“He treats me like a child,” he spat out.
“Who does?” she asked. “The laird?”
“David was raiding and fighting when he was my age,” he said. “But he leaves me here with the bairns and old men.”
Alison was relieved to learn David was attempting to protect his brother from the violence.
“He says ’tis my job to watch over you, your wee lasses, and Will,” he said. “As if I’m a nursemaid, not a warrior!”
Tears of rage were threatening again, and she feared Robbie’s pride would not survive it if he succumbed to them.
“I practice hard,” he said. “I’m as good with a sword as most of the men.”
“I understand ye feel mistreated,” she said. “But ye mustn’t take it out on Will. ’Tis not his fault.”
His shoulders drooped, and he looked at the floor. “I know. Ach, but he is so irritating.”
“Irritating? He’s a sweet lad.”
“Exactly!”
“You’re bigger than him, and he’s your brother,” she said. “The laird is right in saying that it’s your duty to protect him.”
Robbie sank lower in his chair, and she felt she had made her point, but then he sat up straight again.
“Are ye going to tell David?” he asked with a frantic look in his eyes.
She was tempted to ask just what David would do, but she suspected Robbie had too much pride—and loyalty to his brother—to tell her.
“This won’t happen again?” she asked. When he shook his head, she said, “Then I see no need to trouble the laird with it.”
He nodded his thanks and stood, ready to leave.
“Your time will come,” she said, and smiled at him. “I’m certain you’ll be a great warrior like your brother.”
“I’m ready now, and I’m tired of waiting.”
Fourteen and he was tired of waiting. What could she say to that?
“Will ye speak to David for me?” he asked.
“And tell him what?”
“That I can’t play nursemaid forever,” he said with a fierceness in his eyes that reminded her of his older brother. “I want to fight for my clan.”
What made him think she could influence David? And even if she could, she certainly would not encourage him to take his brother on his violent excursions.
“Will ye be upset with me if I tell ye that I’m glad he left ye here to watch over us?” she said, taking his arm as she walked him to the door. “I don’t know your brother’s other men, and ’tis a comfort to me to have a man here I can trust.”
Robbie gave her a sideways glance and his mouth curved up on one side in a slight smile that told her he knew exactly what she was doing, the clever lad. She was glad to discover he had bit of humor in him, though it was buried as deep as his brother’s.
“Please,” he said, earnest again, “speak to David for me.”
***
Patrick Blackadder stormed into his father’s chamber to confront him.
“Writing more petitions?” Patrick bit out when he found his father at his table with his clerk.
