Page 44 of Eloping with the Laird
His uncle’s sigh gave little comfort. ‘Nor would I.’
‘And?’
‘In the end, the Camerons will come round, but mostly due to a common loathing of the Frasers, but it shall take more time...and more coin.’
Rory shook his head. ‘Coin I have, time I do not. What will it take to secure it?’
‘You will not like it,’ Uncle Leo answered, dropping his gaze. ‘See the amended terms for yourself.’ He pulled a rolled parchment from inside his coat pocket and extended it to Rory.
The hardness in his uncle’s eyes told Rory that he would more than not like it. He would hate it. He untied it and rolled it out, scanning it as he went.
‘They cannot be serious,’ he muttered, dragging a palm down his face.
‘As a Highland storm, son.’
Rory slammed his fist into the wood and the desk shook under the force, causing the stack of ledgers to slide to the floor. ‘This is no agreement. This is thievery.’
Uncle nested his hands in his trouser pockets. ‘I wish we had other options, but we have none. The Camerons are the largest and closest of the clans that we could align with. The Frasers and Stewarts hold weight along the Highlands, and to go against either of them has consequences. The Camerons have no current loyalty to either of us, but this...if you agree to this, you will have their influence and Bran Stewart and Tavish Fraser will not.’
‘But you and Moira and our people could end up with nothing.’ He cursed and released a bellow of frustration. ‘And all because I will be dead.’
‘You forget that there is a chance they may not be able to make that last claim.’
Rory sighed, pressed his palms flat to the desk and leaned forward letting his head fall forward. ‘’Tis unlikely.’
‘Why? You have bedded your wife. She could be carrying your child even now. You could have an heir, and it could be a boy. And if she bears a male heir, your heir, within a year of your death, then the clan and she and your boy will be untouched and safe under the Camerons’ veil of protection.’
‘Even if that were somehow a reality and there are many ifs within that, can you trust they will not just slay them both in their sleep to overtake our clan?’
Uncle Leo shrugged. ‘The Camerons may be greedy and cunning, but they are not ruthless nor are they murderers. They would not dare it.’
‘And we have no other options remaining, do we?’
‘Nay, son. We don’t.’
‘I need more time. I’ll not sign it yet.’
‘Don’t wait too long. Something is in the air. I can feel it.’
‘My lady?’ Tressa called.
Moira turned and smiled. She walked towards her maid with the hounds bounding before her to greet their newest human companion. ‘Aye. What is it?’ she asked, pushing a rogue lock of hair from her face.
‘A letter arrived for ye, by way of messenger, at the front gate. Sean bid me pass it along to ye.’
‘Thank you.’ Moira took it and then waved to Tressa, as her maid began the trek back to the castle.Odd.Moira didn’t recognise the curling script and no decoration appeared on the generic wax seal that held it closed. She popped the letter opened and scanned it.
As she read the meagre three lines on the note again, her body numbed. Then she broke out in a full run after her lady’s maid. ‘Tressa! Who brought this? Who was the messenger?’ She grabbed her maid by the arm.
Tressa’s eyes widened, and she stammered. ‘I cannot say, my lady. Perhaps Sean might know.’
‘Take in the hounds, please. I must find him. And quickly.’
Moira ran around the estate to the front gate. Sean worked alongside the road, and she spotted him with ease.
‘Sean, who was the messenger of this note?’ she commanded.
Sean froze. ‘Unknown to me, my lady. He wasn’t local. Didn’t give a name, and I didn’t think to ask.’
