Page 10 of Highlander’s Lesser Evil

“I had heard about the small rich lands by the water that could grow three times the normal harvest. Spices that would bring wealth to a clan. Herds of animals that grew the thickest of hides from these waters.”

“If you’re about to segue from thick animal hides back to my body, I may have to murder you.”

With a chuckle, he turned back to her loom. “But no one ever spoke of the beautiful tapestries that come from here. These would be worth a fortune, but MacSeaver has never boasted of riches from art.”

“That is because I don’t sell them.” Wrapping her blanket around her, she stood and weaved.

Immediately, Theo was by her side, steadying her. “I know,” he said quietly. “Instead, you trade what could have made you a wealthy woman for food, clothes, and shelter for these people.”

He knew. His words penetrated the haze of her hangover, and she froze.

“Don’t do this,” she whispered.

“Do what?”

“Don’t take the tapestries away from me. Please. If you starve these people to death, if you don’t care for them, who will farm these rich fields for you? Dry the spices? Hunt the herds?”

“Gemma...”

“I’ll work harder and faster. I’ll make double the tapestries so you can sell some and leave me the others to trade.”

“Gemma.” His hands tightened over her arms. “Would ye quit babbling for a moment and let me thank ye?”

Unable to move in his grip or do more than stare into his handsome face, she gaped. “Thank me? For what?”

“For taking care of them when nobody else did.” Releasing her, he stepped back. “It won’t be necessary anymore. I’m receiving aid from my allies to make certain that everyone has what they need until the next harvest, and they have given me a generous amount of time to pay them back. The harvest won’t be like before.”

Gemma eyed him suspiciously. “You aren’t using Loch Moran to bring wealth to your people?”

“I’m using Loch Moran to get them back on their feet,” he admitted. “But my people will be helping, so there will be enough to go around. You may do as you wish to your tapestries.”

Pulling the blanket tighter around herself, she looked at him skeptically. “So you’re telling me that if I sell my tapestries, I can keep the coin?”

“Aye. There is a tax, of course.”

At that, Gemma chuckled. “Of course. Well, now that you’ve said your piece, do you think you could get out of my house? I do have a reputation to protect.”

A slow smile curved over his handsome face. “So, you didn’t keep your door open waiting for someone?”

“Get out,” she growled and grabbed a broom. Swatting his legs, she chased him out while he laughed the whole time. Slamming the door behind him, she leaned against it and took a deep breath.

The man had a strange way of affecting her.

5

There were two main groups of people who’d stayed behind in Loch Moran. The elderly were either too stubborn or too wise to move back to MacSeaver land, and the young were hoping for someone to teach them after MacSeaver’s men had turned their backs on him.

Theo surveyed the small group of men who’d gathered for training now. Some of them were far too young, but as they ran around, swatting each other with sticks and laughing, Theo noticed that none of his men had sent them home.

Even Thomas, who was usually the most hardened, smiled a little as he watched them.

With a hand on the hilt of his sword, Theo stormed forward. “Is that what ye call soldiers?” he bellowed. “Stand in line!”

They all scrambled in line, and his soldiers formed another behind them. Slowly, Theo walked up and down as he studied them. Most of them were the right age. Some were older than his men were used to training. They would be more stubborn and more set in their ways, but those with the heart of a solider would fall in line. The youngest weren’t even close to being ready, but it would still help them to watch and learn for when they were ready.

“MacDougal soldiers are proud!” he shouted. “Stand up straight. When ye wear our colors, ye are representing our people! Any who face ye, whether ye be helping someone on the side of the road or facing another in battle, will know that ye have sworn yerself to our clan.”

Those that were hunched over straightened. The youngest puffed out their chests and tried to look important. Theo stopped in front of the youngest and bent down. “What do ye want to be, lad?”