Page 42 of Never Fall for a Highlander

Criag turned to Robin and mumbled.“Make it a fast one.”

The two men faced each other.Robin had no doubt this was not going to be an easy win for him.The Macleod was large, and he’d seen him in competitions before.He moved with ease for his size and went about taking an opponent down quickly and effectively.If he were to avoid damaging his just healed side, he had to use his brain as well as his brawn.

Robin ducked the first swing, then charged Macleod, grabbing him around the waist, and bought his head up fast, hitting the man’s chin so hard, he went down, but was back up again in no time.

They circled each other on the wet, slippery ground while the men on both sides cheered.Robin charged Macleod again, but this time he was ready for him and gave him a powerful shove on his shoulders with his very large hands.Robin slipped in the mud and landed on his arse.Using his position, he quickly reached over, wrapped his arms around the man’s knee and pulled with all his might.

Macleod landed on his back, stunned, fighting to catch his breath.Robin jumped up before his opponent could recover, placed his foot on the Macloed’s throat and pressed.The laird growled, then waved defeat and Robin moved away.

The Mackay warriors cheered, jumping up and down, slipping in the mud.Knox walked over to Robin and slapped him on the back.“Ye did verra well, Mackay.”

Robin grudgingly thanked him and turned to Craig, “Time for a bath, brother.”

As a group, the men jogged to the loch and dove into the cold water.It felt good to get the mud off him and ease the still sore muscles he used in the fight.

They’d come to the Gunn clan expecting to have an archery competition, a tug-of-war, a caber toss, and a stone throw, since the word was that the games would last less than a week.So far they’d lost a day, and hopefully Gunn wouldn’t decide to extend the matches.

Robin sighed.A few days.Not long at all for a competition but very long for him.He wanted to get back to Dun Ugadale and ask Helena to marry him, regardless of what the council said.Most likely it would be necessary to send a message to The Sutherland since he was Helena’s laird.

Once they were cleaned up and dressed, the men entered the great hall.Ale was passed around and they spent their time bragging about the best of their warriors in the competition.So far, it appeared as though the weather would remain better the next day, so the archery competition would be on.

“Mackay.”Robin turned at the sound of The Gunn’s voice and groaned.He didn’t want to discuss his sister, marriage, duty, or betrothals.So far, he hadn’t seen Lady Lenora, although with the men all competing undressed, ‘twas likely only some of the more daring maids would have been there.

As a guest, Robin tried to remain pleasant, and not show his annoyance at already being singled out for what he knew the laird wanted.“Aye, Gunn.Good competition today.”

“Come into my solar.I have some good whisky.”

There wasn’t any way Robin could think of to evade what he knew the conversation would be, since he couldn’t say he had clan matters to deal with.

Once they were settled in the man’s solar, decorated with dark wood furniture and dark tapestries, along with shelves of swords and knives, holding glasses of whisky, The Gunn said, “I had expected to hear that ye were ready to sign the betrothal agreement with ye and my sister.”

Since he had to be here for the next few days, he didn’t want to start off the visit with an argument.He cleared his throat.“Ye are asking for something that requires thought.”

Gunn waved his hand around.“What thought?Ye are a Laird, Lady Lenora is sister to a Laird.A match between a Mackay and a Gunn would benefit both of us.”

Robin didn’t want to mention that with the difference in the size of their clans most of the benefit would be for Gunn.

Unexpectedly, the Gunn slammed his glass down on the table, jostling his whisky so some of it spilled over.“I want an answer before ye leave, Mackay.‘Tis no’ a hard decision to make, and I am becoming to believe ye are insulting me.”

Robin took a sip of the drink, watching Gunn over the rim of his glass.The man had quite a temper.“No insult is intended, Gunn.Marriage is forever and I would like to spend some time with the lass before I sign any papers.”

Gunn growled.“Ye had plenty of time when we were at Dun Ugadale.”

“I was busy at the time with clan issues.As a laird, ye ken that our time is no’ always our own.”

“Verra well.”He narrowed his eyes.“Ye will be here for another few days.I have a copy of the betrothal agreement.I expect ye to find the lass, spend whate’er time ye need to, and then sign before ye leave.”He hesitated for a moment, then glared at him.“If no’, ye can expect the Gunns and the Mackays to be considered enemies.”

Robin nodded and left the room.The man was without sense.The Mackay clan was larger, stronger, richer, and had a powerful group of warriors that could wipe out the Gunn clan in a matter of days, if not hours.

The great hall was filling up for the evening meal.Finn and Craig walked over to him when he entered the hall.

“What did the laird want?”Finn asked.

“What do ye think?”

Craig shook his head.“Why doona ye just accept the agreement, and get on with the marriage?I have no plans to marry, but if it were forced on me, I would wed the lass, bed her, and go on about my business.”

“Ye’re an idiot, Craig,” Robin said, running his fingers through his hair.“Marriage doesna work like that.Yer wife would demand yer time and attention.She would want totalk about things.And then what happens when barins arrive?Are ye planning on ignoring them, too?”