Chapter 13
As Cameron and Logan were conferring with their father, Fergus and his younger brothers, James and Alasdair, were likewise meeting with Oliver in the laird’s private study.
“Father, I have seen our soldiers preparin’ fer battle!” Fergus informed the older man. “They are sharpenin’ their swords and saddlin’ their mounts as though they expect an attack!”
“Of course they are,” Oliver grunted impatiently, “and so they should, fer the message regardin’ yer impending nuptials was delivered tae the Wallace clan several hours ago. I have little doubt that they are plannin’ tae ride upon us before the sun sets tomorrow!”
Fergus’s jaw dropped. “What? But if you are so certain that they intend tae launch an assault, then why on Earth have ye insisted upon my marriage tae Darina?”
Oliver eyed him cagily. “It is good tae have multiple courses of action available tae ye, lad, in case yer initial plans fail. That is something ye will have tae learn well if ye intend tae become laird yerself someday. Though so far, it must be said, ye have hardly managed tae convince me that ye would be a worthy successor tae the title!”
Fergus did his best to let that last comment go since he’d heard similar sentiments from the old man his entire life; that he’d never be good enough to follow in Oliver’s footsteps; that if he didn’t make a stronger effort to please Oliver, he would be passed over for James, the next in line.
When Fergus glanced at his brothers, he saw that they had paid little heed to the remark as well. Rather, they seemed to share Fergus’ concerns, and they were eyeing their father nervously.
“So that is all of it, then?” Fergus challenged. “Ye are massin’ yer soldiers just in case, as a backup if this marriage scheme of yers falls through?”
“Nae that I am particularly inclined tae share my motivations with an inquisitive whelp such as yerself,” Oliver sneered, “but aye, that’s more or less the truth of it.”
“I dinnae believe ye fer a second,” Fergus snapped.
“Fergus,” James said warningly, “perhaps it would be better if ye discontinued this line of questionin’, at least fer the moment. Our father does nae appear tae be in the mood fer such inquiries, and ye ken how…challengin’ he can be when he’s feelin’ disagreeable.”
“Oh, ye’re another one, aren’t ye?” Oliver growled, waving him off.
“I swear, lad, there are times when I truly believe ye are nay better than yer eejit of an older brother! Swannin’ aboot and proudly speaking of yer honor and the rightness of yer actions as though such concerns were nae utterly meaningless when compared tae the only two traits that truly matter in a leader: cunnin’ and force.
A laird must have the wit tae determine the cleverest course of action and the will tae see it through.
Is that the sort of man ye are, James, eh?
Or are ye a weaklin’ and an embarrassment like Fergus?
If so, then I suppose I shall have nae choice but tae name Alasdair as my successor when I die!
” He snickered. “That ought tae put a crimp or two in yer celebration of my passin’ when that day arrives, won’t it? ”
Alasdair remained stone-faced. He, too, was thoroughly accustomed to hearing their father make such ill-tempered threats.
“I have been yer son fer all of twenty-three years,” James replied evenly, “and if ye feel that ye have failed tae take my measure as a man durin’ that unhappy span of time, there is little I can do aboot it at this stage.
Ye may continue tae draw whatever conclusions ye wish from my words and behavior and make whatever threats ye choose regardin’ who ye will name as the clan’s next laird.
Fer my part, I have grown thoroughly immune tae such cynical calculations from ye. ”
“Oh, is that right?” Oliver’s chin jutted out defiantly as he turned to his youngest son. “And what about ye, Alasdair? Would ye likewise show yer father such open disrespect? Would ye make such a display of callow arrogance in the face of my good judgment?”
“I have served ye as faithfully as I ken how, Father,” Alasdair answered, “and shall continue tae do so. However, I must confess, I share Fergus’ curiosity regarding yer true motivations.
This entire scheme seems tae have been rather complicated and risky, just tae lead tae the very conflict ye had said ye intended tae avoid.
