Page 26 of Kilgannon #1

“With me, Angus?” I asked. “Is Alex angry with me?”

Angus gave a rueful shake of his head. Alex canna stay angry with ye for more than a minute, Mary Lowell. No, lass, it’s Robert Campbell that has Alex so irate. And no doubt Robert is as displeased with Alex. I dinna ken what ye’ll find. Be careful.”

I nodded at Angus and ran up the stairs two at a time, pushing the huge door open, to the consternation of the staff just within.

Ignoring them, I ran through the house to the garden, hearing Will pounding behind me.

I did not see Alex, but several of Robert’s guests surrounded me, eager to explain that a mad Scotsman, equipped with several swords, had jumped into the garden and demanded to speak with me.

He’d asked where I was, but they had run from him, screaming.

Robert had ordered Alex to leave, but Alex ignored him and roamed the house, asking everyone where Miss Lowell was, while Robert followed him, shouting.

At last someone had told Alex I was out riding with a group, and still glaring at each other, Alex and Robert had withdrawn upstairs.

I ran back into the house and found a page who said he knew where they were and would lead me to them.

Will clasped my arm. “Mary, let me go with you,” he said.

“There’s no need, Will. Truly.” I patted his hand. “Neither of them will harm me.” I patted the hand on my arm again to cushion my remark. “Will, I must go alone. Please.” He nodded reluctantly.

Robert’s house had been built in the late 1500s, with deep walls and doorways that were actually short passages, a door at each end of this enclosure.

I nodded my thanks to the page and entered the first door.

The second was partially ajar and I stopped before I reached it, for I could hear Robert and Alex arguing.

Alex’s voice changed in volume as if he were moving around the room, but Robert’s angry voice was clear and close to me.

I took a step forward and listened. Robert was speaking.

“… in a fashion that cannot continue, Alex. You are a dying breed. The Highlands cannot continue as they are. The world will come to you and that will destroy you. My cousin Argyll sees that, but you refuse to. You cannot seriously mean to take Mary there. She does not belong with you.”

Alex’s voice was cold. “That’s not for ye to say.”

“Someone has to get you to see clearly. You are not suitable for her. Mary has been raised in luxury among her peers. Kilgannon is not a place for someone like her. I cannot imagine you’d put Mary in a crofthouse, but you cannot give her the luxury she deserves. You have no money.”

“Ye dinna ken my home,” said Alex, his voice angry. “Kilgannon is not a crofthouse.” There was a silence, then Alex’s voice continued, quiet now and controlled. “I find ye disloyal to yer own people, Robert. Yer cousin Argyll sold our country to the English. That’s why ye have money.”

Robert’s tone was icy. “Scotland was not sold, MacGannon.”

“Aye, Campbell, it was. By yer family among others, and now yer prospering while the rest of us starve.”

“Then wake up and understand what is happening. The English have the power. That’s why we backed the Union. Join the English and you will have the power too.”

Alex snorted. “Ye mean sell myself.”

“No,” said Robert. “But the old ways are dying. Join us.”

“Never. It’s what makes me a Scot instead of a lackey for the English.” There was another long silence and then Robert spoke.

“You’re papists,” he said. “She’ll never accept your faith.”

“She doesna have to,” Alex answered.

“What of children? What religion would you raise them in?”

“This is none of yer concern. It is between Mary and me.”

“You are only thinking of your own desires!” Robert cried.

“As ye are! Dinna pretend yer trying to protect her.”

There was a pause and then Robert spoke again in a calmer voice.

“Think, Alex. All your wealth is in your land or your ships, and you now have one less of them. If you need ready coin you have none. But I do. I can offer her safety. She can stay among her own people in England. I can give her everything she will ever need. I will keep her safe. If you care for her, you will withdraw your suit. Leave now and she’ll never know you were here. ”

Alex’s voice was weary, each word weighty. “I’ll not discuss this with ye further, Robert. Mary will decide what her wishes are, not ye, not I. If she chooses me, ye will have to accept it.”

“And if she chooses me?”

“Then I will accept it. But I’ll hear it from Mary, not from ye—and not from yer damned butler—that she doesna wish to see me. I willna talk further on it with ye. I’ll go and find her now.”

I pushed the inner door open. “That won’t be necessary,” I said.

Both men turned to me. The room was large and handsome, high-ceilinged and paneled in dark walnut, with rugs scattered on the floor.

Robert leaned on a long table that ran the length of the room, while Alex stood in front of the fireplace opposite him, flanked by tall windows.

With the light from the window behind him, I could not see Alex’s face clearly. Robert’s had paled as I entered.

“Mary,” Robert said, moving toward me. Alex stood motionless.

“Robert,” I asked, “did you tell the MacGannons I would not see Alex?”

Robert raised his chin but did not flinch. “Yes.”

“And,” I continued, “was there a note delivered yesterday for me saying that Alex would arrive today?”

“I did not think it wise that you see him.”

“I see,” I said. “And you did not think I might have some part of this decision?”

Robert gestured to Alex. “He’s leaving, returning to Kilgannon. What difference does it make if you see him now? ”

I turned to Alex but could not see his expression. “Is this true?” I asked him.

“Aye,” Alex said, “i must go home.”

“I see.” I waited a moment. “Why are you here?”

Alex glanced at Robert, then looked at me. “To talk with ye.”

Robert looked as miserable as Alex sounded.

“Robert,” I said. “I’d like to speak to Alex alone.

” With a nod Robert walked stiffly past me, shutting the door behind him.

I could hear the second door close as well, but I opened the inner door to look.

The passage was empty. When I turned, Alex was before me.