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“Did he tell you he and Rao to find brides?” Judith asked
Gillian’s eyes widened and she glanced at Brodick “No, he didn’t tell land?”
“It was at least six or seven years ago”
“More like eight,” Frances Catherine told her friend
“What happened?” Gillian asked
“They were both in love with Judith,” Frances Catherine said
“They were not,” Judith argued
“Yes, they were,” she insisted “But of course Judith was already land just like her”
Gillian s then, weren’t they?”
“With foolish expectations,” Frances Catherine added “None of the ladies they met measured up to their Judith—”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Frances Catherine You needn’tfor ladies like me They were just restless and hadn’t found mates here They soon came to their senses, however, and cahlanders”
“And that was that,” Frances Catherine said
“Until you ca,” Judith remarked with a smile
“Brodick has been very kind to me,” Gillian said “But that is all there is to it He’s a very kind man,” she added in a stammer
“No, he isn’t,” Frances Catherine bluntly replied
Judith laughed “Do you have feelings for this kind man?”
“You shouldn’t ask her such a question,” Frances Catherine said “But do you, Gillian?”
“Of course I care for hiet Alec home I shall be forever indebted to him However,” she hastily added when both ladies looked as though they were going to interrupt, “I land as soon as my duty here is finished I cannot entertain foolishdreams”
“There are complications you aren’t aware of, Frances Catherine,” Judith explained
“Love is complicated,” her friend replied “Answer one last question for iven your heart to Brodick?”
She was saved fro to answer the question when Frances Catherine’s husband interrupted the, but he was sparsely built in comparison He was just as protective of his wife, however, and Gillian noticed that both brothers didn’t have any trouble letting others see how they felt about their wives Their love was apparent, heartwar, enviable
Frances Catherine introduced her to Patrick and then proudly pointed out their children, six in all, twin girls who looked like their mother and four handsome sons The baby couldn’t have been le out of his father’s arms When the baby smiled, two shiny teeth were visible
Alec tugged on Gillian’s hand to get her attention then and presented his brother, Graham, to her The firstborn Maitland was quite shy He wouldn’t look at Gillian, but he bowed formally all the way to his waist, then ran away to rejoin his friends
“Our son Graham was named after a valiant soldier who trained ht years now, but we still randfather toto us The food must be ready Come, Gillian, you and Brodick must sit with Iain and me Frances Catherine, fetch your husband and join us”
Darkness descended and additional candles were placed about the gigantic hall All the woh Gillian offered, she wasn’t allowed to lift a finger She was astonished that such a grand feast could be so quickly prepared There were pigeon pies and pheasant, salmon and salted trout, thick crusty bread (black and brown), sugared cakes, and sweet apple tarts, and to wash it all doere glistening pitchers of wine and ale and icy cold water, fresh frooat’s oblet of the creamy liquid
During the meal, Alec was passed around from soldier to soldier He was too excited to eat and was talking so fast, he stammered
“My son has dark circles under his eyes,” Iain said “And so do you, Gillian You will both have to catch up on your sleep”
“They both have nightmares” Brodick made the comment in a low voice so that only Iain would hear “Where will Gillian sleep tonight?”
“In Graham’s old room,” Iain replied “You needn’t worry about her Judith and I will make certain she isn’t disturbed”
The ain and Patrick immediately stood up He put the baby in Judith’s lap, then pulled his wife to her feet Frances Catherine’s face was flushed with excitement as she followed her husband to the center of the room Other couples quickly joined the their feet and clapping their hands to the lively rhythm of the tune
Several bold young soldiers came forward to ask Gillian to dance, but one dark look fro away
He was getting angrier by the second By all that was holy, couldn’t they see she earing his plaid? And couldn’t they leave her alone for one daht? The lass was clearly all worn out Why even Iain had remarked about the dark circles under her eyes Brodick shook his head in disgust What in thunder did he have to do to ot a little peace and quiet?
And what right did he have to be so possessive? She didn’t belong to hiether for Alec’s sake
“Hell,” he muttered
“Excuse ainst his when she leaned toward hi, Brodick?”
He didn’t answer her “He said, ‘hell,’” Iain cheerfully informed her “Didn’t he, Judith?”
“Yes, hewith mischief as she patted her nephew “He said, ‘hell’”
“But why?” Gillian asked “What’s wrong with him?”
Iain laughed “You,” he answered “You’re what’s wrong with him”
Brodick scowled “Iain, let it alone”
“Milady, could I have a dance with you?”
Alec stood right behind Gillian, poking her between her shoulders to get her attention When she turned around and smiled at him, he bowed low Lord, he was adorable, and she had to resist the urge to scoop hiht
While Brodick was patiently explaining to the child that Gillian was too tired to dance, she stood up, curtsied as though the King of Scotland himself had honored her, and then put her hand out for Alec to clasp
Alec thought that dancinguntil he was dizzy Brodick ainst a pillar with his arms folded across his chest while he watched He noticed how Gillian’s dark curls shi in the hearth behind her, and he noticed her smile too It was filled with such sweet joy
Then he noticed he wasn’t the onlyAs soon as the dance ended, soldiers, like vultures, ca for her attention
All of them wanted to dance with her, but she politely declined their requests She found Brodick in the crowd, and without even thinking about what she was doing, she walked over to him and stood by his side Neither looked at the other and neither spoke, yet when she moved closer to him, he moved toward her, until their bodies touched
He stared straight ahead when he asked, “Do you land?”
“I an”
“But do you land?”
“It’s home”
Several minutes passed in silence as they watched the dancers, and then she asked, “Tell me about your home”
“You wouldn’t like it”
“Wh
y not?”
He shrugged “The Buchanans aren’t like the Maitlands”
“And what does that mean?”
“We’reharder They call us Spartans, and in some ways I think perhaps we are You’re too soft for our way of life”
“There are other wo on the Buchanan land, aren’t there?”
“Yes, of course”
“I’m not certain what youit wasn’t flattery Still, I’er that the Buchanan women aren’t any different than I am If I’m soft, then so are they”
He slanced down at her “They’d have you for their supper”
“Meaning?”
“Your feelings would be destroyed in a matter of minutes”
She laughed, and heads turned in response to the joyful sound
“Tell me about these women,” she asked “You’ve made me very curious”
“There isn’t ,” he added “And they can certainly take care of theainst attack, and they can kill as easily and as quickly as any lance at her he added, “They’re warriors, and they sure as certain aren’t soft”
“Are you criticizing the them?” she wanted to know
“Praising them, of course”