Callum wrapped his arm around Saoirse’s shoulders and moved her to stand among him, Tavish, and Mòr. Liam stepped up to the two enraged men, putting a hand on each chest and pushing hard. It was enough to make them each move.
“Ye’re causing a scene. The laird’s family doesnae argue in public.”
“Ye’ve been a foster brother to me as much as Callum has. I’ve felt like part of this family since the moment I left home to come here. But I’m nae anyone’s uncle but Thormud’s, Rose’s, and Shona’s. Dinna sully ma reputation or imply I’m a monster. I dinna prey on the innocent or abuse ma relationship with this family.”
“Alexander, Óg, we’ll discuss this in ma solar.”
“Nay.” All eyes swung to Saoirse. “At least, ye arenae discussing it without me. Ye willna talk aboot me as though I’m a child who doesnae understand what’s happening, nor will ye talk aboot me as though I’m some object two weans fight over.”
Everyone but Óg stared at Saoirse, flabbergasted by her strident tone. Óg’s smile encouraged her to stand up for herself. She was furious at both men, but Óg’s support emboldened her, and she appreciated it. She spread her feet hip-width apart and crossed her arms. She appeared like a lamb among bulls, but none of her family ever recalled her seeming so mature. They sensed her iron will, and it matched their wives’. Óg continued to watch Saoirse while everyone else’s gaze swung to Alex, who appeared defeated.
“Find yer mama, lass.” Liam continued to block Óg and Alex from each other, not convinced it wouldn’t come to blows.
“Da, they’re all here already.” Tavish pointed to the entrance to the lists. Siùsan, Brighde, Ceit, and Deirdre stood fanned out, making it impossible for anyone else to enter the lists. They faced inward, watching the men and Saoirse, and there was no doubt they were guarding them.
Liam led the way, dreading the conversation about to be had. He knew there was no way everyone would leave pleased. He hoped to keep it from erupting again, but he doubted today was the only battle in this war. Each of the husbands wrapped his arm around his wife’s waist, separating Saoirse and Óg. She walked between her grandfather and her family, and Óg followed them all. When they stepped outside of the lists, Saoirse stopped. She looked back at Óg and waited.
“Saoirse, dinna hold us up.” Brighde was more successful hiding her anger than her husband, but she struggled not to snap at her daughter.
“Nay. We arenae walking through the bailey with Óg trailing behind like a kicked puppy. Everyone is behaving disgracefully. Ye should be ashamed.”
“Dinna speak to—”
“Alex, cease. The lass is right. Óg, walk beside me.” Liam didn’t relish this moment as laird or patriarch. Óg squeezed between Callum and Mòr, the latter appearing entirely disappointed in Óg. The younger of the two Magnuses felt most demoralized at disappointing the elder of that name. He glanced at Siùsan, who looked conflicted and nearly in tears. It wouldn’t be the first time Mackenzies and the rest of her family caught her in the middle.
They filed into Liam’s solar, and Alex pushed the door shut with a bang. He elbowed his way forward, his brothers barely trying to slow him. Once again, Saoirse stepped between Magnus Óg and Alex.
“Hiding behind a lass again?”
“Saoirse, please stand with yer mama.”
“Nay. I’m standing just where this situation has put me. Da, dinna make me choose. Óg wouldnae ask it of me, but I ken ye will.”
“Then let him walk away.” Alex crossed his arms.
“I dinna want him to.”
The declaration hung in the air.
“Ye dinna ken what ye want,leannan.” Brighde came to stand beside her daughter.
“Ye were ma age when ye married Da. Did ye nae ken what ye wanted?”
“I wasna sure at first. It wasna a simple decision made in just a few days of kenning him.”
“I’ve kenned Óg ma entire life. Ye act as though I dinna ken him at all. Ye act as though none of ye ken him.”
“This is aboot our ages, Saoirse. They think me a lecher who’s corrupting ye.”
“Corrupting me? Mayhap if I didna ken what happens between a mon and a woman, I’d be easily led. But ye havenae done aught to corrupt me. Just the opposite. Nay one else has ever made me feel like they respect ma wishes as much as ye do.”
“He’s too auld, Saoirse.” It was Callum’s turn to speak up. “He has experience a husband for a lass like ye shouldnae have.”
Saoirse narrowed her whisky-colored eyes at Callum before she darted them to Siùsan. She cocked an eyebrow at her aunt. Siùsan rested a hand on Callum’s chest, hoping to deter him, but he clearly wouldn’t back down.
“I believe it was yer experience, Uncle Callum, that led ye to meet Óg and Seamus.”
Callum jerked back. Callum’s past was a lesson to the lads on not dallying or keeping a mistress. It was a harsh memory for any of them to recall because it was his past that endangered Siùsan’s life when they were newly married. It was that threat that haunted Óg’s memories.
