Chapter Three
Alex and Maddie’s first true challenge as husband and wife…
“Also, I’d like to know what you all have heard from patrols about Norsemen in the area.”
“Why? Is there a new threat?” Robbie asked.
“The threat is Maddie. Or mayhap Logan. It depends how you wish to see the situation. Logan brought the message that Brenna invites us all to Ramsay Castle for Christmas.”
All three nodded their heads, waiting to see what Alex would say. When he said nothing, Robbie finally spoke.
“I’ll volunteer to stay and protect the castle. Ashlyn and Gracie say they’re never leaving Grant land again. I wouldn’t put them through it just yet. Mayhap when they’re a wee bit older and trust that I’m not going to give them back.”
“Give them back?” Brodie asked.
“I heard Ashlyn speaking with Gracie. The lass told her sister that if they were still here at Christmas, then I probably wouldn’t be giving them back to the bad man. Caralyn can’t quite convince them I’d never do such a thing. Time will prove it.”
“But if you stay, Robbie, then you’d be here alone while we all went to Ramsay land. We’ve always tried to spend Christmas together,” Brodie countered.
“We won’t be all together in any event. Even if we all stay here, both Brenna and Jennie are on Ramsay land. Jennie will be upset if the rest of you don’t go.” Life had been mostly calm in the Highlands, but the war with the Norse had changed much for their family. Now four of them had spouses, so Jennie, the youngest, split her time between the two clans. “My familyare looking forward to their first Christmas in the Highlands. Nicol and Inga will be here, and others. We’ll be far from alone.” Robbie gave a convincing argument. Nicol was Brodie’s best friend and assistant throughout the war and had married Celestina’s maid not long ago.
Alex nodded. “Before I make my final decision, I’d like to know what your patrols have found over the past week. And what are they hearing from our neighbors? Any trouble? Any reivers foolish enough to come this far north of the borders to try to steal cattle?”
Robbie scratched his head. “We have not seen many Norse. No reports that I’m aware of. They’re probably closer to the firths so they can jump back in their galley ships quickly if the weather takes a turn for the worse.”
“But we did catch signs of reivers in the area. ’Twas a sennight ago. Naught since.”
Alex ran his hand along his jaw. “Then there remain some threats out there. Send another patrol out with a focus on reivers or wandering Norsemen or anyone in the area who doesn’t belong. I want a full report this eve.”
“Aye, Chief.” As second-in-command to the laird of Clan Grant, it was Robbie’s job to see that Alex’s instructions were followed. “There is always some kind of threat in the Highlands. You know that, Alex. But you have plenty of warriors to protect them all. What say you? What did you say to your wife?”
Alex rubbed his hands together to warm them up, then turned away to pace in a small circle. He knew his brother’s words to be true. There would always be danger, and he had a great many men. Yet no matter how he tried, he couldn’t rid himself of the vision of reivers closing in from all sides, attacking his wife and his beloved bairns, while he was unable to defend against their numbers.
“I made no promises yet,” he finally said. “At first I said nay because I’m worried about the number of Norse still looking for revenge after the Battle of Largs. I told her we’d go next year.”
“And?” Brodie leaned forward, the question had them all waiting for his answer.
“She asked me to think on it. I said I would, but I am of a mind to still deny her. She’ll accept it in time. I know she’ll be disappointed, but Maddie trusts my instincts.”
Mac snorted. Brodie grinned. Robbie hung his head.
“Do you have something to say, Mac?” Alex bit out.
Though his anger flared, he’d trusted Mac’s opinion on courting Maddie on multiple occasions, and he was loath to admit that the man had always been right. His brothers hadn’t always known, but Mac knew exactly how Maddie’s mind worked.
Mac took a step back. “Now don’t be getting upset with me, Chief, but you know I’m an honest man, and I’ve been on this world a bit longer than you have, and I have a wee bit more experience with the female mind, particularly with your wife’s.”
“Aye, you’ve known Maddie many years. What of it?” Alex set his hands on his hips.
“Well, I know your lovely wife to be a stubborn woman, and she will not give the idea up easily if it’s truly what she wants for Christmas.” When Alex narrowed his eyes, Mac quickly added, “But I’m certain you can convince her.”
“And you two? What say you?”
Brodie glanced over at Robbie before he spoke. “Maddie can be persistent.”
“Aye, ’tis a good word,” Robbie said. “I’d just give in to the lass now if I were you, Alex. It will make your life much simpler, aye? She’ll wear you down. She usually does.”
Robbie arched a brow at him as if challenging Alex to deny his beliefs about his and Maddie’s marriage.
