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king’s roads, one of which lead north to the Barony of Carlisle and the other northwest leading to the Barony of Allerdale, as well as being near the River Petteril, gave it a perfect position to serve both goals.
    The meal finished and the table cleared, most of the servants departed except for a few who would tend to their cups. Courcy sat back, his dark eyes glittering as he looked at Branan.
    “ John told me much about you but I fear he never told me you were a laird. ”
    “ He dinna ken of it, ” Branan said softly. “ I dinna either until Uncle Duguald brought me to Dun-Ardrigh. ”
    Courcy arched an eyebrow then nodded. “ So your lands have been keeping you busy. ”
    Branan nodded. “ Our primary income is wool production. ” He fingered the plaid he wore. “ Our women are fine weavers and their work is prized. "> is priThe wool that I and my men wear is the pride of our clan. ”
    “ This pattern you wear is one of the finest, MacTavish. I hope to pursue purchasing your clan’s weaving for resale. We shall both make tidy profits. ”
    Branan couldn’t resist the smile he shot at Courcy, yet he made a mental note to request that the women change the thread-count. When they sold to other clans, the weave changed subtly. It should be more apparent when sold to the English or even abroad.
    “ We are also wood workers. When I am not at the lathe, I am training horses. ”
    Courcy arched an eyebrow. “ You sound like a very busy man. ”
    “ Aye, but I enjoy the work. ” And my sanity , he thought.
    Courcy sighed, his expression turning wistful. “ I can hardly remember the days when I performed various labors. Now these projects are so extensive, I barely have time to manage them. ”
    Branan’s brow furrowed. Were Courcy’s words an affront or a compliment to the fact Branan still performed sometimes backbreaking physical labor?
    Gavin cleared his throat. “ Yet, Courcy, I hear you have time to take on a relatively new project, one that requires strategy and the use of weapons rather than just profits. ”
    Courcy chuckled, his eyes glittering. “ Aye, Reigny. I like making money, that is no secret, but when something...or someone...threatens my ventures, I find it prudent to seek other means of recourse. ” He paused, studying the others for a long moment , then his gaze locked on Branan. “ I understand, MacTavish, that there is no love lost betwixt you and Warden Strickland. ”
    Branan’s jaw tightened. “ n> Aye. ”
    “ John told me that by all rights you should be heir of the Wardenship. ” He paused and scowled. “ I am not sure if I am clear on this , b ut John explained you are begotte n of Lady Raina’s first husband –the Scotsman, Raulf MacTavish, whom Strickland murdered. Although for years you were known as Strickland’s son, in truth you are of Scottish blood. Indeed what I’ve seen thus far has proven it. ”
    “ ’Tis sooth. My mother only claimed me Strickland’s son because she feared he would kill me the moment I uttered my first squall. ”
    Courcy nodded, again surprising Branan with an expression of approval. He motioned the servants to quickly refill their cups then lifted his as if in a toast. “ To the wisdom of your mother, Branan MacTavish, for protecting what she held most dear. ”
    “ Well said, ” Gavin replied , lifting his cup.
    “ Aye, ” Branan said and acknowledged the toast . But my mother paid such a terrible price because of her love for me.
    “ Strickland, ” Courcy continued, “ and I had a...disagreement. It seems the expense of maintaining the Royal Forest of Inglewood is increasing. ”
    “ Increasing to line his pockets, you mean, ” Gavin muttered.
    “ Brackenburgh answered the challenge in stride and we paid our due. Remember making money is my talent, so I was still able to show a profit even after the hefty increases. ” t sfont> Courcy paused and sighed. “ Unfortunately, many townships were not able to do that.