Page 27 of The Highland Heir

He caught her appraising glance and turnedaway, hoping her husband hadn’t noticed. He would bar his doortonight so as not to have unwanted visitors. Especially those thatwould cause him to find his head unattached from his body.

The laird offered him his wife’s now-vacantseat and introduced him to the other men sitting at the hightable.

“Arran Sutherland is my war chief.” The lairdnodded toward a large man who looked much too happy to call hisclan to war. Kieran knew Teague was a kind man, but upon meetinghim no one would think it for his surly countenance. This man,close to Kieran’s age, wore a big smile that spoke offriendliness.

“Good to meet ye,” Arran said. “Do ye wish totrain with us in the morning?”

“The morning?” Kieran couldn’t hide hissurprise.

“Aye. I put an end to drinking in excessevery night when I took over as war chief last year.”

Kieran smiled.

“The Sinclair war chief did the same manyyears ago.”

“That is wise,” the laird said before leaningcloser to whisper, “some of my men don’t have much in wits; I needto be sure they keep what they have.”

They laughed.

Arran explained further. “There was an attackon the castle in the early hours of the morning when all the menwere still asleep and useless. The war chief was killed, and thelaird brought me on to make sure nothing of the like ever happenedagain.”

Kieran nodded. ’Twas the same reason Teagueinsisted his men remain sober. Even during feasts, not all of themen took part.

A tankard of ale was placed before Kieran bya smiling maid, and he thanked her.

“So how is my brother?” the laird asked.

The rest of the evening was spent talking andlaughing. Kieran heard many stories he would use against Teague atthe next opportunity.

The laird’s young sons joined them for awhile. They were at that gangly age where they hadn’t yet growninto their large feet, but the laird offered praise. It was clearhe was proud of the three lads.

Kieran felt himself wondering what that mightbe like. To have a father who loved him. To have had a man likeLaird Ross as a father must have been wonderful. Really, any fatherwould have likely been better than his own.

Rolfe had never hurt Kieran. He’d never hithim or even yelled all that much. But Kieran wondered if it wasbecause the man didn’t care enough about Kieran to bother with suchthings.

Many times, Kieran thought mayhap he justwasn’t worth the man’s effort.

Two young ladies sang a few songs, andKieran’s thoughts turned to Ellie and how she sang like a cat beingattacked.

When the entertainments were over, he was ledto a large room that was well appointed with sturdy furniture and aview of the loch.

He had just reached for the buckle on hisweapons belt when a soft knock stopped him.

Upon opening the door, he faced one of thelasses with the angel’s voice who had sung for them that evening.He knew who she was, but he didn’t know why she was knocking on hisdoor so late.

His breath caught when he realized he didknow why she was there.

“Did ye wish for company this evening?” sheasked with a hopeful smile.

He knew, as heir, many women hoped to latchon to him so they could one day be lady of the castle.

“I’m betrothed,” he said and watched asdisappointment colored her face.

“I see. Then good night to ye.”

“And to you,” he said to her retreating form.The door closed, and he pulled the bar across it.

He may not have a choice in who he wed, butat least he wouldn’t be lured into marriage by someone who onlywanted to use him to ensure her power.