Andrew drew in a deep breath. “Two hundred and fifty pounds.” He exhaled with a puff.
“Hmm.” Laurel looked to contemplate what he said. “I’ll admit, seeing me dead is worth more than I expected. Or you just really wanted to be right. We shall see whether your father thinks I’m worth that two hundred and fifty pounds by the end of the tomorrow, shalln’t we?” Laurel turned her head away, dismissing Andrew as though he weren’t heir to a lairdship.
“As sharp as a thorn, and as hard-hearted as a Scot from Scotland,” Andrew Mòr said approvingly. “She might make a mon of you yet, Campbell.”
“Aye. That’s why I’m bent on keeping her at my side.”
“You’d rather her with you than against you.”
“Now you ken who to wager on. That’s if you’re daft enough to try.”
“I’ll leave that to my son.”
Laurel thought for a moment that she would accept his apology aloud to ease his obvious discomfort, but she knew it was a lie. And she thought a dose of public shaming would serve him well. He would be a laird one day. He needed some humility. So Laurel sat quietly, having said her piece.
Brodie enjoyed Laurel’s assertiveness and fought not to laugh. Not because the situation was humorous, but because Laurel was still one step ahead of most. But he was ready to end the chitchat and move the combined clans to Kilchurn. He needed to send riders to the other Campbell keeps and men to the River Orchy to scout the MacArthurs and MacGregors. He needed to know if his idea about the dam was feasible.
“Come. Your men can make camp outside my walls. I’m certain we can have chambers prepared for you both,” Brodie announced. He glanced at Laurel as he turned his horse.
“I shall even make certain there are fires in both hearths,” Laurel quipped before spurring her horse to follow the others. Brodie led the members from the three clans, Monty now riding to his right and Andrew Mòr on his left. Donnan rode alongside Laurel on one side while Graham rode on the other. She kept a lively conversation with both men when their pace allowed it. She found the last hour went quickly. But her stomach knotted when Kilchurn Castle came into view. Her new home and her new clan awaited.
