Chapter Nine
Daniel sat in his solar, tapping his fingers on the desk, staring at the three elders, anxious to get the unexpected meeting over with.
He knew what they sought to hear from him, and he was certain what he planned to tell them.
However, since he hadn’t received the answer he wanted from Beth, he had no intention of responding to their questions.
Deciding to turn the meeting against them, rather than put himself through questions for which he yet had no answer, he said, “I heard from Lady Chisholm that a gathering, or party, or whate’er ye wish to call it to celebrate Beltane has been planned.
” He stared all three of them in the eye and continued, “I am still the laird, and I make the decisions. ’Twas bad enough ye allowed the invite to two young ladies and their parents without my knowledge. ”
Abraham waved him off. “’Twas the king’s edict. Ye might be the laird, but as yer advisors, ’tis our job to see that the king’s order is carried out.”
Daniel’s anger grew. “What does that mean? I can dismiss all of ye at any time. The only reason I have no’ as of yet is out of respect for my da. But I’ve been laird for years and no longer need yer advice. Or interference.”
Richard leaned forward. “Aye. Ye no’ longer need our advice, but ye would remain unmarried for another ten years if we dinna push ye.”
Daniel narrowed his eyes. Push him? Did they reach out to the king for him to be pushed? “Did ye have anything to do with the king’s order that was delivered?”
Their denial was anything but forceful, but he didn’t have the desire to investigate it right now.
“Again, if I chose to marry tomorrow or in another ten years, ’tis no’ something you need to place yerselves into.
” He crossed his arms over his chest, ready to end this “meeting” as soon as possible.
He had more important things to do than soothe the egos of the elder advisors whom, he had a strong suspicion, had overstepped themselves this time.
“From what we’ve seen ye seem smitten with the Munro lass,” Morgan, the youngest of the elders, well in his sixth decade, grinned at him.
Daniel glowered back at the three of them. “What happens between Lady Beth and Lady Alice and myself is no’ up for discussion.”
Abraham smirked. “Just bed one of them and then the decision would be made.”
Blood pounding in his head, Daniel growled.
“That is no’ only a bad suggestion, but casts dishonor on both lasses’ reputations.
I do no’ wish to obtain a wife who feels obligated into it.
I will make a decision, and I when I do, ye will be informed.
I doona plan to be rushed into such an important matter. ”
Morgan narrowed his eyes at Daniel. “Lady Chisholm seems quite eager to have ye decide on Lady Alice.”
If he didn’t call an end to this discussion, he would say something that he would later regret. Or make the grave mistake of punching one of the old men in the face.
He had depended on these men for guidance when his da had first died but he hadn’t felt the need in a long time. “I repeat, whatever is happening between me and the lasses is no’ up for discussion.”
Abraham turned toward Richard. “From what I’ve seen, tying himself with Lady Alice and having to deal with her mam would make for a difficult life.”
Morgan nodded. “Then Lady Beth it is.” He sat back, grinning like a fool, as if it were his decision to make.
Daniel slapped his thighs and stood. “I am calling an end to this so-called meeting. Any further interference from ye will result in me banning the three of ye from the keep.” He left the room to the sound of Morgan’s voice, but didn’t stay long enough to hear what he said.
He had no intention of listening to anything else from the men. If things were going the way he wanted, he would already be working out a betrothal agreement with Laird Munro. But his stubborn daughter needed more persuasion, which he planned to do, facing the one-week deadline imposed by Beltane.
He left the keep to visit a few tenants who were having concerns and wanted to discuss them with their laird. With guests at the castle, and an event planned he wasn’t too fond of, he did not have the time to set up a clan court anytime soon.
When he stepped into the stable, his attention was immediately drawn by a familiar voice, causing him to smile. Beth was speaking with James about a horse to ride since, based on what he’d heard, Tiger had suffered an injury.
“I think the lady can handle Bessie,” Daniel said as he moved next to Beth. He ran his hand over the mare’s back. “Doona let her name fool ye, lass,” he said at Beth’s raised eyebrows. “She is a strong horse who is easy to handle and will give ye a good ride.”
He glanced at her foot. “Is yer ankle well enough to ride?”
She moved it back and forth, gently, he noticed. “Aye. As long as I doona ride for too long. ’Tis still a tad tender after yesterday’s trip to the village.”
