His Highland Lass by Celeste Barclay

Author:Celeste Barclay [Barclay, Celeste]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Highland
Published: 2018-04-14T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

As the fourth week of the Sinclairs’ stay came to an end, Laird Sinclair still had not announced his decision. His mind was already made up, but he could not bring himself to tell Tristan or Mairghread. He kept wanting to observe and think just a little more before giving his answer. Finally, he accepted that his mind never changed. Instead his decision was constantly reinforced by what he saw. He feared what the consequences would be if he made a mistake.

Mairghread’s patience was on its very last thread. She was tired of hinting to her father and trying to show him that she belonged with the Mackays, that she belonged with Tristan. She believed she knew what her father’s answer was and it was taking a toll on her temper that he would not just announce it. Tristan took his frustration out in the lists. He trained harder than he had since his father was alive and he competed against Alan for the old laird’s attention. He fought now like a berserker. He took on two and three men at a time. He was in the lists before any of his men, and he usually dragged Alasdair along with him.

“Tristan, ye canna keep going on like this. The men canna keep going with ye like this. Most are too sore or too tired to lift their arms above their waists, and some are nodding off while standing watch. And dinna ye blame them fer that. Ye canna keep taking yer frustration over yer betrothal, or lack of one, out on everyone else. Ye may seem calm enough, but ye’re a pot that is aboot to boil over.”

Alasdair was Tristan’s oldest friend. They learned to toddle together and received their first wooden swords together. They were distant cousins, but Alasdair had always felt more like a brother than Alan ever did. It is because of their close bond that he dare speak to Tristan so bluntly. It was early morning with the sun just rising. They were alone outside the armory preparing for the day’s training.

“I ken ye speak the truth, but the auld mon willna give an answer. I dinna want to press the issue too much fer fear that he’ll prove as stubborn as Mair warned. I dinna want to give him any reason to say nay. Mair’s been trying to get an answer out of him, but she says it tis worse than trying to get milk from a bull.”

Alasdair snorted. “Aye, a bull. She’s right on that one.”

“Ma lass is a wise one. I will ask Mairghread to see if he will meet with us in ma solar after we break our fast. If he is agreeable, then this training session should go easy on everyone. If it doesnae, well, then I will challenge each of his sons. I will make sure they canna raise their arms over their waists either.”

Tristan and Alasdair spent over an hour going through drills until it was time for Mass.

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