“It was what she would have wanted.” Finley sniffed as her husband wrapped his arm around her waist, allowing her to lean into him. “I still cannae believe she’s gone. I thought she would outlive us all.”
“Aye,” Lisbeth replied, giving her sister a soft smile. “She lived a full life, though. She taught us well.”
“Now a clan is without a laird,” Erik stated. “Wot does that mean?”
“I dinnae want it,” William said firmly, eyeing his son. “If I had wanted it, I would have left long ago tae get mah own clan.”
“Ye aren’t even being considered,” Lisbeth snapped. “’Tis our son that is being considered.”
Irvine’s father looked at him. “Well? Do ye wish tae be laird?”
“I dinnae know,” Irvine admitted once more. He would be in charge of an entire clan of people. People would count on him to make the right decisions, to lead them into the next generation, and continue to have their lands be prosperous. He had watched the burden that his great-aunt had carried, and Irvine wasn’t so certain he was ready for that burden or any other burden that came along with the title. There had been a time in his life that he had wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps, to become a warrior and protect the laird.
Not be the laird.
“Wot is this?”
The group turned to see Kenneth joining them, a frown on his face. Kenneth had been a distant brother of the lady for many years, only making an appearance ten years ago claiming that he had been held captive by another clan all that time. His sister couldn’t very well turn out her long-lost brother, so she had brought him into the fold, though Irvine knew that many still had distrust for the Scot.
“We were just discussing the laird,” Finley replied evenly, her eyes flashing that same distrust they all felt. “’Tis something that has to be discussed.”
“Aye,” Kenneth agreed, stroking his bearded chin. “And I am now the interim laird until a permanent replacement can be named.”
Lisbeth frowned, but Irvine knew she understood what his great-uncle was saying. It was the truth. There could be an interim laird so that the clan would not experience any lapse in leadership while a new laird could be named. He had heard of it in many other clans before.
“Perhaps,” Lisbeth finally said, “but the elders will be the judge of that.”
And true to her words, the elders called a meeting that evening, holding it in the great hall so that many could be in attendance. Irvine sat next to his mother and father as he watched the proceedings, wondering what the elders would be discussing.
“I came tae mah sister ten years past,” Uncle Kenneth was saying, holding out his arms wide. “And she accepted me without hesitation. Since I am her surviving male relative, I should be laird.”
Lisbeth snorted next to him, and he grinned. Lady Edna used to tell Irvine tales of his mother, how she had goaded her at every turn, and one of those instances was where she had met and tamed his father. He couldn’t see it now. His mother was a kind, gentle soul, but there were times, such as these, that he saw a glimpse of the lass that had once caused his great-aunt vexation.
“Aye, while that’s the case,” one of the elders stated, his long red beard bobbing in agreement, “there is another matter, and that is of her great-nephew.”
Irvine sat up a bit straighter, noting his great-uncle’s frown at the mention of his name. It was no secret that he was being groomed to be laird.
“While ye can be interim,” another elder replied, his bushy eyebrows rising, “ye cannae be permanent, not if there is a successor.”
Great-Uncle Kenneth’s eyes swung to Irvine. “He’s not of noble blood.”
Lisbeth gasped. “How dare ye question his bloodline!”
“His da is a warrior,” the man continued, heedless of the fact that Irvine’s father had stood, his face red. “While his antics are legendary, it doesnae mean that Irvine should just be placed in the position.”
“Mah aunt,” Lisbeth continued as his father laid a hand on her shoulder, “wanted mah son tae follow her. Ask anyone in this hall! Irvine is more than capable tae lead this clan, perhaps better than she ever could.”
Irvine cleared his throat as murmurs moved through the crowd. He loved the clan, true, but become their leader? It was frightening at best. When his great-aunt was alive, it seemed like it would be years before he had to step into her position, and while his mother was right about Irvine being groomed to become laird, he wasn’t so certain if he truly were ready at all.
“He’s naught but a lad,” the other argued. “I should be laird. I have far more experience in managing an estate.”
“Nary a one can attest tae that,” William growled. “And if ye insult mah family again, I will run mah sword through ye, family or not.”
“Calm down, both of ye,” one of the elders sighed, banging on the table before him. “Perhaps Irvine here could prove that he is ready for the position.”
His great-uncle looked thunderous at the suggestion. “I pick the terms.”
One of the elders looked at Irvine. “Is that acceptable tae ye, lad?”
