Page 31 of Crimson Kingdom
“Fine,” I said at last. “But I want a guarantee thatwhenI decide against it, I will have more than consideration. You will grant your full permission to marry into Elk, provided they agree to the terms of the negotiations.”
I only choked a little on the wordpermission.
He quirked an eyebrow. “Very well.Ifyou decide against it, I’ll grant your permission. But I want permission in turn to stay until I find another suitable alliance.”
I blinked several times, my mind not quite processing what he was asking for. “A what?”
“A wife, in Lochlann.” He enunciated the words.
When I didn’t respond, he expounded.
“Your own council just told me that marriage was the most binding way to make an agreement. It would give my clan reasonable protection against any moves from Lochlann, via Elk, and it could only benefit both of our peoples to have more alliances.”
“That’s true,” MacKinnon weighed in.
I had always loved the man like one of my uncles, but it took everything I had not to glare at him now.
“Perfect.” Evander’s face was politely inquiring, but something in his eyes looked far too satisfied. “I believe you have an unpromised cousin?”
Last night’s wine threatened to make a reappearance, along with this morning’s breakfast. The headache from my hangover returned in full force, and I wondered why Aunt Clara’s tonic wasn’t working as well as it usually did.
“Gwyn doesn’t want to get married.” I forced the words out through numb lips.
“Lady Gwyndolyn knows she will need to marry at some point, just as all of you do,” Aunt Jocelyn gently corrected.
Wonderful.Evander could be my...cousin-in-law.
“Regardless,” he said, “I understand the lairds here have a great deal more power than those in Socair do, and I already received several offers last night.”
I’m sure he did.
“Yes,” I spoke before I could stop myself. “Lady Fiona seemed to be offering you a great deal last night.”
Uncle Oli choked on a laugh.
“As I said,” Evander responded nonchalantly, “I received multiple offers.”
“For all their talk of war,” my uncle cut in, “the ladies do seem to be quite taken with the Socairans. And though some of their fathers would prefer to go to war, there are plenty of lairds who won’t object to forming powerful partnerships.” He nodded significantly toward Theo, who blushed ever so slightly.
Apparently, Evander wasn’t the only one who had been approached at last night’s ball. I supposed I couldn’t be too upset with the ladies, given that Theo and I had not finalized our betrothal.
“So, I think we can agree that the request is reasonable,” MacKinnon added.
Nothing about any of this felt reasonable.
My mother cleared her throat, like she sensed how close I was to exploding. “The Summer Festival is in just over a week, and we need to make a strong, united showing there. Not to mention, the people are, indeed, restless. Rowan, is that an acceptable timeline to make your decision?”
I nodded.
“Of course, she can always decide not to marry either of them,” Da’ added, a warning note to his tone.
“Yes, that’s an option as well,” my mother agreed, though she shot him a sideways glance. “Are there any objections?” she said in a louder voice.
No one spoke up. Though, in Theo’s case, it was because he was too busy glaring daggers at Evander.
And in my case, there was nothing I could say.
In one week, I would be officially betrothed.