And while I don’t particularly like the idea of taking Bram’s leavings , as ye suggested, I would consider it where that beautiful woman is concerned. If he breaks her heart, I am more than happy to be the one to pick up the pieces.”
Eanraig left the stable having forgotten why he went in the first place. The conversation concerned him. Clearly, Bram’s infatuation with Innes’ granddaughter hadn’t gone unnoticed by the clan. Kitchen staff, members of his garrison, and villagers had all evidently seen enough to convince them of something. Considering what Eanraig himself had seen and the way Bram was currently behaving concerning his betrothal, it was likely that at least some of the speculation was true.
On the other hand, Michael was absolutely right. Bram had responsibilities to the clan that did not involve Grace Breive. Eanraig needed to do everything in his power to encourage Michael. Michael was a strong, reliable man and he would be an excellent husband for Grace. Aye, this could solve the problem. Of course, it wouldn’t hurt to discourage Bram too.
After the midday meal, Eanraig said, “Bram, I’d like to speak with ye privately about a few matters. Join me in my solar.”
“Aye, Da,” Bram agreed, but he looked less than happy.
When they were seated, Eanraig didn’t mince words. “I’m worried about ye, Bram.”
“What worries ye, Da?”
“I saw ye on the headlands yesterday with Innes’ granddaughter.”
“And that worries ye? I saw her walking with her wee daughter and was concerned for their safety. They are new here and could have been hurt.”
“When I saw ye, ye didn’t appear to be warning her of dangers, ye seemed to be sitting having a cozy conversation.”
“By all that’s holy, father, I was just being friendly. She is alone here. She needs friends.”
“And that’s it. Ye are just friends.”
“That’s it.”
“And it was just because ye are friends that ye danced all evening with her on Pentecost?”
“I certainly did not dance with her all evening. I was in the hall most of the evening, ye saw me there.”
“Perhaps it wasn’t all evening, but ye were seen dancing with her.”
“Aye, I danced with her. I went out for some fresh air very late in the evening. She was alone and I danced with her. I’ve danced with a lot of clanswomen over the years, Da, and it has never bothered ye before.”
“Nay, and if that’s all it is, it doesn’t bother me now. But ye have responsibilities to this clan.”
“I understand my responsibilities perfectly, Da.”
“Good. As long as ye do.”
“I do. Is that all ye wished to discuss?”
“Aye, ye can go.”
Bram stood and bowed slightly, saying, “Then I’ll bid ye good afternoon.”
*
It took every bit of Bram’s control to keep from slamming the solar door. He was angry and frustrated. Had he not just had a conversation with his father the day before about his responsibilities to the clan ? Bram knew what was expected of him.
He also knew that he had just lied to his father. Grace was more than a friend to him, or at least he wanted her to be. Damn .
He strode down the hall, intending to go out to the lists and vent some of his frustration, but as he passed his mother’s solar, she called to him. “Bram, lad, could ye come here for a moment? I need ye to get some things down for me.”
He sighed. “Aye, mother, what can I do?”
She pointed to the top shelf inside a wooden cupboard. “Could ye pass me down those lengths of fabric? I can’t reach them.”
He was easily able to reach the shelf and handed her the fabric. “Do ye need anything else?”
She cocked her head and looked at him. “Nay, but ye seem irritable. What’s bothering ye?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing? Yer da asked to speak with ye alone and I see ye striding down the hall afterwards, looking murderous. Do ye expect me to believe nothing is wrong?”
He smiled at her. “Well nothing important. Da just wanted to remind
Eanraig left the stable having forgotten why he went in the first place. The conversation concerned him. Clearly, Bram’s infatuation with Innes’ granddaughter hadn’t gone unnoticed by the clan. Kitchen staff, members of his garrison, and villagers had all evidently seen enough to convince them of something. Considering what Eanraig himself had seen and the way Bram was currently behaving concerning his betrothal, it was likely that at least some of the speculation was true.
On the other hand, Michael was absolutely right. Bram had responsibilities to the clan that did not involve Grace Breive. Eanraig needed to do everything in his power to encourage Michael. Michael was a strong, reliable man and he would be an excellent husband for Grace. Aye, this could solve the problem. Of course, it wouldn’t hurt to discourage Bram too.
After the midday meal, Eanraig said, “Bram, I’d like to speak with ye privately about a few matters. Join me in my solar.”
“Aye, Da,” Bram agreed, but he looked less than happy.
When they were seated, Eanraig didn’t mince words. “I’m worried about ye, Bram.”
“What worries ye, Da?”
“I saw ye on the headlands yesterday with Innes’ granddaughter.”
“And that worries ye? I saw her walking with her wee daughter and was concerned for their safety. They are new here and could have been hurt.”
“When I saw ye, ye didn’t appear to be warning her of dangers, ye seemed to be sitting having a cozy conversation.”
“By all that’s holy, father, I was just being friendly. She is alone here. She needs friends.”
“And that’s it. Ye are just friends.”
“That’s it.”
“And it was just because ye are friends that ye danced all evening with her on Pentecost?”
“I certainly did not dance with her all evening. I was in the hall most of the evening, ye saw me there.”
“Perhaps it wasn’t all evening, but ye were seen dancing with her.”
“Aye, I danced with her. I went out for some fresh air very late in the evening. She was alone and I danced with her. I’ve danced with a lot of clanswomen over the years, Da, and it has never bothered ye before.”
“Nay, and if that’s all it is, it doesn’t bother me now. But ye have responsibilities to this clan.”
“I understand my responsibilities perfectly, Da.”
“Good. As long as ye do.”
“I do. Is that all ye wished to discuss?”
“Aye, ye can go.”
Bram stood and bowed slightly, saying, “Then I’ll bid ye good afternoon.”
*
It took every bit of Bram’s control to keep from slamming the solar door. He was angry and frustrated. Had he not just had a conversation with his father the day before about his responsibilities to the clan ? Bram knew what was expected of him.
He also knew that he had just lied to his father. Grace was more than a friend to him, or at least he wanted her to be. Damn .
He strode down the hall, intending to go out to the lists and vent some of his frustration, but as he passed his mother’s solar, she called to him. “Bram, lad, could ye come here for a moment? I need ye to get some things down for me.”
He sighed. “Aye, mother, what can I do?”
She pointed to the top shelf inside a wooden cupboard. “Could ye pass me down those lengths of fabric? I can’t reach them.”
He was easily able to reach the shelf and handed her the fabric. “Do ye need anything else?”
She cocked her head and looked at him. “Nay, but ye seem irritable. What’s bothering ye?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing? Yer da asked to speak with ye alone and I see ye striding down the hall afterwards, looking murderous. Do ye expect me to believe nothing is wrong?”
He smiled at her. “Well nothing important. Da just wanted to remind
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