Page 69 of Highlander’s Forbidden Fruit

“Why is that?”

“You're much too devoted to the Laird and to Scotland to make such a decision lightly. There must be something driving you away, or I’ve read you wrong.”

“I wish to improve on my skills.”

“And what skills have you?”

“I’m a good shot.”

“That’s useful but not for the most part. What do you do to stay awake?”

Aleck was confused by the question.

“Most of your time with the East India Company will involve guard duty. You need to have some tricks up your sleeve if you aim to do a good job.”

“What did you do on guard duty?”

John laughed. “I wasn’t expected to perform guard duties. I wasn’t even in the crown troops garrisoned in India. My family has large holdings in the EIC, and I make regular trips to ensure they are profitable.”

“So, yer nae a soldier,” Aleck smirked.

John didn’t take offence. “No, but even if I were, I wouldn’t be enlisted as a sepoy. I’d enter as a captain.”

Aleck rolled his eyes.

“Dismiss it all you want, but it’s true. Men from noble stock get higher positions in the army than men of humble birth. That’s just the way of things.”

“I’m of noble stock.”

“Are you?” John was genuinely surprised. “Then why do you work for Laird MacLeod?”

“I was sworn to his service by my father.”

“Why would he do that?”

“Because he had sworn loyalty to the MacLeod banners as had his father before him.”

“But what of your inheritance?” John looked perplexed. An intense light was burning in his eyes that Aleck couldn’t make sense of. The way John was asking questions, it felt he was personally affronted by Aleck’s father’s decisions. “What of your noble lineage?”

“I’m the second son.” Aleck’s smile was sardonic.

“Ah!” John relaxed. “I see. You have more in common with Ashton than I first thought.”

“Ashton is an upstanding gentleman.”

John laughed. “I’m surprised you two made such a strong connection having met only twice.”

“We’re both very good judges of character.”

That wiped the smug look off John’s face. “You’ll be expected to be more deferential in the Company.”

“I thought ye said noblemen did nae have to start at the bottom.”

“No, they don’t. But you’ll be under someone's command, and you’ll be expected to follow orders whether you like them or not. That’s something neither Ashton nor you seem to understand about this world. It’s not all pleasant jaunts and cushy lives. You have to make sacrifices towards family, duty, and honor.”

Aleck did not like John Winchester. But he could respect the sentiment. Honor and duty had been Aleck’s purpose in life so much so that he had just sacrificed the love of his life at the altar of both. He wondered what sacrifices John had made.

“I dinnae visit my family home often.” Aleck sat on a raised root at the edge of the clearing to keep watch. “The last time I saw my brother was three years ago on his wedding day. He’s sired two children already, and I’m told in every letter how they remind him of us as bairns. My brother tends the lands, makes them prosper, and he sires and raises the next line of our noble family. I on the other hand must serve our Laird, I must nae marry if I can help it, and preferably die in battle winning glory and honor for the family name. So dinnae tell me that duty and sacrifice are only the heirs’ burden to bear.”