Page 74 of The Dragon Laird’s Obsession

“To the Sinclairs!” they chorused as their cups met.

For a while as they drank, they were simply siblings again. They spoke of childhood adventures, of Sorcha falling into the stream and blaming Ailis for pushing her, of Callan hiding their mother’s ribbons because he was tired of seeing them everywhere.

Ailis laughed until her cheeks hurt.

Then Sorcha’s eyes suddenly gleamed.

She looked at Callan then at Ailis. “Perhaps ye, Callan, will be next in line after Ailis,” Sorcha said softly.

“Daenae start,” Callan warned.

Ailis grinned because she knew what her sister intended to say.

“Ach, Callan, it is only fair that ye take a wife after I marry,” she said to him, intent on teasing him. “Ye, after all, should take on yer responsibility of makin’ heirs to inherit yer lairdship.”

“I daenae intend to wed anyone yet,” Callan told them firmly as he drank again.

“Laird Callan Sinclair,” Sorcha declared grandly, “the mighty Lion of the Sutherlands, afraid of women?”

“I prefer me peace.”

“Ye are doomed,” Ailis sang.

Callan pointed at her. “Daenae encourage her.”

“I am merely tellin’ the truth.”

Laughter filled the chamber as they continued their chatter and Ailis enjoyed the night more than any she had enjoyed in years.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Gordon found Rowan sitting on the low stone wall near the courtyard just before dusk, a small bundle of wildflowers clutched in one hand.

He stopped and stared at his brother for a long moment. Rowan did not look up. He was so completely engrossed in handpicking the flowers that he did not notice Gordon’s presence until he turned.

“What are ye doin’?”

A startled gasp left his lips before his face lifted in a smile.

“What does it look like?” Rowan answered in a light voice, his smile even wider. “I am pickin’ these for Sorcha and Elspeth,” he said, his tone so matter of fact that it somehow made the gesture more ridiculous.

Gordon folded his arms and watched the boastful look on his face. Rowan looked purely excited to be picking wildflowers. Gordon could not understand the gesture.

“Why?”

Rowan blinked at him, and Gordon suspected he was truly confused at the question.

“Well, because…” Rowan trailed off. “It is romantic,” he eventually added. “It shows affection, that ye care. Surely ye have given Miss Ailis flowers once since she arrived here, have ye nay?”

Gordon blinked at him in turn now.

Rowan paled, his eyes widening dramatically. “Ye have nae?” he questioned in an alarmed tone.

“I have nae thought of it.”

“Oh, brother,” Rowan exclaimed and rubbed a hand on his forehead for a bit before breathing out deeply.

He planted a hand on Gordon’s shoulder and walked with him toward the garden’s pavilion now.