Page 44 of The Highlander's Alluring Spy
William nodded. “Aye, I thought o’ that, but Laird MacLeish is a tricky one to barter wi’. They a’ look up to the MacFoihl Clan in times o’ warfare, but if he senses weakness, we cannae guarantee he willnae turn it to his own advantage.”
“And Laird Taylor?” Magnolia asked. “I know not of him.”
“That’s because there’s nae much to ken,” William said with a shrug. “Aye, he’s a Laird, but his clan is vastly depleted. Taylor is clingin’ to his status and nae more. He can keep his people fed, but everyone everywhere kens him as a wee hen-heart. He’s just a lad, barely eighteen.”
“So ye worry beggin’ from a boy would cause the same issue o’ appearin’ weak,” Nathair said, sighing. “Ye’re right, o’ course, as usual. We cannae risk it. I dinnae—”
“What if you’re thinking about this in the wrong way?” Magnolia said suddenly. Both men turned to look at her in surprise, but she took it in her stride. She was used to surprising people by speaking out at meetings, after all. “What if these things you see as problems are solutions?”
William looked at Nathair and shrugged, gesturing for her to continue.
Nathair nodded and turned back to her. “Tell us what ye mean, Magnolia,” he said.
How delightfully bizarre. These men care not that I am but a woman; they want to know my plan anyway.
It was so unlike what she was used to in the Order that she took a few moments to gather herself. Then she folded her hands on the table and said, “I think we should focus on the young Laird Taylor. I understand that he seems to be a weaker option, but we could spin that to our advantage.”
She paused, but Nathair just nodded encouragingly, telling her silently to go on. She smiled and continued, “Nathair should travel to Laird Taylor’s clan’s lands. He can bring Elaine, which means I would also go with him, which gives him another set of eyes and ears. We needn’t take a big party–just the three of us.”
“Oh, aye?” William said, raising an eyebrow teasingly, then wincing. Magnolia had the feeling Nathair had just kicked him under the table. Still, she pretended not to notice as she continued.
“Meanwhile, you, Commander Candlish, would take some of your soldiers out on regular patrol. Perhaps some of their womenfolk or even children could follow, too, to visit their friends in other clans. Let them discuss how the great Laird MacFoihl would turn to a milksop such as Laird Taylor before considering his own closest ally in Laird MacCullen,” she said.
Magnolia paused again, waiting as the men processed what she’d said. To her heart’s delight, she saw a slow, incredulous smile unfold on Nathair’s face, and his eyes seemed to glow with pride as he looked at her.
“Ye mean to shame him into openin’ the supply route,” he surmised. “Ye think the gossip o’ his people will force him to act.”
“I do,” she agreed.
William burst into laughter. “Well, well. Looks like yer wee nanny has a heid for politics!” he said. “Who’d o’ thought. An’ ye arenae wrong either, Magnolia. Laird MacCullen’s a proud old goat. That’s why he’s so het up about Nathair marryin’ his Agnes in the first place. If we turn that against him, we may get what we need without havin’ to dae a single thing.”
“We’d need to let it be known that we’re leaving,” Nathair said absently, his thoughts obviously going quicker than his words could keep up. “Magnolia could help Betty and Eliza spread the word down in the village.”
“Greta will help, too,” Magnolia added, feeling a surge of excitement that her plan would possibly solve the crisis for Nathair’s people once and for all. “And perhaps Elaine could convince little Bernie to spread it among the children. You know how children like to tell each other tall tales.”
William snorted. “Aye, and bairns are vicious in a way we adults cannae dream. If they start whisperin’ stories, ye can be sure they’ll be toxic shame by the time they reach MacCullen’s ears.”
“It might take a few days to travel back and forth from the Taylor clan’s lands, though,” Nathair cautioned. “It’s quite a journey to ask of ye, especially if we’re bringin’ Elaine alon’ as well. Are ye sure ye’re up to it?”
Magnolia nodded seriously. “I traveled up from England by myself, did I not? I want to help the people of the village in any way I can. And besides, I will never mind seeing a little more of the Highland view. This is such a beautiful country.”
Nathair gave her that heart-wrenching grin again.
Perhaps I cannot kiss him again without becoming a traitor, but I can at least allow myself to bask in that warm smile.
William was giving her the same odd look that he’d given her that night they’d met in the hallway for the first time. It was as though he was waiting, searching for something, and she had no idea if she could pass his test.
Finally, William nodded. “It could work. I ken that me soldiers and the village women would love the chance to stretch their legs and visit yonder clans. And everybody loves a good wee trip to thon rumor mill.”
Magnolia smiled. “I’m glad you like my idea, gentlemen. When would we set it in motion?”
“Ye should take Elaine and visit Greta at first light in the mornin’. She’s always up early to tend to her farm, an’ the more time she and wee Bernie get to spread their word, the better. I’ll stay here an’ plan for the travel, and if all goes well, we can set off two days hence.”
Magnolia felt a flutter in her belly at the thought. Traveling alone with Nathair and Elaine was simple in theory, but would it be so in practice? She could not be sure.
Can I trust him? Can I trust myself?
She looked at William, who had the strangest grin on his face. He caught her gaze and winked at her. “Och, dinnae look so pensive, dear Magnolia,” he said. “After a’, I’m sure ye and His Lairdship can find an awfie lot to talk about in yer days o’ travel.”
