He had to chuckle at that. The lass could see through him very well, and, of course, he did have one way that he knew her security would be all but guaranteed.
“A marriage could solve all these issues for us. One of convenience, certainly, but it would allow me to ensure yerprotection. Ye are—unfortunately and due to yer brother—unlikely to receive one from another suitor, but I ken the truth, and I am nae promised to anyone.”
Her jaw dropped open once more, and Keegan could see the astonishment playing out over Willow’s expression as plain as day.
“Keegan, ye cannae…” Willow began, her words tumbling over each other, “Yer wife? What of yer own wishes? Daenae ye wish to marry for…for love?”
A hard chuckle cut out from Keegan’s mouth, and he shook his head with a roll of his eyes. “That was hardly a likely fate for me at any point in me life. I am a laird, Willow. Marriage to me holds certain advantages and demands certain things as well. That is why this is so perfect.”
“I daenae take yer meanin'.” Willow’s brow was knitted together with concern.
“Ye will be protected as me wife, and I willnae have to give over anythin' I daenae wish to part with as Magnus has already relinquished ye, and we would be doing thiswithouthis blessin'.”
Realization spread over Willow’s face, along with not a small amount of resignation. She knew that this was the best course of action to ensure her safety and well-being, though. She had to.
“I…” Willow faltered and shook away the thought, offering up another in its place. “When will we need to?—”
“As soon as possible, I think. The sooner ye are bound to me, the sooner the clan will have to accept yer place and find somethin' else to do with any stray animosity for ye.”
Keegan watched intently as the wheels in Willow’s mind spun. He could see her putting together the pieces—intelligent lass that she was. This was the only way to guarantee an alliance with her and his clan. Magnus wouldn’t be part of this, but Willow was still his sister.
If Keegan wanted to keep her safe from any violence or retaliation for Melissa’s abduction, he needed to prove to the clan that she was no longer a part of the McCallums, and the best way to do that had always been with a marriage.
Willow had to understand that as much as he did.
“I agree to yer terms, Laird Brahanne.” Willow stared straight into his eyes, into his soul. “I will marry ye as soon as we are able.”
Keegan just nodded once before reaching for Willow’s forearm and clasping it against his own.
“Good. It is settled then.”
20
To say the clan was pleased by Keegan’s announcement would have been a vast overstatement. However, nothing would change his mind about going through with the wedding, and his clansmen were well aware of how resolved he could be when he put his mind to something. They were also bound by fealty to heed his words.
Damon, on the other hand, evidently felt that expectation did not apply to him.
“Ye cannae possibly think it is wise to join our families,” he complained, and Keegan let out a low sigh, turning away and bracing his weight on the shelf now before him.
The study was particularly warm with the fire going as it was, and Keegan was already strained over the need to plan a wedding to come in the next few days. And this argument with his brother was not how the laird should be spending his time.
“Damon, I’ve already agreed. What’s more, I’ve told ye that it has nae a thing to do with Magnus. This is about Willow. She had been abandoned by her brother, and I wouldnae see her left to the wilds.”
His brother glared. “She is his sister, Keegan. It’ll involve him at some point, even if ye wish to avoid it. And for as sorrowful as ye may feel for the lass, Willow isnae our problem. Melissa is.”
Keegan gripped the shelf in front of him, dropping his head between his arms. He could remember the last time he was butted up against these shelves. He could still taste Willow on his tongue. Those thoughts and more served to make Keegan steadfastly against letting Willow suffer the consequences of his own actions.
Even more, Keegan was exhausted. He’d not had to deal with matters like this for a time. Of course, there were concerns about protecting his land, as always. Still, this abduction business between him and the McCallums had claimed all of his time for several weeks now.
He simply didn’t have it in him to put on a proud face anymore.
“I am tired, Brother, so daenae make me repeat this again. It was our taking of the lass that led to her brother relinquishing her so rudely. She was to be married, which is now off because they believe her to be lacking her virtue. Itisour problem.”
Folding his arms across his chest, Damon eyed Keegan hard, studying every flicker of emotion that crossed the laird’s face.
“And is it?” Keegan frowned, his lips rolling into a tight light at the question. “Is yer bride-to-be so lackin'?”
The laird’s tone dropped as rage began to swell to the surface. “I willnae entertain a question like that again. Understood?”