The strong feelings he had toward the lass rose again as he studied her beautiful face, mesmerizing blue eyes, and her wealth of blond hair pulled back in a heavy braid that hung down her back.
“Are ye headed anywhere in particular?” he asked as he accepted his horse from James.
“Nay. I thought to just ride and get some fresh air.”
“Just a reminder, lass, I doona want ye riding away from the castle without an escort.” He assisted her into the saddle and placed his hand on Bessie’s back running his hand over her smooth hide.
“I have to visit with a few clan members who have been having some issues that need to be dealt with. I could probably use some of yer advice as I listen to their tales.”
Beth perked up. “Aye, I would like that. I helped my da several times when he held clan court.”
Daniel shook his head. “I am no’ surprised, I can see ye whispering in yer da’s ear.”
Beth let out with a burst of laughter. “Nay. I dinna do any whispering. I stated my opinion—when my da asked for it—and he generally agreed with me. ’Twas almost as if he was preparing me for clan leader.”
It hadn’t occurred to him that Beth might be out of reach if she was destined to be Munro Clan Chief since some clans were set up to pass to a female. “Preparing for clan leader? Is that why yer da let ye go so long without arranging a marriage for ye?”
“Nay. I doona inherit when my da passes. Since my parents had all girls, the Clan Chief position goes to my cousin, Nathan, my da’s brother’s oldest son. I think da just enjoyed watching me tease my mam by doing another thing not considered proper for a lass.”
He laughed at the panic that had at first gripped him, realizing if she had been in line for the clan chief position, she would have said so before now because that would have been a perfect excuse for her not wanting to marry.
He also chided himself because her parents would not have consented to this visit if she was slated for such a future.
He swung his leg over his horse. “Are ye ready?”
“Aye.”
“If yer ankle starts to trouble ye, let me know and we will stop.”
*
Beth nodded and followed Daniel as he rode away from the castle and in a different direction than where they’d gone before when they visited the village.
The air was cool and crisp. Even though the Highlands never got hot, the summer, which was growing closer, made the air very comfortable.
The scant sun warmed her further as they traveled over hills and small valleys.
She had no idea how vast the Mackenzie clan lands were.
She knew like most large clans, there were a number of various castles within the Mackenzie clan, each having its own chieftain, with Daniel being the Clan Chief.
Daniel slowed his horse down and waved to her right. “We take that path through the woods.”
Beth nodded, turned her horse and followed Daniel.
There was a definite path through the wooded area, but not wide enough for them to ride side by side.
Their positions gave her an excellent view of Daniel’s strong warrior body.
His tight buttocks, bulging thighs, and massive shoulders made her feel small. And very strange.
She had wanted to continue with their kiss the other night but was somewhat grateful when he backed up and left her room. She was finding the man much too attractive and didn’t think she would have stopped him had he not had the common sense to do so.
Within minutes it seemed, they broke free of the woods and faced five bothies in a circle.
Each one had a garden of flowers in the front with vegetables and what appeared to be herbs in the back. Several bairns ran around the space, chasing each other and a few puppies.
Acres of land stretched beyond the bothies with sheep wandering about with sheep dogs and a few men keeping them from leaving the flock.
“Laird, how good of ye to visit us.” A plump, cheerful looking woman came out of one of the bothies, wiping her hands on a well-used apron.
Daniel jumped from his horse and then helped Beth down. She stumbled a bit when her ankle gave her a sharp pain.
“Are ye all right, lass?” Daniel asked as he grabbed her around her waist.
“Aye. My first time riding since the injury, and I’m afraid ’tis a tad stiff.”
Still supporting her, he walked her over to where the woman stood. “Mrs. Sarah Mackenzie, may I present Lady Beth Munro, a guest at Castle Leod.”
A man came around from the back of the house. He stuck his dirty hand out and Daniel took it with no problem. A true laird.
The man looked like the perfect husband to the woman.
He was large, with hands as big as gloves, patched trousers, and a sturdy work shirt.
A cap covered his head, and his smile was very engaging.
“Good to see ye my laird. Do ye have a minute to look over a patch of land I had an idea for, just a mile or so?”
“Aye.” He turned to Beth. I think ye’d be better off here with yer ankle still troubling ye.”
“Are ye no’ well, Lady Beth?” Sarah said, looking concerned.