By God's Grace Read Online Free Page B

of those conversations where sitting is a mighty fine idea.”
    All parties settled themselves. A serving girl entered and laid the table with tankards of ale within reach of the elders’ fingertips. When she left, the head elder spoke. “Duncan, ye are now laird of the Sinclair clan.”
    He nodded. “Aye, I know.”
    The old man cleared his throat and narrowed his eyes. “Ye will stop interrupting until I finish.”
    He fought the urge to squirm under the elder’s direct stare.
    The old man satisfied, he continued, “Duncan, as laird ye have certain responsibilities. One being ye must produce an heir.”
    â€œAye, I know.”
    A white, bushy eyebrow rose, and Duncan mumbled an apology. Minutes passed before the elder continued. “Of course, ye know. Every laird knows he must produce an heir to lead the clan in case of his demise. Yer brother was warned, but he didn’t listen. Now his line is dead, and yer line will lead us.” Duncan started to interject again, but the leader waved away the interruption. “Since ye are now laird, we will no longer concern ourselves with the past. We will look to the future. Ye will marry and produce an heir as soon as possible. The elders have decreed it.”
    â€œVerra well.” Duncan would never have agreed to such presumption five years ago. But after spending time with little Thomas Duncan, the desire to settle down and start a family of his own weighed upon him. At this time in his life, he was more than ready to share himself and his newfound faith with a lifelong companion.
    Lyall stepped forward and whispered to one of the elders. The elder in turn whispered down the line to the spokesman. When the leader received the message, his head lifted, directing a questioning stare at Lyall. She nodded. The elder hesitated.
    Wrinkled hands worried one another atop the table as the man spoke. “Lyall has suggested she marry ye and provide an heir.”
    Duncan laughed, the loud noise echoed off the high ceiling. “Why would I marry a woman who is either barren or doesn’t wish to satisfy a man? I have no need for a woman such as her.”
    The impressed elder smiled. “Duncan is correct. Ye have had five years to produce an heir, and ye have failed. The council and I believe it would be a detriment to the clan to force Duncan to wed ye.”
    Lyall bowed and backed out of the room. Relief filled him to see the strumpet leave. The woman’s presence made him uncomfortable.
    Marry her indeed! The woman had denied Cainneach marital relations for the whole of their marriage. There was no way Duncan would be stupid enough to place himself in a similar situation.
    â€œNow that Lyall has left, let us discuss our plan.”
    â€œYe have a plan? Since when do I need a plan to acquire a woman?”
    The elder laughed. “Yer prowess is duly noted, Duncan, but we have a plan ye shall follow nonetheless.”
    Duncan’s shoulders shrugged with feigned indifference while waiting for the elder to continue.
    â€œIt is good ye have no objections. Our plan for ye will take place at the feast of St. Michael. We will have a tournament inviting all the neighboring clans. Each clan will bring their best females, and ye will choose one for a wife.”
    Duncan considered refusing the elders' method of wife hunting, but decided it might be more interesting to play their game and see what happened. Who knows? He might meet someone to love.
    â€œAye. It will be as ye say.”
    Duncan attempted to leave, but one of the council yelled, “Stop!”
    Duncan swiveled. “Aye?”
    â€œWe weren’t exactly finished. If for some reason ye fail to choose a wife from those offered to ye, then the winning clan at the tournament will gain the honor of choosing a wife for ye.”
    Now Duncan was upset. The elders were determined he have no say in the matter of his bride. These same five elders had helped