Page 20

“I see word travels fast,” Lucas said, folding his hands across his stomach and leaning back in his chair. “The truth is that when Erik decided he was nae gaeing tae help ye, I lost a lot of respect for him. I always thought he was like his da, but I cannae imagine Ragnar ever leaving a man behind. Ragnar, now there was a man. Erik can try tae be like him, but he can never replace Ragnar.

“When Erik became laird, new problems arose. He tried tae be like his da and expand his territory, but he failed tae recognize that there are old claims on the land, claims that hae lasted for generations. He wants a set of fields that he says are fair because we are nae using them. But that’s nae the point, is it? They’re our lands, and I’m nae just gaeing tae hand them over, nae even for a fair price. Erik thinks that just because his village is expanding that he can get what he likes, and I’m nae prepared tae give up the land when we might need it in the future. He keeps sending me overtures even though I tell him I’m nae interested, and if I’m being honest with ye, I’m getting tired of it. He’s started tae remind me of a bully, and I’ve made it clear that I’m gaeing tae defend my land if he pushes me tae hard. I’ve been speaking tae the other clans as well, and while they’re happy enough, they know that a time might come when they hae tae remind Erik that he is nae his da.”

The color drained from Brenda’s face as she listened to this. What they were talking about was all-out war against the Viking settlement. She couldn’t believe it, not after all that the Vikings had done for them and how they protected them. Nausea swam in the pit of her stomach as she wondered if Erik knew that they were plotting against him like this. She kept her gaze focused on her food, although she had lost her appetite completely, for she didn’t want anyone to notice her.

“I’m disappointed tae hear that,” Douglas said. “I didnae spend two years as a captive tae come home and see my clan in a dispute with the man I pledged my sword tae. I’m sure there must be an agreement we can come tae. That’s part of the reason why I’m here.”

“I’m willing tae listen tae any solutions. I dinnae want a war, ye understand, but Erik needs tae know that I’m willing tae defend the ancestral claims of the Bannermans.”

This talk of war cast a pall over the rest of dinner. Brenda forced herself to eat to keep up appearances. She had hoped that she would be able to help them find a solution, but she quickly realized that the problem was going to be harder than she first imagined. She was glad when dinner was finally over. Douglas offered to show her to a room that had been made up as a guest room for her. As soon as they were alone, Brenda spoke her mind, keeping her voice a whisper so that nobody would interfere.

“I did not expect them to be so adamant and stubborn. I thought they had more respect for Erik than that,” she said.

“They hae respect for his da, but Erik needs tae prove himself in their eyes. He should never hae tried tae claim their land,” Douglas replied.

“But surely there must be a way for them to come to some agreement. There’s not going to be a war, is there?” Her face was as white as snow, and her eyes were wide with panic.

Douglas chuckled. Laughter rolled out of him, and he didn’t seem concerned at all. “I would nae worry about that, lass. Lucas likes tae talk and bluster, but that’s all it is. He just wants people tae know that he is nae weak. Any laird would dae the same. Believe me, he does nae want tae gae tae war with Erik. He knows that he’d lose. Think of how many men Erik hae and all the work they hae done in protecting the clans. If there was a war, they could stampede through the Highlands and take control of the clans by force if they wanted tae. Lucas knows that he’d lose more in a war than he’d gain, but that does nae mean he’s just gaeing tae sit back and let Erik take advantage of him. I’m sure there’s a solution tae this, and we’ll find it taegether.”

She found his words reassuring and went to her chamber with a settled heart. When she slipped into bed, she wished that he had kissed her again before he said goodnight, but he still seemed determined to adhere to this limit he had made for himself. The sooner they resolved this dispute, the better, she thought, for then she could kiss him again, and they could begin to talk about the future. Douglas had shown more emotion here than he had elsewhere, and she wouldn’t have been surprised if he told her that he wanted to stay. But then she would be left with a choice. She had been so adamant that she wanted to remain in her village, but if the chance to stay with Douglas was possible, then could she pass it up?

They were questions for her to ponder over the coming days, but the anguish of possibility was soon diminished as her thoughts gave way to other exciting, forbidden things, to adventures like the possibility of sneaking to his room and sliding into bed beside him. A thrill shot down her spine like lightning, and she was almost tempted to do exactly that. Would he have pushed her away? Would he have still kept to his rule even then? The only thing that stopped her was respect for his wishes. He had been through a lot, and being at home must have been overwhelming for him, so on this night, she stayed in her own bed, but her thoughts were passionate, and it felt as though she was sleeping on fire.