Page 45 of Highlander’s Mercenary Lass

"Then ye can see that he is nae ready to be laird now," said Paton, shifting the wooden quaich from one hand to the other. For a while, he sat swirling the liquor in it thoughtfully. "Or indeed, perhaps never..."

Grace's eyebrow went up. She had wondered about Billie's suitability but was unsure about what Paton was suggesting.

"His sisters seem tae think that maybe—"

"They are nae in charge," said Paton firmly. Grace eyed him watchfully. "But I am. An' I have a proposition. One that will help unite the clan, put the Duncans back in charge o' the area, an' stop the Kennedys from making a claim."

"That is?" said Grace. She was genuinely confused. Her head swirling, she wondered exactly what was going through the old man's mind.

"That ye join wi' me, an' help me tae rule the Duncan clan," said Paton, his brown-gray eyes fastening on Grace intently.

"Me?" spluttered Grace. This was not what she had been expecting. Paton readjusted his brat, casting the heavy woolen plaid over his shoulder. "How can I help ye? I am nae meant tae be the ruler here. That's for my brother."

Grace's head was reeling. She did not know Billie well, but she didn't want to tread on his toes.

"An' anyway, I dinnae ken if the clan will have me. I mean, I am a lass, an' nae o' noble stock. I fight for gold!"

Paton smiled at her dismissively. "I ken what ye are. But dinnae fash. Ye dinnae always have tae be, do ye nae see? An' the clan's folk will have ye if I tell them tae." His gray eyes sparkled with power, and Grace understood for the first time. He was enjoying this.

Paton continued. "Aye, lass, ye’re noble enough. An' wi' Billie out o' the question, then ye’re well-placed tae become the lady o' the clan."

His face twisted into a smirk, showing the age trapped within it. Grace tried not to recoil.

"Think about it," said Paton, enticing her. Grace tried her hardest not to think about it and not to look. Outside, the wind had gotten up again and was sending brown and gold leaves scudding about the castle walls. "All the things ye thought ye couldnae have, well, ye can, an', more importantly, ye will save yer clan."

Something inside Grace had been piqued. Despite everything, the allure of respectability proved a strong one. As lady of the clan, she could finally overcome her unconventional past. Add that to the very practical reason of stopping war in the clans, and the idea was appealing.

"An' ye? What will ye be?" she asked. Her palms were clammy. Inside, she felt sick and cold.

"Me? My dear, havenae ye got it yet?" Paton stood up and placed his hand on her shoulder.

Instinctively, Grace tensed. All she could think about was Andrew. Something was happening here, and she was not sure about it.

Paton took her hand. "I will be laird, an' ye my wife. Grace, I am asking ye tae marry me. So what do ye say?"