"I could have the priest set aside yer marriage."

She eyed him suspiciously for a moment. "Say the truth o' it."

He should have known he could not pull the wool over her eyes. "Ye have me, I see. Two lads have asked for ye since ye last came to the village. As their laird, I am forced to consider it."

She glanced at the other men and tried to remember her manners. "I am complimented they find me pleasing, but I will wait for my husband's return."

"He is not coming back and we both know it." Macoran expected an argument, but Jirvel hung her head as though his words hurt. He watched her for a moment before he said, "I will mention it again when next I see ye. Perhaps by then a new husband will be more to yer liking." He looked once more at Kannak and nodded. "The spring festival be set for Monday week." He hoped the news would please Kannak and he was not disappointed. He returned the girl's smile and then the laird of Clan Macoran turned his horse and led his guard away.

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Jirvel waited until Stefan walked off and then leaned closer to her daughter. "For this festival, we will bind yer bosom and add more freckles to yer face."

Kannak watched her mother go back inside the cottage and then hurried to catch up with Stefan. She had to run. He was already past the garden and headed down the path toward the river. "Did ye see it?"

"See what?"

"The way Laird Macoran looked at my mother. It be the same every time he comes, which be not so often, I admit. He be happy to see her and she be annoyed that he came. Once when my father was not at home, he came back without his guard, took her inside where I could not hear and they quarreled."

"Quarreled? About what?"

"I dinna know, but she was forlorn for days after." Kannak had to half run to stay up with Stefan's long strides. "Where are ye going?"

"To the river."

"What for?"

"To get away from ye."




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