Page 70 of The Laird's Secret Bairn

Stephen shifted, bringing Dougal back to the present. He needed to focus on strategy because war was coming, whether he wanted it or not. It couldn’t be avoided anymore.

He soon spread the map of the northern border across his desk, and they both leaned over it.

“If Angus means war,” Stephen said, tracing a finger along the ridge separating the two clans’ lands, “he’ll come from the east. Likely through here, where the terrain favors a larger force.”

“Aye, I’ve thought the same. We’ll need more men posted along this stretch, and word sent to our allies, just in case.”

“I’ll see to it by morning.” Stephen straightened, rolling his shoulders, though he made no move to leave. “Dougal, can I speak plainly?”

Dougal laughed. It was almost comical for Stephen to ask. He might be Dougal’s man-in-arms, but he had been his best friend for over two decades now. The two of them had practically grown up together.

He would not hesitate to speak plainly and tell Dougal exactly what was on his mind. Sometimes it was a curse to have such an honest friend, but few would dare to tell him such things. Even his mother was not always so bold.

“When have ye ever asked permission for that?”

Stephen’s mouth twitched, though the humor didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Ye were rattled today, more than I’ve seen ye in years. And I’ve seen ye rattled plenty, especially when ye first brought Lily home, but today was different.”

“A man came to me gates demanding I hand over me daughter. Aye, Stephen, I was rattled. How do ye expect me to be?” Dougal grunted. “What if she had snuck out on her own?”

“Nay, that wouldnae happen. Ye have guards all over the grounds. Lily wouldnae be able to sneak out.”

“Ye forget she is a child, Stephen. A very clever one who has managed to sneak past the guards more than once,” Dougal reminded him. “She hasnae tried it since Skye came to live here, but I imagine it’s only a matter of time.”

“What about Skye?” Stephen crossed his arms, studying him carefully. “I saw yer face when that guard grabbed her. Ye killed a man in the space of a breath, Dougal. I’ve watched ye go to battle calmer than that. But when that guard put his hand on her… I’ve never seen ye like that before.”

Dougal said nothing, his jaw tightening.

Stephen watched him carefully, refusing to drop it.

“He touched her,” Dougal gritted out. “He had no right to lay a hand on her. The fact that he thought he could proves how little he valued his life. Did he think I would allow him to walk away?”

“Nay, he had no right. But that isnae quite an answer, is it?” Stephen’s voice was gentler now, the teasing edge entirely gone. “Ye care for the lass more than ye’re willing to admit. Even to yerself, I think. Ye went into this claiming that it was nothing more than an agreement, but I think ye ken by now that it’s more than that.”

“It doesnae matter what I feel.”

And it didn’t. Skye was going to go back home at the end of the month. Nothing was going to change that. Being with him was dangerous, and she deserved better. She deserved a man who could give her all of himself.

Dougal could not be that man, even if he wanted to. And he wanted to. God, he did.

“It matters plenty if ye ask me, though I ken ye willnae.” Stephen sat on the edge of the desk, undeterred by the glare it earned him. “Ye’ve spent seven years telling yerself ye cannae afford feelings. That love costs more than a man can pay. But I’ve watched ye these past weeks, Dougal, and I’ve nae seen ye whistle nor hum nor smile so freely since before the fire.”

He was more persistent than usual. Dougal was tempted to snap at him.

“That means nothing.”

“It means everything, and ye ken it.” Stephen’s expression softened further. “Ye nearly lost yer mind today at the thought of losing Lily, and ye lost it entirely at the sight of a stranger’s hand on Skye. Ye cannae tell me that’s naught but an arrangement any longer. Nae to me, and certainly nae to yerself. Why do ye continue to deny it so vehemently?”

Dougal exhaled, dragging a hand down his face, the mask shifting slightly beneath his palm. “Even if what ye say is true, what good does it do? She leaves within a fortnight. That was our agreement. It was never going to be more than that, and it willnae. I am telling ye that right now, sodropit.”

“Agreements can change if both parties are willing.” Stephen rose from the desk, clapping a hand on Dougal’s shoulder. “Ye’ve never been a coward, Dougal Grant. Daenae start now over the one thing that might actually make ye happy.”

He left before Dougal could summon a proper retort, whistling faintly down the corridor.

Dougal stood alone with the map forgotten before him, Stephen’s words settling far deeper than he cared to admit.

“We have yet to finish strategizing!” he called out after him, his voice gruff.

Stephen appeared in the doorway again.