“Jennie, you are my sister, almost a daughter to me. I will always protect you. You may not like all I do, but I do it because I love you.”
“I know, Alex. I’m so sorry. I have acted like a spoiled bairn.”
“Nay, you are a woman who is trying to find her place in the world. ‘Tis not easy.” He kissed the top of her head and settled her on a log as he moved to check on the rest of his men.
Chapter Ten
Alex admits one of his greatest weaknesses…Jennie…
Jennie came down to the great hall for the evening meal with butterflies in her belly, scared to death to meet the two men who had been brought here for her perusal. How did one go about seeing if a stranger would suit as a spouse? Was she supposed to quiz them both? One at a time or together?
She controlled her wish to chortle. Mayhap she should ask Alex if she should kiss each of them and decide which was better? What exactly was his plan for this foolish venture? She had almost made it to the steps of the great hall when Alex strode up behind her and ushered her into his solar. All cleaned up in his red dress plaid and his hair tied back, her brother was still an imposing figure. Many a lass still gazed at him, even though everyone in the clan knew he would never stray from Maddie’s side.
She gave him a questioning look as soon as she noticed they were alone in the chamber. “What is it, Alex?” she asked after he closed the door behind them.
Alex paced the room twice before he stopped. “Maddie told me she has made you aware of the two men I invited to our keep.” He settled his hands on her shoulders.
“Aye, but why did you make plans about suitors without asking me?” She adored her brother, always had, but his commandeering ways tested her patience.
“‘Tis my job, lass, to see you married. I made a pledge to our parents. While I have not wanted to admit ‘tis time for you to consider marrying, Maddie reminded me that you are of age.”
“But Alex…”
“Let me have my say, Jennie, then you may chastise me as I know you are wont to do.”
She nodded and he ushered her to a chair in front of the hearth while he leaned on the mantle. “I know ‘twas not easy for you to lose Ma and Da so early in your life, but I have tried my best to raise you well. I was not so good at it early on, but with Maddie’s assistance, I have improved. Brenna was also a great help, and I admit I felt lost when she left us. I am grateful she has invited you to their castle so many times.”
Jennie stared at her brother. Laird Alexander Grant, renowned for fighting off the worst enemies, a grand swordsman, was struggling to find words.
He crossed his arms. “I have not told you this, because I did not feel there was a need, but there have been several who have sought your hand in marriage before now. I have rejected them all.”
“But why?” She wanted to know why he had kept this from her, why he had ignored her needs so completely.
“Why did I reject them, or why did I not tell you?” He tugged on his ear and started pacing in front of her.
“Both.”
“Because you were not of age yet. You were not ready.”
“Aye, I am.” Well, she was of age to marry, but her heart had already chosen another.
Alex stopped in front of her, his hands clasped behind his back. “All right, you will force me to admit it. I am not ready yet. I became quite fond of the wee lass who sat on my lap for all those years, and now that you are old enough to leave, I find I am not ready to lose you.” He turned his gaze away fromhers, an expression on his face Jennie had never seen before. Embarrassed? Sad?
“And who asked for my hand?” She hated to push him, but she needed to know the answers. She thought it only fair.
He hung his head, his arms now crossed in front of him. The way he moved told her he was uncomfortable with this conversation. But she was even more uncomfortable, and this was her life.
Alex took up most of the front of the hearth, his arm muscles bulging from the continuous practicing he did with his mighty sword. He finally let his breath out in frustration. “Lass, do you not see? None of them were good enough for you. You are like my first born. You had such a difficult time after we lost our parents. You were still sucking your thumb on rare occasion at almost nine summers.”
“I was not! You are creating tales to make yourself feel better, Alex.” She crossed her arms in a huff, unable to believe what he had just said to her. True, she had taken advantage of her older brother by using her age to get what she wanted, but suck her thumb? Never.
He quirked his brow at her. “You never did it for more than a few moments, but, aye, you did. We lost both our parents within a short time. ‘Twas tragic for you, at the verra least.”
She ran a hand down her face as memories of that difficult time flooded her thoughts. Aye, it had been hard—almost unbearable—but she refused to believe she had sucked her thumb.
“Alex, ‘twas a trying time for all of us, yourself included.”
“But I was old enough to become laird, and you were still a wean. When I look at my bairns, I cannot imagine how they would fare if they lost either of us at such a tender age. The twins would be lost without their mother, and you know I pride myself on how fierce they are.”
