She sighed. “I hope ye do, Da. I truly hope that comes to pass. If that’s what it takes to make ye happy. Clearly, my sisters and I have no’ been enough to please ye.”
He frowned and glanced away. “That is no’ true. I love each of ye.”
“Then why…”
“Make it difficult for yer sisters to wed?” He pressed his lips together. “I couldna bear to lose any of ye. Can ye no’ see that? Each time one of ye left, ’twas like losing yermamanall over again.”
He held up a hand when Mary started to speak.
“When Iain showed up,” he continued, “I thought giving Brodie the choice of the three of ye would confuse the lad and he’d leave without making an offer. Instead, hechose Annie, and though I tried to stop him, ye three went behind my back. Near to broke my heart.”
“Why not simply tell him nay when he arrived?”
“And cause trouble between our clans?”
“Then ye betrothed Catherine three times, and never once with the man she truly loved.”
“Three I kenned she would refuse, aye? But if they fought for her, if she didna refuse one who proved himself strong enough to gainsay me, any would bring an alliance that would benefit us. Yet, she had her heart set on another Brodie. What did that accomplish, save to satisfy yer sister? For the sake of the clan, for alliances, I had nay choice but to try to tempt her in another direction.”
“And now I am left, and ye cling to me on any pretense ye can manage.”
“For the good of the clan, Mary.”
“Aye, and I’ll go along with ye, but no’ forever. Yer new bride had best have her wits about her.” Not that she seemed to have any, Mary despaired.
“She’d best do more than that.” Rose dropped his head in his hands, then looked up again. “As for her mother—Mary, ye are wiser than that. She is regent for her son.”
“I realized that when I saw him.”
“Then ye ken she would never relinquish such power in Grant to be the wife of a laird. I never considered her as my bride.”
“What if she means to gain Rose territory for Grant? If something happens to ye, Seona’s brother could claim Rose through her.”
Her father shook his head and winced. “No’ if I have a son. The lad would inherit, no’ Grant. If she fails in that, well, I dinna need any more daughters to marry awayfrom Rose. I’m no’ a fool. A Rose must inherit, no’ a Grant.”
Disquiet prickled along Mary’s neck. He didn’t need any more daughters to marry away from Rose? He meant to keep her here for years more, perhaps forever, even though he was taking a wife? Mary’s heart sank.
Then he grunted and rubbed his forehead.
Despite her dismay at her father’s continued stubbornness, she worried over his suffering. “Is yer head hurting again?” His headaches plagued him too often and seemed to be making him more querulous and confused as they progressed. Since he’d already had willowbank tea from the healer this evening, this one worried her more than most.
“Aye.”
“I’m sorry. I upset ye.” She stood. “I’ll fetch the healer.”
“Nay. She’s already done what she can tonight.”
“Then ye should go to yer rest, Da. Ye are tired. We’ve only just arrived from Grant today and the trip was long.”
He nodded. “Ye have a right to ken why I’ve done what I’ve done these last two years. Annie’s bairn got me thinking. I’ve wasted years since yermamanleft us. I’m no’ auld, but I’m no’ getting any younger, either. I must leave Rose in strong hands.”
A week later,Mary stepped out of the keep and took a breath of air redolent with horses and sweaty men. At least it gave her a change from the soap being used to clean inside the great hall and guest rooms. She wiped a tired hand across her forehead. Much to her relief,wedding preparations were well underway. Still, much remained to do before the bridal party arrived.
She didn’t see Cameron among the men in the practice yard, but perhaps he’d already finished. He had been walking every day and getting stronger, Yesterday, he’d even picked up a dirk and done some light sparring with the Rose arms master. Mary had watched from her chamber window, glad to see him so improved, yet sad he would soon leave.
That’s what men did, wasn’t it? Leave. She shook her head. Cameron Sutherland was not Dougal MacBean. Though she knew he had to return to Sutherland, she should not think him cut from the same cloth.
Mary moved to a sunny spot closer to the practice ground. Da was sparring today. He’d paired off with one of his favorite partners. She watched for a few minutes, thinking about Cameron’s observation that her father wasn’t very old yet. Barely into his fourth decade, he still moved well, and seemed not to be winded by his exertions. Yet a bit of silver glinted in his hair. How old was too old to take a bride Seona’s age?
