Page 99 of Defy the Highlander

As Hamlin nodded, Dougal spoke up again. “We thought ye were dead, Brody,” he said. “Mayhap this isna the right time tae say this, but Uncle Andrew is now clan chief. That title rightly belongs tae ye, as Uncle Arch’s son.”

Brody looked at him. That was very true, something that didn’t even occur to him until Dougal said it. Immediately, he shook his head.

“Nay,” he said firmly. “I dunna want it. I dunna deserve it. Uncle Andrew will make a fine chieftain. But not me.”

Hamlin frowned. “But it is yer legacy, Brody,” he said. “It belongs tae ye.”

Brody continued to shake his head. “Hamlin, I’ll ask ye a question and I want ye tae answer truthfully. Is the village at peace now?”

“Aye.”

“Are the people happy?”

“Aye, for the most part.”

“And they respect Uncle Andrew as the chieftain?”

“They do. Very much.”

“Then I’ve no right tae disrupt that,” Brody said, raising his voice. “I came home tae see my da and make peace, not insert myself where I havena been for over two years. Let Uncle Andrew be the chieftain. He has earned it. Me… I’ve not earned anything. Let things lie.”

Hamlin looked at Dougal and Ramsey, who weren’t quite sure how to react. “Brody,” Hamlin said. “Ye canna legitimately refuse yer inheritance. It belongs only tae ye.”

“I can refuse it if I’m dead,” Brody said. “Ye said yerself that everyone thought I was dead. Well, let them keep thinking that. There’s no reason for me tae return tae Ledmore and upset everyone’s lives. Ye’ll not tell anyone that ye’ve seen me, do ye hear? I’m dead tae ye, too.”

Hamlin could see what he was doing even if Dougal and Ramsey couldn’t. The man knew that returning after a long absence and assuming his legal rights would only shake up Clan McKay. He was sacrificing his legacy for the sake of peace in the clan. And perhaps, because he truly didn’t feel worthy of it, too.

It was a difficult choice that only a man of honor would have made.

“Are ye sure that’s what ye want, Brody?” he asked.

Brody looked at Lilia for the first time since sitting down at the table. A smile played on her lips as she returned his gaze, a smile of warmth and love and encouragement.

“’Tis yer decision,” she said softly. “I’ll stand by ye no matter what ye do.”

He gave her a gentle squeeze, mulling over the situation, his options, his wants. “I promised ye a home,” he said. “Latheron Tower is a fine home.”

“Is it what ye want?”

He thought on that. “Would ye be angry if I said I wanted tae return tae The Cal?”

She shook her head. “Of course not,” she said. “Yer friends are there. A new life is there. ’Tis a grand thing tae have a place like that wanting for ye.”

Her reasoning made his decision for him. Brody turned to his cousins.

“Aye,” he said firmly. “It’s what I want. Please dunna tell Uncle Andrew that ye saw me. He doesna need that burden on him; ’tis difficult enough tae be the chieftain. Let him think what my da thought… that I’m dead and buried somewhere. It’ll be easier that way.”

Hamlin was grieved by the decision, but he understood. “Ye realize that when my da passes on, I’ll become the chieftain.”

“And a fine one ye’ll be, Hamlin. I know ye’ll make me proud. But do something for me, please.”

“Whatever ye want.”

“Where is my da buried?”

“In the little churchyard next tae St. John’s Church,” he said. “Ye can see it from Latheron.”

Brody knew the church well. He’d spent a good deal of time there as a child, having his knuckles rapped by the priests because he wouldn’t pay attention to their teachings. Reaching out, he took Hamlin’s hand.