“See that ye do,” he harrumphed, but he looked amused in spite of himself, and so she took that as a good sign.
She climbed atop Thistledown, and saw that Alex was striding over to a specific horse—a tall and sturdy-looking brown stallion with a white streak down its nose. “Is that one yer favorite, then?” she inquired.
He nodded, saddling the creature and mounting it. “This is Cannonball… so named for he’s easily as swift as one, and because I’d hate tae go tae war without him. He’s been a valued companion for many years.”
“Just as Thistledown is for me!” she exclaimed happily.
Isla had always taken great pleasure in riding across the MacDonell lands. Ever since she was a little girl, she’d marveled at them, considered them sprawling and majestic.
They paled, however, in comparison to the vast territory of the Oliphants.
The hills stood tall in every direction like giant green sentries. Indeed, she’d learned many years ago that the clan had situated itself in this spot for that very reason, so they would be able to see invaders coming over the verdant crests and have ample opportunity to defend themselves.
The villages were huge and many compared to those of the MacDonell lands. They teemed with merchants, artisans, and traveling performers. Even the farms between these colorful towns seemed to bustle far more intensely than those she was familiar with back home.
I could have an interesting life here, she thought.Perhaps even anexcitinglife, if I wished.
As they rode, though, something occurred to her:
One of the main reasons Thistledown had been so dear to her for so long was because she’d felt a great deal of loneliness growing up with parents who showed her far more disapproval than they did love.
And she still remembered the forlorn look Alex had had during their initial meeting, and the shameful way his father had spoken to him.
As Isla kept pace next to Alex, she asked, “Do ye have many others in yer life that ye’d call ‘companions’?”
He furrowed his brow. “I have brothers, and an adopted sister, and my advisors…”
“Aye, but what about friends?” she pressed. “People who are around ye because they choose tae be, not because they have tae be?”
“That… strikes me as a rather impertinent query,” he grumbled.
She didn’t much care for the sudden change in his tone, but she hid it well enough, shrugging mildly. “I didnae mean tae give offense,” she said lightly. “I merely asked because, if ye’re tae be my husband, I thought it best tae familiarize myself with those ye call ‘friends’ so that I may be close tae them as well.”
Alex gave her a shrewd look. “I think not. I think ye inquired tae see if it’s difficult for a man with a temperament such as mine taemakefriends, or keep them, for that matter.”
Isla was dismayed that he’d seen through her ruse, but she supposed she shouldn’t have been particularly surprised, he was known for his keen intellect, after all, and his powers of observation.
“Fair enough,” she replied evenly. “I suppose I wondered about such things because I’ve been thinkin’ about… whether ye and I might be capable of havin’ a successful marriage. Given the history between our two clans, and our previous interactions.”
For a moment, his expression darkened, and she was certain she’d insulted him. But then his face softened again. “Yer speculations have merit, I’ll confess. However…” He trailed off, as though trying to gather his thoughts. Then he said, “In the past, when two clans had reason tae quarrel, each would simplyselect a single fighter tae do battle on their behalf. The men would fight, and the matter would thus be resolved without the need for open warfare. Marriages such as ours are arranged for similar purposes. Our union will put tae rest all previous conflict between Oliphants and MacDonells, and ensure that there are none goin’ forward either.”
She nodded. That seemed sensible enough to her.
He hesitated, then added, “As for our initial… difficulties, I believe that, given our duties tae our respective clans, we will be quite able tae come tae an understandin’. If we both choose that, of course.”
“Very well,” she agreed. “I shall make the effort if ye will as well.”
“Then we have an accord,” Alex said with a smile. “And tae answer your question… nay, I suppose I dinnae have people I’d call ‘friends.’ I find myself too often disappointed with the company of others, so I rely on my books instead.”
“Oh?” Her eyebrows went up. “I didnae know ye liked tae read.”
Her enthusiasm seemed to encourage him. “Do ye enjoy it as well? I have a tremendous library, ye know.”
“I’ve visited it,” she answered, “but I touched nothing in it, for fear of upsettin’ ye.”
“I… suppose I cannae blame ye, given my well-earned reputation for takin’ umbrage at such things,” he admitted a trifle sheepishly. “Shall we return to the castle, then, so that ye may have a better look at my collection? Ye may borrow whatever ye wish from it, as long as ye promise tae respect anythin’ ye take and return it in the same condition.”
“Of course!” she exclaimed joyously.
