Part 20 (1/2)

She glanced at her brothers as soon as they were away from Kincaid House. ”I need a man's opinion. My marriage to Kincaid is a bit more complicated than I thought. There are certain things we don't agree on, and-”

”You wish to change his mind about something,” Gregor finished. ”How did you know?” ”I've noticed that women often have a desire to change men, even the ones they love.” ”I've noticed that, too.” Dougal frowned. ”Which is odd, when you think about it. Because if you didn't like the way a man is, why would you attach yourself to him to begin with?”

Gregor glanced at Fiona. ”Maybe you know the answer to that?”

”Me? I can't even find a way to keep Jack from wandering out at night to gaming h.e.l.ls. He feels that

since he had no choice in being married, he should be allowed to live exactly as he did before we were married.”

Dougal shrugged. ”That sounds reasonable to me.”

Fiona eyed him a moment. ”Does it, now? And I suppose you'd have no issue with your wife going out '

til the wee hours of the morning, drinking and gambling and whatnot?”

Dougal scowled. ”I'd never allow that! Why, if I thought-” He caught himself and gave Fiona a sheepish look. ”I see your point.” ”So? What would you do about it?” Dougal looked at Gregor, who walked silently as if in thought. ”Well?” Fiona asked. Gregor nodded. ”I know what you need to do.”

Thank goodness.She'd begun to think that asking her brothers for help had been an error.

”I think you should shock him, surprise him, do what he least expects. Men like an unpredictable woman.”

She blinked and glanced at Dougal, who looked as disbelieving as she felt. He said, ”Gregor, I'm not sure-oof!” He hopped on one foot. ”d.a.m.n you, Gregor! That was my toe!” ”Did I step on you?” Gregor asked. ”I'm sorry.” Dougal bent to examine his boot. ”You're ruining my s.h.i.+ne, too.” ”Here.” Gregor threw his handkerchief at Dougal, who caught it with his free hand. ”While you are buffing, Fiona and I will continue our conversation.”

Gregor tucked Fiona's hand in his arm and continued down the street. ”Fiona, you need to challenge Kincaid, force him to see your way of things.”

”But he gets angry.”

”Ignore it. In fact, ignore him. No matter how angry he gets, just do what you think is right. He'll come around in time.”

Fiona looked up at him, her green eyes wistful. ”Do you really think that will work?”

He patted her hand. ”Try it. See if I'm right.”

She smiled. ”Thank you, Gregor. I knew I could count on you.”

When Dougal caught up, they mounted and rode to the park, the sun s.h.i.+ning gently from the blue sky

above.

A short time later, Dougal and Gregor sat at White's, savoring the best the men's club had to offer. A

bottle of brandy sat before them, with a plate of bread and cheese.

Gregor thumped his gla.s.s down on the table. ”I think I handled that very well. No man likes a woman who bosses him about, and Fiona already tends in that direction.”

Dougal nodded. ”She's a bossy wench. Kincaid's days of peace are numbered. She'll challenge him every step of the way.”

”Which she should be doing, if she had any sense.”

”Women,” Dougal said, sighing. ”No sense at all.”

”None of them. Just look at this ridiculous plan of hers to marry Kincaid to begin with. Pure nonsense.”

Dougal nodded glumly, toying with his gla.s.s. ”She did manage to halt the feud.”

”Yes, but if Fiona and Kincaid are estranged, we won't have to see him at family dinners for the rest of our lives.”

Dougal brightened. ”I hadn't thought of that.” He took another long drink. ”It's a pity Alexander says we

cannot lift a finger against the Kincaids.”

”Aye. He threatened to strike us with lightning for the rest of our days if we even thought of it.” Gregor grunted. ”Petty tyrant.”

Dougal looked thoughtful. ”Perhaps Fiona will call the bairn Callum. That would be better than vengeance.”

The idea pleased Gregor until another thought intruded. ”What if it's a girl?”

”Callumia.”

”That sounds like a stomach ailment.”

”Callia?”

”Hm. Maybe.”

They were silent a moment, contemplating the addition to their family. Dougal poured more brandy into his gla.s.s. ”Gregor, do you think Fiona's sacrifice qualifies as her deed?”

Though they didn't speak of it often, the curse was ever in their minds.