Page 44 of Bride takes a Scot
While he waited for the guard’s return, he didn’t speak to Anse or Trevor. It was best to keep quiet because the other watchmen stared at them. He found it almost comical that they considered their stares and mien threatening. Declan didn’t fear them or being close to Campbell’s soldiers. It was one thingto take a man down when warring, but quite another to do so without coercion. And that was true because their swords remained in their scabbards, and they showed no animosity.
The guardsman he’d spoken with returned a short time later. He opened the gate slightly and peered at him. “Laird MacKendrick, my laird said to tell ye that he cannot meet with ye presently. He gave me this missive to give to ye and said for ye to return in a fortnight.” The guard stuck the sealed parchment through the unlatched gate.
Declan took the missive and returned to his horse. They left hastily and didn’t speak until they were far enough away from Campbell’s holding.
Anse was the first to speak, “What does his message say?”
“I will read it when we make camp.”
The sun was nearly setting by the time they reached the dense woods at the edge of Campbell land. There, they found a clearing and set up a small camp. Trevor started a fire and Anse pulled out a helping of foodstuff from his saddlebag. After the horses were settled, they sat around the fire even though it was warm enough to forgo it. Declan removed the parchment from inside his tunic and cracked the wax seal on the parchment. He leaned toward the fire to gain enough light to read the words.
Declan, I know why ye wish to see me. I am unavoidably unavailable at present due to a family matter. Come in a fortnight and we will discuss this disparaging dilemma. With your aid, we will find my father’s murderer for I know ye were not responsible. ~RC
He gripped the parchment so tightly, he had to take a breath to ease himself. Though Declan was pleased by his brother-in-law’s invitation, he was unsettled because he’d hoped Robbie might give him news of who the culprit might be. “Robbie does not believe I murdered his father.”
Anse grunted. “That is good news, aye.”
“He wants my help to find the culprit.”
“Aye, we should help him. Robbie was your wife’s brother, and we are speaking of seeking justice for your former father-in-law. I have been thinking about this and I deem the murderer wanted you to take the blame and probably spread the tale. Let us discuss what this foe would gain if ye were put to death for murdering Allan Campbell because apparently that was his intent.” Anse took a cup of ale offered to him by Trevor.
Declan appreciated his cousin’s skill at comprehending the politics between the clans. Like his father, Declan’s uncle, Anse had the natural ability of diplomacy. His cousin was perhaps the wisest man he knew and he relied on his knowledge and advice. “Who would gain if I am dead? There is ye.” He meant to lighten the mood with a jest and hoped his cousin took it as such.
Anse chuckled and scoffed. “Cosh, there is no way in hell I want to be laird. I am satisfied with my lot in life, a lowly commander. I am content, Declan, and do not seek to overthrow ye.”
He thought that to be true. Anse had never aspired to want to take the reins and always boasted that he had more free time to enjoy his pursuits, whatever they were. “And I am gladdened to hear that, Anse, but ye are not a lowly commander. We are fortunate to have ye in our clan. Then who else might want to be laird?”
“There is your stepbrother, Silas. He is vindictive enough to go after the lairdship,” Trevor said. “I see the way he tries to insert himself with the soldiers.”
Declan mulled over Trevor’s words. “Aye, that is true. He deems he is better than all the soldiers. But is he intelligent enough to pull off such a ruse? I cannot see him being so crafty.”
Trevor scoffed. “Nay, I do not think he is capable of forming such a dubious plan either. He is always speaking but it is from his arse.”
Anse bellowed at Trevor’s speculation.
“I cannot discount him though. If Silas is my enemy, I vow I will slay him where he stands,” Declan said.
Anse shook his head. “What ye need to do is set a trap for him. Trevor, when we return, ye can keep an eye on Silas. Follow him and report back to either me or Declan. If we find proof of his deceit, ye can confront him, Laird.”
Declan nodded in agreement. “That is a sound plan, Anse. But let’s consider. What if my enemy is not Silas? Who else would gain?”
“Any member of our clan,” Trevor said.
Anse rubbed his chin and said, “Nay, none of our brethren would go against Declan. Our family has ruled our clan for generations. They all respect you too much to try to usurp ye. I cannot see any of our men taking such a stance to gain the lairdship, because even if they did attain it, they would lose the following of many, if not all, of our clansmen.”
“Whoever it is, is a treasonous knave, and I like not this turmoil.” Declan finished his drink and tossed his cup on the ground in front of him.
“Ye best watch your back, Laird, because so far, they have been unable to take from ye what they want. They will become even more diligent in trying to kill ye,” Trevor said.
Declan grunted. “They can certainly try, och I will be more watchful.”
Anse grimaced. “I will mingle with our clansmen more oft when we return and listen to their conversations. This kind of plan, to overtake the lairdship, is hard to keep secret. Someone will make a mistake and speak of it, and then we’ll have our foe.”
Declan wasn’t sure about that, but he was just as concerned as Anse and Trevor. He would return to the Campbell’s keep and speak to Robbie in two weeks. Perhaps he had a suspicion of who their traitor was. Declan felt the heat of vengeance running through his body.
*
In the morning,they set out and rode toward home. By mid-morning, they’d reached the pass that abutted their land. The forest thickened and beneath the leaves and branches, the woods darkened. Anse stopped his horse and motioned to him. He and Trevor stopped immediately and searched Anse’s expression for a sign of why they had halted.