“I’ve called this meeting because I believe it’s time for me to step down as laird of Clan Grant.”
A huge uproar followed. So many comments were made that Jamie could not keep them straight.
“You cannot step down.”
“Why is your wife here? She’s a woman.”
“Women are not allowed at our meetings.”
“You’ll be fine in no time.”
“Who could possibly replace you?”
“Give yourself time to recuperate.”
Alex finally brought his fist down on the table to gain everyone’s silence.
They all stared at him wide-eyed, though Jamie was not sure whether it was due to his father’s statement or his fist.
“You cannot mean that, brother,” Uncle Robbie said.
“If I may, I’d like to continue.”
Taran banged his hand down on the table in agreement. “I’d like to hear what he has to say. If he wants to step down, then we should vote on his eldest son, Jake, taking over.”
Jamie glanced at his brother, who’d paled at that statement. He elbowed him, but said nothing. Jake’s moment was finally here.
It was Jake’s right as the laird’s eldest son, and Jamie did not want to see it go to anyone but his brother. This was their clan, and they needed a sound leader.
“Allow him the opportunity to speak his mind, he’s our laird,” Solas said with an emphatic nod.
They quieted and gave his sire the chance to speak.
“First of all, I brought my wife along because she will have an important contribution to this meeting.” Alex cleared his throat. “Understand,dearbh fine, that ‘tis an honor for me to serve my clan, but I also firmly believe that I should be in this role only as long as I am fit for it. I would like to suggest that the lairdship be passed down to my sons.”
“Sons?” Taran asked.
“Sons?” Edwin echoed.
“Aye, my sons. I suggest that the lairdship be shared equally between our firstborn sons, Jake and Jamie.”
Jamie’s knees nearly buckled, though he somehow managed to stay upright. This possibility had never occurred to him.
“But Jake is your firstborn son, Laird,” Edwin said. “And our custom is to pass the lairdship over to the laird’s firstborn sonunless he is unfit. Jake is perfectly fit for the job, though the matter would need to be voted on.”
“Is he our firstborn? Who on the dais can answer that question for me?” Alex leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms.
Taran glanced at the others at the table. “Robbie? Brodie? What say you?”
Uncle Robbie shrugged his shoulders. “I was not there. I cannot say for certain.”
Uncle Brodie said the same. “I was with Robbie in the hall.”
Taran turned to look at Jamie and Jake standing near the doorway. Jake said, “We were there, but I do not think either of us recall.” Their comment gained a ripple of laughter from everyone in the council but Taran, who had a more of a scowl than usual.
Jamie and Jake exchanged a glance, grinning at each other.
“Who was there?” Taran asked. “Alex, you were there, were you not? Your poor wife was attacked in the middle of the long event. Did you not stay in the chamber after the birth? ‘Tis the tale the minstrels tell.”
