“Nay,” she said. “There isna.” She wouldn’t settle for anything less.
A knock on the door broke their conversation and Ian cleared his throat. “Enter.”
Gretna turned in her chair, her expression growing cold when she saw Remy enter the study, a smile on his face. “Are ye ready?”
Ready? Ready for what?
Her brother stood, pressing his hands flat against the table. “There have been rumors of highwaymen and murders on the route over the last few weeks. They are targeting anything that comes down that path and I am not aboot tae send mah sister without a proper escort.”
No, no this cannot be happening! “Ye donna mean him, do ye?” she blurted out.
“Thank ye for the vote of confidence, lass,” Remy answered smoothly, winking at her. Gretna just glared at him, wondering what other lasses saw in the cocky Scot. Sure he was easy in the eyes, but she doubted he had much between his ears. Remy had been his brother’s closest friend for as long as she could remember, always there to tease her about her over-the-top needs as she grew older. Lena loved Remy because he would indulge in her fighting whenever he had the chance, but Gretna had much preferred to stay away from him. He was too playful, not serious enough when he needed to be and there was no way he was going to be serious about this journey. “I donna need him,” she finally said, tearing her attention from him and back to her brother. “A few guards will suffice. I’m certain Remy has far more important things tae do, like work on his long list of lasses.”
Remy chuckled. “If ye would like tae be part of that, lass, all ye have tae do is ask.”
“Enough!” Ian nearly shouted, his face mottled red. “This isna up for negotiation, Gretna. Remy goes and heaven help him how he’s going tae put up with yer mouth the entire way.”
“Ye should be praying for mah instead, Ian,” Gretna bit out, rising from her chair, the dagger clasped tightly in her hand. “Idonna know if I can keep mahself from stabbing him and ridding ye of another captain.”
Remy brought his hands to his chest, his expression solemn or as much as it could be with a twinkle in his eye. “Ye wound mah, Gretna. I never knew ye tae be so bloodthirsty.”
Gretna huffed a breath, feeling her ire double by the moment. “I donna have time tae spar words with ye. I have far more important things at hand, responsible things.”
“Well,” Remy drawled, crossing his arms over his chest as he regarded her. “Perhaps, that is yer problem. Ye are too responsible for yer own good.”
Instead of giving Remy the satisfaction of another barb, Gretna turned to her brother, who had been watching the exchange helplessly. “I will succeed, brother,” she told him, lifting her chin. “And ye will have yer alliance.”
He eyed her. “Tis not all aboot mah alliance, Gretna. I know I’ve said?—”
She held up her hand, not wanting Remy to hear what they had discussed. He would likely only make fun of her need to find love and she didn’t have the patience to deal with him again. “I will see ye in a few weeks.”
With that, Gretna walked out of the study, feeling some of the tension ease from her shoulders the further away she got from Remy Wallace. If she couldn’t stop her brother from sending him with her, then she could very well ignore him the entire journey.
Remy watched Gretna walk out before turning to his oldest friend. “That went well.”
Ian sat back down, rubbing a hand over his face wearily. “Aye, just as I planned it.”
Remy didn’t respond, watching his friend as he struggled to pull himself back together. Ever since Ian had taken up the laird title, Remy had seen a change in him, though his marriage to Ida had brought out the friend that he remembered. They all told Ian not to take the title too seriously, that he was doing what was right for the clan, but sometimes it was like speaking to a stone wall.
They had discussed him going with Gretna before, which would be the most appropriate given the circumstances that they would be taking her into an enemy’s territory and Remy hadn’t fought Ian on the subject. He knew that Ian’s sisters meant the world to the laird and it was his duty as captain of the guard to ensure that everyone was safe.
Even a mouthy lass who couldn’t see her hand if it was in front of her face, because her nose was so far up in the air.
“I’m verra sorry ye will have tae deal with that,” Ian grumbled, looking up at his friend. “Tis going tae be a dangerous journey and I’m not talking aboot the highwaymen.”
Remy smirked. “Aye, I would rather face a battlefield full of enemies than feel her wrath again.” Normally Remy could woo any lass in just a few moments, but Gretna wasn’t an ordinary lass. If she had been born male, she would have made a formidable captain of the guard.
Ian chuckled. “She thinks that this is her love match. I’ve told her not tae get her hopes up, but ye know her.” He sighed. “I donna even care if she secures the alliance with McCellan, but she sees it as her personal duty.”
The whole clan knew that Gretna was holding out for a love match for a husband. Remy had watched repeatedly as suitors came to the clan and she had turned them all away, declaring that she would marry for love only. Love wasn’t something thatRemy gave much thought to. He knew that Ian was in love with his wife, Ida, but Remy’s own da and ma had married out of self-preservation more than love. His ma had been looking for a roof over her head and a husband that could provide for her, which was what most marriages were built on. Ian was the exception to that and he hadn’t even been looking for Ida when he found her.
Nay, Gretna was going to see that she would have to pick something else other than love. Love was rare. “I will watch after her,” he finally said. “She is safe with mah.”
“I know,” Ian said simply. “Or else I would send someone else. At the first sign of trouble, ye make her leave, ye understand?”
Remy gave him a mocking salute. “Aye, Laird, I have mah marching orders.” He could handle Gretna. She might be strong-willed, but she was still a lass. Winning over the female kind was his specialty.
“Oh, and Remy?” Ian called out as Remy turned to go. “Donna feel the need tae wring her neck. The gods know she’s tried mah a time or two.”
