Page 12 of A Rogue and a Noble Lass

“Neither of ye hae ever listened tae reason,” he muttered.

“I think what yer father means tae say is that ye should be careful tae nae be swept away by yer ambition, darling. There are plenty of enemies tae fight. Ye dinnae need tae fight intensely with our own soldiers, especially nae one with the reputation of Grimhand. Our healers hae been busy treating soldiers who hae dueled with him,” Caroline said in a caring tone, and this did mollify Beitris’ frustration. However, Caroline said something that stoked it again. “Ye dinnae hae tae prove anything.”

“I dae,” Beitris replied, “because people see me as yer daughter. I want tae be a warrior in my own right. The clans are in danger and we all need tae fight. But if I am tae be accepted intae the guard I need their respect.” She turned to Allan and Elliot again. “And ye coming tae interfere dinnae help people take me seriously. All ye did was make me look weak in front of the others.”

Allan sighed. “We all hae different ways we can serve the clan. Fighting is nae the only way. Hae ye given any more thought tae marrying a young Laird? Strengthening our influence and making allies will—”

He didn’t get to finish his sentence. Beitris was too busy laughing.

“I assure ye I can best serve the clan with my bow than with my bond,” she said.

“Beitris, listen tae reason,” Allan implored.

The laughter faded and Beitris’s expression fell into a scowl again.

“Ye listen. Will ye force me intae a marriage when ye saved Eilidh from such a fate? What about ye, Elliot? Should Calista nae hae followed her heart?”

Allan and Elliot looked cowed.

“She hae a point,” Calista said, rolling her shoulders.

Eilidh reached across the table and took Allan’s hand.

“Aye, she does,” Caroline said firmly, giving a meaningful look to Ryan. “Let us nae speak of this anymore.”

Beitris breathed a sigh of relief. A long time ago her parents had met because her mother had fled a forced marriage. Beitris was confident that nobody would try to make her endure the same fate, although Allan squirmed with frustration because he clearly saw things differently.

Beitris let her head drop and focused on her food, nursing her feelings. Sometimes it was as though nobody understood her. Despite having such a big family, she could often feel alone. It had been that way for as long as she could remember. When she was younger it was as though everyone knew their place and their purpose. Beitris had been precocious and cheeky, but it was an act to prevent other people from seeing just how scared she was.

Scared of nae living up to the Knox name, scared of nae being as impressive as the other members of her family who had all become legends in their own right. They had all accomplished so much, so how could she compete?

It certainly wouldn’t be done through marriage. She wanted command, respect, and she wanted to have a say in the strategy of battles. But Allan and Elliot still saw her as their little sister.

Perhaps that’s all she would ever be.

“Hae there been any reports about Warnock? Any sightings?” Ryan said.

Caroline sighed a little. “Please let us nae turn dinner intae a meeting about war,” she said.

“I apologize, but it hae been playing on my mind. After all, I cannae help but feel as though it’s my fault,” Ryan replied.

Beitris’ ears pricked up at this.

“Ye cannae blame yerself. Enough time hae passed,” Caroline said.

“Why would ye blame yerself? What happened?” Beitris asked.

The others did not seem to react with surprise. Beitris was annoyed that she had not been privy to the information, whatever it was.

“It’s a long story that is best left in the past,” Caroline said, but Ryan leaned forward and answered Beitris’ questions.

“Just before I met yer mother I received a guest tae the Keep. Warnock’s daughter. A marriage was proposed by Warnock, although I dinnae trust him even back then. I sent her back, and then I met yer Ma.” His face lit up with a smile as he looked down the table towards Caroline, and her frustrations were soothed. “Nae long after we were married I received a letter saying that the lass died. Warnock blames it on me. I thought it was just grief talking and that eventually he would see sense. I dinnae even get the impression that she wanted tae marry me.”

“What was she like?” Beitris asked.

Ryan leaned back and thought for a few moments. “She was quiet. Skittish. Nervous. She was always looking over her shoulder as well.”

“I can imagine she would, haeing Warnock as a father,” Allan said darkly.