Page 63 of How a Scot Surrenders to a Lady

“How in the name of God am I to persuade the Earl of Ross to revoke his support for the resolution when the king has stripped the man of much of his land and made a bitter enemy of him?” Cameron asked.

Iain’s lips pressed into a thin line. “The king has a plan. He has decided to give him back Northam Castle and name it as a wedding gift—in addition to a lass the king has chosen to also gift as a wife—to compel the earl to do as David wishes without it seeming as if he is bribing him. That’s how ye are to make it seem when ye take the lass the king has chosen to them. They ken none of this yet, of course.”

Cameron snorted. The king would give back a castle to a man he knew well was disloyal and dangerous, which was why he’d taken the castle in the first place but he’d never admit it. “So I am to bring some pitiable lass to the earl, as well? Who is the unlucky bride-to-be? I did nae even ken the old clot-heid’s wife died.”

“She has nae, and the king’s plan does nae include the earl being married,” Iain explained. “His son, Hugo, is the one the king intends to get the land and the wife.”

Cameron made a derisive noise. “So the king takes from the powerful father but gives back to the son, making the son as equally powerful as the father. David is clever to pit father and son against each other. They will turn their attention from him that way. I feel even sorrier for the future bride now, though. Hugo is a grasping, greedy, immoral man.” He paused, surprised neither of his brothers had agreed when he knew they felt the same about Hugo. A terrible suspicion struck him. “Dunnae tell me the king wishes us to force Lena to marry Hugo?”

“Nay,” Lachlan replied, quickly. “Nae Lena.”

When Lachlan darted another uneasy look at Iain, Cameron clenched his jaw against a burst of frustration and worry. “Then who? Who am I to take like a pig to the slaughter?”

Iain clasped Cameron by the shoulder. “His plan is for ye to take Sorcha, Brother. She is the one he intends to present to Hugo.”

“Nay,” Cameron snarled, the word cutting through the thick tension like a well-honed blade.

“I hear ye, Brother,” Iain replied. “But the choice is nae yers.”

“What is yer plan,” Cameron demanded, sensing his brother had one by his words. Even as he waited for Iain to respond, Cameron’s mind began to turn, and he sifted through the ideas firing in his head, hoping to find one that would prevent this nightmare from coming to pass.

“I will nae force Sorcha to marry Hugo if she dunnae wish to. But we must tell her of the king’s command, just as I told ye. I’ll nae make the choice for her or any other to defy their king.” He gave Cameron a long, knowing look.

Fierce rage caused Cameron’s blood to surge and throb in his head. “And if she says she dunnae wish to marry Hugo? What then?”

“Then we find another way to get the king what he wants,” Iain promptly replied. “I’m certain we can come up with a solution, even if I must compel the earl with land of my own.”

Cameron’s throat tightened at his brother’s selfless offer. “I dunnae have proper words to thank ye, but I kinnae allow ye to weaken our clan that way. I will find another solution.”

Lachlan clasped Cameron’s forearm. “We will find it together, Brother.

Cameron gave an absent nod, his thoughts already fully on Sorcha. He feared greatly she would agree to the king’s wishes simply to protect him from sacrificing his fealty and honor, and protect his clan from the king’s anger. He was contemplating lying and saying he told her and she would not agree, but Iain, who was looking unflinchingly at him, said, “Rouse the lass and bring her to the great hall. We will be with ye when ye relay the information.”

“Ye dunnae trust me to tell her?” Cameron demanded, even as guilt that he had considered not doing so needled him.

“If I had been commanded to relinquish Marion to another, I would have done anything to ensure it did nae occur, so nay, I dunnae trust ye, but I dunnae fault ye for that, either. Now make haste. Grant Macaulay arrived while ye were locked away in Sorcha’s bedchamber, so ye’re set to depart tomorrow for the Earl of Ross’s home. Ye will stop at Graham’s home first, however, since it is on the way. He needs to be told what has occurred and arm Brigid accordingly. Then depending on what Sorcha wishes for her future”—Cameron tensed but remained silent as Iain spoke—“we will either make our way to the Earl of March’s or the Earl of Ross’s home next.”

“I was to go, nae we,” Cameron corrected. “I ken ye wish to help me, but I’ll nae leave Dunvegan unprotected by taking ye or Lachlan away.” An idea crystallized, one that would be risky but that he felt certain he could make work.

Iain scowled. “There are many fine warriors here to protect our home.”

Cameron resolutely shook his head. “Nae like the two of ye.” Before Iain or Lachlan could argue, Cameron went on. “I intend to travel to March’s home after Graham’s and seize March’s castle,” he said, knowing he had to let his brothers in on the plot that had just come to him.

Both his brothers stared at him with parted mouths. Finally, Iain clamped his jaw shut. “Explain.”

“I can gain sway with the king by seizing March’s castle. Of March’s and Ross’s strongholds, March’s will be the easiest to breach and seize. I will need a large force, though. I’ll ask Alex to gather his men to aid me, and I will ask Graham to send men, as well. He can afford them, given the strength of his castle and the combined forces of his wife’s, his, and his wife’s father’s, given he commands them all.”

Iain nodded, as did Lachlan. “All good thoughts.”

“But how will seizing March’s home gain ye sway with the king?” Lachlan asked.

“The king wishes to compel March and Ross to withdraw their names from the resolution rather than force them and subject the countryside to more war, aye?”

Iain nodded.

Cameron’s mind turned as he considered his idea. “But if he kinnae sway them with bribery and talk, he will turn to force, which means we would be fighting anyway. Aye?”

“Aye,” Iain and Lachlan said at the same time.

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