Lizzie thought for a moment, recalling what she knew of the Lamonts. “How did you find the Laird of Ascog's daughter? I've heard it said that she is very beautiful.”
There it was again. The look of regret, but this time tinged with something else. Something she'd never seen on her brother's face before: a raw mixture of hurt and anger. Her gaze turned assessing. Could it be that a woman had finally gotten under his steely skin?
“Beautiful? Aye, she's a beauty. But sharp-tongued and spoiled as well.”
Lizzie's mouth quirked. “So she wanted nothing to do with you?”
Jamie chuckled. “I see your wit has not softened any, sister of mine. But nay, that is not the problem.”
“What is the problem?”
“It seems my reputation preceded me.”
“And if she didn't see that reputation for exactly what it is—rubbish—then she's not worthy of you.”
Jamie smiled. “I'm afraid it's not as easy as that, Lizzie.”
Seeing from his expression that she'd gotten as much out of him as she would, she turned the conversation. “How long will you stay?”
“A day or two, no more. Our cousin is probably awaiting our arrival at Dunoon right now.”
Her heart stopped. “Our?”
“I shall escort you there myself.”
“But …” Her thoughts flew instinctively to the man resting in the chamber above. He was not ready to travel. If she went to Dunoon, it would be without Patrick Murray. There was no good reason for her not to travel with Jamie, except the increasingly strong urge to delay the talk of marriage.
“I won't let anything happen to you,” Jamie said, assuming that the possibility of another attack was bothering her.
“I know that, but we lost so many men. You have only a handful of guardsmen with you. A large traveling party will leave the castle woefully underprotected.”
Jamie thought for a moment. “Aye. We will need to hire more guardsmen right away. I will have Donnan see to it as soon as he is able.”
She opened her mouth to tell him that she'd already done so, then slammed it shut again, knowing how overprotective her brother could be. Instead she took a deep breath and ventured, “I think it would be best if I stayed here. At least until this situation with the MacGregors is resolved.”
He rubbed his chin, thoughtful. “Are you sure you are not trying to avoid a certain conversation with our cousin?”
Lizzie bit her lip, heat crawling up her cheeks. “You know about that?”
He shrugged. “ ’Tis no secret.”
There was something in his voice that did not bode well. “Does Archie have someone particular in mind?”
“Aye, I thought you knew. Robert Campbell.”
Campbell of Glenorchy's second son. It made horrible sense. The two branches of clan Campbell had been at odds for years over power and land. She should have guessed when her cousin wrote about the new addition to her tocher. If she wasn't mistaken, that parcel of land was the subject of their current dispute.
She swallowed, feeling the noose of duty tightening. “I see.”
Jamie frowned. “I thought you'd be happy. But if Campbell is not someone you would consider, we'll find someone else.”
Even her brother's choice of words made her feel horrible. She knew how lucky she was. Most women would not be so fortunate as to even be allowed an opinion on their choice of bridegroom, let alone one that mattered.
She'd met Robert Campbell at court a few times and because of the conflict between the families had never considered him, but he was a man any woman would find herself fortunate to marry. Handsome, strong, charming— completely at odds with his terrifying father. The stories she'd heard of Glenorchy's rages would chill even the hardest heart.
She had no reason to object, yet quite uncharacteristically that's exactly what she wanted to do.
“Lizzie?”
