“She’s the laird’s niece,” Stephan continued. “A fine match if ye are trying to build this alliance.”
“Iris suggested the same thing,” Ian admitted, thinking of the conversation he had with his sister at what seemed like such a long time ago.
“Of course Iris did,” Stephan chuckled, shaking his head. “But she’s right. Ye could marry the lass for political gain. Any laird would do the same if given the chance.”
Ian walked next to his brother as they returned to the great hall, his mind in turmoil. There was a small part of him that had thought he would forget Ida over time, but it was clear now that he wanted her as his own. He barely knew her, but what he did know about her was enough to have her be a formidable partner at his side. By marrying her, he could solidify his future and that of his clan’s.
The thought stayed with him the rest of the day as he gathered his things to prepare for his journey once more. He was going back to the MacGregor land and to Ida. Stephan had already sent word ahead of them to Iris, that she could anticipate their arrival in a few days and Ian hoped that she would prepare her laird as well.
He wouldn’t fail this time.
Stepping back, Ian walked to the window and gazed out over the land that he loved so much. He would do anything for this clan, to preserve his da’s legacy, but he couldn’t continue to sacrifice their clansmen for a senseless war. The Ian of old would have never thought to do something like that, but the Ian of new was tired of the loss.
He wanted peace and this was going to be the time that he got it.
The next morning, Ian bid farewell to his council advisors and turned his horse north, with his brother, Remy, and Dalziel at his side. Behind him, there were a total of twenty warriors accompanying them, not to show the brute force he had but to protect him against any surprise attacks along the way. “Are ye sure ye are ready tae return?” Remy asked him softly as they started down the well-worn path toward the border. “We donna know if they are even going tae let us in.”
“They will,” Ian promised, gripping his reins tightly in his hands. In his missive to Iris, he had also enclosed one to the laird, imploring him to look at what was best for his clan and hisfuture. After all, Ian wasn’t the only enemy he had and the word was that the clan to the west of the MacGregor land was looking to fight and conquer.
It would benefit the laird to have an ally in Ian and that was going to be his stance this time around. He would not walk out of there without an alliance.
And perhaps a wife as well.
13
A few days later, Ian and his group arrived at the keep, Ian dismounted to embrace his sister, who was waiting for him. “Tis good tae see ye,” she stated, hugging him tightly. “I’m glad ye are back.”
“Mah tae,” he stated, releasing her so that Stephan could embrace her next. Ian glanced at the stables but made no move to approach them due to the time of the evening they had arrived. Their journey had been waylaid by rain, making the last few days pure misery. He longed for a warm bath and some whiskey to warm up his cold insides before he saw Ida again.
“Ian?”
Ian snapped his gaze back to his sister and she arched a brow. “I was asking if ye wanted tae come inside.”
“Aye,” he answered quickly, his cheeks heating that he had been caught.
She shook her head but motioned for them to come inside, where she showed them into a study. Iris pointed at the glasses already on the sideboard. “There’s whiskey there and I can get ale if needed.”
“Tis enough right now,” Ian answered, picking up a cup. Stephan and Remy did as well, all taking several sips before they started again. Ian was glad to see that Dalziel had chosen to get their men settled in and not join in on the group, wanting to keep his plans quiet for now. “I think I am going tae ask Ida tae be mah wife,” he said after a few moments of silence.
“Well,” Iris replied, her expression not surprised. “Why?”
Ian swallowed, not sure how to answer his sister. He couldn’t very well tell her that Ida had been on his mind since he had ridden away the first time or that he admired her greatly. “Tis a political advantage,” he lied, ignoring the odd looks from his brother and his closest friend. “She’s the niece of the laird. If I can have her accept my proposal, he will be forced to consider the alliance or put her in danger.”
“And it has nothing tae do with the feelings ye have for her?” Iris asked, surprise in her eyes. “I thought that.”
“Tis the right answer,” Ian cut her off, not wishing to discuss his feelings with a room full of people that knew him all too well. “She will make a fine wife.” He knew in his heart that she was the one for him. All he had to do was get her to see the same thing and then he could walk away with a wife and the alliance in hand.
Ida was a sensible lass. She would see his point of view as well and perhaps, in time, they could stoke the affection between them, maybe even find the same sort of relationship that his sister had right now.
Everything seemed to be going in the right direction for him now.
The next morning, Ian stepped into the stables. The rain outside drummed along the roof, puddling on the floor in some places, but did nothing to damper the warmth he felt the moment he stepped into the stables. There was a calm about the air, one that made the tension in his shoulders ease. Ian spied Ida in the stall at the end of the stables and made his way over to her, watching her work. He had missed her greatly in the two months that they were apart and it hadn’t been that apparent to him until now. “Ida.”
She jumped and spun around, her eyes widening as she saw him. “Ian?”
“Aye lass,” he said, feeling a bit nervous around her. When he had left her last time, he had made some promises to her and this time he intended to keep them. “Are ye well?”
She straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin. “Aye. Are ye? Took ye long enough tae come back.”
