Page 9 of Highland Prince of Darkness

“He saved my life, Alistair. I wanted to show that I was eternally grateful and so I took him in as my own,” Bruce defended.

“Aye, I see,” the old man said. “I had half a mind to pursue ye myself when I found out that ye had escaped our dungeons,” he added, quieter now.

Iain struggled with the comments he wanted to spit back at the Laird to spite him.

“Thank god ye didnae, or I would be dead and yer daughter would be unmarried,” Bruce spoke in a light voice to try and brighten the conversation. However, he could see that Alistair was still incredibly angry.

“I have come to marry yer daughter to unite our two clans and strengthen the political bonds between us,” Iain said with a mere shrug.

“To unite us?” Alistair scoffed, “Ye have been considered a fugitive of this land ever since ye escaped. I thought that I was rid of ye and the trouble that ye brought.”

“Well here I am,” Iain couldn't help but smile as he spoke, earning him a subtle jab in the side from Bruce.

“How dare ye trick me like this,” Alistair turned to Bruce with his fist raised, “Ye mentioned nothing of Iain’s name in yer proposal, only of this Diabhal.”

“Alistair, do calm down, it will be nay good for yer health,” Bruce tried to bring the situation down with his words.

“Calm down?” Alistair scoffed once more, “I will nae calm down, not when I have been fooled by ye and yer ward.”

“Think of the clan, Alistair,” Bruce tried again, “Think of the debts that ye owe, ye ken that there’s nay way ye’ll be able to repay them all without this marriage.” Alistair was breathing hard as he listened to this. “Think of yer health and yer daughter too,” Bruce continued, “Think about how much the clan will benefit from this, another chance may nae come across so easily.”

It was evident that Alistair was having a difficult time believing this and processing the information that had been brought to him. He was trying not to make it too obvious that he had no choice but to concede.

“All right,” Alistair muttered finally, “I’ll have servants take yer things to yer rooms and will let ye get settled. But if ye make this any harder than it needs to be, I will go back on my word and reject yer proposal.”

Bruce nodded and clasped his hands together. Iain remained still as though he were suddenly made of stone. Bruce was acting as though he hadn't heard the threat given to him at all, and continued to smile broadly.

“Thank ye for yer generosity, Alistair. It is good to see ye again after so long, truly.”