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.She must look a sight."What happened?" Lady Graham's face was white."I was kidnapped by McNab, I escaped the nextday, MacLaren found me, we were attacked by McNab at night, and then we rode home.""Och, my poor darling.'Tis a shame ye ne'er made it to the convent."Aila held her tongue."I suppose we must now accept that MacLaren for yer husband, though he's hardly good enough for ye.""He's a good man, Mother," Aila said in a low voice."He is what he is, and there's naught to be done about it now.How I wish ye could have joined the convent.'Tis no' fair, but life ne'er is.If yer father had only consulted me, I would have made a better match for ye.A Campbell perhaps, or maybe a Douglas—now there would have been a good alliance.""I am content wi' the match made for me.""But no, he woud'na ask, and now ye're trapped in a loveless marriage wi' a grasping knave, concerned only wi' yer money— ""And the land, Mother," shouted Aila."Dinna forget about the land.I ken well enough why he married me, but I dinna care.I will have him for my husband, him and no other, ye ken? And I winna tolerate ye berating him e'er again."Maggie gasped.Lady Graham's eyes went wide, and her face froze.No one spoke.Aila wondered what she had just said.She had never spoken to her mother like that."Well said, my love."Behind her, MacLaren leaned against the door post."Come now, ye must be tired after yer long ordeal.Time for rest.Maggie, can ye escort my wife upstairs and see that she gets a bath and some sleep? I wish to have an audience with Lady Graham."Aila wandered past him and up the stairs.He followed her progress with warm eyes.She gave him a groggy smile and continued to her room.Love? Had he called her love? She was asleep before she could answer her own question.MacLaren watched until his wife made it to her door, partly because he liked looking at her and partly because he wanted to make sure she didn't fall down the stairs.When she was safe in her room, he faced down the mother.MacLaren entered the room, shutting the door behind him.It wasn't quite proper, but he didn't care.It was time to have words with Lady Graham."I ken ye feel I am an inadequate marriage partner for yer daughter," MacLaren began, "but as ye said, there is naught we can do about that now.I would ask for yer blessing on this union."Moira shifted in her chair and regarded MacLaren through shuttered eyes."And what makes ye think I would e'er grant ye such a request?""The happiness o' yer only child?""I ken a bit more about caring for Aila than ye do," said Moira, her voice stinging with warning.MacLaren tried a new tactic."Ye are verra correct about the reasons I married yer daughter, but that does no' mean I winna take care o' her.I swear to ye on my honor, I will protect her wi' my verra life if need be."Moira seemed to relax a bit and nodded for him to continue."I also am concerned for yer welfare, Lady Graham.""And why would ye be concerning yerself wi' me?""As ye said, I am a grasping knave, Lady Graham.I want my children to inherit Dundaff.Therefore, I am determined ye shall be Graham's only wife." MacLaren paused to let the implications of his state ment be understood."I want peace between us.I ask that ye support this marriage, and in return, I will do all in my power to see to yer welfare."Moira's eyes gleamed, and a slow smile spread on her face.MacLaren knew his proposal had been accepted and they were down to negotiations."I want Aila to remain at Dundaff," said Moira."Nay, she must live at Creag an Turic, but we can visit.""Twice a week.""Once a quarter.""Once a week.""Once a month.""Done!" she said, smiling in a calculating sort of way."And I want regular visits from any children ye may have.""Done," said MacLaren."And I want ye to be faithful to her.If I hear ye have been sowing yer seed around, I will withdraw my support.""That is none o' yer concern," said MacLaren, his eyes narrowing, "but done.""Sir Padyn MacLaren," she said with a radiant smile, "ye have my blessing.Welcome to the family.Now go and bathe yerself before ye come into my presence again."MacLaren bowed and quit the room.One dragon slayed.He wondered how many more this marriage would require of him.Twenty-FiveAFTER HIS NEGOTIATIONS WITH LADY GRAHAM, MacLaren spent a long afternoon with Laird Graham, discussing all the new information he had discov ered.MacLaren kept his meeting with Graham small, including only Chaumont.Graham had wished Warwick and Pitcairn present, but MacLaren respect fully requested they not come.All the men on the journey were suspect, even Graham's top men, as unlikely as that seemed [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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