Chapter 21 #2
“Why are ye so surprised? Of course, the council wants to organize the weddin’. Think of how much work they put into the betrothal celebration. They’ll want to make a big deal out of the weddin’. That means feastin’, dancin’, important guests, all of that.”
“I daenae want a big weddin’,” Callum responded flatly. “I’ve already had a big weddin’, remember?”
Lucas let out a ragged sigh and raked his hands through his hair.
“I thought ye already kent this, but it does nae matter what ye want, or what Lady Melody wants. It’s about the clans.
It’s about the people, and the council, and the look of the thing.
Ye have avoided remarriage for too long, and ye have been very vocal about it.
People were startin’ to worry. And now ye are ready to wed again, to a fine, sweet woman who everybody likes, and we need to celebrate that.
Angus said that we need to make it clear that this is a new era for the Clan MacDean, and that means a big, noisy weddin’.
He wants to extend the celebrations to the villages so people can join in.
That would be a popular decision, but it would take some organizin’. ”
Callum could sit still no longer. He bounced to his feet, striding over to the window. Outside, rain was falling. Hardly unusual for the Highlands. It was all gray outside, gray and gray on gray, with veils of gray rain blurring heaven and earth. Raindrops shot down the windowpane.
“Ye are Laird MacDean,” Lucas said softly. “Yer life is nae yer own. Ye ken that. Ye have always ken that. Ye took a bride before, and ye will do it again.”
Callum closed his eyes. He said nothing, and Lucas pressed on.
“Ye made an heir before, and this time…”
Callum rounded on Lucas, finger stabbing the air. “Enough!”
Lucas jerked back as if he’d been slapped.
“I hate to say it…” he ventured, but Callum shook his head.
“Then daenae.”
“Somebody must. What happened to yer wife and child is a tragedy, a hideous one. Of course, it haunts ye. It haunts me, and they were nae even my family. But ye cannae let it drag ye back. I’ve seen many common men let grief and anger pull them down into despair and an early grave.”
“Enough,” Callum snapped, striding across the room. He came almost nose to nose with Lucas, staring him down. “Enough.”
Generally, Lucas would drop his head and look away, nodding. This time, however, he held Callum’s gaze and refused to back down.
“Or what? Will ye strike me, me Laird? Throw me in the dungeons? Do what ye must, but I will say what ye need to hear because I am yer friend, and I will always be yer friend. I will nae watch ye grow weaker and weaker by the year because of this… this guilt that ye carry. I will nae let ye look weak, Callum.”
“Oh, ye think I look weak?”
“Nay, I think ye look miserable. Ye daenae deserve to be miserable. I think that Lady Melody can make ye happy.”
At the mention of Melody, Callum flinched back, turning away.
“Ye ken the whole story,” he said thickly, staring out of the window. “Ye should ken, better than anyone, why I daenae want to wed Melody. I daenae think she’ll stay much longer.”
“Why nae? Is it because of her own accord, or because ye are pushin’ her away?”
“What’s the difference? The outcome is the same.”
“What’s the diff… Really, me Laird? Ye ken exactly what the difference is. Ye are punishin’ yerself for what happened to yer wife and son, and ye are punishin’ all of us with it.”
Callum closed his eyes. A picture of Melody’s face returned to his mind.
“I daenae want to punish her,” he whispered.
Lucas appeared at his side and gently placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Ye are nae a weak man, Callum,” he murmured. “A blow from a strong man hurts most. And ye are directin’ yer blows toward yerself. Perhaps it’s time to stop .”
“I daenae ken how to stop.”
“Start by talkin’ to Melody. Ye daenae wish to tell me the details, and I’ll nae pry, but I’m willin’ to bet that yer bad mood are connected to somethin’ that happened last night.
The guards at the gate said that ye both seemed in a good mood when ye returned, so whatever upset ye happened after ye returned. ”
Callum bit his lip. “Perhaps ye are right. I’ll speak to her, then. Nae to confirm any weddin’ plans, but just to make sure she is nae hurt or upset over anythin’.”
“Of course. Ye can find her in Kat’s room, she went there this mornin’, early, and I reckon they’re still there.”
Callum nodded, then paused, eyes narrowing.
“Did ye nae say ye wouldnae ken?”
“I just… I was there when she arrived.”
He turned slowly to face his friend. Lucas, realizing his mistake, went slowly crimson.
“And why were ye in Kat’s room early this mornin’, long before breakfast?” Callum enquired.
Lucas’ face looked as though it were about to explode. “Well, I… I dropped in very early, just to see how she was doin’, and I… I asked her some… some medical questions…”
“What questions?”
“Uh…”
Callum let out a snort of laughter and clapped Lucas on the shoulder.
“Never mind that, lad. “I’m pleased for ye, really I am. She is a wonderful woman, and ye deserve happiness. I’m glad ye have found it.”
Lucas nodded, grinning like a fool. “Thank ye, Callum. And for what it’s worth, I hope to say the same to ye one day.”