Thorn in My Heart by Liz Curtis Higgs

match?”
    “Because he wants something from the man. Grazing land, silver coin, dairy cows—only heaven knows.” Leana sighed heavily, clearly resigned to her fate. “You know what Father says: ‘The older daughter must marry first.’”
    “Where is that written, I'd like to know.”
    Leana pressed a finger to her lips and guided Rose away from the door. “Hush, dearie, or you'll wake him.” She leaned closer and added, “I'd rather not confess how I learned about McDougal's offer.”
    “Confess it to
me
at least.” She couldn't resist scolding her. “And shame on you for keeping such
ugsome
news to yourself all day.” While her sister described the conversation she'd overheard outside the spence, Rose fought to keep her temper in check. Fergus McDougal! What
was
their father thinking? When her own wedding day came—and that would be many years hence, for she had no intentions of throwing her youth away on marriage and motherhood—Rose meant to marry the wealthiest, bonniest lad in Galloway, whether her father approved of the man or not.
    “Nothing is decided yet,” Leana concluded, her features lined with concern. “Do mention me in your prayers, Rose.”
    “You know I will.” Overcome, Rose threw her arms around her and hugged her tight. Her only sibling, her dearest friend. She pressed her warm cheek against Leana's cooler one. “No one matters more to me than you do, dear sister.”

Six
     
    Envy is born in a man from the start.
     
    H ERODOTUS
     
    Y our brother means to kill you, Jamie.” His mother clutched his forearm, pulling him closer. “Ivy overheard him threatening to do so this very night. Just do what I say—”
    “Haven't I done that one time too many?” Jamie yanked his sleeve free and turned to face the hearth. The scent of roasted meat dripping with spicy herbs still lingered about the kitchen, filling his nostrils with the stench of his deceit.
    “Come now, lad.” His mothers voice took on a cajoling tone. “There's a remedy for everything, even those things that don't turn out the way we'd planned.”
    “It was
your
plan, Mother, not mine.” By sheer luck he'd slipped away only moments before Evan had marched into the kitchen with his own plans in mind. Plans to serve an evening meal of venison to their father. Plans to hear a blessing spoken over his head. Plans to subdue his younger brother for good. Plans which, Jamie knew, had gone terribly awry.
    “Are you going to tell me what happened after I left?”
    His mother gestured wildly as she spoke, clearly agitated. “I told Evan and Judith the discarded dishes were yours, that you'd eaten alone and left. They roasted the roebuck together, and I…well, I helped them. To make sure the meat was seasoned properly. And to give you time to…to…”
    He grimaced. “Escape.”
    “Aye. After Judith went upstairs to bed, Evan served your father himself. I listened at the door, of course—”
    “Of course.”
    “And as soon as Evan spoke, your father demanded to know whohe was. When Evan told him…” She gulped, her eyes wet with tears. “Oh, Jamie. Your father was so angry his voice shook.”
    Jamie's stomach turned to stone. “What of Evan?”
    “He…” She bit her lip, avoiding his gaze. “He cried out, loud as the
deid
bell at a funeral. Begged your father to bless him, too. Not once, but three times.” Her shoulders drooped, and her chin fell to her chest. “It was an awful thing to hear, Jamie.”
    “Father blamed me, not you, didn't he?” Jamie watched her head nod ever so slighdy. “And Evan the same?” A second nod. “Did Father give him any sort of blessing?”
    As she lifted her head to answer him, the outer kitchen door banged open, and a rain-soaked wind blew into the room. Jamie turned around slowly, knowing what he would find: a lone figure wrapped in a sodden plaid, glaring at him with hate-filled eyes.
    “These were in the stables.” Evan flung a familiar pair of goatskin gloves, which