Page 55 of Bride Takes a Charmer
“Well, Mackintosh, did Geoff murder his brother? Do ye keep silent because of your relation to the Chattans? Whose side doye wish to be on when this war is begun? Ours or your supposed family’s?”
The moment was at hand for him to speak the truth. As much as he wanted to protect his mother’s family, he had to do the right thing. With a nod, he affirmed their suspicion. “I am related to the Chattans through my mother as well ye know, but she has gone to the hereafter. Her father, my grandda, would have been disappointed by what Geoff has done, not only to his own brother but also to my wife and her daughter. He deserves whatever ye wish to dole out and I declare that I am on your side—the side of righteousness.” Shaw swallowed and waited. After a brief moment, a resounding cheer arose.
Alan held up his hand for silence. “I proclaim that it was Geoff who instigated the Cummings’ overtaking of the lands given to your sister and her husband, the Dunbars. At one time, those lands belonged to the MacPhersons. The Dunbars had no right to overtake our lands and we must decide how we will proceed.”
Voices rose in a clamor of agreement. Some bellowed ‘war’ and some called for Geoff’s death. They were a bloodthirsty lot and full of vengeance. Shaw understood their need for retribution because he too wanted to seek justice for Sorsha and for Gillian, not to mention for his cousin Rodick.
“We will besiege Castle Tor and hold it until that damnable man gives himself up. We, good sirs, shall war with the Chattans at long last,” Alan said with his voice full of malice.
Shaw stood. “Before ye all hail off to war, I would remind ye that it is harvest time. Our clans will soon begin harvesting our crops and we need the food to refill our stores for winter. This is not a good time to take up arms. Our crofters and farmers need our assistance. We cannot leave for such a war which undoubtedly could be drawn out. I say we wait until our harvest season is finished. We should set a day to execute this plan.”
All watched him with interest and none voiced their objection. Some nodded in agreement.
Alan grumbled. “What ye speak is true, Mackintosh. Aye, we should handle our clan’s business before we seek to go off to war. Och, by then though the weather will be cold, and ’tis unusual to take up arms in such weather. The Chattans will not expect to be besieged.”
“Ye all want retribution.” Shaw glanced around at the men staring at him. Their heads bobbed. “Many wars are fought in the cold season. We will prevail and shall meet a fortnight after the Michaelmas feast. Will that suit all?”
Again, the men bobbed their heads.
“Then ’tis settled. We will go forth in war against the Chattans two weeks after the feast of Saint Michael. All those in favor?” Alan counted the hands raised. He needn’t have bothered since all were in agreement.
Shaw retook his spot at the table, finished the hearty meal, and drank more ale. The night pressed on and he wasn’t in much of a rush to leave since they wouldn’t head home until the morrow. Most had finished eating and some had already left the tent to seek their rest. He hoped to speak to Alan about Geoff’s ill deed.
Alan waved off the remaining men at the table. When they vacated, he spoke low. “I too wanted to speak to ye in private, Mackintosh. I know this must be difficult for ye, going against your mother’s family. But crimes were committed and we must seek justice.”
“I agree.” He poured more ale into Alan’s cup and waited for him to say more.
“Can ye tell me what happened? What do ye know about him murdering his brother?”
Shaw hadn’t spoken to anyone about what Sorsha had told him. He had to make Alan understand that soon, he alone wouldseek vengeance against Geoff. “My wife, who was previously married to Rodick Chattan, witnessed Geoff murder him. She walked in on their row and Geoff had stabbed him. She accused him of murder and he had her daughter taken from her with the threat that if she spoke of what happened, she’d never see her daughter again. Then she was imprisoned for months until she was able to gain the aid of Queen Margaret.”
“Glory be. So Geoff murders men, holds women captive, and uses children to gain his twisted desires. Aye, he deserves what is coming to him, Mackintosh.”
“I will be the one to end his life.”
Alan frowned at him and with a shake of his head, said, “His life will be ended, but och, we know not who will inflict his final wound.”
Shaw pounded the table with his fist. “It will be me. I will be the one to end his life. I want it known and ye should tell all that side with us that none are to use their blades against him.”
“Very well.” Alan shook his hand, making good on their accord.
He stood and stepped back from the table. “I am going to seek my rest with my soldiers. On the morrow, we will head out early.”
Alan held out his hand and Shaw helped him to rise. “My thanks. These old bones get stiffer the longer I sit. What is the reason ye rush home? We should spend the next day or so planning the besiegement.”
“A warm bed and a sweet wife are awaiting me. Och, I can stay a day or two if ye want to go over the strategy.” Shaw hadn’t considered that the machinations would be planned right then but it probably was best to have a sound plan in place.
Alan chuckled. “I heard the king betrothed ye.” He chortled. “But I suspect, ye are not displeased by this. We should all be asfortunate as to have a sweet wife awaiting us and warming our beds.”
Shaw regretted speaking of marriage then at Alan’s somber words. “I was sorry, Laird MacPherson, when we received word of your wife’s death.”
Alan set a hand on his shoulder. “Aye, she’s been gone nearly two years now. There’s not a day that goes by that I do not miss her. Hearing ye speak of your wife reminds me of the love we shared. Ye must hold much love for your wife to want to seek vengeance on her behalf.”
Love? Shaw bowed his head but didn’t retort to Alan’s conjecture. Their discussion forced him to admit something he’d put off for the last months. He’d always been infatuated with Sorsha because of her beauty, kind heartedness, and sweet ways. That infatuation had grown to a love he’d never expected. Aye, he loved his wife.
“If ye want to go, then do so. We will prevail and come up with a sound plan of attack. Perhaps we might even beget peace for us all after Geoff is gone, God willing.”
Shaw nodded and hoped Alan’s prediction came true. Peace in the Highlands sounded good to him. “Nay, I will stay for a day or two. As ye said, I know the grounds of Castle Tor better than anyone here.”