” He paused, then added, “Naturally, as someone who has studied yer methods as the clan’s leader—the better tae implement them for myself, if the day ever does arrive when ye feel I would be qualified tae lead—I am eager for any insight ye wish tae share. ”
Oliver threw his head back and cackled. “Ye are good, aren’t ye? Far more subtle in yer manipulative machinations than either of yer older brothers could hope tae be. You think if ye toss compliments at me like daisy chains, I will reveal more tae ye, eh?”
Alasdair did not answer aloud, but the gleam in his eye seemed to confirm this well enough.
The laird nodded shrewdly. “All right, then. If ye three want the plain truth of it, here it is: I am old, and this damnable war has made me realize the fact of my own mortality. I shall nae be here tae lead forever, and when I am gone, this clan will require someone with the strength of heart—and stomach, I might add—tae do what must be done durin’ times of great difficulty and strife.
Noble and lofty principles are nae nearly enough tae make one a laird.
One must be willin’ tae get one’s hands dirty and his spirit bloody in order tae enforce those same principles.
He must be willin’ tae do whatever it takes tae protect and defend his people, even if it involves deeds which he might find himself squeamish tae undertake. ”
“Then all of this was some sort of stupid test?” Fergus blurted out, horrified.
“It was a means of testing ye, aye,” Oliver retorted remorselessly. “Of seein’ what ye were made of, how ye would act under pressure, both away and at home.”
“Surely, then, I have passed such a test in yer eyes!” Fergus pointed out. “I succeeded in the undertakin’ ye assigned tae me!”
“Oh, aye, ye got the lass and brought her back here, right enough. Ye proved yourself a competent spy on behalf of yer clan. I will confess, I was nae convinced ye had even that in ye, and I was pleasantly surprised in that regard.” Oliver’s expression hardened, and he bared his teeth.
“However, ye have since negated that entirely by takin’ her out of the dungeons—where she might have been compelled tae do as she’s been told or answer tae the cruel caprices of the rats and jailers—and installin’ her in one of our guest rooms. Ye defied my orders, lad!
And ye did so because ye are weak and soft and therefore unfit tae rule. ”
“I make nay apologies fer my actions.” Fergus drew himself up to his full height, meeting his father’s gaze in a manner he hoped seemed fearless. “I did what I felt was best in order tae get her tae agree with yer bizarre proposal.”
“Is that so?” Oliver raised his bushy eyebrows indulgently. “Well, this should be good fer a laugh, eh? Go on, then. Explain yourself.”
“If she thinks of us as little more than a pack of brutes and monsters,” Fergus went on doggedly, praying his words would convince his father, “then she will be all the more likely tae spurn the idea of marryin’ into our family.
She already sees us as little more than kidnappers, deceivers, and villains.
It was my intention tae challenge that point of view, tae make her believe that, although she might find yer actions and ideals loathsome, I might be the sort of man she could grow to accept and even care fer in time.
It was my considered opinion that if she felt safer, it would make her feelings aboot us more conflicted and thus make her far more inclined tae consider the prospect of marriage more seriously. ”
“There, ye see, Father?” James spoke up. “Clearly, Fergus wished tae supplement yer plan, nae confound it. He has nae disobeyed ye in any real way. If anythin’, his perspective on the matter seems well thought out and ought tae be applauded.”
Fergus shot his brother a grateful look, and James nodded almost imperceptibly.
But Oliver grinned nastily. “Balderdash! Absolute rot and nonsense, the lot of it! You must think me a dotard tae tell such transparent lies tae my face! Ye simply felt too much remorse tae allow such a pretty little thing tae spend even an hour in the dungeons, and so ye freed her. It is as simple as that, and yer prevarications are embarrassin’ tae behold! ”
Fergus’s heart sank. He’d had little hope that his words would sway his father, and sure enough, they had fallen far short of their mark, much to his dismay.
“I have grown quite tired of the abuse ye choose tae heap upon me needlessly,” Fergus said quietly.
“Have ye?” Oliver laughed cruelly once more.
