It didn't really matter, though. Brodick and Ramsey quickly disarmed all of the soldiers, and then got down to the business of teaching them how to stay alive on the battlefield. It was a lesson in humility, and by the time the two lairds strolled off the field, the ground behind them was littered with groaning bodies.
The two friends went to the lake to wash the blood off them. They passed Bridgid on their way back. She greeted Ramsey with a curt nod, smiled at Brodick and wished him a good day, and then continued on with her head held high.
'What was that all about?' Brodick asked. 'She seems irritated with you.'
Ramsey laughed. 'That's an understatement. She's furious with me, but because I'm her laird, she has to be civil. I think it must be killing her. Did you see the fire in her eyes? She's something else, isn't she? That smile of hers could make a man…'
'What?' Brodick prodded.
'Never mind.'
'You want her, don't you?'
Ramsey didn't have to guard his words with his friend, and so he was bluntly honest. 'Sure I want her. Hell, she's a beautiful woman, and most of the men here want to bed her. God help the man she ends up with, though, for I swear she'll lead him a merry chase.'
'Are you going to tell me what happened?'
Sighing, Ramsey admitted, 'I embarrassed Bridgid. The widow Marion wanted to warm my bed,' he explained. 'Bridgid must have seen her going into my chamber and she went in after her. Honest to God, Brodick, I've never seen such a temper in a woman before. Bridgid rivals you,' he added. 'Poor Marion wanted to be discreet and had gone to considerable trouble making certain no one knew she was going to share my bed, and then Bridgid marched in there and made such a ruckus, all hell broke loose. Marion had already gotten undressed and was waiting in bed for me, and that shocked the hell out of Bridgid, and it also infuriated her. She thought I was being… duped. Will you stop laughing so I can finish this?'
'Sorry,' Brodick said, though he didn't sound the least contrite. 'What happened then?'
'Bridgid dragged Marion out of bed, that's what happened. By the time I got upstairs, Marion was running down the back steps, screaming at the top of her lungs and only barely clothed. Fortunately the hall was almost empty and Father Laggan had already passed out.'
'And?'
'I slept alone.'
Brodick laughed again. 'No wonder you're in such a foul mood today.'
'That I am,' he agreed. 'Bridgid seemed to think that I should have thanked her for saving me from Marion.'
'But you didn't.'
'Hell, no, I didn't.'
'Did you explain that you had invited Marion to share your bed?'
'Yes, I did, but that was a mistake. I'm never going to understand women,' he said, his voice bleak now. 'I swear Bridgid looked… wounded. I hurt her and I…'
'What?'
Ramsey shook his head. 'Bridgid is innocent and naive.'
'But you still want her in your bed, don't you?'
'I don't take virgins to my bed. I would never dishonor Bridgid in such a way.'
'Then marry her.'
'It's not that simple, Brodick.'
'You still getting pressured to marry one of the MacPhersons?'
'Meggan MacPherson,' he countered. 'And I am still considering it. It would solve a lot of problems, and I have to do my duty as laird. I want their land and resources, and I also want peace. It seems the only way to get that is to join the clans by marriage.'
'What's this woman like?'
'Admirable,' he replied. 'She wants the best for her clan. She's strong and stubborn,' he added. 'But she doesn't have Bridgid's…'
'What?'
'Fire.'
'When will you decide?'
'Soon,' he replied. 'Enough talk about me,' he added as he turned the conversation to what he considered a much more serious matter. 'Did Gillian give you the names of the Englishmen?'
'No.'
'Why the hell not?'
'I forgot to ask,' he admitted sheepishly.
Incredulous, Ramsey stared at him for several seconds and then snapped, 'How could you forget?'
'I was busy.'
'Doing what?' Ramsey asked before he realized how foolish the question was. Now he sounded as naive as Bridgid.
Brodick glanced at him. 'What the hell do you think I was doing?'
'What I wasn't,' Ramsey replied drolly.
They walked along in silence, each lost in his own thoughts. Brodick had always been able to tell his friend whatever was on his mind, but he was hesitant now as he asked his advice.
'Marriage changes a man, doesn't it?'
'You should ask Iain that question, not me. I've never been married.'
'But you're more astute about these matters than I am, and Iain's not here.'
'Matters of the heart?'
'Yes.'
'You've only been married one day,' Ramsey pointed out. 'What is it you're worried about?'
'I'm not worried.'
'Yes, you are. Tell me.'
'I've just noticed…'
'What?' Ramsey asked in exasperation.
'I'm… cheerful, damn it.'
Ramsey laughed. Brodick didn't appreciate his friend's reaction. 'Look, forget I said anything. I'm not used to talking about such…'
'You never talk about what you're thinking or feeling. I shouldn't have laughed. Now tell me.'
'I just did,' he growled. 'I mean it, I'm cheerful, God help me.'
'That is unusual,' he admitted.
'That's what I mean. I've been married one day and marriage is already changing me. Gillian confuses me. I knew I wanted her, but I didn't know I'd become so possessive.'
'You were possessive of her before you married her.'
'Yes, well, it's worse now.'
'She's your wife. It's probably just a natural inclination.'
'No, it's more than that. I want to take her home and-'
Ramsey cut him off. 'You can't, not yet. She's got to help me find the bastard who tried to kill my brother.'
'I know she needs to stay here, but I still want to take her home, and if I could, I swear I'd keep her under lock and key,' he admitted, shaking his head over his own foolish thoughts.
'So she'd be safe.'
'Yes, and also because I don't like other men…'
'Staring at her? She's a beautiful woman.'
'I'm not the jealous sort.'
'Sure you are.'
'She's turned my mind upside down.'
