Page 65 of Tempting the Highland Captive

“That is a tale that I must hear.” Liam’s brows rose in mischievous question.

Ron grinned. “It is quite the tale.” He proceeded to tell Liam all about how he and Amelia met, what had led to their marriage, and how they had come together in the end.

Liam whistled, shaking his head. “Ye have God’s own hand upon ye, my friend.”

Ron chuckled. “There have been times when it felt more the devil’s hand.”

“And now ye are the laird o’ yer own people.”

“A laird they dinnae want.”

“But a laird ne’er the less. We need a good man such as ye tae lead us. Ye are our clan’s greatest warrior.”

“As are ye,” Ron reminded him. “I can think o’ nae man that I would rather have as my second in command.”

“I would be honored.”

“We have much tae do. It will nae be a simple task.”

“I would nae have it any other way.”

The two friends sat and talked of their plans and what they wished to achieve with the uniting of the clans. “Many will fight us.”

“Aye, they will, but they are nae the laird. This is yer clan now. Ye must do what ye believe tae be right.”

“Did ye meet Amelia’s captain o’ the guard while he was here?”

Liam shook his head. “Nae, I have only just returned from Edinburgh upon hearing o’ yer faither’s death. The laird had asked me tae remain behind there when he returned home.”

“What did he have ye doing there?”

Liam shrugged his shoulders. “I am nae certain what he planned, but he was attempting tae be granted an audience with the king’s representative. I was tae send word the moment that I was able tae arrange a meeting. Other than that, it was the usual wine orders and the like.”

“I wonder what business he had with the king’s man.”

“I dinnae ken. I dinnae believe that anyone kenned why he wished an audience.”

Sighing, Ron sat back in his seat and stared into the fire. “I am glad that ye have returned. I look forward to introducing ye tae Lucas McAlpine.”

Liam grunted in approval. “His reputation precedes him.”

“He is as good as rumored,” Ron confirmed with some pride in the red giant’s abilities.

“We will be a stronger people joined together once all have come tae accept it.”

“I believe so, aye, but it will take time. Until then, I will need a strong hand here that they trust tae keep things under control. I have nae wish tae be separated from my wife for longer than I must.”

Liam chuckled. “I am nae wed myself, but I can see that ye are far happier than I e’er thought it possible for ye tae be. I am happy for ye, Ron.”

Ron smiled. “Ye will find the right lass and then ye will understand.”

Liam’s smile faded a bit and his brow wrinkled in concern. “A warrior’s life such as that expect by yer faither did nae allow for such frivolities.” He looked down at his hands. “Would a woman wish tae wed a man with so much blood on their hands?”

“Ye acted on the bidding o’ yer laird. It is all that any o’ us could do under faither’s rule. That blood is his tae own nae yers.”

“Will ye continue the tradition o’ lending our warriors as mercenaries?”

Ron shook his head. “Only if that is the life that they wish tae pursue. I will nae command any man tae serve in such a way without a spoken desire saying otherwise.”

Liam nodded slowly. “Ye are a skilled leader o’ men, my friend. Such talents will serve ye well.”

“Let us hope that the rest o’ our people come tae view me in the same light.”

“Ye are yer faither’s heir. They will. I am only glad that it is nae I.” Liam chuckled and stood pushing on Ron’s shoulder in comradery.

Ron snorted. “If something were tae happen tae me, it will be ye who takes my place.”

Liam shook his head. “Ye will produce an heir with yer lovely lady. I have nae desire tae e’er be laird o’ any clan. I am a warrior, nothing more.”

The thought of a child with Amelia made Ron’s heart sing. “One day when we are safe perhaps.”

Liam smiled wryly. “God has his own timing, my friend. We can but tae survive it.”