Page 64 of Highlander’s Forbidden Fruit

“I’ll see what I can do.”

“And try and come back in one piece.” Joseph stepped back just as Isla began to rush towards him. Ted Graham and Lockard were following her but at a much more leisurely pace.

“Just come back.” Royce grimaced, looked reluctant, but also took his leave. Aleck saw them glance back at him as they left. He knew if he hadn’t asked them to let him handle it alone, they wouldn’t have left his side.

“So, ‘tis true,” Isla accused. “Yer absconding on yer promise.”

“What promise, Isla?” Aleck said, tired to his bones with this conversation that seemed to go round and round in endless frustrating circles. “I promised ye naught.”

“Ye promised to marry me,” Isla insisted.

“I never did.”

“Did too!”

“Where’s yer proof, lass?”

“I am.” Ted Graham and Lockard finally reached them. Ted puffed up his chest. “And Lockard is witness. Ye invited me to the feast, so ye could ask for my blessing for Isla’s hand, which I gladly gave. Now yer going back on yer word. Is that how little honor the Bryce word has?”

“Ye keep my family name out of yer mouth.” Aleck warned. “And that is nae proof. It’s yer word against mine. What are ye witness to, sir?” Aleck addressed Lockard.

Lockard sucked in his teeth and eyed Aleck shrewdly. “I saw Ted at yer table at the feast.”

“Aye, ye and everyone in attendance saw that. How is that proof of my proposal?”

“These are private matters,” Isla interrupted. “We did nae announce the engagement because of the Laird’s poor health, but that does nae mean ye go back on yer word. Is this the kind of soldier ye’ve trained?” She turned her accusations on Lockard instead, who did not look too pleased with his granddaughter’s tone.

“Ye’ll keep a civil tongue with me, lass,” he warned. “Aye, she has a point. Do ye have proof ye didnae propose to Isla?”

Aleck was speechless for a moment. How could he provide proof for something that hadn’t happened? How did you prove the absence of things? After considering the matter for a few seconds Aleck shook his head.

“I cannae prove that I didnae propose to Isla. But I willnae marry her.”

Lockard sucked on the inside of his cheek in regret. “Then ye’ll have to duel me for her honor.”

Aleck snorted laughter. “Honor? Do ye nae ken why the Graham’s moved to Glenlivet? Ye might have a loose definition of the word honor, sir, but I dinnae. I will nae duel for the honor of a lass that has none.”

“Ye watch what ye say about me daughter,” Ted growled.

“Hold it!” Lockard warned. “What do ye mean?” he asked Aleck.

Aleck was surprised by Lockard’s genuine confusion. The old man was a grump, and hard on the practice yard, but he was no liar. If he said he did not know of Isla’s shame, then it must be true. And if this was true, then Ted had played a hand he knew was just smoke and mirrors.

Judging by the nervous look on Ted’s face, Aleck was right in his assumption. But then he saw Isla. The girl had turned white as a sheet, and suddenly looked much younger than her fourteen years. She was an obsessive, spoiled, thoughtless little girl, but that was all she was - a little girl.

“I made a promise nae to talk of what happened to Isla in Aberdeen. She moved here for a fresh start, and I believe she deserves that. Just nae as my wife. If ye wish to ken what happened ye must ask Ted, or yer daughter. They’re the ones who owe ye an explanation.” He looked Lockard steadily in the eye until the old man nodded.

Aleck turned to Isla. “Yer a child still. Ye have yer whole life to live and find a man who loves ye. I dinnae. So stop this charade.”

“But I love ye,” Isla sobbed.

“Aye, and I thank ye for it,” Aleck said gently. “But ye cannae force love. It leads to bitterness and resentment.”

“So ye will nae stay and honor yer word?” Ted asked, his neck flushed and red.

“There are nae words to be honored,” Aleck snapped. He had had quite enough of the Grahams. “I have explained myself many a time, but I will nae do so again. Do I have yer permission to leave, sir?” he addressed Lockard.

Lockard scratched his bristly chin for a moment but then nodded.