“If ye had a wife in yer bed, ye wouldna have to chase after that whore like a dog in heat.” Struan whispered his opinion through clenched teeth, but still loud enough for Iain to hear. Loud enough for Rob as well.
Iain had stood, grabbed hold of Struan, and pulled him to his feet before he even realized it. The utter silence surrounding them brought him to his senses as he realized that everyone there was watching. He was moments and inches away from offering a grievous insult to the laird of the MacKendimens, one his nephew would have to deal with. One that could break years of friendships and alliances.
The words about Struan’s own actions, chasing a woman like a dog in heat until she cuckolded her own husband and bore Rob, were not words to be spoken aloud. They would not surprise anyone here, for the story of Rob’s beginnings was familiar, but to remind the laird of his failures and to call Rob’s mother an adulteress before this clan would do no one any good at all. And, worse, ’twould do much harm.
“Just so,” Iain said as he released his hold of the older man. He stepped back and offered a slight bow before turning and walking down the steps and out of the hall.
Rob caught up with him before he’d made it back to his chamber and followed him within.
“I thank ye for not blurting out anything about the circumstances of my birth,” his friend said. “Though I could see ye wanted to say it to his face.”
“Secrets revealed are still never easy to hear.”
“I didna ken why he brought Gunna here, for ’tis been years since her last visit here.”
“There was some problem between her and Anice, then?” Iain could decipher it in Anice’s face, and in the way she’d left her aunt-by-marriage behind.
“Aye. Gunna was here when Anice was young and inexperienced in dealing with her life and challenges. Gunna reminds her of bad decisions and behaviors, long after Anice grew into the woman she is now.”
“That might be the reason behind Struan’s words then. Regret? Embarrassment over how he lived his own life and the choices he’s made?”
Rob crossed his arms over his chest, letting out his breath as he nodded. Iain began gathering up his clothing out of the trunk in the corner and stuffing it in a leather sack.
“If ye wanted to be charitable, ye could think of it as advice he’s giving to ye, so ye would not make mistakes as he has.” Iain shook his head, partly to deny that possibility, and partly in disbelief that Rob would defend the man. “What are ye doing?”
“I think a few days in the village might do me some good,” Iain said. “Send word if ye have need of me. Ye ken where I will be.”
“So, ye have no plans to marry again?” Rob asked.
“Nay.” Iain shoved another shirt in the bag. “Aye.” He tossed everything on the bed and put his hands on his hips. “I would love to have what ye have, Rob. I miss Elisabeth and I miss what a man can have with a woman he loves.”
“Are ye seeking to marry, then?” Rob goaded him. Iain let out an exasperated groan.
“Jamie wants me to remarry and have bairns, to ally another clan with ours. Struan thinks marrying again is a good plan—for me but not himself, clearly. Ye, too?”
“Bairns?”
“I have only two score and five years on me, Rob. I can still make bairns.” If he had not glanced up at that exact moment, he would have missed the alarm that crossed Rob’s face. It was gone so quickly Iain wondered if he’d even seen it there.
“Right now, I want to go and spend some time with a woman I ken who will not ask me questions.”
Iain tugged the sack closed and picked it up. “I think I will stay there until Gunna has gone.” Rob’s laugh taunted him then, but he resisted the urge to say more or to punch his friend. He opened the door and motioned for him to leave. “Give my regards to Anice, if ye will.”
“About Anice and bairns,” Rob began. “She is carrying.”
A broad and proud smile filled his face at the announcement. Iain smacked Rob’s shoulder at this news, for it had been almost five years since Anice had given birth to her son Craig with no sign of bearing another.
This explained Rob’s strange reaction to the question of bairns earlier.
“Ye have my best wishes, Rob. ’Tis not kenned yet?”
“Nay, she wishes to wait a bit longer before announcing it. Moira kens, as do a few others.”
“I will not speak of it until ye give me leave.” With that, he pulled the door behind him, forcing Rob to move along.
“Iain, why do I get the feeling that ye are running away?”
Iain answered with a crude gesture and walked away, unwilling to say more.
