Read Online Highland Solution by Ceci Giltenan - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Ceci Giltenan
Tags: Fiction
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responded.
“Well, until later then, lass.” He bowed, then looked pointedly at Fingal, inclining his head towards Tomas before leaving.
When his footsteps retreated down the hall, with the humor back in his voice, Fingal said, “I think I have just been told to remove Tomas and allow ye to rest.”
Katherine smiled, saying, “Tomas, why don’t you and Fingal go see if there are any dragons to slay with that fine sword of yours?”
Tomas scooted off her lap to leave, but before he did, he asked, “Are there really dragons in the Highlands?”
“It would seem so,” answered Fingal.
Katherine smiled at his obvious reference to their host, but before they reached the door she said, “Fingal, I’m sure Agnes meant well the other night. Please don’t be angry with Niall over this.”
“Don’t worry, my lady, it is past. Malcolm has indeed always been like an uncle to us. I’m sure he thought my argument with Niall meant more than it did.”
Six
Diarmad arrived with ten guardsmen late that afternoon. Naill was relieved to learn the dowry was secure at Duncurra. However, Diarmad reported that while they were in Edinburgh, Matheson had raided again near the southwest border of the MacIan lands and spirited away ten head of cattle. The MacIans retaliated, but returned with fewer beasts than they lost.
“God’s teeth, why is Matheson doing this?” swore Niall, as Malcolm entered the great room.
“What is Matheson doing now?” Malcolm asked.
“He can’t keep his hands off my stock. We have been plagued with raids by him for months now, as if he needs any of our meager stock.”
Malcolm answered, “Why does this surprise ye? The Mathesons have never been particular about the way they gain their wealth. Their feud with the MacIans has been long standing, has it not?”
“The MacIans and the Mathesons have never been allies,” Niall said, “but the argument between our grandfathers about our borders resolved without a full scale feud. Neither laird liked the compromise, resulting in little squabbles erupting from time to time over the years. However, until this last year, they were only a minor annoyance. Now he is relentless and the losses are crippling. Your land borders his, has he pilfered your stock?”
“Nay,” said Malcolm. “Perhaps Laird Matheson has his eyes on expansion? Certainly one way of defeating an opponent is to critically weaken him first. Now you have sufficient funds, maybe your best option is to go on the offensive.”
“That really isn’t an option at the moment. A full-scale feud with Matheson would critically weaken us, regardless of our current financial state. I simply can’t risk it.”
“I’m sure ye know what is best for your clan. On a more pleasant note, I just had a nice visit with your lovely wife and Fingal. She appears to be recovering well from her ordeal. I thought perhaps ye would both join us in the great hall for the evening meal.”
“Certainly,” said Niall absently, but he wondered what the hell Fingal was doing visiting with his wife. Moments later, Fingal appeared with Tomas, who wielded a wooden sword. Niall’s jealously cooled when he realized Tomas had been visiting Katherine. Fingal merely accompanied him as ordered.
~ * ~
Agnes declared Katherine sufficiently recovered to make the trip to Duncurra. Since his guard had returned, Niall planned to leave the next morning. Therefore dinner would be something of a farewell feast. After bathing in the loch, Niall returned to their chamber to escort Katherine to dinner. The effects of the cold loch water vanished instantly when he laid eyes on his lovely wife. A bath had been brought up for her and she sat drying her honey colored silk hair by the fire. She wore a pale gold gown that hugged her figure provocatively. He hadn’t paid much attention to his lovely wife’s green eyes before, but now they mesmerized him. He wondered if the gold flecks had always been there or if her eyes
“Well, until later then, lass.” He bowed, then looked pointedly at Fingal, inclining his head towards Tomas before leaving.
When his footsteps retreated down the hall, with the humor back in his voice, Fingal said, “I think I have just been told to remove Tomas and allow ye to rest.”
Katherine smiled, saying, “Tomas, why don’t you and Fingal go see if there are any dragons to slay with that fine sword of yours?”
Tomas scooted off her lap to leave, but before he did, he asked, “Are there really dragons in the Highlands?”
“It would seem so,” answered Fingal.
Katherine smiled at his obvious reference to their host, but before they reached the door she said, “Fingal, I’m sure Agnes meant well the other night. Please don’t be angry with Niall over this.”
“Don’t worry, my lady, it is past. Malcolm has indeed always been like an uncle to us. I’m sure he thought my argument with Niall meant more than it did.”
Six
Diarmad arrived with ten guardsmen late that afternoon. Naill was relieved to learn the dowry was secure at Duncurra. However, Diarmad reported that while they were in Edinburgh, Matheson had raided again near the southwest border of the MacIan lands and spirited away ten head of cattle. The MacIans retaliated, but returned with fewer beasts than they lost.
“God’s teeth, why is Matheson doing this?” swore Niall, as Malcolm entered the great room.
“What is Matheson doing now?” Malcolm asked.
“He can’t keep his hands off my stock. We have been plagued with raids by him for months now, as if he needs any of our meager stock.”
Malcolm answered, “Why does this surprise ye? The Mathesons have never been particular about the way they gain their wealth. Their feud with the MacIans has been long standing, has it not?”
“The MacIans and the Mathesons have never been allies,” Niall said, “but the argument between our grandfathers about our borders resolved without a full scale feud. Neither laird liked the compromise, resulting in little squabbles erupting from time to time over the years. However, until this last year, they were only a minor annoyance. Now he is relentless and the losses are crippling. Your land borders his, has he pilfered your stock?”
“Nay,” said Malcolm. “Perhaps Laird Matheson has his eyes on expansion? Certainly one way of defeating an opponent is to critically weaken him first. Now you have sufficient funds, maybe your best option is to go on the offensive.”
“That really isn’t an option at the moment. A full-scale feud with Matheson would critically weaken us, regardless of our current financial state. I simply can’t risk it.”
“I’m sure ye know what is best for your clan. On a more pleasant note, I just had a nice visit with your lovely wife and Fingal. She appears to be recovering well from her ordeal. I thought perhaps ye would both join us in the great hall for the evening meal.”
“Certainly,” said Niall absently, but he wondered what the hell Fingal was doing visiting with his wife. Moments later, Fingal appeared with Tomas, who wielded a wooden sword. Niall’s jealously cooled when he realized Tomas had been visiting Katherine. Fingal merely accompanied him as ordered.
~ * ~
Agnes declared Katherine sufficiently recovered to make the trip to Duncurra. Since his guard had returned, Niall planned to leave the next morning. Therefore dinner would be something of a farewell feast. After bathing in the loch, Niall returned to their chamber to escort Katherine to dinner. The effects of the cold loch water vanished instantly when he laid eyes on his lovely wife. A bath had been brought up for her and she sat drying her honey colored silk hair by the fire. She wore a pale gold gown that hugged her figure provocatively. He hadn’t paid much attention to his lovely wife’s green eyes before, but now they mesmerized him. He wondered if the gold flecks had always been there or if her eyes
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