Page 31 of To Charm a Highlander

Donella nodded.

“There is no other way to ask this, and ‘tis no’ my intention to upset or embarrass ye, sister, but do ye think ye can handle the attentions of a husband?”Now Conall’s face was the one with a red flush.‘Twas obviously not a comfortable question, but she understood why her brothers would feel the need to ask.They were only looking out for her interests.

She hesitated slightly since ‘twas a question she had thought of herself many times since she’d kenned Callum.“I donna ken for sure, to be honest.As much as I hate speaking of this with ye, I understand yer concern.But I want what ye both have.Happiness and bairns.I’m intelligent enough to ken I canno’ have those things if I doona marry.”

Haydon and Conall looked at each other and then Haydon picked up a piece of parchment from his desk.“I have a missive here from a neighboring laird requesting we enter into negotiations with him for a betrothal.”

Donella’s eyes grew wide, and she jerked her head up.“For me?”

“Aye.”

She let out a breath and leaned back in her chair.“I doona understand.Have there been other offers before now that I was unaware of?”

Haydon shook his head.

Her mind was in a whirl.Why would there suddenly be a request for her hand in marriage?When neither of her brothers said a word, she asked, “Who is the laird?”

“Laird Gunn.”

Donella jumped up from her seat with such force, it almost tipped over.“Gunn?Ye mean the man who banned his only brother from the clan for false accusations?That Gunn?”

“Calm yerself sister,” Conall said, touching her arm.

She continued to stare at Haydon.“I ken as my laird ye have the right to make this decision, but I hope ye are no’ seriously considering it.”

“I wouldn’t force ye to marry anyone, Donella.I am just interested to ken why this came from the mon now.”

She frowned and took her seat.“The mon who insulted me in the alehouse was one of the Gunns.He must have reported the clash to his laird and he decided it wasn’t enough to ban his brother, he had to also make an offer for the woman he was most likely courting.”

Haydon linked his fingers together and tapped his lips with his index fingers.“The reason I presented this to ye is because a match with a laird is much more advantageous than one with a warrior.”

She was up from her seat again.“Anhonorablewarrior!One who received a nasty injury while defending me.A mon who ye trust enough to court me, and to swing a sword as a warrior in yer clan.”

Conall sighed again.“Be at ease, Donella.No one is saying anything against Callum.If ye feel ye are ready for marriage, it would be remiss of our laird no’ to tell ye of a beneficial offer.”

Before he even finished his sentence, Donella snorted and was shaking her head.She took her seat again and realized that if she had a chance to enjoy a normal life with a husband and bairns, he would have to be Callum.

Did she love him?

Probably.

Did he love her?

She grinned.Probably.

Her thoughts finished, she stood.“If ye doona plan to pursue this any further, I shall leave and visit with Dorathia and see if I can offer some help.”

* * *

Once the door closed,Haydon said, “I’d like to send word to The Gunn that we are no’ interested in negotiating for Donella’s hand, but I’d like to find out more information about the mon first.”

“Like why he made false accusations against his brother and then banned him from the clan?”Conall asked.“‘Tis not an honorable thing to do.”

“Aye.”Haydon fiddled with the parchment on his desk.“I dinna think Donella would be amenable to this offer but I wanted to hear what she had to say.It appears her loyalty to Callum is strong.”

“Mayhap it’s time to put Callum at ease and tell him ye have no objection to a match between him and Donella.”Conall linked his fingers over his middle and grinned.

Just then the door to the solar opened and Ainslee entered, dragging Alasdair behind her.The lad had what appeared to be flour all over his wee body.