I prefer this one.” She glared at him, then grabbed her saddlebag and tossed it into the vessel. “The water is like the finest calm day of summer, nearly like the ice in winter. I will be fine. I promise to return your vessel by the morrow, Lennox. Now please step aside, and I’ll not bother you again.” Her voice dropped to a calmer tone. She was tired of arguing with the arrogant man. And she would not cry.
He grabbed two more oars and threw them in the boat, then grabbed a bag from within the boathouse and tossed that inside. He removed his sword and placed it in the bottom of the vessel that he hated so. He didn’t know if he could get in it, but she wasn’t changing her mind. He’d have to be the strong one in this pair.
“I’m going with you.”
“No need. I’ll be fine.”
“It’s my boat. I’m going with you.” He sighed and said, “You want the truth? I was headed to Loch Aline on my own. The man who lived near that castle kidnapped me long ago, but I escaped by outsmarting him. And he did it in a boat that looks just like this one. They were to do the same to me—sell me to some fool who wished for me to build a curtain wall, never to return home. They dropped me over the side of the boat, hoping I would drown, but I swam underwater. I never told my mother or anyone all that happened. But I know. I know what he looks like, where he hides, and I’m going after him. I cannot allow you to go alone. You have no idea who you’re dealing with.”
Meg stopped, staring up at Lennox, his hands on his hips. His eyes had that shadow of deep pain, the blue as cold as the ice on a winter loch. Somehow, she had a sudden understanding of this handsome, strong man who’d been undone long ago as a lad, his world shattered in an instant by a soulless fool who’d stolen his innocence.
“I’m sorry, Lennox.” What else was there to say? This powerful chieftain just confessed something he’d never told another. He deserved a hug, but it would be inappropriate. Words were all she could offer him.
“I’m going with you, Meg,” he said in a small voice. “I have to. I’m a fool sometimes, but I know what’s right and what’s wrong, and those bastards are wrong.”
She reached up and cupped his cheek. “Many thanks to you. I’d be pleased to have you along.” She dropped her hands and turned back around, only to find herself tugged back into his arms.
Lennox’s mouth descended on hers in a kiss that startled her, mostly because she’d never been kissed like this before.
But damn if she didn’t like it. He let her go as quickly as he’d pulled her close, but then he kissed her forehead and said, “Let’s go find Lia.”
Lennox helped her into the boat and attached the oars, settling their few belongings. But the oddest thing happened. When he shoved the boat away from the coastline, Meg swore she heard someone clapping.