Page 82 of Bound to a Scot
“About certain machinations that have been brought tae light,” Farlan said. “Now, present yerself tae me here on the dock.”
“I am laird of these lands?—”
“And James IV is king of all these lands—including yers.”
“Gentlemen, I understand ye have some concerns,” Burchard was getting impatient and bit out the words, “but we’ve business tae attend tae?—”
“The only business ye’ll be attendin’ tae right now is answerin’ the king’s questions or ye shall face the consequences of disobeying his orders,” Farlan raised his voice.
Knowing there might not be a better opportunity than now, Maddox glanced at Lorn, who gave him a quick nod, silently telling him to strike while the iron was hot. He stepped to the edge of the birlinn and looked down at the royal advisor. Burchard glanced at him, concern in his eyes.
“Me name is Maddox MacLachlan, Laird of the MacLachlan clan and I ask the permission tae speak,” he asked and after Farlan’s nod he continued. “Laird Burchard Macfie has engaged in a plot tae arrange the murder of meself, Laird Maddox MacLachlan, his wife Emmeline Macfie former MacCallum, Lady of clan Macfie, and his daughter Cecilia Macfie, in an effort tae steal the MacLachlan lands and men?—”
“Bollocks!” Macfie shouted as he rounded on Maddox.
He cut Macfie a dark glare. “He already tried tae murder his ladywife once. If I’d nae intervened, she’d be dead right now.”
“These are very serious charges, Laird MacLachlan,” Farlan said. “I trust ye’ve got proof?”
“Aye. I dae.”
They turned to see Cecilia standing up, her back rigid, her face defiant. Macfie’s mouth fell open but his face grew tight, pinched, and he sneered at his daughter. But then he quickly turned back to the royal advisor on the dock below.
“This is a mummery,” Macfie called. “’Tis a conspiracy tae deprive me of me lands!”
Emmeline stood and held her chained wrists up for Farlan to see. “I am Emmeline Macfie, Lady of clan Macfie, Burchard’s wife. He has accused me of conspiracy. We sail now to where I will be executed fer something I didnae dae.”
“She confessed before an entire hall of people,” Macfie shouted.
“Aye. She did,” Lorn called out. “Tae protect Cecilia, whom Burchard Macfie, her own father, had also accused of conspiracy and treachery… without a shred of evidence.”
“But I’ve got evidence,” Cecilia called. “Excuse me fer interrupting.” She then added and did a small curtsy in the king’s men’s direction.
Burchard’s face paled when his daughter produced the sack of correspondence she’d filched from his office and threw it down to Farlan. The man caught it and began to rifle through the pages. Macfie’s eyes, cold and narrow, turned to each of them in turn and Maddox could see the rage building within him. Theair around them crackled with tension and the dark promise of violence. Maddox knew there would be bloodshed before the day was over.
“Laird Burchard Macfie,” Farland called. “These letters paint a very dire picture.”
“They are lies,” Burchard shouted. “’Tis a conspiracy.”
“Was it conspiracy when ye sent men tae murder me?” Emmeline raised her voice at him. “And fer what? Fer more power? Land?”
Macfie spun around and glared at Maddox. “This is yer doin’. Ye seduced her and turned her against me. Dinnae think I dinnae ken about ye two.”
Maddox shook his head. “I didnae turn her against ye. Ye did that all on yer own.”
“Laird Macfie,” Farlan called. “Come down ontae this dock now tae account fer yerself.”
“Ye might as well confess now,” Emmeline called. “Confess yer plot and maybe the king will show ye some mercy.”
“Tell them ye were goin’ tae murder me and steal me lands,” Maddox pressed.
“Ye’re bleedin’ right I was goin’ tae,” Macfie hissed. “Ye’re a poor excuse fer a laird. Yer people are starvin’. They need a real laird who will?—”
“Who will what?” Maddox growled. “Who will use them fer his own ends? Who will throw them intae a war fer his own vanity? His own greed?”
“Ye’re nae just a poor excuse of a laird,” Emmeline shouted. “Ye’re an even poorer excuse of a man! Ye’re nae even a man!”
With a growl of rage, Macfie drew his sword and advanced on her. Unsheathing his own blade, Maddox darted forward as chaos erupted on the birlinn. Some of the king’s soldiers scampered onto the deck, joining with Adair and Lorn, who were busy subduing Macfie’s men. The sound of swords clashing rang in Maddox’s ears and he had to shove several men out of his way, his gaze focused on Emmeline, who pushed Cecilia hard, getting her out of the path of her father.
