Page 35 of Highlander’s Mercenary Lass

"So, ye've met oor Billie?" She smirked. Lissie grinned as Fiona rolled her eyes. Beside them, the gray presence of Paton hovered in the background; he wore an amused expression. "The laird?"

All three of them fell about laughing as Paton fixed his shadowy gaze upon Grace and gave a mild cough.

"So, he isnae the laird?" said Grace, struggling to keep up. She took a sip from the goblet before her. The velvety wine slipped down her throat too easily, immediately sending her into a fog of confusion. She was unused to such fineries, and the long ride and intoxicating liquor had conspired to make her lids collapse beneath their own weight.

"Only in his head," said Aileen disparagingly. Fiona sent her a chiding look, but even she nodded her head.

Grace looked to Paton to explain.

"The young master, he...well, should be the laird. At least one day," the gray-haired counselor explained. Grace sensed a "but" coming. She was not disappointed.

"But," said Aileen, a mischievous grin spreading wide across her cheeks, "at the moment, we just humor him."

"Father entrusted Paton to lead the clan, at least until he comes o' age," continued Fiona. Grace instantly looked around. The dark-haired lass did not speak often, Grace noticed, but when she did, the others listened.

"Or until he has full use o' his faculties," added Aileen slyly. "Which will be never!"

Aileen and Lissie collapsed into laughter again as Fiona looked sternly. However, she could not quite stop a smile.

"Och, Fiona," said Aileen, struggling to keep a straight face, "ye ken what he's like. The clan's top warrior!"

Here they all shared a look, and even straight-faced Paton joined in. He shook his head lightly. Then, he turned to Grace.

"The lad, he...shows potential," said Paton. He had his hands clasped in front of his head as if he was praying. Perhaps he was. Aileen and Lissie murmured between them.

"Aye, potential for starting a war!" piped up Aileen, as the sisters laughed again. "Tell her what he did wi' the Pattersons!"

Fiona rolled her eyes, and Paton looked apologetic. Her eyes dancing, Grace looked to the younger girls for guidance. Then Fiona spoke up.

"Our brother was sent on a peace mission wi' a distant clan—the Pattersons," she began.

"Ended up starting a war," cut in Aileen. Her eyes shone with mischief, but when Grace looked over to Fiona, she just nodded.

"An' there's enough fighting between the clans. That's why we have kept Paton as the temporary laird because it is dangerous enough oot there for us," Fiona explained reluctantly.

"Unfortunately, my wee brother is nae one tae keep the peace."

"Now we tend tae keep him oot o' harm's way," said Paton, smiling. "Just until he becomes a wee bit more mature."

"He means well," a woman's voice said.

Grace looked around. Without noticing, a tall, elegant lady had approached the table. She seemed to be known to the sisters, who smiled at her politely.

Standing up, Fiona invited her to sit down. Then, glancing at Grace, she turned to the woman.

"Grace, this is our aunt, Anabelle," she said.

Grace greeted her. "I'm pleased tae meet ye, mistress," said Grace, getting to her feet. The tall woman demurred.

"Please, dinnae get up, my dear," she said, her smooth brown eyes smiling imperviously. Grace looked into the lady's face. She must have been over forty, but she wore her years well; her clear, porcelain skin glowed in the candlelight. "It's such a comfort tae see my nieces have found another sister, especially after the death o' Marcus. I think my sister would have been happy tae see it!"

Grace's head was spinning. She struggled to grip the family dynamics. Evidently, Anabelle was the girls' mother's sister and not from her father's side. And she looked at home in the grand confines of the Duncan castle.

An eyeful of Anabelle's full-length robe and ornate crespine made Grace feel plain and dull. The quality of the fabric stood out from across the room.

Struggling to make sense of it all, Grace smiled thoughtfully. She was about to talk to Anabelle further when there was a diversion.

"Nay, I asked ye a question, lad!" Billie's raised voice punctuated the crowd. And now, everyone turned. The sisters looked at each other in concern.