“But MacLeods, just the same,” Aidan answered. “Besides, when we were on expedition there a few months ago, I met with the laird at Dunvegan. He is nae opposed to the operations.”
Niall’s eyebrow went up again. “Nae?”
“Nae.” Aidan shrugged. “I offered him a percentage of the profits for using his land.”
Niall scowled at him. “Ye could have said so in the first place.”
“I was planning to,” Aidan replied, looking definitely pleased that he had managed to irk Niall. “Another reason the laird agreed was because Owen MacLean was prowling the waters around Indrigill Point—”
“Owen MacLean?” Just saying the name made Niall want to ball his fists. The MacLeans had lands bordering the MacDonalds and were always hungry for more. Reiving cattle and stealing brides might be things of the past, but the MacDonalds had been ambushed passing through MacLean land a year ago. Owen’s father swore that it had been brigands, not MacLeans, but suspicions remained. And Owen was cunning. He’d clerked for Nathan Rothschild’s bank in London before he’d returned to Scotland. Worse, having learned city ways, he acted like a dandy. Women flocked to him like bees to a hive. Even Niall’s own sister, Margaret, had not been immune to his smooth talk.
Niall grimaced. “No wonder the laird agreed. MacLeans are nae to be trusted.”
“Och, well…” Aidan shrugged.
Niall stared at him. “Are ye forgetting all the times—”
“I am nae forgetting the on-going spats between us,” Aidan said, “but the decision on MacLeod’s part was strictly business. Uniting with us MacDonalds will keep MacLean—and anyone else intent on harvesting kelp on Skye—a safe distance away.”
“I suppose ye are right,” Niall said grudgingly.
“I always am,” Aidan replied.
“And ye are nae conceited about it either,” Niall returned, “but doona forget who is the stronger of us.”
Aidan grinned. “Are ye so sure of that? Do ye care to find out?”
“Any time.”
Aidan’s grin widened. “I will check my calendar, then.”
“I will look forward to besting ye, brother.”
“We will see,” Aidan said. “Meanwhile, shall we see to getting the kelp unloaded?”
“Aye,” Niall grumbled, knowing they probably would not even spar. With any of his other brothers, a conversation wouldn’t even have taken place. They’d just swing a fist. Not that Aidan was less strong than the rest of them. He just didn’t believe in unnecessary violence.
Several hours later, after they’d hauled close to a hundred bales of dried kelp into carts, Niall was beginning to rethink the sparring challenge. Aidan had not even broken a sweat with the heavy lifting, but Niall had. Actually, it was just a bit of dampness on his face. But still. The idea didn’t sit well that Aidan might best him in a match after all.
Adding to his frustration, he found Annie had left the warehouse before he arrived. Aidan had looked amused at that and Niall had spent the entire walk home explaining how the lass took foolish chances and was making his hair grow gray.
At least, she was home. He heard her voice as they climbed the steps to the boardinghouse. The door had been left slightly ajar and he caught a glimpse of her standing by the counter. Pushing the door open, he stopped and groaned.
Owen MacLean was standing by the counter too. He and Annie were laughing.
Aidan cleared his throat. “I was going to tell you that Owen plans to open an office in Glasgow also.”
Chapter Six
Niall didn’t think he’d ever heard Annie laugh as much as she did at dinner that night. He didn’t see anything particularly humorous in MacLean’s stories about London, but Annie apparently did.
“You look quite enchanting this evening,” Owen was telling Annie now.
“’Tis kind of ye to say so,” she replied.
Niall nearly choked on the sip of ale he’d just taken. ’Tis kind of him?Kindof him? Anytime Niall gave Annie a compliment she either rolled her eyes or made some comment to the contrary. Now…kindof him? Niall stabbed a piece of meat.
Aidan arched a brow at the gesture. Damn it. His brother had always been overly observant. Niall refused to look at him, not wanting to see a smirk appear on Aidan’s face. His brother had better not make a comment either or theywouldbe sparring after dinner.