“And what do ye intend tae do aboot it? I may be growin’ old, lad, but I can still defeat ye quite handily if I am called upon tae do so.
Ponder that well, and if ye have a challenge, go ahead and issue it at once!
Otherwise, stop mewlin’ and whinin’ and wastin’ my time, and do as ye are told from now on. Now get out of my study at once!”
The three men filed out of the room with dark expressions on their faces.
“Ye must show a bit more forbearance and restraint, Brother,” James advised Fergus. “Ye must make a somewhat better show of compliance, even if yer heart is nae in it.”
“Strange advice indeed comin’ from ye, James,” Fergus countered, “given the tone ye’ve been ken tae take with the old man when he’s crossed the line with ye here and there.”
“Here and there is the crucial phrase in yer remark,” James confirmed. “I prod him occasionally, aye, but only a little, and only when I firmly believe I can get away with it. Which is more often than ye dare since I am so frequently beneath his notice tae begin with.”
“Except when he chooses tae use ye as a threat tae Fergus’ succession,” Alasdair grumbled. “Just as he does with me whenever ye displease him, James.”
“Aye, it’s nice tae ken our proper place in the order of things, isn’t it?” James quipped dryly.
“I find him contemptible!” Fergus snarled. “I am beyond weary of his threats, insults, and insinuations. I wish we were rid of him once and fer all!”
“And one day, we shall be,” Alasdair reminded him. “Until then, we must all be patient and play our parts as he expects of us, knowing that someday, we may be in a better position tae reverse his hateful policies and undo the damage he’s spent decades inflictin’ upon our clan.”
“Ye say that as though there will still be a clan when he is finished with us,” Fergus said sourly.
“First, he says this kidnappin’ business is tae stave off a direct and costly battle, and now he says it was meant tae provoke that same battle!
” He sighed angrily. “Do ye believe he might be losin’ his faculties with age?
That these ludicrous schemes of his are some sign of his impendin’ dotage? ”
“I dinnae believe so,” James answered immediately. “He has always been this way. Age has made him a bit more implacable, perhaps, but it is nae the reason fer this behavior.”
“I am forced tae concur,” Alasdair said. “He’s always been a most horrid and unreasonable fellow.”
“Tell me somethin’, Fergus.” James was eyeing his older brother cannily. “Would it be accurate fer one tae say that ye have feelings fer this lass?”
“Preposterous,” Fergus replied dismissively. “I have barely known her two days.”
James smirked. “The songs and poems of old are filled with accounts of men who have fallen in love in a span of mere moments. I’ll ask again: Do ye care fer her deeply?”
“It seems ye must,” Alasdair chimed in, “if ye were willin’ tae disobey our father tae make her accommodations more comfortable.”
“I suppose I do find myself drawn tae her, aye,” Fergus admitted. “But what difference does that make? She may have found me allurin’ enough when she was unaware of my true identity. Now that all of this has transpired, I am sure I have nae hope she will trust me again.”
“I am nae wholly certain ye should give up hope just yet,” James answered slowly.
Fergus raised an eyebrow. “Surely ye dinnae suggest that I make some attempt tae woo her?”
“I would nae rule such a thing out,” Alasdair said. “Ye say she was attracted tae ye before? That’s a start, at any rate. And ye delivered her from the misery of the dungeons, which has likewise probably given her more tae consider in terms of yer true nature. Ye could continue tae build on that.”
“What ye said tae our father aboot swayin’ her could have some truth tae it if ye work at it,” James agreed. “Ye should go tae her. Do all ye can tae convince her yer intentions are good. If ye can manage it, then ye might be able tae save us all from the battle which rides toward us.”
Fergus laughed incredulously. “Do ye mean tae tell me ye believe I can somehow convince her tae marry me before the Wallaces arrive?”
“Ye need to try, at least,” Alasdair affirmed. “Otherwise, there is simply nae tellin’ how many lives might be lost in the days tae come.”