But the wound between Duncan and Hamish flared up like specter between them, and the two men were suddenly grabbing at each other, cursing in their native tongue—each trying to land a fist as the dogs barked wildly.

Arran reached for his gun.

“What are you doing?” Margot cried.

“I mean to shoot the both of them,” Arran growled. He meant to shoot above their heads, but he was sorely tempted to shoot them for being so bloody obstinate and losing an entire pack of grouse.

He brought the gun to his shoulder but was startled as Margot suddenly threw herself into the melee between the two men.

“Margot!” Arran shouted.

Hamish and Duncan suddenly stopped fighting. Because Margot stood between them, holding them each at arm’s length. They could not swing a fist without striking her.

“What is the matter with you?” she demanded breathlessly. “You ought to be ashamed of such childish behavior!”

“It’s him, mu’um,” Duncan said just as breathlessly, and tried to reach around and over Margot for his brother. “He’s been a thorn in me side for all me life.”

“Your whole life!” Margot said incredulously as she pushed Duncan back a step. “I think that is not true or you wouldn’t continue to hunt with him,” she said, dropping her hands. “Now, what is this all about?”

“He knows what he did, aye?” Hamish said, glaring at Duncan. “He knows.”

“I didna do a bloody thing—” Duncan shouted and tried to lunge for Hamish again.

“Enough!” Margot shouted.

The two men—and Arran and the dogs for that matter—grew silent. Duncan and Hamish glowered at each other, but thank all that was holy, they were silent for once.

“It is inconceivable to me that two grown brothers could be at such odds with each other.”

Both men opened their mouths to speak at the same moment, but Margot threw up her hands. “I don’t want to know,” she said. “But I am asking you to think clearly about whatever it was that happened between you. Should it not be forgiven and forgotten? You, sir—who will be there to bury you when you die? An undertaker? Is that what you want?” she demanded of Hamish.

He looked sheepishly at the ground.

“And who, sir, will be there to care for you when you are old and ill?” she asked, swinging around to Duncan.

“Dunno,” Duncan muttered, refusing to look at Hamish.

“I think you do know. You really must consider what being brothers means. I can’t believe that two men would squander all familial ties and the rest of your lives over some old tiff. What does it matter, really, when compared to family? Is it really worth such acrimony?”

Arran was not only astonished by her acumen but also proud of it. He had never seen this side of her, had never imagined this side existed.