“However, yer clan is nae at fault for having a poor leader. They are nae to blame for the current circumstances. So, this is what I will offer them: anyone willing to leave the McGregor Clan and come here, anyone willing to pledge themselves to our cause, will have refuge. We will give them shelter, food, and work. And when it comes time to return home and start rebuilding their lives, we will help them do that too.”
James’ mouth opened and closed a few times as he struggled to find a response adequate enough to convey all that he was thinking and feeling.
“When I left my clan,” he finally answered, “it was in disarray. They had only been given two options, and neither of them were acceptable. I ken there are many who disagree withthe way Laird McGregor is handling this, but they dinnae ken that there are other clans willing to fight against the English. These past three years have made it seem as though we were the only ones. Ye have given me hope, Laird MacKenzie, that with another clan at our side, my people will gain the courage to fight back too. Thank ye.”
For the first time all day, the room settled into an atmosphere of peace and quiet understanding. There was no bickering or debating. There was no fear over what would happen next. Aila felt the tension that had been coiled in between her shoulders ease as she sat back further against her chair.
“Well,” Lachlan said brightly. “What do ye say about showing these McGregors what a true clan looks like? One that stands up for what is right and protects its people?”
The question was directed at Finn, who already had a wry grin spreading across his face. He took Lachlan’s outstretched hand and shook it, their disagreements a thing of the past.
“Nothing would give me greater pleasure.”
The boys saton the bed side by side, scarfing down their food in companionable silence. Arran had dozens of questions flying through his mind, begging for answers. But the demands his stomach made to be satisfied won, keeping him busy with the extra breakfast. When they both finished, the silence turned a bit awkward. It was clear to them both that they were in trouble with Lachlan and Aila. The thought of Lachlan’s disappointment made all the food Arran had just eaten threaten to come back up again.
“I am sorry I was nae able to bring ye more to eat,” he said at last.
Christopher shrugged, still licking the crumbs off his fingers.
“That is all right. I ken ye did yer best. I am used to being hungry.”
Arran nodded, well acquainted with that feeling too. It was one he wouldn’t wish on his worst enemy, let alone his best friend.
“Christopher, I?—”
“Is it true?”
“Did ye really survive on the road by yerself?”
“How many days were ye out there?”
“Was it awful? Was it amazing?”
The bombardment of questions came from behind the still swinging door that Rory had shoved open, Alexandra standing right beside him. Arran pushed himself off the bed to welcome them in, but Christopher kept his eyes on his feet.
“He was nae by himself.” Arran puffed his chest. “I discovered he was following us the verra first night and I vowed to help him. I would sneak him food and water whenever I could. I left a trail so he would ken how to follow us. I helped him.”
Alexandra’s brown eyes went wide with innocent admiration. Rory, his father’s double, crossed his arms with a skeptical look. Arran stepped to the side and made the introductions for Christopher. The young orphan found it very odd for the daughter of a Laird to dip into a curtsey for him. Rory’s analytical stare was much more what Christopher had expected.
“How did Laird Kincaid nae find out what ye were doing?”
“I am verra quick,” Arran shrugged.
“I could have done it without yer help,” Christopher muttered.
Arran spun around, his ego wounded, and turned to his friend.
“What are ye saying?”
“I am saying,” Christopher answered, finally pushing himself off the bed to face their guests. “I survived on the road without yer help for years. It was nae hard to do it again for a few days. Nae for something as important as this.”
“I still helped ye,” Arran quipped. “Even if ye could have done it by yerself, ye still did nae have to. Is that nae what brothers are for?”
Christopher held his ground for a moment as he let Arran’s words wash over him.
“I ken there is nae much I could do without my brother,” Alexandra chimed in, desperately wanting to diffuse the male tension.
“Do ye think ye could teach us?” Rory asked after having assessed the strange boy.
“Teach ye?” Christopher asked. “Why would anyone ever want to ken how to survive for months without much food?”
“There might come a time when we will need to ken how. We play a big part in our clan’s continuation. I am the heir and Alexandra must marry to give us more allies. But if one of our enemies ever tried to attack us, if we were ever in danger, it would be good to ken.”
Arran and Christopher exchanged dubious looks. Neither of them had ever considered themselves worthy of having powerful enemies. They had only ever been a couple of boys doing their best to survive. Yet, now they were being asked for help by a future Laird.
“All right,” Christopher said with a toothy grin. “I will tell ye all that I ken on one condition.”
“Anything,” Rory answered, serious as always.
“Show me where I can get some more of those raspberry biscuits.”
