Chapter Two #3
“I satisfy plenty of women.”
Gideon scoffed and then bellowed with a laugh. “Aye, when? How long has it been since ye been with a woman?”
He wanted to use his fist to answer his comrade, but instead ignored his friend’s banter. “I have been somewhat busy with clan matters and… Hell, a wife or a woman is the last thing on my mind right now. There are more important matters to attend to.”
Gideon sighed with a moan. “A woman can aid ye more than ye know and mayhap help ye rid that angst ye carry around on your shoulders.”
“Perhaps that is so.” Breckin nodded. “Och, but when I must do my duty and marry, I will. Until then, ye will have to deal with my angst. I will keep my brothers in line and see that our clan prospers. No wife is necessary for that.”
“Aye, so we all hold hope. ’Tis odd, though, that the MacLarens have not tried to make amends for their withdrawal or affront. Do ye think they consider themselves our rival?”
He shrugged in answer to Gideon’s question.
“Probably, but I have had no time to deal with their pettiness. I was too accepting at the time when they withdrew their daughter’s hand and might have spoken of a rivalry.
Now, I am gladdened that I did not have to marry her.
The MacLarens are a needy clan and there are too many other needful clans hereabouts. ”
“She was a sweet lass who would’ve taken care of ye. That is what ye need. A woman who would see to matters of home and hearth.” Gideon flashed a smile. “My wife takes good care of me and our son. Without her, I do not know how I would fare.”
“One day, my friend, I will marry and shall find a woman as worthy as your Deena.”
“Ye should be so fortunate,” Gideon said and chuckled. “Why are ye going to Edinburgh?”
“I wish I did not have to go because there is much to do here. The MacNabs still await word from me on when I will meet with them. Then—as you know—there are my brothers. I fear that they need a guiding hand and mine are tied right now. If only I could find out the truth about Marian’s death, I could put that behind me and settle the matter.
But och, I’m off to do the king’s bidding, whatever that is…
” Breckin hadn’t realized he’d walked so far and ended up passing the stable.
He turned around and headed back so he could have Alton have his horse ready in the morning.
“Ye do not know why the king calls ye to meet?”
Breckin threw up his hands because he hadn’t the faintest notion. “Nay, och, I will find out when I get there. Look after my brothers and see that they do not kill themselves on your watch. I shall return with as much haste as I can and relieve ye of the duty.”
He walked away from his comrade and entered the stable.
The beam that had fallen had been removed and the roof had been repaired.
That his brother fell through the roof certainly gave forewarning that the wood needed to be replaced.
At least his brothers hadn’t been killed in their pursuit of an escapade.
Near the back, he heard Alton’s voice and headed in that direction.
Peering over the door of an empty stall, he could see his stablemaster carrying on with a woman in an empty stall and Breckin hastily swung the gate open.
He meant to startle the couple and indeed, his clansman stood hastily.
“Ah, Laird… I…did not expect ye back…”
Breckin heard the woman’s gasp as she hid behind the wall. He didn’t acknowledge her and hoped not to cause her embarrassment. “Alton, have my horse ready at dawn.”
“Oh, aye, will do, Laird.” Alton bowed to him and waited for him to turn away.
Breckin chuckled under his breath. He wasn’t aware that his stablemaster had a woman. The man notoriously stank of horses and manure. Surely no woman wanted to sport with him. But what did he know? He left the stable and continued home, letting the night air ease him.
In the last days, he’d gotten only a few hours of rest, and little sleep.
He was tired and needed a respite before he’d make the long trek to Edinburgh.
When he entered his aunt’s cottage, it was quiet.
She sat beside the hearth in a chair, sewing something.
He bade her a good night and strolled toward the bedchamber he used whenever he stayed in the cottage.
With the door firmly closed behind him, he disrobed, lay on the cot in the corner with its straw-filled tick and pulled back the heavy tartan blanket.
Breckin closed his eyes, but sleep evaded him as his mind turned over the fact that he would be in Edinburgh soon, and the banter that Gideon had thrown at him.
A wife, ha. He’d be the worst sort of husband, surely unacceptable for any woman at this time.
With all that weighed upon him, he wasn’t ready to settle down.
There was too much to do before he’d take a wife.
The distant future loomed as if he’d never achieve such an aspiration.
Still, the thought of having a sweet, willing woman to warm his bed at night and caring for him during the day wasn’t too displeasing.
Maybe one day his life would be settled enough and he’d have an adoring woman caring for him.
Breckin scoffed lightly at that thought.
What woman would want to marry a warrior who only knew about battles?
He vowed then that he would take a wife before he reached two scores in age.
That was if the senseless wars he participated in didn’t kill him first.